The French Gift

'Kirsty Manning has delivered yet again with this epic novel about women, love and heartbreak. With passion and sensitivity, Manning takes the reader on a journey that is near-impossible to tear yourself away from. Without a doubt her finest work. A triumph!' - Sally Hepworth, author of The Soulmate

'Manning's multilayered story is both terrifying and triumphant. Her talent for a surprising twist makes this story a must for her fans.' - Publishers Weekly

A forgotten manuscript threatens to unravel the past...

Fresnes Prison, 1940: Margot Bisset, a former maid from the Riviera, finds herself in a prison cell with writer and French Resistance fighter, Josephine Murant. Together, they are transferred to a work camp in Germany, where the secrets they share will bind them for generations to come.

Present-day Paris: Evie Black lives above her botanical bookshop with her teenage son, Hugo. Nursing a broken heart, Evie receives an unexpected letter; she clutches at an opportunity to spend a magical summer with Hugo on the Cote d'Azur.

It's here, on the French Riviera, that the past envelops them and Evie attempts to unravel the official story of a famous novelist. If she succeeds, a murder from a lifetime ago may be solved.

Inspired by a true story of iconic French Resistance fighter, Agnes Humbert, whose secret journal shed light on a little-known aspect of World War II, The French Gift will captivate readers from beginning to unforgettable end.

Praise for The French Gift:

'Kirsty Manning spins an elegant web across two eras.' - The Australian Women's Weekly

'Manning doesn't put a foot wrong: The French Gift is historical fiction at its best...a glorious escape from reality, this will captivate readers from the beginning to the unforgettable, surprising end.' - Better Reading

'Part mystery, part war history, part romance - and with a cracker of an ending - Kirsty Manning has woven together a wonderful tale about bravery, the deprivations of war and the power of friendship at the darkest of times.' - The Weekly Times

'Captivating...I can't wait to see which 'pocket of history' Kirsty Manning will reveal in her next book.' - Blue Wolf Reviews

'So divine - The French Gift is nothing short of magnificent! A superb example of a story that works to illuminate both the harshest and most spellbinding moments in our history books.' - Mrs B's Book Reviews