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The Boy with the Star Tattoo: A Novel Kindle Edition


From acclaimed author of The Third Daughter comes an epic historical novel of ingenuity and courage, of love and loss, spanning postwar France when Israeli agents roamed the countryside to rescue hidden Jewish orphans—to the 1969 daring escape of the Israeli boats of Cherbourg.

1942: As the Vichy government hunts for Jews across France, Claudette Pelletier, a young and talented seamstress and lover of romance novels, falls in love with a Jewish man who seeks shelter at the château where she works. Their whirlwind and desperate romance before he must flee leaves her pregnant and terrified.

When the Nazis invade the Free Zone shortly after the birth of her child, the disabled Claudette is forced to make a heartbreaking choice and escapes to Spain, leaving her baby in the care of his nursemaid. By the time Claudette is able to return years later, her son has disappeared. Unbeknown to his anguished mother, the boy has been rescued by a Youth Aliyah agent searching for Jewish orphans.

1968: When Israeli naval officer Daniel Yarden recruits Sharon Bloomenthal for a secret naval operation in Cherbourg, France, he can’t imagine that he is the target of the agenda of the twenty-year-old grieving the recent loss of her fiancé in a drowned submarine. Sharon suspects that Danny's past in Youth Aliyah may reflect that of her mysterious late mother and she sets out to track her boss’s extraordinary journey as an orphan in a quaint French village all the way to Israel.

As Danny focuses on the future of his people and on executing a daring, crucial operation under France’s radar, he is unaware that the obsessed Sharon follows the breadcrumbs of clues across the country to find her answers. But she is wholly unprepared for the dilemma she must face upon solving the puzzle.


From the Publisher

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9780063325777 image 9780062004376 image 9780062388599 image 9780062896889 image
The Boy with the Star Tattoo Jerusalem Maiden Hotel Moscow The Third Daughter
Customer Reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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3.9 out of 5 stars
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4.5 out of 5 stars
2,274
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Talia Carner, long established as one of the strongest voices in Jewish historical fiction, returns with her finest work to date, The Boy With the Star Tattoo.  Spanning World War II Europe to the struggling early state of Israel, Carner’s latest brings to light important history in a spellbinding and unforgettable human drama."
Pam Jenoff, NYT Bestselling Author of Code Name Sapphire

"Historical novels don’t get much better than The Boy with the Star Tattoo, and it’s obvious that the author did her homework, then sat down to a labor of love. The mark of a great historical novel is where the fictional characters become more real than the historical events they are living through. Talia Carner is a writer’s writer and a reader’s delight." — Nelson DeMille, New York Times bestselling author

The Boy With the Star Tattoo is a heartfelt testament to the power of determination and belonging. Talia Carner is a masterful storyteller - bringing fascinating history to life in the way that only the best historical fiction can. Perfect for fans of Pam Jenoff and Heather Morris.”  — Kelly Rimmer, NYT-bestselling author of The Paris Agent

“Thoroughly researched and vividly rendered, this is an important and unforgettable story of exploitation and empowerment that will leave you both shaken and inspired.”  — Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author, on The Third Daughter

“Impeccably researched and beautifully written…An unforgettable story of strength and survival.”  — Jillian Cantor, USA Today bestselling author, on The Third Daughter

“Exquisitely told...a moving and utterly captivating novel that I will be thinking about for a long, long time.”  — Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author, on Jerusalem Maiden

“Esther Kaminsky is a true heroine . . . The truly marvelous thing about Jerusalem Maiden is how deeply Talia Carner is able to evoke Esther’s faith and the complexity of the choices she faces. A beautiful and timely novel.”  — Margot Livesey on JERUSALEM MAIDEN

Engaging . . . Carner renders Esther’s world with great authority and detail, revealing intimate familial rituals within the larger political and socioeconomic context.”  — Publishers Weekly on Jerusalem Maiden

About the Author

Talia Carner is the former publisher of Savvy Woman magazine and a lecturer at international women’s economic forums. This is her sixth novel.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C245KPKS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks (January 30, 2024)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 30, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4804 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 430 pages
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

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Talia Carner
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Formerly the publisher of Savvy Woman magazine and a consultant to Fortune 500 companies, Talia Carner’s six heart-wrenching suspense and historical novels have been hailed for exposing society’s ills. Dozens of her award-winning essays, articles and short stories have appeared in anthologies, literary reviews and leading websites. The novelist is a committed supporter of global human rights, has spearheaded projects centered on the subjects of female plight, and has participated as a panelist or keynoted over 500 talks and 340 Zoom presentations to civic, educational and cultural organizations.

Carner’s new novel, THE BOY WITH THE STAR TATTOO, is an epic historical fiction set in France, (HarperCollins February 2024.)

Her addictions include chocolate, ballet, Sudoku--and social justice.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
257 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the characters relatable and fascinating. They also describe the story as compelling, emotional, and woven into history.

