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The Paris Collaborator
He’ll do anything to save her … even work for the enemy.
August, 1944. In German-occupied Paris, former schoolteacher Auguste Duchene has stumbled upon an unusual way to survive: he finds missing people. When he’s approached by the French Resistance to locate a missing priest – and a cache of stolen weapons – Duchene initially refuses. But the Resistance offer him no choice. Within hours, he’s also blackmailed by a powerful Nazi into searching for a German soldier who’s suspected of deserting.
To fail at either task will have deadly consequences for Duchene – and for his daughter Marienne.
So begins a frantic race against time. As forces close in on Paris, Duchene has only 48 hours to locate the missing priest and soldier, or lose the only person he loves…
August, 1944. In German-occupied Paris, former schoolteacher Auguste Duchene has stumbled upon an unusual way to survive: he finds missing people. When he’s approached by the French Resistance to locate a missing priest – and a cache of stolen weapons – Duchene initially refuses. But the Resistance offer him no choice. Within hours, he’s also blackmailed by a powerful Nazi into searching for a German soldier who’s suspected of deserting.
To fail at either task will have deadly consequences for Duchene – and for his daughter Marienne.
So begins a frantic race against time. As forces close in on Paris, Duchene has only 48 hours to locate the missing priest and soldier, or lose the only person he loves…
309 pages, Paperback
Published May 4, 2021
8 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
About the author
A.W. Hammond
4 books10 followersA.W. Hammond was born in South Africa and emigrated to Australia as a child. He currently works at RMIT University and lives in Melbourne with his wife and daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 13, 2023
Set in Paris, The Paris Collaborator is a story that begins a few days before the Liberation of Paris commences in 1944. The place is in turmoil, the Germans are feeling the pressure of the American forces bearing down on the city and the French Resistance is gaining strength and becoming more active.
In this setting we meet Auguste Duchene who has a talent for finding missing people. It’s a skill that has enabled him to earn just enough in cognac and cigarettes to be able to trade for essentials such as food and heating. But it’s also a skill that has come to the attention of both the Resistance and the occupying German forces.
A cell of the Resistance orders Duchene to locate a local priest who has gone missing from his church. Also missing is a cache of weapons that were being hidden within the church’s catacombs. He has a mere forty eight hours to locate the priest and, more importantly, the weapons.
He no sooner embarks on his mission when a high ranking German officer makes a similar demand. He has been given the same time frame, forty eight hours, to locate a missing German soldier who is under suspicion of desertion. He must locate this soldier and bring him back to the officer or else Duchene’s daughter’s life is at stake.
A further fly in the ointment of what appears to be an already difficult couple of tasks is the Gestapo who intercept Duchene on the streets. The Gestapo is aware of his mission to find the German soldier and demand that they be informed of his progress at all times. But they’re not particularly subtle about their methods and are constantly present wherever he goes, marking him as a potential collaborator and making life extremely difficult.
Hammond captured the mood of the time period perfectly, providing a deep sense of tension and turmoil on the streets of Paris. It added to an overall feeling of chaos in which his characters were expected to operate. There is no denying that there was a strong sense of self-preservation going on from all sides and Duchene’s progress as an effective investigator can’t be understated.
By necessity, given the terribly restrictive time pressures imposed on the investigation, this is extremely fast-paced, moving from one dangerous situation to the next. There is also a constant feeling of ever-present danger thanks to the perception that Duchene is working with the enemy.
As the investigation reaches its climax and Paris is in the process of being freed, the plot twists prove to be challenging and gut-wrenching, something that I was not expecting but was very appreciative of. I don’t find myself reading very many historical mystery thrillers but I was impressed with the fully immersive experience provided in The Paris Collaborator.
In this setting we meet Auguste Duchene who has a talent for finding missing people. It’s a skill that has enabled him to earn just enough in cognac and cigarettes to be able to trade for essentials such as food and heating. But it’s also a skill that has come to the attention of both the Resistance and the occupying German forces.
A cell of the Resistance orders Duchene to locate a local priest who has gone missing from his church. Also missing is a cache of weapons that were being hidden within the church’s catacombs. He has a mere forty eight hours to locate the priest and, more importantly, the weapons.
He no sooner embarks on his mission when a high ranking German officer makes a similar demand. He has been given the same time frame, forty eight hours, to locate a missing German soldier who is under suspicion of desertion. He must locate this soldier and bring him back to the officer or else Duchene’s daughter’s life is at stake.
A further fly in the ointment of what appears to be an already difficult couple of tasks is the Gestapo who intercept Duchene on the streets. The Gestapo is aware of his mission to find the German soldier and demand that they be informed of his progress at all times. But they’re not particularly subtle about their methods and are constantly present wherever he goes, marking him as a potential collaborator and making life extremely difficult.
Hammond captured the mood of the time period perfectly, providing a deep sense of tension and turmoil on the streets of Paris. It added to an overall feeling of chaos in which his characters were expected to operate. There is no denying that there was a strong sense of self-preservation going on from all sides and Duchene’s progress as an effective investigator can’t be understated.
By necessity, given the terribly restrictive time pressures imposed on the investigation, this is extremely fast-paced, moving from one dangerous situation to the next. There is also a constant feeling of ever-present danger thanks to the perception that Duchene is working with the enemy.
As the investigation reaches its climax and Paris is in the process of being freed, the plot twists prove to be challenging and gut-wrenching, something that I was not expecting but was very appreciative of. I don’t find myself reading very many historical mystery thrillers but I was impressed with the fully immersive experience provided in The Paris Collaborator.
May 24, 2021
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
The Paris Collaborator by A.W. Hammond is an exciting, well written and fast paced story in a race against time .
This is a historical mystery thriller where our protagonist is searching for missing people in the midst of World War II which I thought was quite an unusual plot and unique idea, are you curious?
Auguste Duchene is a former school teacher in German-occupied Paris in the year 1944 during WWII. He survives by locating missing people, sometimes risking his own life. With his keen eye for detail and his ability to speak the German language since a young age and also teaching German in his former role of a teacher, it's a valuable skill to have when finding people in a country occupied by Germans. Food is scarce during the war and he makes just enough money to survive, sometimes even finding missing persons for the Germans.
