Hailed by Salman Rushdie as a “brilliantly innovative thriller-writer,” Philip Kerr is the creator of taut, gripping, noir-tinged mysteries that are nothing short of spellbinding. The first book of the Berlin Noir trilogy, March Violets introduces readers to Bernie Gunther, an ex-policeman who thought he’d seen everything on the streets of 1930s Berlin—until he turned freelance and each case he … and each case he tackled sucked him further into the grisly excesses of Nazi subculture. Hard-hitting, fast-paced, and richly detailed, March Violets is noir writing at its blackest and best.
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Setting is the main character in this atmospheric novel of pre-WWII Berlin. Mystery readers won’t be disappointed in the story either as Bernie Gunther navigates his way through a treacherous Nazi Germany. Chandler with a shot of Schnapps.
This is one of the best historical mysteries I’ve ever read. I read the whole series and mourned when Kerr died. The vivid detail. The moral ambiguity. Just a great read.
I have read the whole Bernie Gunther series and enjoyed all the books. Try them, you might like them aswell
One of a series by Robert Kerr. All about Nazi Berlin. Highly recommended.
I love all of the Bernie Gunther books by this author. Most take place in Berlin during the Nazi era. Gunther is a policeman turned private detective who comes into contact with real historical characters such as Himmler and Heydrich. They are all great reads with historical perspectives which sometimes seem all too relevant to current events.
March Violets is the place to start reading the Bernie Gunther series by Phillip Kerr. They are all worth reading and engaging from cover to cover.
The absolutely best look at the horror that was living in Germany under the Nazis I have ever read. Historically accurate, with a great protagonist in Bernie Gunther and always a well-written story/mystery. Can’t put them down.
hard boiled noir detective set in early Nazi times with great historical figures.
The first of the Bernie Gunther series set in Berlin, 1936. An extraordinary dip into Germany as Hitler and his crew were flexing their muscles. Bernie has to navigate his way through an increasingly swampy morass of crime made even more dangerous by the political climate.
Fabulous in every way; buy it read it !!!!!!!!
Not as good as earlier works. Too much affected slang. More reminiscent of 1950’s private eye wise guy than noir.
Slow,dull,predictabal
Great historical read, characters are fascinating.
This is the first of a long series Bernie Gunther novels. It wasn’t the first one I read, because you can jump in with any of the novels, but I’ve now read and enjoyed them all. They take you inside Nazi Germany before, during and after the war. Bernie is a flawed man, who finds himself uncomfortably close the action as a policeman, hotel …
This is the first of Phillip Kerr’s Bernie Gunther series. Great read. Set in pre-War Berlin, just the atmosphere is worth the read. I love this series.
1st book in the outstanding Bernie Gunther series
Another Philip Kerr story of Berlin detective Bernie Gunther trying to do the right thing under the corrupt Nazi regime. It is a very believable story set in the early days of the Nazi government.
The later books were much better
This book presented a new angel of insight into the Nazi era and its main players. A a European of origin who remembers Nazi occupation well, I gained additional information about the period that led up to my childhood. Thanks.
An unfinished ending. Parts were very informative of pre World War II in Germany but as a whole I was disappointed in it.