A review by crafalsk264
The Statement by Brian Moore

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is the first book from Brian Moore and I will probably make him a regular author on my list. I enjoyed this book and after looking up the real history of the man that was the inspiration for this book.

This story begins in the early 1990s—about 40 years after WWII ended and is based on a true story. 

Pierre Broussard (Paul Touvier) is an elderly French man who is on the run from Nazi hunters planning their revenge for his atrocities and war crimes.  And they seem to know his habits, itineraries and were one step ahead of him. However his training in Hitler’s SS Division. The old man is still skilled enough to be able to turn the tables on them and eliminated the assassins. For 40 years, he has been protected by the Catholic Church. How considers himself a religious man and mourns the old church ways and rituals. The chase makes it’s way between churches, monasteries and religious retreats across France.

The real Paul Touvier was a very religious man and he had close relationships with the Catholic Church. He was first Frenchman to be convicted of “crime against humanity.” After the liberation of France he went into hiding to avoid the execution he was sentenced to. 

There are so many stories from WWII which are dramatic enough to read like fiction and provide fodder for stories for years to come.