Duchene is approached by members of the French Resistance to find a missing priest and then also by a powerful Nazi to find a German deserter . Both parties horrifically pressuring him and giving him an ultimatum if he doesn’t succeed. He has just forty eight hours to succeed if he wants to survive and save the life of his daughter Marianne!
He finds himself working for his enemy, the Nazis and also the French Resistance in a game of cat and mouse. Sometimes you need to compromise to survive and protect the one you love.
Publication Date May 4th 2021
Thank you to Echo Publishing for an advanced copy of the book to read and review
The Paris Collaborator by A.W. Hammond is an exciting, well written and fast paced story in a race against time .
This is a historical mystery thriller where our protagonist is searching for missing people in the midst of World War II which I thought was quite an unusual plot and unique idea, are you curious?
Auguste Duchene is a former school teacher in German-occupied Paris in the year 1944 during WWII. He survives by locating missing people, sometimes risking his own life. With his keen eye for detail and his ability to speak the German language since a young age and also teaching German in his former role of a teacher, it's a valuable skill to have when finding people in a country occupied by Germans. Food is scarce during the war and he makes just enough money to survive, sometimes even finding missing persons for the Germans.
Duchene is approached by members of the French Resistance to find a missing priest and then also by a powerful Nazi to find a German deserter . Both parties horrifically pressuring him and giving him an ultimatum if he doesn’t succeed. He has just forty eight hours to succeed if he wants to survive and save the life of his daughter Marianne!
He finds himself working for his enemy, the Nazis and also the French Resistance in a game of cat and mouse. Sometimes you need to compromise to survive and protect the one you love.
Publication Date May 4th 2021
Thank you to Echo Publishing for an advanced copy of the book to read and review
May 23, 2021
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
‘And with the Americans now on French soil, it took a certain fatalism or willful ignorance to mark yourself out as a collaborator.’
Thriller author A.W. Hammond has turned his hand to historical fiction and produced a gripping wartime mystery tale of great merit. Full of suspense, intrigue, speculation and danger, this puzzling mystery unfolds at a fast pace. The Paris Collaborator is an entertaining read, set to a vividly portrayed wartime backdrop.
Situated in the year 1944, as the second world war draws to a close, The Paris Collaborator takes the reader into occupied France. We meet a former school teacher now investigator, a man named Auguste Duchene, who is charged with the difficult task of finding missing people during uncertain times. A challenging position, Auguste is sent on a mission by the French resistance to locate the whereabouts of a missing priest, along with a set of weapons that have gone missing. Soon after embarking on this hard going mission, Auguste finds he is at the mercy of an influential Nazi. This top ranking Nazi official issues the former schoolteacher with strict orders to locate a German solider, who is under suspicion for desertion. Auguste knows he must complete both tasks to their end as daughter’s life is on the line. Can Auguste find both the priest and missing German soldier?
As a seasoned fan of historical novels and World War II fiction, I was very keen to read A.W. Hammond’s The Paris Collaborator. I love nothing more than to discover a new author in the historical fiction field and an opportunity presented itself for me to connect with the writing of A.W. Hammond, thanks to The Paris Collaborator. This book offers an evocative and stimulating picture of the tail end of the war, from an original story angle.
I really appreciated the setting of The Paris Collaborator, both time period wise and location. Hammond looks at war ravaged Paris from a Resistance and Nazi occupied slant. It is clear that the author has put in hours upon hours of research to the location base of this novel. I felt the history, destruction, tension, decimation, uncertainty, fear, danger, restrictions and self-preservation. We see a country and city torn apart by war, divided in opinion, damaged physically and mentally. Hammond captures the darkness, despair and uncertainty of this time with a rich sense of understanding.
The characters featured in this novel are intriguing, colourful and interesting. I appreciated getting to know the lead, Auguste and his support cast. Each character, whether they be minor or major, good or bad, contribute to the overall direction of this fast-moving tale. I valued the authentic dialogue present in this novel, it flowed in a natural direction. I will stress that The Paris Collaborator is very quick in pace and full of action. Hammond’s novel will keep you on your toes throughout. Plenty of twists, surprises, revelations, tense moments and shocks are thrown at the reader. The Paris Collaborator travels to a solid conclusion and I appreciated the way in which this novel was wrapped up.
With a fascinating story angle, an enigmatic lead, a well-presented historical backdrop and an action packed narrative, The Paris Collaborator is a recommend read.
*Thanks extended to Echo Publishing for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
‘And with the Americans now on French soil, it took a certain fatalism or willful ignorance to mark yourself out as a collaborator.’
Thriller author A.W. Hammond has turned his hand to historical fiction and produced a gripping wartime mystery tale of great merit. Full of suspense, intrigue, speculation and danger, this puzzling mystery unfolds at a fast pace. The Paris Collaborator is an entertaining read, set to a vividly portrayed wartime backdrop.
Situated in the year 1944, as the second world war draws to a close, The Paris Collaborator takes the reader into occupied France. We meet a former school teacher now investigator, a man named Auguste Duchene, who is charged with the difficult task of finding missing people during uncertain times. A challenging position, Auguste is sent on a mission by the French resistance to locate the whereabouts of a missing priest, along with a set of weapons that have gone missing. Soon after embarking on this hard going mission, Auguste finds he is at the mercy of an influential Nazi. This top ranking Nazi official issues the former schoolteacher with strict orders to locate a German solider, who is under suspicion for desertion. Auguste knows he must complete both tasks to their end as daughter’s life is on the line. Can Auguste find both the priest and missing German soldier?
As a seasoned fan of historical novels and World War II fiction, I was very keen to read A.W. Hammond’s The Paris Collaborator. I love nothing more than to discover a new author in the historical fiction field and an opportunity presented itself for me to connect with the writing of A.W. Hammond, thanks to The Paris Collaborator. This book offers an evocative and stimulating picture of the tail end of the war, from an original story angle.
I really appreciated the setting of The Paris Collaborator, both time period wise and location. Hammond looks at war ravaged Paris from a Resistance and Nazi occupied slant. It is clear that the author has put in hours upon hours of research to the location base of this novel. I felt the history, destruction, tension, decimation, uncertainty, fear, danger, restrictions and self-preservation. We see a country and city torn apart by war, divided in opinion, damaged physically and mentally. Hammond captures the darkness, despair and uncertainty of this time with a rich sense of understanding.
