Citadel: A Novel

Combining the rugged action of Labyrinth with the haunting mystery of Sepulchre, #1 bestselling author Kate Mosse’s eagerly awaited Citadel is a mesmerizing World War II story of daring and courage, in which a group of determined women fighting for the French Resistance risk their lives to save their homeland . . . and protect astonishing secrets buried in time.

France, 1942. In Carcassonne, a colorful historic village nestled deep in the Pyrenees, a group of courageous women are engaged in a lethal battle. Like their ancestors who fought to protect their land from Northern invaders seven hundred years before, these members of the resistance—codenamed Citadel—fight to liberate their home from the Nazis.

But smuggling refugees over the mountains into neutral territory and sabotaging their German occupiers at every opportunity is only part of their mission. These women must also protect an ancient secret that, if discovered by their ruthless enemies, could change the course of history.

A superb blend of rugged action and haunting mystery, Citadel is a vivid and richly atmospheric story of love, faith, heroism, and danger—and a group of extraordinary women who dare the impossible to survive.

France, 1942. While war blazes at the front lines of Europe, in the walled southern city of Carcassonne, nestled deep in the Pyrenees, a group of courageous women is engaged in an equally lethal battle. Like their ancestors who fought northern invaders seven hundred years before, these members of the French Resistance—code-named Citadel—fight to liberate their home from the Nazis.

Led by a daring eighteen-year-old, Sandrine Vidal, and her elder sister, Marianne, the women of Citadel work quickly to sabotage their German occupiers, safeguard their neighbors and smuggle refugees over the mountains into neutral territory. But that is only part of their mission. Their struggle will reveal an older, darker combat being fought in the shadows, one meant to protect an ancient secret that, if it fell into the wrong hands, could change the course of history.

Combining rugged action with the haunting mystery of an ancient city, Citadel is a story of daring and courage, love and passion, as the women of Citadel dare the impossible to save their home-land . . . and the astonishing secrets buried in time are at long last revealed.

“A thrilling adventure and a truly epic love story.” - The Times (London)

“A thrilling adventure and a truly epic love story.” - The Times (London)

“Strong female protagonists, a fascinating historical backdrop, a bittersweet romance, and the integration of mystical elements guarantee a large crossover audience for this thrilling genre-bender.” - Booklist

“Raiders of the Lost Ark meets The Da Vinci Code, with lashings of Nazis and belles mademoiselles.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Very detailed and well researched, this dramatic finale is a compelling mix of romance and historical fiction that succeeds as an epic tale of mystery and adventure. ” - Library Journal

“Mosse’s writing is so evocative you can almost feel the Midi sun on her characters necks, as well as the frantic beating of their hearts.” - Mail on Sunday

“The much-anticipated third part of Kate Mosse’s Languedoc trilogy is finally here ... This action-packed epic contains everything we’ve come to expect—mystery, adventure and long-buried secrets just waiting to be uncovered.” - Book of the Month, Good Housekeeping, UK

“A breathtaking tale of daring and sacrifice that makes a triumphant finale to Mosse’s Languedoc trilogy.” - Woman & Home (UK)

“With her Languedoc trilogy Kate Mosse has firmly established herself as the go-to girl for blockbuster time-slip romantic adventure ... Citadel, the final book of the three, follows Labyrinth and Sepulchre and is epic in scope ... It’s a proper adventure story, engrossing and packed with suspense at every turn of the page.” - Metro

“A remarkable achievement.” - Daily Express (London)

“Nobody beats Mosse for local texture and atmosphere. As the call to the resistance sounds over the land, she orchestrates a shattering climax.” - Sunday Times (London)

“As with it’s predecessors, the deeper theme of Citadel is the fight against the evil of intolerance. Mosse’s descriptions of the majestic stone ruins of Carcassonne and the idyllic landscape around it shimmer with authenticity.” - The Independent on Sunday