4-STAR REVIEW: FANTAISIE by Michael Kenneth Smith

The Description

Publication Date: March 4, 2025

The novel “Fantaisie” takes place in 1946 post-war Europe, following Jan Orlinski, a former Polish RAF pilot, and his lover Sophie Gordon. Jan takes a job flying cargo missions from Paris to the Belgian Congo for a mysterious employer named Gerston, transporting what he believes is cobalt ore. Meanwhile, Sophie, who was previously exiled from Britain for unwittingly helping her Nazi-sympathizing father during WWII, is recruited by British Intelligence officer Herrington to feed disinformation to Soviet agents in Paris. She agrees, hoping to earn back her British citizenship and create a better life for her and Jan’s young daughter, Maria.

The story takes a dramatic turn when Sophie disappears, taken by Soviet agents to Sachsenhausen prison in East Germany. Jan embarks on a dangerous rescue mission into Soviet-controlled territory, making unlikely allies along the way. These include a resistance member named Klaus, a tavern owner named Carla whose father Henrik is also imprisoned in Sachsenhausen, and a group of former German Luftwaffe pilots who want to escape the Soviet zone.

Through determination, ingenuity, and help from his newfound allies, Jan manages to orchestrate a daring rescue of Sophie and Henrik. The story explores themes of redemption, trust, and the moral complexities of the immediate post-war period. It weaves together historical elements like Operation Bernhard (the Nazi counterfeiting operation), the Soviet atomic program, and the exploitation of African resources during the colonial period.

The novel concludes months later in England, where Jan, now working for British European Airways, conducts one final covert mission to help those who aided in Sophie’s rescue. The story ends with Jan, Sophie, and Maria reunited in London, having left behind the dangerous world of espionage for a quieter life.

Through Jan and Sophie’s journey, the novel examines how ordinary people become caught up in extraordinary circumstances, and how love and loyalty can provide the courage to face seemingly impossible odds. Their story reflects the broader struggles of a continent trying to rebuild itself in the aftermath of World War II, even as new tensions between East and West begin to emerge.

The Review

With memories of World War II still lingering, two people must battle the odds for a shared future.

Author Michael Kenneth Smith delivers a tale of espionage and second chances in Fantaisie. After surviving a stint as a POW, pilot Jan Orlinski is ready to build a life in France with Sophie and Maria, the daughter he’d only recently met.

However, sustaining a family requires money. When Jan is offered a job flying a plane to pick up unknown cargo, the dollar signs initially cloud his judgment. Flying into the Congo to haul mysterious cargo shielded in mystery might net a great payday, but Jan discovers a sinister plot he has no intention of supporting. Jan’s dilemma is well-developed, with ample suspense.

Meanwhile, Sophie is caught up in a mess of her own when she gets tapped to funnel counter-intelligence and is then kidnapped. Jan will have to risk everything in order to free Sophie.

Fantaisie highlights two people who find themselves unwittingly caught up in a terrible situation. Buy Links

About The Author Michael Kenneth Smith is the author of six historical novels, including The Postwoman, an Amazon international bestseller. His stories are known for their strong historical settings and compelling characters.