One woman's discovers her dive into the mystery of a missing 1940's actress in German occupied France during WWII and finds more than she bargained for in the past as well as in the present.
After Paris by Mary Ellen Taylor
Montlake Publishing
May 13th, 2025
Contemporary WWII Historical Women's Fiction
My Rating for After Paris: 5 Stars and Recommended Read.
For Ruby Nevins, trying to live her life again after battling cancer has made it tough to move on but she's ready to start a new project and a new job. What she finds as she researches Cecile, the 'It' girl of early 1940's French cinema will astound her as well as deepen the mystery that surrounds Cecile. For surviving in Paris, France during the height of German occupancy n World War II gives Ruby something to figure out and as she is drawn deeper into the shadows during that time period, Ruby discovers more about herself as well the secrets behind Cecile and her mysterious dressmaker and confidant, Sylvia Rousseau.
My Review of After Paris:
Mary Ellen Taylor's new novel, After Paris, delves into a mystery of a french actress named Cecile who was the rising star of French Cinema during the early 1940's at a time when German occupied France was increasingly getting more and more hostile toward the citizens there. What drew me into the story was the dual timelines and how this author weaved a spell around me as I followed Ruby's journey as she dived into the mystery of Cecile and her dressmaker, Sylvia. This is the first time I read one of this author's books though I enjoy her other author names' (Mary Burton) suspense/thriller books a lot. I am a sucker for good compelling WWII historical fiction about strong women during a time period where you don't hear much about them. This was a phenomenal book about three very strong women that had me glued tot he pages on a lazy Sunday afternoon and I literally read the book till I finished it several hours later as I needed to find out what Ruby was discovering about these two interesting ladies. Mary Ellen Taylor is a master storyteller who delivers a wonderful story told in 2 time periods with captivating characters that kept me glued to the edge of my seat the entire time. The characters were well written, intriguing and complex. I loved Ruby's strength and feistiness, especially as she dealt with her brother's lack of romantic relationships. Those scenes made me laugh a few times.
After Paris is full of twists, turns and secrets of the past that will keep the reader glued to the very end. I loved Ruby's journey and as a cancer survivor myself, her journey after beating the dreaded big 'C' is just what this author describes: Wary determination with a fear of letting someone near you in case 'it happens again'. The author delivers a story that is at times respectful of Ruby's journey as well as shows her inner strength after her fight with cancer. I loved how the dual timelines interconnected at times and showed Ruby how to move forward even as she navigated 1940's Paris information. This is an author who is seamless in keeping the story flowing from past to present and back again. The way this author weaves these two timelines into the story is fantastic and delivers a one-two punch that the reader will enjoy.
After Paris is more than one or three women's journey but a testament of life, of strength during times of adversity and hope for a future. With each page, past and present times, Mary Ellen Taylor delivers a timeless tale that will leave you breathless and eager for more. This won't be the last book I read of Mary Ellen Taylor and I can't wait to see what else this author has in the future for her readers. If you're fans of Natasha Lester's historical fiction books, you'll want to pick After Paris up as well.
About the Author:
A southerner by birth, Mary Ellen Taylor’s love of her home state, Virginia, and its past is evident in her contemporary women's fiction, from her first The Union Street Bakery, set in Alexandria, to her latest, Spring House, which takes place on the state’s Eastern Shore. In Spring Cottage and prior novels, Mary Ellen’s protagonists search for their place in the world. They explore issues of family, home and belonging, and their stories entwine with those of the locales in which they unfold, encompassing mysteries past and present.
Richmond born, Mary Ellen has lived there most of her life. She grew up in a family that appreciates stories of all kinds, from a well-told anecdote to a good yarn or a tall tale. Perhaps it was inevitable that she would embrace her storytelling heritage, walk away from her marketing job and challenge herself to become a published author.
"I realized early on the tremendous power stories have to inspire laughter, love, sorrow and even fear. It didn't matter if they were found in the pages of a book, spoken in hushed tones around a campfire, or shared at an old-fashioned family reunion. Stories create connections, and I knew that was what I wanted to do," says Mary Ellen.
Alongside writing, cooking and baking are important creative outlets for Mary Ellen, who's been known to name recipes in honor of her characters. Just a few years ago, she earned her Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate at the University of Richmond's Culinary Arts Program. "In some ways, I liken baking to my efforts as a writer. You need to learn the basic tools of the trade before you can push the limits and create a distinctive sweet dessert or savory novel.”
Her two passions —writing and baking—merged for the first time in The Union Street Bakery. Since then, she's shared favorite recipes, connected to her books Sweet Expectations, At the Corner of King Street, The View from Prince Street, Winter Cottage and Spring House.
Mary Ellen is also known nationally as New York Times and USA Today bestselling suspense novelist Mary Burton. Together, they have published thirty-eight novels, with Mary Burton’s latest, I See You, debuting October 2019.
When not traveling or holed up writing, Mary Ellen spends time with her husband enjoying their empty nest and spoiling their miniature dachshunds, Buddy, Bella and Tiki.
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