softskiez's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jmatkinson1's review
4.0
Berlin, winter 1939 and, as the country goes to war, the nights are long and dark. When the wife of a prominent Nazi lawyer is found dead, the Kripo are called to investigate but the Gestapo want to keep a close eye on the case. It soon becomes clear that the woman is just one victim of a serial killer stalking the railways of Berlin but it takes a renegade detective and a Jewish woman to ensure some kind of justice.
This book made a great change from Scarrow's 'sword and sandals' epics and I really liked the wartime detective perspective from the viewpoint of normal Germans living through the Nazi regime. There are lots of political points made in the narrative and in the characters but they were not too overplayed and the plot was twisty and clever. As a quick read this was very enjoyable
This book made a great change from Scarrow's 'sword and sandals' epics and I really liked the wartime detective perspective from the viewpoint of normal Germans living through the Nazi regime. There are lots of political points made in the narrative and in the characters but they were not too overplayed and the plot was twisty and clever. As a quick read this was very enjoyable
sslovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was a tense chase to catch a serial killer in Nazi Germany in the weeks before Christmas. Freezing cold setting, brilliant criminal inspector and a few surprises along the way.
I love that the author is writing more books covering schenke’s life and cases through the 1930s. Can’t wait.
I love that the author is writing more books covering schenke’s life and cases through the 1930s. Can’t wait.
mollyctoone's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I would not normally give any score over a 3⭐ for a book where I guessed "whodunnit" but this still deserves an extra one.
historic_chronicles's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
In December, 1939 as Berlin is enveloped in one of its harshest winters and a blackout is in order, a murderer is on the loose...
Inspector Horst Schenke of the Pankow Kripo Section is suddenly summoned by the head of the Gestapo to take over the case of a murdered movie star. Seemingly a routine case, Schenke soon becomes aware that he was chosen for political reasons and now must navigate politics, deception and corruption in order to catch a murderer who uses the blackout as the perfect backdrop to his hunting ground.
Scarrow is a fine storyteller. This was a gripping, edge-of-your seat prose as the tension rose and the atmosphere became deadly.
The political drama of wartime Berlin post-invasion of Poland is depicted excellently with an emphasis on the bleak, dark and gritty surroundings that the characters live in.
The clear influence and paranoia that the Nazi Party held in the daily workings of regular forces such as the Police along with the building pressure to join the party or the consequences of refusal was thrilling, yet disturbing to read and I found it felt claustrophobic at times to see the perspective of Schenke as he tried to navigate his way through this on a daily basis.
An excellent novel, I have already got my hands on a copy of the sequel and cannot wait to read more of Inspector Schenke's exploits.
Inspector Horst Schenke of the Pankow Kripo Section is suddenly summoned by the head of the Gestapo to take over the case of a murdered movie star. Seemingly a routine case, Schenke soon becomes aware that he was chosen for political reasons and now must navigate politics, deception and corruption in order to catch a murderer who uses the blackout as the perfect backdrop to his hunting ground.
Scarrow is a fine storyteller. This was a gripping, edge-of-your seat prose as the tension rose and the atmosphere became deadly.
The political drama of wartime Berlin post-invasion of Poland is depicted excellently with an emphasis on the bleak, dark and gritty surroundings that the characters live in.
The clear influence and paranoia that the Nazi Party held in the daily workings of regular forces such as the Police along with the building pressure to join the party or the consequences of refusal was thrilling, yet disturbing to read and I found it felt claustrophobic at times to see the perspective of Schenke as he tried to navigate his way through this on a daily basis.
An excellent novel, I have already got my hands on a copy of the sequel and cannot wait to read more of Inspector Schenke's exploits.
agneshenriksson's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
mindracer's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
emmab85's review
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
areadersalley's review against another edition
4.0
I love a good historical fiction novel, especially if it's set in a European setting. Blackout was just what I wanted to read as it is set in Berlin Germany during 1939. The suspense-building power of Simon was extraordinary.
The unsafe dark cold winter with enforced blackout within the streets creates an environment of fear for the people. This further increases the criminal activities that happen within these dark alleys. Apart from the fear of criminal incidents, people are also worried about the war and the rise of Nazi party influence through the city. Amidst all this, Crime Inspector Horst is leading an investigation for the rape and murder of the film star, Gerda Korzeny. It was until another woman is found, that Schenke is more determined to find the ruthless serial killer.
Through his investigation, Schenke will realize the road to justice is much worse than imagined. The involvement of political parties, including the Nazi Regimes, and the constant pressure on the police will make things difficult for him. But the need for justice and to save the other women from the monster, is more important for Schenke than anything.
The constant tension throughout the investigation was a nail-biting experience. I loved the psychological conundrum that Schenke was facing during his investigation. The need to reveal the truth whilst knowing the realities of the investigation, created a constant tension. The political propaganda intricately weaved through the murder mystery was just the perfect mix.
This is a great nail-biting murder mystery with a lot of actual facts from Nazi-occupied Germany during WW2. If you are a historical fiction buff, this is a must-read for you.
Full review: https://divyakaushik1010.wixsite.com/areadersalley/post/blackout
The unsafe dark cold winter with enforced blackout within the streets creates an environment of fear for the people. This further increases the criminal activities that happen within these dark alleys. Apart from the fear of criminal incidents, people are also worried about the war and the rise of Nazi party influence through the city. Amidst all this, Crime Inspector Horst is leading an investigation for the rape and murder of the film star, Gerda Korzeny. It was until another woman is found, that Schenke is more determined to find the ruthless serial killer.
Through his investigation, Schenke will realize the road to justice is much worse than imagined. The involvement of political parties, including the Nazi Regimes, and the constant pressure on the police will make things difficult for him. But the need for justice and to save the other women from the monster, is more important for Schenke than anything.
The constant tension throughout the investigation was a nail-biting experience. I loved the psychological conundrum that Schenke was facing during his investigation. The need to reveal the truth whilst knowing the realities of the investigation, created a constant tension. The political propaganda intricately weaved through the murder mystery was just the perfect mix.
This is a great nail-biting murder mystery with a lot of actual facts from Nazi-occupied Germany during WW2. If you are a historical fiction buff, this is a must-read for you.
Full review: https://divyakaushik1010.wixsite.com/areadersalley/post/blackout