The Riviera House

Set in France during the Second World War and in 2015, The Riveira House by Natasha Lester introduces the reader to an aspect of the German occupation of France - one that involves the theft of paintings and other works of art from galleries and private collections, especially those owned by Jewish families.

In 1939 we meet Eliane Dufort who initially works at Le Louvre until many of the artworks are removed from Paris to try and keep them out of the hands of the Germans when they invade Paris. She then works with Rose Valland at a smaller gallery used by the Germans to store their stolen loot before sending the items back to Germany. Eliane and Rose work under cover to try and keep a record of the stolen paintings and where they have been sent. It is hoped that after the war the items may be returned to their rightful owners.

Eliane lives with her family who run a brasserie in Paris. When it is known that the Germans will take Paris, Eliane's family leave the city to seek safety in the countryside while Xavier, an artist and her lover, takes his father back to England. Her brother, Luc, is working for the Resistance and is often away.

In 2015 Remy Lang retreats to a home that she has inherited on the French Riviera. Remy runs a vintage fashion business online which she plans to continue to operate as she grieves for the loss of her husband and daughter, killed in a car accident. When she discovers an art catalogue recording French artworks stolen during the Second World War, Remy is surprised to see a picture of a painting that she has at her family home in Sydney.  Helped by Adam, a photographer, she investigates the history of the painting and learns more about her family history.

The Riviera House is a work of historical fiction and romance. It is also a study of grief and learning to create a new life while still remembering good times from the past.

Other books by Natasha Lester based on events in France during the Second World War include The French Photographer, The Paris Seamstress and The Paris Secret.

Although this book is a work of historical fiction, many of the charcters are based on real people including Rose Valland. The author's note at the back of the novel provides interesting information about the writing of the book.