The Paris Dancer

The emotional and inspiring historical novel to look out for in 2025!
From the acclaimed author of The Girl Before You, an Observer debut to look out for, comes a riveting and unforgettable story of courage, friendship and defiance. Inspired by the incredible true story of a Jewish ballroom dancer in Paris during World War II.

'A sumptuous and gripping read. [Nicola] writes with humour, heart and humanity' - Kate Thompson

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A heart-wrenching and unforgettable story of courage, friendship and resistance, inspired by the incredible true story of a Jewish ballroom dancer in Paris during WWII, perfect for fans of The Paris Library.

Paris, 1938. Annie Mayer arrives in France with dreams of becoming a ballerina. But when the war reaches Paris, she's forced to keep her Jewish heritage a secret. Then a fellow dancer offers her a lifeline: a ballroom partnership that gives her a new identity. Together, Annie and her partner captivate audiences across occupied Europe, using her newfound fame and alias to aid the Resistance.

New York, 2012. Miriam, haunted by her past, travels from London to New York to settle her great-aunt Esther’s estate. Among Esther’s belongings, she discovers notebooks detailing a secret family history and the story of a brave dancer who risked everything to help Jewish families during the war.

As Miriam uncovers Esther’s life in Europe, she realises the story has been left for her to finish. Grappling with loss and the possibility of new love, Miriam must find the strength to reconcile her past and embrace her future.

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'Impressive and vibrant' - Independent

'Immaculately researched and exquisitely written. historical fiction at its best' - Louise Fein

'Beautifully written, these characters just turn the pages themselves. It's so easy to fall into the worlds that Nicola Rayner has cleverly created. A real treat' - Mandy Robotham

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