I'm reviewing The Nazi King of Paris...

... by Christopher Othen.  This book tells the story of Henri Lafont and his criminal associates during an especially dark period of French history...

Set in Paris during the occupation in the 1940's, this book details the insidious rise to power of one man and his criminal counterparts.

Henri Lafont was born in Paris, April 1902.  He spent most of his life in the city and died there on December 26th, 1944 following a trial.  His execution took place at Fort de Montrouge on the outskirts of the city.

When the city was occupied in 1940, life for everyone changed.  The government removed itself to Vichy, which was in the Free Zone, and the decision to collaborate or not with the occupiers was one that all French people had to take on a daily basis.  The decision for Henri was an unequivocal and constantly enduring yes.  Through his contacts and the workings of the occupying forces, at a time of great distress for the whole of the country, this man sort only his own gain and personal advancement. As an exposé of an amoral sector of society, this book is it.  The depths to which Henri and his associates sank during les années noires are unfathomable for a law-abiding citizen such as myself.  It was a very difficult book to read, at times, but compelling all the same.

Meticulously researched, with a very detailed set of notes and bibliography at the back, this was yet another story that needed to be told.

I found the narrative voice flowed well without judgement, leaving the reader to make up their own mind.  When you consider some aspects of the subject matter, that must have been an incredibly difficult line to tread for the author.  A fascinating read.