Berlin, 1942. Three players take the stage. The first, a gorgeous actress--the rising star of a giant German film company controlled by the Propaganda Ministry. The second, the very clever, very dangerous Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels--a close confidant of Hitler, ambitious schemer, and flagrant libertine. Finally, there's Bernie Gunther--a former Berlin homicide bull now forced to run errands at the Propaganda Minister's command.
When Goebbels tasks Bernie with finding the woman the press have dubbed "the German Garbo, " his errand takes him from Zurich to Zagreb to the killing fields of Croatia. It is there that Bernie finds himself in a world of mindless brutality where everyone has a hidden agenda--perfect territory for a true cynic whose instinct is to trust no one.
"Philip Kerr is the only bona fide heir to Raymond Chandler."--Salon.com
"In terms of narrative, plot, pace and characterization, Kerr's in a league with John le Carré."--The Washington Post
"Every time we're afraid we've seen the last of Bernie Gunther, Philip Kerr comes through with another unnerving adventure for his morally conflicted hero."--Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review
"Just as youth is wasted on the young, history is wasted on historians. It ought to be the exclusive property of novelists--but only if they are as clever and knowledgeable as Philip Kerr."--Chicago Tribune
"Kerr quantum leaps the limitations of genre fiction. Most thrillers insult your intelligence; his assault your ignorance."--Esquire
"A richly satisfying mystery, one that evokes the noir sensibilities of Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald while breaking important new ground of its own."--Los Angeles Times
"Part of the allure of these novels is that Bernie is such an interesting creation, a Chandleresque knight errant caught in insane historical surroundings. Bernie walks down streets so mean that nobody can stay alive and remain truly clean."--John Powers, Fresh Air (NPR)
"The Bernie Gunther novels are first-class, as stylish as Chandler and as emotionally resonant as the best of Ross Macdonald."--George Pelecanos
"Kerr's stylish noir writing makes every page a joy to read."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)