Escape from Paris (Carolyn Hart Classics)

Escape from Paris (Carolyn Hart Classics)

Romantic suspense amid the chaos of a world at war. The year is 1940. As England braces for invasion and the German army overruns Europe, two American sisters in Paris risk their lives to save a downed British airman from Nazi arrest. Linda Rossiter and Eleanor Masson soon realize the price they may pay when they read this ominous public notice: "All persons harbouring English soldiers must deliver same to the nearest Kommandantur not later than 20 October 1940. Those persons who continue to harbour Englishmen after this date without having notified the authorities will be shot." On Christmas Eve, the Gestapo sets a trap, and death is only a step behind the two American women. “Set against the backdrop of occupied France, this is the thrilling story of two American sisters who risk everything to help British pilots evade capture. Three decades after it was originally published in an edited form, Carolyn Hart has released this edition as she originally wrote the novel, adding layers of complexity that leave the reader with a greater understanding of the desires that drive even the most unlikely people to greatness. Irresistible plotting, fabulous characters, and a roller-coaster pace demonstrate why Carolyn Hart is considered to be America’s Agatha Christie.” — Robert Crais , author of Suspect “Carolyn Hart’s riveting and realistic portrayal of German-occupied Paris keeps the suspense high. Set just before Germany declared war on America and just as the French Resistance started to emerge, Escape from Paris is a compelling page-turner .” — Robin Burcell , bestselling author of The Black List   “A classic story, in classic style, from one of our real treasures. Yes, it’s a wonderful suspense novel. Yes, it’s authentic and gripping and heartbreaking . But this tensely taut tale of World War II courage, sacrifice, and love is brought back to life—after so many years!—by the incomparable style and inimitable talent of the beloved Carolyn Hart.”     — Hank Phillippi Ryan , author of The Other Woman   CAROLYN HART  (Oklahoma City, OK) is the winner of multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards. She is a cofounder of Sisters in Crime. Her prolific career has included the enduring Death on Demand series as well as the Henrie O and Bailey Ruth books. In 2007, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award at Malice Domestic.  She has published fifty mystery novels, including  Dead, White and Blue (Berkeley Prime Crime, May 2013), the latest installment of the Death on Demand series. Visit her online at www.carolynhart.com and www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolynHart. Escape from Paris By CAROLYN HART Prometheus Books Copyright © 1986 Carolyn Hart All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-61614-793-8 Excerpt CHAPTER 1 Linda handed her papers to the sergeant. Her hands shook a littlebut he didn't seem to notice. Perhaps he was used to shaking hands. He read the passes which permitted her to drive, to purchase 10gallons of gasoline a week and to visit hospitals in a 75-mile radius ofParis on behalf of the Foyer du Soldat. Linda was ready to explain why it was she and not her sisterEleanor making the visit today, but he didn't ask. He merely nodded,handed the papers back and said, in his heavily accented French, "Youmay proceed, Mademoiselle." The sentry pacing back and forth between the hospital gate postsstood aside for the little car to enter. Linda slowly drove around the side of the hospital, trying, if shewould admit it, to put off for another few minutes her entry into thehospital. She had not wanted to come. It was Eleanor who visited hospitalsdaily, taking Red Cross packages to wounded soldiers and airmen.Eleanor kept hoping, of course, that she would find some trace of herhusband. Andre had been missing since Dunkirk. Today's visit to Douellens had been scheduled for a week or more.When Eleanor was up all night with a toothache, Linda volunteered togo in her place. Linda hated sickness—and wounds—and hospitals—andshe was dreadfully afraid of the Germans. She drove slowly around the west wing to park in the shadow of ahuge oak, just opposite a row of bins that marked the kitchen hospital.Linda reluctantly got out of the car. Opening the trunk, she lifted out apicnic hamper filled with small boxes, fifty or more, and walked slowlyto the front of the hospital. She climbed broad stone steps into a dirtyentry foyer, the marble streaked with grit. The smell in the foyer struckher like a physical blow. She paused for an instant, then, her mouthtight, turned to her left. "The Commandant's office is just back of the entry foyer," Eleanorhad told her. "You must check in there first and show your papers." A French sergeant perfunctorily looked at her papers. "Do I just go up and down the halls?" Linda asked uncertainly. He shrugged, his face weary and bitter. "Do whatever you like,Mademoiselle." She hesitated for a moment in the main hallway, then stepped intothe first ward. She stopped just ins