Tessa Harris

The Paris Notebook tells the story of a German Psychiatrist, Dr Vicktor who treated a lance corporal after the soldiers exposure to poisonous gas during WWI. The lance corporal, Adolph Hitler was diagnosed with hysterical blindness resulting from anxiety. Dr Viktor, helped Hitler work through that and subsequently experienced tremendous remorse. By 1939 in Hamburg Germany, Dr Vicktor's patient notes were a dangerous threat to both Hitler and himself.

Dr Viktor hires Katja Heinz as his personal assistant to type Adolph Hitlers patient notes so that he may give the transcript to a publisher who will tell the world about Adolph Hitler before his power is absolute. Katja's father, a professor of anthropology, was murdered by the SS due to his attempt to warn Germans that what was happening in Germany under Hitler was not a good change. Katja, upon figuring out who the patient was, is only too happy to commit to the project.
Several attempts to contact publishers occur, trips from Germany to Paris and finally a daring escape and rescue of British troops through an active battle in Calais ensue with the intent to bring this information regarding Hitler to the attention of the Commanders of the The Allied Coalition and the United States.

The book contains beautiful descriptions of booksellers along the Seine (The Bouguinistes of Paris), an array of famous authors living in Paris in the late 1930's and a peek into the famous Paris bookstore, Shakespeare & Company founded by American Sylvia Beach. The premise of Hitler being treated during WWI is factual, this was not something of which I had been aware.

This is the first book I've read by Tessa Harris but it certainly won't be the last.… (more)

In a gripping tale set against the backdrop of pre-World War II Europe, 'The Paris Notebook' weaves a suspenseful narrative around a secret capable of shaking the foundations of history. Katja's discovery of a notebook revealing Hitler's unfit status for office propels the story into a thrilling chase against Nazi spies in Paris. The historical detail is meticulous, and the characters' resilience in the face of danger adds depth to the plot. While some twists may be predictable, the overall experience is a captivating journey into the shadows of history, making it a must-read for fans of historical thrillers.… (more)