The characters featured in this novel are intriguing, colourful and interesting. I appreciated getting to know the lead, Auguste and his support cast. Each character, whether they be minor or major, good or bad, contribute to the overall direction of this fast-moving tale. I valued the authentic dialogue present in this novel, it flowed in a natural direction. I will stress that The Paris Collaborator is very quick in pace and full of action. Hammond’s novel will keep you on your toes throughout. Plenty of twists, surprises, revelations, tense moments and shocks are thrown at the reader. The Paris Collaborator travels to a solid conclusion and I appreciated the way in which this novel was wrapped up.
With a fascinating story angle, an enigmatic lead, a well-presented historical backdrop and an action packed narrative, The Paris Collaborator is a recommend read.
*Thanks extended to Echo Publishing for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
July 16, 2021
*https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
A war torn Paris during the German occupation was deftly portrayed as Hammond includes the devastation of the area and also the divide the occupation caused between the Parisians themselves. Where every move was watched by all and you had to be careful not to be seen as a resistant or a sympathiser with accusations of collaboration being a precursor to ostracization.
Duchene was a finder of people. He was mainly called upon by parents who had lost a child. His special skill is brought to the attention of the Resistance and the Germans. Both parties give him a deadline to find their person of interest and a deadly price to pay if he doesn't succeed.
What I liked was that Duchene was an ordinary citizen caught up in the war. He wasn't particularly brave, he was ageing and tired, but he was smart. It was fear that motivated him.
Throughout the story we meet a few other citizens of Paris who are doing what they need to do to get by. Hammond explores the grey area of morals during wartime as Duchene and other French citizens find themselves working with or for the Germans simply to survive. He also includes, through the character of Lucien, an opportunist who sees the war and people's suffering as a way to make money.
There are a couple of mysteries being played out throughout the story which made for some clever plotting and lots of action. I never knew what would happen next and I was eager to see how events would pan out.
The Paris Collaborator is a tension filled story that had me hooked from start to finish.
*I received a copy from the publisher
A war torn Paris during the German occupation was deftly portrayed as Hammond includes the devastation of the area and also the divide the occupation caused between the Parisians themselves. Where every move was watched by all and you had to be careful not to be seen as a resistant or a sympathiser with accusations of collaboration being a precursor to ostracization.
Duchene was a finder of people. He was mainly called upon by parents who had lost a child. His special skill is brought to the attention of the Resistance and the Germans. Both parties give him a deadline to find their person of interest and a deadly price to pay if he doesn't succeed.
What I liked was that Duchene was an ordinary citizen caught up in the war. He wasn't particularly brave, he was ageing and tired, but he was smart. It was fear that motivated him.
Throughout the story we meet a few other citizens of Paris who are doing what they need to do to get by. Hammond explores the grey area of morals during wartime as Duchene and other French citizens find themselves working with or for the Germans simply to survive. He also includes, through the character of Lucien, an opportunist who sees the war and people's suffering as a way to make money.
There are a couple of mysteries being played out throughout the story which made for some clever plotting and lots of action. I never knew what would happen next and I was eager to see how events would pan out.
The Paris Collaborator is a tension filled story that had me hooked from start to finish.
*I received a copy from the publisher
Read
July 3, 2022Set in occupied Paris in 1944, The Paris Collaborator follows Auguste Duchene who is known for his ability to find people. To his dismay, he finds himself looking for two people - one requested by the resistance, and one requested by the Nazis. He is given no choice, with his daughter threatened if he fails to find them.
I initially thought this was a historical fiction, but it is a bit of a cross between that and a mystery. I really enjoyed the setting and wondering what was going to happen and where the missing people were. It was interesting to have the perspective of those working for the resistance and also those who were Nazi sympathisers.
Thanks to @echo_publishing for the review copy.
I initially thought this was a historical fiction, but it is a bit of a cross between that and a mystery. I really enjoyed the setting and wondering what was going to happen and where the missing people were. It was interesting to have the perspective of those working for the resistance and also those who were Nazi sympathisers.
Thanks to @echo_publishing for the review copy.
May 20, 2021
The Second World War is now a long time in the past, we must have lost just about everybody with personal experience of that time, and the lengths people had to go to in order to survive, so historical fiction that casts a light on the real, every day experience feels particularly timely.
THE PARIS COLLABORATOR is the story of Auguste Duchene, a former schoolteacher, living in German-occupied Paris, finding missing people as a way to survive. Approached by the French Resistance to locate a missing priest, and a cache of stolen weapons, his initial refusal is thwarted when the Resistance find a way to pressure him into compliance. At the same time he's blackmailed by a powerful Nazi officer, looking for a suspected German deserter. All in 48 hours. The point of vulnerability is the same in both cases - Duchene's daughter Marienne and just how far he'll go to keep her safe.
There's a quote at the opening of this novel that becomes particularly apt as the story progresses:
"The only clue to what man can do is what man has done." R.G. Collingwood, The Idea of History (1946).
As I was reading I kept being drawn back to that quote, considering it carefully in the light of the plot and the character development of Duchene. There is an ensemble cast here, Marienne, neighbours, friends, Jewish citizens, Nazi officers, but the novel is very much Duchene focused. There's a palpable sense of an occupied City, and of citizens proud of their traditions, food, culture, wine and lifestyle. There's much made of the French Resistance as an organisation, but there are examples here of individual levels of resistance, a stubborn insistence on nose thumbing and a determination to overcome, or at least thwart, disrupt and ultimately disrespect every day in every little way possible. There's also a strong feeling of how much Collaborator's (real or alleged) are loathed. In that atmosphere it's not surprising that Duchene is tarred with the same brush - determined, focused, ruthless, quick to mistrust, empowered by the task at hand, scared at the possible outcomes, and desperate to ensure the survival of all he cares about.
THE PARIS COLLABORATOR gets into the arrogance and cruelty of the supposed winners, and the determination and ingenuity of the alleged losers, but overall it's a story of an every day person, at a small window in time, in a place profoundly affected by the ongoing war, who did what a man has to do, leaving quite a few clues about human nature to ponder behind him.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
THE PARIS COLLABORATOR is the story of Auguste Duchene, a former schoolteacher, living in German-occupied Paris, finding missing people as a way to survive. Approached by the French Resistance to locate a missing priest, and a cache of stolen weapons, his initial refusal is thwarted when the Resistance find a way to pressure him into compliance. At the same time he's blackmailed by a powerful Nazi officer, looking for a suspected German deserter. All in 48 hours. The point of vulnerability is the same in both cases - Duchene's daughter Marienne and just how far he'll go to keep her safe.