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14 customers mention "Complexity"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book complex, compelling, and woven into history. They also say it's interesting to juxtapose to today's crisis. Customers also say the story unravels the past and resolves a puzzle.

"...This story unravels the past and resolves a puzzle through its compelling characters. I couldn't stop reading!" Read more

"...The novel touches upon real historical subjects, including Youth Aliyah, the disappearance of the submarine INS Dakar in 1968, and Israel's plans to..." Read more

"Very well written -a complex story about identity and belonging. Excellent read -couldn’t put it down - interesting to juxtapose to todays crisis" Read more

"...This book had three interconnected stories in a couple of time lines within a historical context dealing with events I knew little about, and this..." Read more

6 customers mention "Characters"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters in the book relatable.

"...This story unravels the past and resolves a puzzle through its compelling characters. I couldn't stop reading!" Read more

"...Her characters make you want to keep reading because you care about them and what happens to them...." Read more

"...The characters are very believable and the atmosphere and events of these times are important background for the struggles of the diverse..." Read more

"Fascinating characters, a real page turner. I highly recommend this informative historical fiction book. Her fictional characters seem so real." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2024
This multi timeline historical novel encompasses the reactions of countryside citizens to the encroaching advancement of the WWII French Vichy troops and the Nazis, the post war search for Jewish child survivors and their clandestine transportation to Eretz Israel, and the building of Saar missile boats in Cherbourg in 1969. This story unravels the past and resolves a puzzle through its compelling characters. I couldn't stop reading!
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Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2024
“The Boy with the Star Tattoo" by Talia Carner is an epic historical novel that weaves together tales of ingenuity, courage, love, and loss against the backdrop of postwar France and the daring escape of Israeli boats from Cherbourg in 1969. The narrative spans three timelines – 1942, 1946, and 1969 – creating a complex and compelling story that demands concentration from the reader.

The story begins in 1942, as the Vichy government intensifies its hunt for Jews in France. Claudette Pelletier, a talented seamstress, falls in love with a Jewish man who seeks refuge in the château where she works. Their whirlwind romance leaves her pregnant and facing a heartbreaking choice when the Nazis invade. Forced to flee to Spain, Claudette leaves her baby in the care of a nursemaid, only to find him missing upon her return.

In 1968, Israeli naval officer Daniel Yarden recruits Sharon Bloomenthal for a secret operation in Cherbourg. Sharon, grieving her fiancé's recent loss in a submarine accident, becomes curious about Danny's past and embarks on a journey to unravel the mysteries surrounding her boss.

The novel explores Claudette's struggle to find her missing child, the post-war efforts of Youth Aliyah to rescue Jewish orphans, and the complex operation in Cherbourg.

The triple timeline adds intricacy to the narrative, requiring readers to piece together the threads of the story. While Sharon is determined to uncover Danny's origins, he remains focused on his mission, creating tension between the characters. The novel touches upon real historical subjects, including Youth Aliyah, the disappearance of the submarine INS Dakar in 1968, and Israel's plans to acquire boats from France.

Talia Carner's meticulous research is evident, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of history. The book delves into the challenges faced by Jewish children in post-war France and the difficulties in reuniting families. The story captures the resilience and heartache of those affected, making it a poignant and thought-provoking read.

Overall, "The Boy with the Star Tattoo" receives five stars for its intricate storytelling, well-researched historical context, and the exploration of post-war challenges faced by Jewish families. Fans of complex historical fiction will find this novel to be a compelling and informative read.

I received an advance copy of the book. All opinions expressed here are my own.
5 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2024
The author weaves together multiple characters, storylines and time periods in telling some of the lesser-known aspects of how Jews coped and recovered in Europe after the Holocaust and of Israel's early history. Some plot points felt a little rushed, but overall a really emotional, ultimately uplifting story.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2024
Very well written -a complex story about identity and belonging. Excellent read -couldn’t put it down - interesting to juxtapose to todays crisis
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024
I absolutely loved The Boy With the Star Tattoo! Talia Carner knows just how to intertwine multiple story lines into wonderful historical fiction. Her characters make you want to keep reading because you care about them and what happens to them. This book had three interconnected stories in a couple of time lines within a historical context dealing with events I knew little about, and this is what I love about her books. You won't be disappointed.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2024
Overall, a good plot with enchanting characters, but the pace was unstable and remarkably slow throughout. I would only recommend if you enjoy reading about this period in history.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2024
Talia Carner makes history come alive in a fascinating novel that covers two distinct decades, the late 1940's immediately following WWII and the late 1960's, both in France and in Israel. The characters are very believable and the atmosphere and events of these times are important background for the struggles of the diverse individuals that populate the novel. This is a story about Jewish identity that you don't have to be Jewish to appreciate. The book was written prior to Oct 7, 2023, but it resonates strongly at this time. I highly recommend it for all those who want to understand more, or just enjoy the story.

Top reviews from other countries

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous page turner
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 20, 2024
Words are difficult to use to describe this brilliant book. The characters I will miss floors effortlessly through this fabulous book

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