Richard Hart, government agent, has been severely injured during what he thinks to be his last assignment. He may never see again. Even worse than his physical injuries is his mental condition. He is suffering from trauma so severe that he has been isolated from the rest of the patients. He worries that in one of these fits, he'll hurt the people he loves including his girlfriend Claire O'Neill.

Claire does love Richard with all her heart but a piece of her soul will always belong to her painting. She is concerned that caring for her temperamental, proud patient will funnel time away from her blossoming career.

Claire, as a surprise for Richard's good friend and co-worker Leslie, has brought Leslie's ex Frank with her to Paris. Leslie left Frank for the never faithful yet always charming Aaron. He wonders if he made a mistake, yearns to return Frank's love, yet can't break away from Aaron's allure.

To further complicate their intermingled lives, there's a ring of German sympathizers busy smuggling Nazi leaders out of defeated Germany. People are going missing and winding up dead.

Light in a Hollow Place is the third installment of a trilogy set during WWII. Although readers will benefit from reading the first two books, Light in a Hollow Place can be read as a standalone novel. I have not read the first two and was able to pick up the plot and characters easily.

Vicki Gaia does an excellent job guiding readers through this intricate story, introducing us gradually to the large cast of characters. Post war Paris provides a vivid backdrop, historical details setting the scene yet not detracting from the plot. And what a plot! Spies, mysterious puzzle boxes, dead priests, the action never stops. When I thought I had everything figured out, I turned the page and found out I was wrong. Light in a Hollow Place will keep readers guessing.

Reviewed by: Kimber