Detective Bernie Gunther navigates two corrupt regimes in this “richly satisfying mystery…that evokes the noir sensibilities of Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald while breaking new ground of its own”(Los Angeles Times). Berlin, 1934. Former policeman Bernie Gunther, now a hotel detective, finds himself caught between warring factions of the Nazi apparatus as Hitler and Avery Brundage, the … Hitler and Avery Brundage, the head of the U.S. Olympic Committee, connive to soft-pedal Nazi anti-Semitism before the 1936 Olympiad…
Havana, 1954. Batista, aided by the CIA, has just seized power; Castro is in prison; and the American Mafia is gaining a stranglehold on Cuba’s exploding gaming and prostitution industries. Bernie, after being kicked out of Buenos Aires, has resurfaced with a relatively peaceful new life. But he discovers that he cannot truly outrun his past when he collides with an old love and a vicious killer from his Berlin days…
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It’s 1934 and Bernie Gunther finds himself working for Berlin’s most esteemed hotels, The Adlon. His investigating skills are soon put to the use when one of the hotel visitors is found dead in his hotel room. It is believed to be natural causes; but Bernie thinks differently. Then there’s also the case of a Jewish man found dead in a lake in the city. The police refuse to investigate due to the fact he is Jewish and Bernie, for his part, has no interest in investigating. It isn’t until the beautiful Noreen appears and asks him to bring the Nazis in their true light in her paper. But, Bernie’s biggest problem comes with the American businessman Max Reles. Though this novel contains every aspect of a good Bernie Gunther novel; beautiful women, cunning criminals, deceitful Nazis, etc. However, it just fell flat. I couldn’t find myself to like any of the characters and the story line was a bit of a bore. I also found it a bit long and wish it would have ended in 1934 and not in Cuba in 1954. I like the Bernie Gunther series but so far I’ve been kind of let down. Next is “Field Gray” and I hope that boosts things up a little.
Another very good Bernie Gunther book. Recommend.
typicaal private eye story set in Nazi Germany
Philip Kerr’s book, If the Dead Rise Not, continues the exploits of Bernie Gunther, an ex-policeman who must work within the nefarious Nazi culture of Berlin in 1936. Gripping and action-packed, the story develops around Bernie’s investigation of a missing person, then follows his travels to Cuba after the war. Vivid and well-researched, the characters spring to life as the story unfolds.
One of my fave authors. plot and characters, never, ever disappointed
One of my favorite authors. Mr. Kerr does an outstanding job of putting you into the heart of the Third Reich and all its criminals. Want an understanding what it was like being German between 1933-45? Bernie Gunther can tell you.
I love Bernie Gunther, and the history lesson while reading. He’s a top notch detective with cynical outlook on life.
Great writing. Critics are not kidding when they compare him to Raymond Chandler.
I kept thinking I was going to stop reading but I didn’t. Sort of crudely written.
Phillip Kerr’s character, the former Berlin cop Bernie Gunther is an entertaining study in wit, great detective creds and has no big problem with personal violence if it is necessary. Some of his adventures are more entertaining than others but all the stories are page turners.
Took me quite a few chapters to get used to his style and vocabulary.
Another gem from the sad life of Bernie Gunther, ex-detective, ex- soldier, ex-under duress SS. Just trying to get by in southern France he runs into a former colleague of dubious character and is also befriended by Somerset Maugham, of all people. Of course Bernie is hassled and betrayed and finally on the run. Once again Kerr hits the mark.
Great Noir-type thriller with highly accurate historic detail on street- and sidewalk-level Berlin of 1934.