There's a quote at the opening of this novel that becomes particularly apt as the story progresses:
"The only clue to what man can do is what man has done." R.G. Collingwood, The Idea of History (1946).
As I was reading I kept being drawn back to that quote, considering it carefully in the light of the plot and the character development of Duchene. There is an ensemble cast here, Marienne, neighbours, friends, Jewish citizens, Nazi officers, but the novel is very much Duchene focused. There's a palpable sense of an occupied City, and of citizens proud of their traditions, food, culture, wine and lifestyle. There's much made of the French Resistance as an organisation, but there are examples here of individual levels of resistance, a stubborn insistence on nose thumbing and a determination to overcome, or at least thwart, disrupt and ultimately disrespect every day in every little way possible. There's also a strong feeling of how much Collaborator's (real or alleged) are loathed. In that atmosphere it's not surprising that Duchene is tarred with the same brush - determined, focused, ruthless, quick to mistrust, empowered by the task at hand, scared at the possible outcomes, and desperate to ensure the survival of all he cares about.
THE PARIS COLLABORATOR gets into the arrogance and cruelty of the supposed winners, and the determination and ingenuity of the alleged losers, but overall it's a story of an every day person, at a small window in time, in a place profoundly affected by the ongoing war, who did what a man has to do, leaving quite a few clues about human nature to ponder behind him.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
December 6, 2021
Its hard to describe THE PARIS COLLABORTOR because I feel that it bends genres. But if I had to, I would say it’s a historical/mystery/thriller that is really well paced.
There is a cast of characters that initially I found hard to keep track of, but as the story evolved, I started to understand why Hammond included so many.
THE PARIS COLLABORTOR is packed full of energy, high stakes and it shows a difference side the Resistance that I haven’t read before. One thing I really liked was that we see both sides of the story, as we readers learn about the Resistance and the Sympathizers. It can in some ways help the enlighten the reader as to why these people performed certain actions during a terrible time in history.
I’d recommend checking this one out if you’re looking for something a little unique in terms of genre and characters!
There is a cast of characters that initially I found hard to keep track of, but as the story evolved, I started to understand why Hammond included so many.
THE PARIS COLLABORTOR is packed full of energy, high stakes and it shows a difference side the Resistance that I haven’t read before. One thing I really liked was that we see both sides of the story, as we readers learn about the Resistance and the Sympathizers. It can in some ways help the enlighten the reader as to why these people performed certain actions during a terrible time in history.
I’d recommend checking this one out if you’re looking for something a little unique in terms of genre and characters!
May 22, 2021
I received a copy of The Paris Collaborator from Allen & Unwin Australia to review.
Rating of 4.5.
Amazing Australian thriller author A. W. Hammond presents his first historical read with The Paris Collaborator, a clever and exciting novel set in occupied Paris.
August 1944. With Allied forces advancing towards Paris, the Nazi occupation of the city seems to be nearly at an end. But just because the Germans are poised to leave does not mean that the city is any less dangerous, especially for those whose loyalties are in question. Since the Germans arrived, former teacher Auguste Duchene has taken on a whole new profession to survive: finding missing children. With his impressive observational skills, Duchene has proven to be a keen investigator, but his talents are about to get noticed by all the wrong people.
Despite his desire to only help reunite lost families, Duchene is forced into working for a violent faction of the French Resistance after they threaten the safety of his collaborating daughter, Marienne. Recruited to find a missing priest and the cache of stolen weapons he was hiding for them; Duchene reluctantly begins his search. However, hours after he begins working for the Resistance, he is approached by a senior Nazi officer who blackmails him into finding a missing German soldier.
Caught between two dangerous masters, Duchene has no choice by to comply with both if he and Marienne are to survive. With only 48 hours until both groups will deliver on their deadly threats, Duchene scours Paris for both the missing men. However, the more he discovers, the more he begins to realise that the cases may be connected, and that he may be only able to satisfy one of his employers. Worse, the Gestapo have taken an interest in Duchene’s investigation and are determined to interfere for their own ends. Can Duchene find his targets before it is too late, or will everything he love be taken away from him?
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2021/05/22/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
Rating of 4.5.
Amazing Australian thriller author A. W. Hammond presents his first historical read with The Paris Collaborator, a clever and exciting novel set in occupied Paris.
August 1944. With Allied forces advancing towards Paris, the Nazi occupation of the city seems to be nearly at an end. But just because the Germans are poised to leave does not mean that the city is any less dangerous, especially for those whose loyalties are in question. Since the Germans arrived, former teacher Auguste Duchene has taken on a whole new profession to survive: finding missing children. With his impressive observational skills, Duchene has proven to be a keen investigator, but his talents are about to get noticed by all the wrong people.
Despite his desire to only help reunite lost families, Duchene is forced into working for a violent faction of the French Resistance after they threaten the safety of his collaborating daughter, Marienne. Recruited to find a missing priest and the cache of stolen weapons he was hiding for them; Duchene reluctantly begins his search. However, hours after he begins working for the Resistance, he is approached by a senior Nazi officer who blackmails him into finding a missing German soldier.
Caught between two dangerous masters, Duchene has no choice by to comply with both if he and Marienne are to survive. With only 48 hours until both groups will deliver on their deadly threats, Duchene scours Paris for both the missing men. However, the more he discovers, the more he begins to realise that the cases may be connected, and that he may be only able to satisfy one of his employers. Worse, the Gestapo have taken an interest in Duchene’s investigation and are determined to interfere for their own ends. Can Duchene find his targets before it is too late, or will everything he love be taken away from him?
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2021/05/22/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
August 21, 2022
Poorly written with tenuous storyline and an anti-hero as the main character.
After a few pages, I wondered if this was a bad translation of a text in a foreign language but the author is apparently South African born and living in Australia so there is no excuse for the many, many strange turns of phrase. The book could do with some serious editing.
It could also do with a bit of research. One of the characters could not have visited the Musee d'Orsay in 1944 (unless he was a time lord) because it didn't open until 1986. Before that, the collections were exhibited in the Musee du Jeu de Paume.
I swithered as to the rating for this book. I was tempted to give it one star but, since I did actually finish it, I've given it a generous two.
