The Paris Secret: A Novel

Inspired by the real discovery of an abandoned Paris apartment from War World II, The Paris Secret finds Flora Sykes exploring a trove of paintings about which the powerful Vermeil family wants her to find answers. A shocking announcement sends her family spiraling as she dives into the past and goes against the Vermeil siblings, Xavier and Natascha, who seem to hate her. The further she digs, the more Xavier proves to be more than the tabloids suggest, and the closer she gets to secrets that the Vermeils don’t want her to uncover.

Flora is a modern heroine who’s spunky, sophisticated, and stubborn with a kind heart and a strong mind. She finds beauty in the world of art, and by the end, she sees the beauty in people regardless of their flaws. The situation with her brother is in the background, but the emotional investment shows the importance of his story. Karen Swan writes characters who are layered and flawed, real and honest. With elegant prose and well-rounded characters, The Paris Secret explores the wonder and pain of the past as a treasure trove leads Flora on an emotional journey filled with romance, betrayal, hope, and heartbreak.