The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
eososray's review against another edition
2.0
While this second book in the series had less of the noir and more of a story, it was not quite as good as the first. It was missing the charm of the first book, not to be mistaken with the lack of charm the main character portrays in either book, but the quirkiness of the story and the funny one liners are gone and the plethora of unlikable characters has been increased. All I think to the detriment of the book. So I think this is sayonara to this series.
sankitch87's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
carmelade6645's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
menniemenace's review against another edition
2.0
Why am I doing this? Why do I read a book with whose main character acts like a mid-life crisis with a retarded sense of humor?
I hate Bernie Gunther, hated him here more than the first one even. Will I read the third book? I might, and I'll hate myself every moment of it.
I hate Bernie Gunther, hated him here more than the first one even. Will I read the third book? I might, and I'll hate myself every moment of it.
balthazarlawson's review against another edition
5.0
Berlin 1938 and while Hitler plans his invasion of Czechoslovakia, Bernie Gunther, private investigator and ex-police man is investigating a case of blackmail. But things change when he is asked by Reinhard Heydrich to return to the police to investigate the serial murder of 4 young German girls. When Heydrich asked for something, he got it, and Bernie is soon back in the force heading up the investigation.
Everyone wanted to blame the Jews, going so far to arrest one on trumped up charges, but Bernie doesn't take things on face value. His investigation soon becomes more desperate as more girls disappear and turn up brutally murdered. He has to turn to unorthodox methods, but in Nazi Germany there are very few things considered unorthodox. But Bernie persists.
This is a very enjoyable read with lots of twists and turns. The high profile characters of the time, such as Himmler, who plays a pivotal part. The conclusion is not as one would expect, and the reason behind it all displays the evil of the time.
Very enjoyable and highly recommended.
Everyone wanted to blame the Jews, going so far to arrest one on trumped up charges, but Bernie doesn't take things on face value. His investigation soon becomes more desperate as more girls disappear and turn up brutally murdered. He has to turn to unorthodox methods, but in Nazi Germany there are very few things considered unorthodox. But Bernie persists.
This is a very enjoyable read with lots of twists and turns. The high profile characters of the time, such as Himmler, who plays a pivotal part. The conclusion is not as one would expect, and the reason behind it all displays the evil of the time.
Very enjoyable and highly recommended.
nferre's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting look at pre-war Nazi Germany. The story revolves around a private detective solving the murder of his partner and, related, the murders of several young girls. More than a story the author brings the reader into an atmosphere of ethical evil, weaving in historical details of those dark times.
My beef? The constant sexual graphic references which, though common for the times, were over the top - especially the very negative and derogatory references to homosexuals.
The narrator of the audiobook was excellent - however, if you are a visual learner as I am, the written version might be easier to follow. I had a hard time keeping track of names.
My beef? The constant sexual graphic references which, though common for the times, were over the top - especially the very negative and derogatory references to homosexuals.
The narrator of the audiobook was excellent - however, if you are a visual learner as I am, the written version might be easier to follow. I had a hard time keeping track of names.
jimmypat's review against another edition
4.0
Significantly more gruesome than the first book in this series, but much better as well. I enjoyed Bernie’s involvement with the police, as it added some more depth to the book. I also appreciated the lack of wisecracking, which was almost too much in March Violets. The historical setting of Nazi Germany adds to the “appeal” of this series and I look forward to the next novel.
bookhawk's review against another edition
3.0
Kerr's Bernie Gunther series is an interesting mixture of hard boiled detective stories in th Dashiell Hammett style crossed with historical fiction describing pre-WWII Nazi Germany. Kerr offers many great one line similes or metaphors describing situations. A good book for people who like old detective novels and history.
didactylos's review against another edition
4.0
A very very dark one this. Still not quite found his full voice but very good read..... could not put it down until I saw how the threads linked together.
tuomosuominen's review against another edition
5.0
I found The Pale Criminal every bit as good as March Violets, continuing the noir detective story set in Berlin, 1938. Bernie Gunther drops one enjoyably hardboiled parable after the other, the characters are rich and deep, the gallery of notable Nazis is as well portrayed as in the previous book. The plot is both chillingly terrifying and deliciously twisty, with fantastically surprising finale. As with March Violets, this also was an Audible Audio Edition, and Jeff Harding again did a fantastic reading of the book. Since I'm reading these in the order of the year they're set, Prague Fatale, set in 1941, will be my next Bernie Gunther book (while in fact it's book 8 in the series).