THE PERFUME THIEF

The voice of this audiobook--part thriller, part literary novel--is delivered with particular flair and conviction by narrator Gabrielle de Cuir. Charlie, née Clementine, is an expatriate American and retired master thief who is running a perfume shop in Paris when the Nazis arrive. Protector of a small group of misfits and potential deportees, Charlie matches wits with the Nazi officer who is commissioned with appropriating France's cultural treasures--including its legendary perfumes. This is a novel of atmosphere, and Charlie's tart, worldly observations roll off de Cuir's tongue with nonchalance--while her German adversary parries with a sleepy, serpentine menace. Not much real action happens, but the setting, the historical detail, and, in particular, the angle on perfume making, make this fascinating listening. Stefan Rudnicki reads an author's note at the end. D.A.W. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2021]