Historical suspense at its best. Lies and conflicting allegiances are at that heart of THE GUARDIAN OF LIES. A brilliantly woven story about a young French woman, Eloïse, who will stop at nothing to protect her family and her country.
The year is 1953, and in Post World War II France, the Soviet threat of communism is ever-growing. The Cold War period is just beginning. Eloïse, who grew up on a bull farm in the rural Camargue (South of France), has followed older brother, André, to Paris. André is an agent working for the CIA. A position that continues to elude Eloïse, despite her qualifications. Still, Eloïse has found successful work as a private detective, collecting secrets and uncovering lies of the Paris elite.
When one of André’s assignments lands him in Eloïse’s car and in urgent need of her assistance, Eloïse is desperate to finally prove herself to the older brother she idolizes. But one wrong decision sees their lives upended. Eloïse has no idea if her brother survived the accident that left her face lastingly scarred until she is called back home to the family farm. Determined to find out who betrayed her brother, Eloïse sets off on a dangerous hunt for the truth.
The political climate of 1953 adds to the danger of Eloïse’s quest. Factions are split into anti-Soviet and anti-American camps — even (especially) in Eloïse small home town — and danger comes for those who are outspokenly pro-communism or pro-American. Eloïse, like her brother, André, fears what communism will do to the country they love and supports the presence of American soldiers in France to quell the threat.
THE GUARDIAN OF LIES reads like an espionage thriller, fast-paced, with at least two twists I did not see coming. Eloïse’s dogged determination to uncover the truth and redeem herself makes this a page-turner, and Eloïse a compelling character.
Book: The Guardian of Lies
Published: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 416
Publication Date: July 1st, 2019
Reviewed by: Meredith Mara
Stars: 4.5/5
meredithmara 