A Hero of France, Furst - B

                                               This is the latest in Furst's on going stories about the inter-war and recently, the early war years. He is a master of plotting, suspense and historical background. Our main character in the spring of 1941 is Mathieu, the nom de guerre of a man running the escape routes for downed pilots from occupied France to Vichy and  Spain. These 'passeurs' were considered the forerunner of the French Resistance. Mathieu's success draws the attention of the British, who offer funds in exchange for an occasional extra job. After June 22, the communists leap feet first into resistance activities. The Germans import a detective from Hamburg in their attempt to find the 'rat line'.  Fortunately for the good guys, Mathieu and his team escape the clutches of the police  and move on to the next job. Furst points out that at this point in 1941, the occupation of Paris took a harsher turn. The Gestapo and SS took over from the local gendarmes. I prefer the pre-war books, simply because they delve into the details of a time glossed over in the history books.