After a few pages, I wondered if this was a bad translation of a text in a foreign language but the author is apparently South African born and living in Australia so there is no excuse for the many, many strange turns of phrase. The book could do with some serious editing.
It could also do with a bit of research. One of the characters could not have visited the Musee d'Orsay in 1944 (unless he was a time lord) because it didn't open until 1986. Before that, the collections were exhibited in the Musee du Jeu de Paume.
I swithered as to the rating for this book. I was tempted to give it one star but, since I did actually finish it, I've given it a generous two.
November 4, 2021
This was a WWII thriller, set in Paris in 1944. Both the French Resistance and the Gestapo ask Duchene to find a missing priest, a missing German soldier, and missing weapons, and both organisations threaten the life of his daughter if he won’t. Full of twists and turns, all unexpected, this is a gripping story.
Thanks to Beauty & Lace and Echo Publishing for the review copy.
Thanks to Beauty & Lace and Echo Publishing for the review copy.
to-return-to
October 7, 2022Dnf because the library randomly took it off BorrowBox :(
July 13, 2023
Can you live by your morals, protect your family and support the Resistance whilst working for the Nazis? The answer is clearly no, but our protagonist gives it a red hot go. This story provides constant reminders of the cut throat attitudes and mental gymnastics, needed to survive Nazi occupied Paris. Twists and turns that I didn’t guess right up into the final chapter.
May 13, 2021
I really loved this. The combination of WW2 history + tense noirish mystery + set in Paris hit the magic trifecta for me! Hard to put down.
June 8, 2021
Not a horrible read. Very easy to follow, but at times slow. It definitely demonized the resistance in Nazi occupied France which I didn't love. I'd recommend this book as something to read in between lengthy and heavy reads!
July 8, 2021
A little more on why I did not enjoy the book...
Initially, I looked past issues that bugged me and focused on enjoying the plot. However, I found the loose use of conjunctions annoying. Continually starting a sentence with 'but', is not a sure thing for good writing. Additionally, there were many occasions, where sentences were just not sentences; they were phrases. Hence, the reader was forced to try and figure out what the writer was trying to express. I caught myself correcting sentences as I went along - adding words; changing words; re-arranging structure to read through paragraphs; placing semicolons in place of full stops because the next supposed sentence was a related phrase. I thought the whole book could have used a solid case of proper editing - even down to the act of keeping 'tense', consistent throughout the book. Such grammatical problems dissuaded me from reading further and let the book down.
Then, I had second thoughts - could this be a foreign writer?
So, I did my google research to learn more about the author. To my surprise, A.W. Hammond lives in Melbourne; originating from South Africa, but nonetheless - an Aussie boy with considerable nous.
So, why are there grammatical and structural issues with this book - The Paris Collaborator? I can only assume that sufficient editing time was not offered to him, by his publisher. It could also have been that because he had written previous books, the publisher felt it did not require their attention.
I was looking for a great read; the haunting cover alone drew me in - this is good. Yet sadly, the writing was not enough to keep me reading.
Initially, I looked past issues that bugged me and focused on enjoying the plot. However, I found the loose use of conjunctions annoying. Continually starting a sentence with 'but', is not a sure thing for good writing. Additionally, there were many occasions, where sentences were just not sentences; they were phrases. Hence, the reader was forced to try and figure out what the writer was trying to express. I caught myself correcting sentences as I went along - adding words; changing words; re-arranging structure to read through paragraphs; placing semicolons in place of full stops because the next supposed sentence was a related phrase. I thought the whole book could have used a solid case of proper editing - even down to the act of keeping 'tense', consistent throughout the book. Such grammatical problems dissuaded me from reading further and let the book down.
Then, I had second thoughts - could this be a foreign writer?
So, I did my google research to learn more about the author. To my surprise, A.W. Hammond lives in Melbourne; originating from South Africa, but nonetheless - an Aussie boy with considerable nous.
So, why are there grammatical and structural issues with this book - The Paris Collaborator? I can only assume that sufficient editing time was not offered to him, by his publisher. It could also have been that because he had written previous books, the publisher felt it did not require their attention.
I was looking for a great read; the haunting cover alone drew me in - this is good. Yet sadly, the writing was not enough to keep me reading.
Read
August 16, 2021This review was first published on the Underground Writers website: http://underground-writers.org/review...
Is anyone else on a spy/mystery/thriller binge? If so, add The Paris Collaborator to your TBR pile! A.W. Hammond’s debut novel scratched my itch with its setting in captivating Paris during the Nazi occupation in 1944, its short—but quick-paced—timeline, and its twist and turns in the plot.
The story is told from the perspective of former teacher, Auguste Duchene, who now searches for missing children; however, Duchene does not go unnoticed by the French Resistance—who want Duchene to locate a missing priest and a cache of stolen weapons—and the Nazis—who want Duchene to locate a missing soldier—and both sides blackmail him with threats to his daughter Marienne’s life. It does not help that Marienne has taken a Nazi as a lover…but despite Duchene’s displeasure of Marienne’s companion choice, he undertakes both tasks determined to deliver all goods by the 48-hour deadline.
The war-time background is captivating but does not dominate the novel with facts. Rather, Hammond seamlessly weaves in historical titbits in an entertaining and captivating manner, such as issues with rationing, joblessness, and uncertainties about who you can trust. The allies and the enemies are not clear cut. Although the Nazis are never glorified, the French Resistance is not always glorified for their actions either. This uncertainty is instantly shown when both the Nazis and the French Resistance blackmail Duchene to find what they seek. In addition, Hammond shows how far peoples’ morals can be pushed when they are desperate, and how cruel others can be to judge. For example, one character, a beautiful young lady, had to turn to prostitution in order to feed herself, and for this she was shunned by her church and cast out. This was a small plotline that could easily be lost in the fast-paced novel, but it struck a chord with me because it truly demonstrated how desperate the situation was for some and how unmoved others were for their plight. While we know Duchene’s thoughts throughout, I could not help but be suspicious of each character that was introduced: are they a collaborator? Are they a sympathiser? Or are they someone who just wants to survive?
