Safe Return Doubtful

translated from the French by Frank Wynne – published September 2026

In 1940, as German forces occupy Paris, 55 year old Frank Meier runs the bar at the Ritz and is famous for his cocktail making. The bar has been a huge part of his life and, while concealing that he was born Jewish, he intends to keep it that way. The hotel’s owner is Marie-Louise Ritz, known as ‘the Widow’, and she encourages Frank to bring back the halcyon days of the Ritz from the 1930s, when it was a meeting place for famous artists and writers. Many make appearances in the novel. When the Nazis arrive to the bar, Meier acts with undaunted politeness and professionalism.

The contrast inside and outside the Ritz is stark. The invading Germans begin arresting Jews by the thousands and laying waste to their homes. Paris sinks into cold and hunger, while business at the Ritz and at Frank’s bar is booming.

Based closely on a true story, this novel that spans the whole of the war, is about entrapment, survival and guilt, which Frank cannot help but feel as he hears of the work done by the Resistance, though he does risk his life to help others within the hotel building.

Collin captures the atmosphere of Paris in the 1940s really well in an exciting and informative tale.

My GoodReads score 4 / 5