A. W. Hartoin

I almost can’t believe that there are already seven Stella Bled books, but at the same time I’m almost surprised that it’s only book seven, because Stella has been through so much. From St. Louis to Vienna to Venice to Paris to Britain to Berlin to the Netherlands to Paris to London – and now to Lyon, France. The night before she left for her honeymoon Stella watched her aunt Florence singing and dancing with her girls Myrtle and Millicent and saw what she thought was a preview of her own life. She’d soon be dancing with her own babies, content in her life full of family, beer and happiness with Nicky. That had been the plan all along and she was eager to get on with it. But it wasn’t to be.

Double Duet opens with a prologue that lets us check in on Abel. Abel who gave her the package in Vienna that changed her life and started her on the journey that has been so perilous, so difficult, so bone-wearying. Abel is well, or as well as anyone can be during these times, and part of a shadowy resistance. His connection with Stella is strong, and he’s finally found “the one” his mother told him about. We can be hopeful.

As for Stella, she’s on yet another mission. And once again her time with Nicky has been far too short. I am always so happy when they are together; they are young but their love is old. Stella and Nicky are Americans, once pampered Americans, but they care not only for the United States but for the world. It sounds kind of cheesy but it’s not. It’s just their strong, brave hearts, and their willingness to sacrifice over and over again.

Stella is strong and determined and makes herself appear comfortable in situations that are potentially dangerous and deadly. She’s had many close calls, been injured, worn disguises, had to run for her life and has always gotten herself through it. But this mission is different because she has a partner. Marie and Stella are posing as sisters from Ohio, and I must confess that Marie made me nervous nearly every time she opened her mouth. Marie is clever, capable, brave, but very, very inexperienced and uninitiated. She often seems to be overplaying her part and every time she’s in a scene I’m worried she’s going to somehow say the wrong thing, reveal too much and blow it. Disastrously. But they have their orders and they will do what they must.

Their orders are to find out what happened to two missing American operatives in occupied Lyon, France, where the French government is making as many rules and restrictions as Hitler wants and the everyday citizens, especially the Jewish citizens, while waiting for America to join and war and come and save them are slowly realizing how much their lives are changing.

Every new book finds Stella a little more worn down and despairing. She has endured so much my heart breaks a little more for her each time, for what she has sacrificed, for how all of her life ahead of her will be forever affected. This time in Lyon is especially horrific. Their cover as Kat the newspaper reporter and her ditzy sister Audrey brings them in close contact with the German occupiers, collaborators, a German intelligence agent, members of the resistance, and an inhumane landlady. It takes them to clubs and churches and everywhere in-between, subjects them to deathly illness, near-kidnapping by the Gestapo. Their search for the missing Americans leads them to discover many other missing men and a mystery to solve regarding traitors in plain sight. It’s a thrilling, heart-pounding read from start to finish.

Author A. W. Hartoin is an amazing author. Every book she writes has some connection to one of her other books or other series – familiar characters appear in unfamiliar places. She is a master at planning and plotting and keeping all those balls in the air while insuring the thread remains logical and credible. Her stories contain so much detail, and she unfolds the story step by step. There is always much more than what you see on the surface and many “Aha!” moments.

Double Duet is an amazing, and amazingly satisfying, story. Fast paced, well written, characters with depth and personality, situations that will break your heart or give you hope. I was totally immersed in the story and couldn’t read fast enough, and now can’t wait to see what befalls Stella next. In the meantime I plan to continue with Hartoin’s other series: Mercy Watts as well as The Jess and Libby Paranormal Cozy Mysteries. I have been reading Hartoin’s books for a long time and love them all. Thanks to the author for providing an advance copy of Double Duet. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.… (altro)