A captivating novel based on the story of the extraordinary real-life American woman who
secretly worked for the French Resistance during World War II while playing hostess to the
invading Germans at the iconic Hôtel Ritz in Paris from the New York Times bestselling author
of The Aviator's Wife and The Swans of Fifth Avenue.A compelling portrait of a marriage and a
nation at war from within. Kate Quinn author of The Alice NetworkNothing bad can happen at the
Ritz inside its gilded walls every woman looks beautiful every man appears witty. Favored
guests like Ernest Hemingway F. Scott Fitzgerald Coco Chanel and the Duke and Duchess of
Windsor walk through its famous doors to be welcomed and pampered by Blanche Auzello and her
husband Claude the hotel s director. The Auzellos are the mistress and master of the Ritz
allowing the glamour and glitz to take their minds off their troubled marriage and off the
secrets that they keep from their guests and eachother.Until June 1940 when the German army
sweeps into Paris setting up headquarters at the Ritz. Suddenly with the likes of Hermann
Goëring moving into suites once occupied by royalty Blanche and Claude must navigate a
terrifying new reality. One that entails even more secrets and lies. One that may destroy the
tempestuous marriage between this beautiful reckless American and her very proper Frenchman.
For in order to survive and strike a blow against their Nazi guests Blanche and Claude must
spin a web of deceit that ensnares everything and everyone they cherish.But one secret is
shared between Blanche and Claude alone the secret that in the end threatens to imperil both
of their lives and to bring down the legendary Ritz itself.Based on true events Mistress of
the Ritz is a taut tale of suspense wrapped up in a love story for the ages the inspiring
story of a woman and a man who discover the best in each other amid the turbulence of
war.Praise for Mistress of the RitzNo one writes of the complexities of women s lives and loves
like Melanie Benjamin. In Mistress of the Ritz Benjamin brings wartime Paris brilliantly to
life. . . . Intense illuminating and ultimately inspiring! Elizabeth Letts New York Times
bestselling author of Finding Dorothy