Since I don’t want to give away any spoilers, I shall not reveal much more, but note that the final twist at the end had my head spinning and my stomach lurching. Up until that point, I was not too shocked by the content, but it left a lasting impression. Although I am not a fan of book comparisons, the blurbs comparison of the novel to All the Light We Cannot See and The Da Vinci Code is spot on. So, while the cold weather is keeping us snuggled indoors, grab yourself a copy of The Paris Collaborator, and let me know if the ending is what you expected…
Is anyone else on a spy/mystery/thriller binge? If so, add The Paris Collaborator to your TBR pile! A.W. Hammond’s debut novel scratched my itch with its setting in captivating Paris during the Nazi occupation in 1944, its short—but quick-paced—timeline, and its twist and turns in the plot.
The story is told from the perspective of former teacher, Auguste Duchene, who now searches for missing children; however, Duchene does not go unnoticed by the French Resistance—who want Duchene to locate a missing priest and a cache of stolen weapons—and the Nazis—who want Duchene to locate a missing soldier—and both sides blackmail him with threats to his daughter Marienne’s life. It does not help that Marienne has taken a Nazi as a lover…but despite Duchene’s displeasure of Marienne’s companion choice, he undertakes both tasks determined to deliver all goods by the 48-hour deadline.
The war-time background is captivating but does not dominate the novel with facts. Rather, Hammond seamlessly weaves in historical titbits in an entertaining and captivating manner, such as issues with rationing, joblessness, and uncertainties about who you can trust. The allies and the enemies are not clear cut. Although the Nazis are never glorified, the French Resistance is not always glorified for their actions either. This uncertainty is instantly shown when both the Nazis and the French Resistance blackmail Duchene to find what they seek. In addition, Hammond shows how far peoples’ morals can be pushed when they are desperate, and how cruel others can be to judge. For example, one character, a beautiful young lady, had to turn to prostitution in order to feed herself, and for this she was shunned by her church and cast out. This was a small plotline that could easily be lost in the fast-paced novel, but it struck a chord with me because it truly demonstrated how desperate the situation was for some and how unmoved others were for their plight. While we know Duchene’s thoughts throughout, I could not help but be suspicious of each character that was introduced: are they a collaborator? Are they a sympathiser? Or are they someone who just wants to survive?
Since I don’t want to give away any spoilers, I shall not reveal much more, but note that the final twist at the end had my head spinning and my stomach lurching. Up until that point, I was not too shocked by the content, but it left a lasting impression. Although I am not a fan of book comparisons, the blurbs comparison of the novel to All the Light We Cannot See and The Da Vinci Code is spot on. So, while the cold weather is keeping us snuggled indoors, grab yourself a copy of The Paris Collaborator, and let me know if the ending is what you expected…
July 31, 2021
He'll do anything to save her...even work for the enemy.August, 1944. In German-occupied Paris, former schoolteacher Auguste Duchene has stumbled upon an unusual way to survive:he finds missing people. When he's approached by the French Resistance to locate a missing priest -and a cache of stolen weapons-Duchene initially refuses.But the Resistance offer him no choice.Within hours, he's also blackmailed by a powerful Nazi into searching for a German soldier who's suspected of deserting.To fail at either task will have deadly consequences for Duchene - and for his daughter Marienne.So begins a frantic race against time.As forces close in on Paris, Duchene has only 48 hours to locate the missing priest and soldier, or lose the only person he loves...The Maquis were rural guerrilla bands of French Resistance fighters,called maquisards, during the Nazi occupation of France in WWII.To avert capture and deportation to Germany,they became increasingly organized into active resistance groups.The term became an honorific meaning "armed resistance fighter".Maquis fought in France before the Allied invasion of Normandy in 1944.Once the Allies had secured a foothold in France the government of Free France attempted to unite the separate groups of Maquis under the banner of the French Forces of the Interior (FFI).Maquisards harassed the Milice and German occupation troops.Maquisards usually relied on some degree of sympathy or cooperation from the local populace.In March 1944, the German army began a terror campaign throughout France.This included reprisals against civilians
living in areas where the French resistance was active, such as the Oradour-sur-Glane, Maillé and Tulle massares by SS troops. The Maquisards were later to take their revenge in the épuration sauvage that took place after the war's end.Some citizens and organizations, prompted by nationalism,ethnic hatred, anti-communism, antisemitism,opportunism,self defence etc., knowingly collaborated with Axis forces. Stanley Hoffmann subdivided collaboration into involuntary (reluctant recognition of necessity) and voluntary (exploitation of necessity).It was mostly about survival.
living in areas where the French resistance was active, such as the Oradour-sur-Glane, Maillé and Tulle massares by SS troops. The Maquisards were later to take their revenge in the épuration sauvage that took place after the war's end.Some citizens and organizations, prompted by nationalism,ethnic hatred, anti-communism, antisemitism,opportunism,self defence etc., knowingly collaborated with Axis forces. Stanley Hoffmann subdivided collaboration into involuntary (reluctant recognition of necessity) and voluntary (exploitation of necessity).It was mostly about survival.
August 19, 2021
It’s August 1944, French citizens are living in German-occupied Paris, and they must find ways to survive the war. Auguste Duchene, a former schoolteacher, has found an interesting way to survive, he locates missing people. He has many skills that lend himself to become a successful investigator - he can speak French, German, and English fluently, he has a keen eye for detail, and has the ability to read people very well. These skills, and his previous success at finding prominent people, have brought him to the attention of both the Resistance and the Nazis. Both have given him a 48-hour deadline to find their person of interest. If he doesn't locate these people in time he will lose the only person he loves, his daughter, who is currently dating a German soldier. This would have been stressful under normal and safe conditions, but when every move you make is being watched by everyone around you, you need to be extremely careful to not be seen as resistant to the German occupiers or as a sympathiser to them. It is a catch-22. Will Duchene locate the people in time, or will he lose the only person he loves?
This was such a suspenseful, dangerous, fast-paced, and intriguing read. The author does a lovely job at describing the uncertainty and despair of this time, it is very clear the author has done a lot of research about this moment in history. We see both sides of the war and how the French responded to the Germans, both the resistance and the sympathisers.
All characters were written beautifully. You adore some and loathe the others. But even with the characters, you despise you can understand their motives for their actions. It was a terrible time, and people needed to do what they could to survive. I adored that Duchene was just an ordinary citizen who was caught up in the war. He was a 50-year-old man trying his best to survive with the skills he had. He wasn't the bravest of characters, he didn't run into battle head-on, he made mistakes, but he was smart and understood how he could survive and live through the war.
