Kristin Harmel returns with what may be her most emotionally complex work yet in “The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau,” a dual-timeline historical fiction that weaves together the threads of wartime trauma, moral ambiguity, and the enduring power of family bonds. Building upon the rich foundation established in her previous works like “The Book of Lost Names” and “The Forest of Vanishing Stars,” Harmel delivers a story that sparkles with the brilliance of its central metaphor—diamonds that carry the weight of history within their faceted depths.
The Robin Hood Legacy: A Family’s Dangerous Heritage
The novel opens in contemporary Boston, where eighty-nine-year-old Colette Marceau maintains her facade as a sophisticated philanthropist while secretly continuing a family tradition spanning generations: stealing jewels from the wealthy and cruel to redistribute to those in need. Harmel’s portrayal of Colette as a modern-day Robin Hood is both audacious and nuanced, forcing readers to grapple with questions of justice, morality, and the thin line between heroism and criminality.
The author’s decision to ground this unconventional profession in historical precedent—tracing the family’s tradition back to the legendary outlaw himself—provides both gravitas and a sense of mythic destiny to Colette’s activities. Yet Harmel wisely avoids romanticizing theft, instead presenting it as a burden passed down through generations, one that has shaped and in many ways stunted Colette’s emotional development.
Paris 1942: The Heart of Darkness
The wartime timeline reveals the tragic origin of Colette’s lifelong quest for redemption. In Nazi-occupied Paris, fourteen-year-old Colette works alongside her mother Annabel, stealing from German officers and collaborators to fund the French Resistance. Harmel’s research into this period is evident in her vivid descriptions of a city under siege, where ordinary citizens performed extraordinary acts of courage and moral compromise became a daily necessity.
The pivotal night when everything unravels—Annabel’s arrest, Liliane’s disappearance, and the loss of a precious diamond bracelet—serves as the novel’s emotional core. Harmel masterfully captures the chaos and terror of that evening, showing how a single moment can fracture a family and haunt the survivor for decades. The author’s depiction of four-year-old Liliane is particularly poignant, presenting her not as a mere plot device but as a fully realized character whose innocence makes her fate all the more heartbreaking.
A Mystery Seventy Years in the Making
When the missing bracelet surfaces in a Boston museum exhibit, Harmel launches her most intricate mystery yet. The contemporary investigation unfolds with the precision of a master craftsman, as Colette, aided by the museum director Lucas O’Mara and her longtime friend Aviva, traces the bracelet’s journey across decades and continents. The revelation that the bracelet’s current owner, Hubert Verdier, is the same French policeman who betrayed Colette’s family creates a satisfying convergence of past and present.
However, Harmel’s greatest storytelling triumph lies in her handling of the mystery’s resolution. The discovery that Liliane survived—rescued by Verdier’s partner Le Paon and raised under a new identity—transforms what could have been a simple revenge narrative into something far more complex and emotionally resonant. This twist, while perhaps straining credibility slightly, serves the novel’s deeper themes about identity, family, and the possibility of redemption even in the darkest circumstances.
Character Development: Flawed Humanity in All Its Glory
Colette emerges as one of Harmel’s most complex protagonists. The author skillfully balances her admirable qualities—her dedication to helping others, her fierce loyalty, her unwavering pursuit of justice—with her more problematic traits: her tendency toward deception, her inability to form deep relationships, and her stubborn refusal to forgive herself. This moral complexity extends to secondary characters as well, particularly Hubert Verdier, whom Harmel presents not as a cartoonish villain but as a man whose wartime choices were shaped by circumstances beyond his control.
The relationship between Colette and Aviva provides the novel’s emotional anchor. Aviva’s struggle to reconcile her affection for Colette with her disapproval of her methods mirrors the reader’s own conflicted feelings about the protagonist. Their friendship feels authentic precisely because it’s built on genuine care despite fundamental philosophical differences.
Historical Research Meets Emotional Truth
Harmel’s extensive research into wartime Paris shines throughout the novel, from the horrific details of the Vél d’Hiv roundup to the day-to-day realities of life under occupation. The author demonstrates particular skill in showing how ordinary people became complicit in or resistant to Nazi policies, avoiding the oversimplification that plagues much historical fiction about this period.
