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  • Hachette Australia

The French Photographer

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Inspired by the incredible true story of Lee Miller, Vogue model turned one of the first female war photojournalists, the new novel by the bestselling author of THE PARIS SEAMSTRESS

Paris, 1942: When Jessica May's successful modelling career in Manhattan is abruptly cut short, she is assigned to the war in Europe as a photojournalist for Vogue. But when she arrives the army men make her life as difficult as possible. Three friendships change that: journalist Martha Gellhorn encourages Jess to bend the rules, paratrooper Dan Hallworth takes her to places to shoot pictures and write stories that matter, and a little girl, Victorine, who has grown up in a field hospital, shows her love. But success comes at a price.

France, 2005: Australian curator D'Arcy Hallworth arrives at a beautiful chateau to manage a famous collection of photographs. What begins as just another job becomes far more disquieting as D'Arcy uncovers the true identity of the mysterious photographer - and realises that she is connected to D'Arcy's own mother, Victorine.

Crossing a war-torn Europe from Italy to France, THE FRENCH PHOTOGRAPHER is a story of courage, family and forgiveness, by the bestselling author of THE PARIS SEAMSTRESS and A KISS FROM MR FITZGERALD.

'Emotionally charged and unforgettable' Publishers Weekly starred review

'Historical fiction at its best' Who Weekly

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Praise for The French Photographer

  • Weaves real characters, events, places and an obvious love of fashion into her captivating tale - Herald Sun

  • What Lester does brilliantly is mingle fiction with fact - Daily Telegraph

  • A fantastically engrossing story. I loved it - Kelly Rimmer

  • The French Photographer should not be underestimated. While it sits within the romance genre, it makes a statement about the treatment of women - the ridiculous rules that once applied to female war correspondents and the rape of civilian women in battle. Natasha Lester alternates between this historical content and its darker themes, and a mysterious contemporary side plot that will keep readers guessing. - Sunday Times

  • With a sweeping narrative and stacks of romance, this is historical fiction at its best. - Who Weekly

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Latest Articles Videos
Read an extract from The Chateau on Sunset
Read an extract from The Chateau on Sunset
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Natasha Lester On Tour | 2026
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Book Club Questions with Natasha Lester
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The history behind Natasha Lester's new novel, The Mademoiselle Alliance
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The inspiration behind Natasha Lester's new novel, The Mademoiselle Alliance
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Q&A with Natasha Lester
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The Mademoiselle Alliance by Natasha Lester
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Trailer for The Mademoiselle Alliance by Natasha Lester
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Natasha Lester describes her latest release | The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre
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Natasha Lester Describes her Research Process | The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre
Hachette Australia Secure Multi-Bestselling Author Natasha Lester in International Two-Book Deal
Hachette Australia Secure Multi-Bestselling Author Natasha Lester in International Two-Book Deal
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Escape Isolation
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Natasha Lester's Top 5 Winter Fashion Essentials
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Natasha Lester: The Bookish Moments I’ve Swooned Over
Happy Galentine’s Day!
Happy Galentine’s Day!
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8 Swoon-Worthy Moments
Read an extract from The Chateau on Sunset
Read an extract from The Chateau on Sunset
Natasha Lester On Tour | 2026
Natasha Lester On Tour | 2026
Supporting our Adelaide Writers Week authors
Supporting our Adelaide Writers Week authors
Book Club Questions with Natasha Lester
Book Club Questions with Natasha Lester
Q&A with Natasha Lester
Q&A with Natasha Lester
Hachette Australia Secure Multi-Bestselling Author Natasha Lester in International Two-Book Deal
Hachette Australia Secure Multi-Bestselling Author Natasha Lester in International Two-Book Deal
Escape Isolation
Escape Isolation
Natasha Lester's Top 5 Winter Fashion Essentials
Natasha Lester's Top 5 Winter Fashion Essentials
Natasha Lester: The Bookish Moments I’ve Swooned Over
Natasha Lester: The Bookish Moments I’ve Swooned Over
Happy Galentine’s Day!
Happy Galentine’s Day!
8 Swoon-Worthy Moments
8 Swoon-Worthy Moments
The history behind Natasha Lester's new novel, The Mademoiselle Alliance
The history behind Natasha Lester's new novel, The Mademoiselle Alliance
The inspiration behind Natasha Lester's new novel, The Mademoiselle Alliance
The inspiration behind Natasha Lester's new novel, The Mademoiselle Alliance
Who is Marie-Madeleine Fourcade? / The Mademoiselle Alliance by Natasha Lester
Who is Marie-Madeleine Fourcade? / The Mademoiselle Alliance by Natasha Lester
The Mademoiselle Alliance by Natasha Lester
The Mademoiselle Alliance by Natasha Lester
Trailer for The Mademoiselle Alliance by Natasha Lester
Trailer for The Mademoiselle Alliance by Natasha Lester
Natasha Lester describes her latest release | The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre
Natasha Lester describes her latest release | The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre
Natasha Lester Describes her Research Process | The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre
Natasha Lester Describes her Research Process | The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre
Natasha Lester

Natasha Lester

In the early 2000s, Natasha Lester made the move from marketing manager for Maybelline cosmetics to writing novels, and she regrets nothing - except that she no longer gets free lipstick. She is now a New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of ten books that have been translated into 21 languages and published all around the world. Her eighth novel, The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard, was longlisted for the 2024 ARA Historical Novel Prize. While she loves to travel, she also loves returning to her home in Perth, where her favourite thing to do is to go for a run beside the beautiful Swan River. Her latest novel is The Chateau on Sunset.

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