The ending was also a shock, I did not see it coming!
This was such a suspenseful, dangerous, fast-paced, and intriguing read. The author does a lovely job at describing the uncertainty and despair of this time, it is very clear the author has done a lot of research about this moment in history. We see both sides of the war and how the French responded to the Germans, both the resistance and the sympathisers.
All characters were written beautifully. You adore some and loathe the others. But even with the characters, you despise you can understand their motives for their actions. It was a terrible time, and people needed to do what they could to survive. I adored that Duchene was just an ordinary citizen who was caught up in the war. He was a 50-year-old man trying his best to survive with the skills he had. He wasn't the bravest of characters, he didn't run into battle head-on, he made mistakes, but he was smart and understood how he could survive and live through the war.
The ending was also a shock, I did not see it coming!
January 28, 2022
A.W. Hammond’s The Paris Collaborator, set in 1944 during the German occupation, follows former schoolteacher Auguste Duchene, who in these troubled times has taken up a makeshift career as someone who finds missing children.
The story follows Duchene as he is then blackmailed by the French Resistance to finding a missing priest and associated cache of hidden weapons.. And hours later Duchene then finds himself blackmailed by the Nazis into searching for a deserted soldier. Duchene is in a race against time, and the safety of his daughter hinges on his success. If he fails, there will be devastating consequences.
It’s been a while since I’ve delved into a bit of historical fiction but I found myself really enjoying The Paris Collaborator. It felt sort of like reading historical and detective fiction / a bit of mystery all in one, and I found myself racing to the end to find out what happens.
Duchene is an unusual character in my opinion. His chaos-fraught job seemed to contrast with his dull and depressive demeanour. I wondered if this was connected with the way he sub-consciously tended to mull over the event of his wife leaving him, who left Duchene and Paris and a ‘stable life’ to fight for the fascists in Spain, whereby Duchene now finds himself leading a similarly risky perilous life without realising he was doing so, or that he’d left that stability behind already. War changes people in that way I suppose.
I also found The Paris Collaborator informative in a way, as it managed to bring to light the harsh realities of wartime and the associated difficulties of life back then, and I found myself learning in more detail about groups like the French Resistance, of which I previously had little to no knowledge.
I believe that this book is best read over a few days / a shorter period of time, given it is also written in that way, with the story spanning largely across 48 hours, in order to best immerse yourself in the story.
I really enjoyed The Paris Collaborator and give it 4 stars.
Thanks again to @echopublishing for kindly sending this my way! 📚📖
The story follows Duchene as he is then blackmailed by the French Resistance to finding a missing priest and associated cache of hidden weapons.. And hours later Duchene then finds himself blackmailed by the Nazis into searching for a deserted soldier. Duchene is in a race against time, and the safety of his daughter hinges on his success. If he fails, there will be devastating consequences.
It’s been a while since I’ve delved into a bit of historical fiction but I found myself really enjoying The Paris Collaborator. It felt sort of like reading historical and detective fiction / a bit of mystery all in one, and I found myself racing to the end to find out what happens.
Duchene is an unusual character in my opinion. His chaos-fraught job seemed to contrast with his dull and depressive demeanour. I wondered if this was connected with the way he sub-consciously tended to mull over the event of his wife leaving him, who left Duchene and Paris and a ‘stable life’ to fight for the fascists in Spain, whereby Duchene now finds himself leading a similarly risky perilous life without realising he was doing so, or that he’d left that stability behind already. War changes people in that way I suppose.
I also found The Paris Collaborator informative in a way, as it managed to bring to light the harsh realities of wartime and the associated difficulties of life back then, and I found myself learning in more detail about groups like the French Resistance, of which I previously had little to no knowledge.
I believe that this book is best read over a few days / a shorter period of time, given it is also written in that way, with the story spanning largely across 48 hours, in order to best immerse yourself in the story.
I really enjoyed The Paris Collaborator and give it 4 stars.
Thanks again to @echopublishing for kindly sending this my way! 📚📖
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2021
Thank you Echo Publishing for sending us a copy to read and review.
An intense 12 day period leading up to the liberation of Paris reflects the brutality and the social climate.
The combined desperation and jovial celebration ever present as freedom neared. Accountability and punishment soon to be meted out in equal doses.
Auguste Duchene finds people.
A skill sought after in an occupied city.
He finds himself in a precarious situation when the Resistance want him to find a missing Priest and the Nazis want him to find a missing soldier.
The pressure exasperated when his daughters life is on the line.
As he pieces together fragments of information he discovers links, betrayals and has to make decisions based on safety.
The ugly side of war making itself felt as the two groups assert their agendas and demands.
A very detailed and well written crime suspense in a period that is so often written about.
I was intrigued and followed the past plot with anticipation and trepidation.
I wasn’t however transplanted into occupied France for some reason.
The character really could have been in any era with what he was charged to complete.
Perhaps his role as a collaborator created this grey haze for me.
But nonetheless an enjoyable read.
An intense 12 day period leading up to the liberation of Paris reflects the brutality and the social climate.
The combined desperation and jovial celebration ever present as freedom neared. Accountability and punishment soon to be meted out in equal doses.
Auguste Duchene finds people.
A skill sought after in an occupied city.
He finds himself in a precarious situation when the Resistance want him to find a missing Priest and the Nazis want him to find a missing soldier.
The pressure exasperated when his daughters life is on the line.
As he pieces together fragments of information he discovers links, betrayals and has to make decisions based on safety.
The ugly side of war making itself felt as the two groups assert their agendas and demands.
A very detailed and well written crime suspense in a period that is so often written about.
I was intrigued and followed the past plot with anticipation and trepidation.
I wasn’t however transplanted into occupied France for some reason.
The character really could have been in any era with what he was charged to complete.
Perhaps his role as a collaborator created this grey haze for me.
But nonetheless an enjoyable read.
November 4, 2021
A cat and mouse historical fiction war time mystery that is impossible to put down.
Suspense, intrigue, danger and lots of action will keep you reading this book well into the night.
