The Paris Architect

The architect Lucien Bernard, like other non-Jews in Nazi-occupied Paris, has no sympathy for the Jewish people. Thus, Lucien finds it difficult to decide whether to endanger his life for a cause he doesn't really believe in when a rich businessman offers him a sizable quantity of money in exchange for helping him create hidden hiding places for Jews. In the end, he is unable to resist the challenge and starts creating deftly hidden hiding places, such as behind drainpipes, columns, and paintings, where he may find opportunities that are hidden from the naked sight. He can no longer ignore reality, however, as one of his cunning hiding places fails miserably and the great suffering of Jews becomes very personal.

Every life the architect attempts to rescue makes this narrative more compelling, written by an expert whose expertise permeates every page.