The Paris Secret

A break-in to a Paris apartment brings to light long-hidden secrets in the latest from Swan (The Summer Without You; Christmas at Claridges). The residence belongs to the wealthy Vermeil family but was locked up after World War II. The rent was paid through a codicil in François Vermeil's will, dust gathered in rooms, and the living members of the Vermeil clan had no knowledge of the flat's existence for decades. The apartment conceals a treasure trove of art, including a glorious Renoir. Flora Sykes, a high-end art broker, is called in to establish provenance prior to the art sale. However, all the ownership trails dead end at Franz Von Taschelt, a notorious collaborator with the Nazis, who profited from the looting of works owned by Jews desperate to escape Austria and Germany. As Flora untangles the puzzles, she's also captivated by Xavier Vermeil.