Auguste Duchene a former teacher has become a sort of investigator and finds missing children. His investigative skills become known to not only the Germans who have invaded his home city of Paris but also by the French resistance. His skills put him in a difficult situation as the French resistance want him to locate a missing priest and a cache of weapons and a high ranking Nazi wants him to find a missing soldier who is under suspicion of desertion and he has 48 hours to do so. Augusta has no choice in either search as his daughter Marienne’s life is being threatened by both the Nazi and the resistance. It is an exciting adventure while Auguste is on the hunt for the missing priest and soldier. We meet interesting characters and experience a part of life during this period of history.
There are plenty of twists, turns and surprises as the mystery of the missing men collides.
An engaging and captivating read.
Suspense, intrigue, danger and lots of action will keep you reading this book well into the night.
Auguste Duchene a former teacher has become a sort of investigator and finds missing children. His investigative skills become known to not only the Germans who have invaded his home city of Paris but also by the French resistance. His skills put him in a difficult situation as the French resistance want him to locate a missing priest and a cache of weapons and a high ranking Nazi wants him to find a missing soldier who is under suspicion of desertion and he has 48 hours to do so. Augusta has no choice in either search as his daughter Marienne’s life is being threatened by both the Nazi and the resistance. It is an exciting adventure while Auguste is on the hunt for the missing priest and soldier. We meet interesting characters and experience a part of life during this period of history.
There are plenty of twists, turns and surprises as the mystery of the missing men collides.
An engaging and captivating read.
June 6, 2021
This story is set in Paris during WW2. Imagine being French and having your home over run with Nazi's. All your freedom has gone and life is not what you knew it to be. What would you be willing to do to protect your loved ones?
Auguste Duchene is known for his skill of finding lost people so when the French Resistance want to find a missing Priest, Auguste is the man they enlist. Auguste is in even more danger when he is also enlisted by a powerful Nazi to find a German Soldier who has been accused of deserting. He is given 48 hours to find these missing people, and to add to his concerns the life of his daughter Marienne is at risk if he fails.
Auguste does his best at both tasks, as he stays aware of what is at risk, and knowing that he needs to make sure he holds some of the information back in case he runs out of time and needs to barter for more.
I loved the twists and turns this story took right down to the very last.
Make a hot chocolate and settle in with this perfect Winter read.
Auguste Duchene is known for his skill of finding lost people so when the French Resistance want to find a missing Priest, Auguste is the man they enlist. Auguste is in even more danger when he is also enlisted by a powerful Nazi to find a German Soldier who has been accused of deserting. He is given 48 hours to find these missing people, and to add to his concerns the life of his daughter Marienne is at risk if he fails.
Auguste does his best at both tasks, as he stays aware of what is at risk, and knowing that he needs to make sure he holds some of the information back in case he runs out of time and needs to barter for more.
I loved the twists and turns this story took right down to the very last.
Make a hot chocolate and settle in with this perfect Winter read.
December 29, 2024
A powerful thriller set at the very point when Paris is about to be liberated on the arrival of the Americans in 1944. The German occupiers are nervous, but so are those who have collaborated with them... except that, as this story shows, there are no neat dividing lines between collaboration and resistance, and the moral maze of individual choices and actions can be as difficult to navigate as the dark catacombs under the City of Light. It's a strong, dramatic narrative, shocking at times, with a central character who, for all his strength, remains vulnerable to the last. Highly recommended for anyone interested in WW2 literature.
May 28, 2021
This book exceeded my expectations as crime writer Hammond has produced a tense and exciting wartime thriller. Set just days before Paris’ liberation from the Nazis this sees protagonist Duchene caught in an impossible situation between the Resistance and the Gestapo. Hammond's action pieces are top notch and he certainly knows how to ratchet up the tension (I was kept reading late into the night!). Perhaps the only quibble was that some characters, especially the female ones, were not fully drawn. Even Duchene, seemingly damaged by wartime events, didn't seem fully rounded out. However, I found Hammond to be a talented and engaging writer who certainly kept the surprises coming. This is highly recommended for thriller and crime fiction fans alike.
October 21, 2021
A tense and exciting story that was set in the war years. Caught between the French Resistance and the Gestapo a father tries valiantly to protect his daughter whilst also trying not to be seen as a collaborator. Threatened with the loss of his daughter's life from both sides, Auguste has only 48 hours to find a German soldier and a missing priest who has disappeared along with some stolen weapons. The pace does not let up until the conclusion and is fraught with twists and turns along the way. Highly recommended.
December 15, 2021
This book moved Hammond outside his previous works. A fan of the Will Harris novels, I can see he's evolved outside of his safer surrounds into a challenge, and I'm unashamed to say I enjoyed it as such.
Excellent character writing, world building and a rude introduction into a frame of reference into WWII and the 'fall of France' and the sentiments abounding. I greatly enjoyed it.
Of course there is always room for improvement - and perhaps editing was part of this - however I was taut-nerved and captured until the very end, and for good reason. Highly recommended.
Excellent character writing, world building and a rude introduction into a frame of reference into WWII and the 'fall of France' and the sentiments abounding. I greatly enjoyed it.
Of course there is always room for improvement - and perhaps editing was part of this - however I was taut-nerved and captured until the very end, and for good reason. Highly recommended.
June 19, 2021
An interesting and thought-provoking read about the final days of occupied Paris in WW2, and an ex-school teacher’s hunt to uncover the secrets surrounding a missing German soldier in a constant game of cat and mouse with both the French Resistance, and the Gestapo.
At times this was riveting, but overall I wouldn’t rate this amongst similar genres. The characters were a little one-dimensional to me, and the pace felt a little forced.
Three stars.
At times this was riveting, but overall I wouldn’t rate this amongst similar genres. The characters were a little one-dimensional to me, and the pace felt a little forced.
Three stars.
November 17, 2023
Known as a man who can find people lost or abducted during the turbulent times in Paris in WW11, Hammond find himself looking for two men with only forty-eight hours to find them. With his daughter's life on the line in both cases, he finds himself forced to work for both the Germans and the French Resistance. Easy reading with plenty of action.
February 21, 2022
This was an engaging story. I appreciated the sympathy for "collaborators" and the moral neutrality of the complex series of events, despite the anachronisity of such an approach. However, it was a bit far-fetched and overly dramatic in places which spoilt the authenticity of the narrative.
June 27, 2022
A very well written book. I thought I was walking the streets of Paris and looking at shadows in the dark. Enthralling novel. It seems that whenever I read about WW11 te Gestapo never ceases to amaze me by the cruelty, greed and inhumane treatment of mankind. Would recommend
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