The novel’s exploration of how trauma echoes across generations feels especially relevant to contemporary readers. Harmel shows how Colette’s inability to save her sister shapes every relationship and decision for the rest of her life, creating patterns of behavior that both honor and imprison her.
Stylistic Strengths and Minor Weaknesses
Harmel’s prose style has matured considerably since her earlier works, displaying a confidence and elegance that serves the story’s dual nature as both historical drama and contemporary mystery. Her ability to shift between the innocence of young Colette’s voice and the world-weary perspective of her older self demonstrates considerable range. The author’s use of the diamond bracelet as both plot device and symbol works particularly well, representing the ways in which objects can carry emotional weight across time and space.
The pacing occasionally falters in the middle sections, particularly during some of the contemporary investigation scenes, where the momentum slows as characters piece together historical details. Additionally, certain plot conveniences—such as the ease with which characters locate long-lost records or the timing of various revelations—occasionally strain credibility.
Thematic Resonance and Contemporary Relevance
Beyond its surface appeal as a historical mystery, the novel grapples with profound questions about justice, identity, and moral responsibility. Harmel asks whether theft can ever be justified, whether the ends justify the means, and how one generation’s trauma shapes the next. The book’s exploration of these themes feels particularly relevant in an era of growing wealth inequality and renewed interest in questions of social justice.
The author’s treatment of Holocaust aftermath and survivor guilt adds another layer of complexity, showing how historical trauma ripples through families and communities long after the initial wounds. The relationship between Daniel Rosman and his quest to recover his family’s stolen property provides a powerful counterpoint to Colette’s own journey, illustrating different approaches to historical justice.
A Satisfying Conclusion to a Master Storyteller
“The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau” represents Harmel at the height of her powers, combining the historical authenticity that has become her trademark with a mystery plot that maintains tension while serving the story’s emotional needs. The novel’s resolution, while perhaps overly neat in places, provides genuine catharsis for both characters and readers.
The author’s decision to write this book while undergoing cancer treatment adds another dimension of poignancy to its themes of loss, survival, and the search for meaning in suffering. This personal context enriches rather than overshadows the narrative, lending additional weight to its exploration of how people find the strength to continue after devastating loss.
Final Verdict: A Diamond in Historical Fiction’s Crown
“The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau” succeeds as both an engaging mystery and a profound meditation on the nature of justice, family, and redemption. While it occasionally suffers from the coincidences and contrivances that can plague historical fiction, Harmel’s masterful character development and emotional authenticity more than compensate for these minor flaws.
Readers familiar with Harmel’s previous works will find this novel both consistent with her established themes and representing a significant evolution in her storytelling abilities. Newcomers to her work will discover an author at the peak of her craft, capable of balancing historical authenticity with compelling characters and intricate plotting.
For Readers Who Enjoyed:
- “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah – For its portrayal of women’s resistance during World War II
- “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid – For its dual timeline structure and complex female protagonist
- “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak – For its unique perspective on wartime suffering and resilience
- “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn – For its blend of historical mystery and strong female characters
- “The Invisible Bridge” by Julie Orringer – For its detailed portrayal of Jewish experience during World War II
Previous Works by Kristin Harmel Worth Exploring:
- “The Book of Lost Names“ – Harmel’s exploration of document forgers during WWII
- “The Forest of Vanishing Stars” – A story of Jewish refugees hiding in Eastern European forests
- “The Winemaker’s Wife” – Champagne makers who aided the Resistance
- “The Room on Rue Amélie” – Focusing on Allied escape lines
- “The Paris Daughter” – Another dual-timeline narrative about family separation during the war
“The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau” stands as a worthy addition to Harmel’s impressive bibliography and a compelling entry point for readers new to her work. It’s a novel that sparkles with the same enduring brilliance as the diamonds at its center—multifaceted, precious, and capable of catching light from unexpected angles to reveal hidden depths and stunning beauty.
