wagmore's review against another edition
4.0
Good read. Max is a well-developed character. Looking forward to reading more about him.
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.0
Finished reading: April 12th 2018
"How does anyone really know what someone's capable of?"
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and AmazonCrossing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
Spoiler
I stumbled upon this title during my hunt for more international authors/translations and I was immediately intrigued both by the cover and the blurb. I admit I had forgotten about the exact content of the story when I started reading it and went in blind thinking it was going to be a historical fiction read. And while there is no doubt that The Air Raid Killer is a proper historical fiction read set in Dresden, Germany during the final part of WWII, I was pleasantly surprised to find out especially the first part reads more like a historical detective thriller. Two of my favorite genres combined? Definitely a bonus! The Air Raid Killer starts out strong and will be able to draw you in straight away. Historical descriptions are mixed with a most brutal murder scene that will definitely chill you to the bone. The main character of this German detective series Max Heller has the almost impossible task to try and find out what happened when nobody seems to care about one more body in a war with so many casualties. But detective Max Heller is determined to find out even when he meets resistance everywhere. Both the actual murders and the general situation in Dresden are not suited for the weak-hearted; combined they form a very explosive and sometimes shocking plot. The serial killer on the loose is without doubt brutal, and combined with the air raid attacks and the chaos during the end of the war you have a recipe for a very disturbing read. While the first part focuses on the thriller aspect of the plot, the second half of the story is more historical fiction focused. I think I would have preferred to have it just one way or the other and not both, although I do understand why the author made the choice to swap and include more historical details in the second half. The final reveals of the murder case do feel a bit rushed though, and I'm also wondering up to what point the methods of investigation used were actually available in that time period. Still, The Air Raid Killer was without doubt a very good historical thriller set during the end of WWII, and both detective thriller and historical fiction fans will be able to enjoy this one.
In the final months of WWII, the inhabitants of the city of Dresden not only have to fear the air raid bombs that might destroy the city at any time. There are also rumors about the Fright Man, a twisted killer who uses the nighttime air raid siren to hunt the streets unseen and kill... Only to disappear into thin air afterwards. Detective Max Heller begins to investigate, but is is harder to ever to start a proper investigation. And soon after the Fright Man kills again... Will Max Heller be able to find any clues with his resources non-existent and a new boss who doesn't want him to investigate further?
Historical fiction is mixed with a classic detective thriller, as a serial killer and air raid bombs fight for the title of 'most feared' by the inhabitants of the city of Dresden. The writing style and initial plot make it really easy to get a proper feel for the story, and the first half of the story is without doubt the strongest part of the book. I would have preferred a continued focus on the detective thriller side of the story, which felt a bit rushed in the second half. But I also understand the switch and need for a focus on what happened in Dresden during those final days and after. While not perfect, The Air Raid Killer is without doubt a great read for anyone who wants to read a WWII story with a slightly different focus and angle.
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
orphan_of_you's review against another edition
4.0
Not bad!
I enjoyed this story quite a bit. I don't see many books set in this era so it was informative and entertaining.
I enjoyed this story quite a bit. I don't see many books set in this era so it was informative and entertaining.
johnnyb1954's review against another edition
2.0
The author wants to tell about what life was like in Dresden at the end of WWII. The author also has a good mystery story. Eventually the story of the bombing, the Nazionale, the Russians etc occupied to much of the book. The mystery part was good and kept me going for a long time, but the descriptions of the miserable conditions, the detective's concern about his sons, the evil all around, became repetitive and led to long passages irrelevant to the mystery. Finally I have up and skipped to the end.
hammychop's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty interesting! We always have detectives that are 100% unstoppable and obsessed with cases, this one was so obsessed that he was hunting the killer even when he was starved and burned. I didn’t actually enjoy reading it because it was so graphic and I couldn’t understand why he’d leave Karin like that. It was interesting reading a book during 1944 that takes place in Germany from a German POV. 3.5 founded up, the subject matter wants my favorite but the story and writing was good! Also great cover,
caraghwhitehead's review against another edition
3.0
It was an interesting idea for a book but I feel it could have been better. I know it was translated from German so I don't know if something was lost in translation. Probably won't read another in the series.
gnull's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you Kindle Firsts!!!
I'm a slow reader but still got through this book fast, I couldn't put it down. Very exciting, great character development. Our hero is very likeable, a hard working good guy, smart and full of compassion.
Thank you for the history as well. I'm intrigued now by Dresden , it's history and its present.
Looking forward to more Max Heller and more from Mr Goldammer! I just pre-ordered the next book, due out in October!
I'm a slow reader but still got through this book fast, I couldn't put it down. Very exciting, great character development. Our hero is very likeable, a hard working good guy, smart and full of compassion.
Thank you for the history as well. I'm intrigued now by Dresden , it's history and its present.
Looking forward to more Max Heller and more from Mr Goldammer! I just pre-ordered the next book, due out in October!
brimgriff's review against another edition
4.0
An engrossing book that takes place in Germany during/after WW2. This book has been translated and there are a few areas where that is evident, but it's a well-written book. I enjoyed that it gave us a glimpse into life in Germany after WW2, a place that we don't usually visit. The mystery itself was very interesting and dark, with lots of twists and turns. I am interested to see what mysteries Max solves next.
gnull's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you Kindle Firsts!!!
I'm a slow reader but still got through this book fast, I couldn't put it down. Very exciting, great character development. Our hero is very likeable, a hard working good guy, smart and full of compassion.
Thank you for the history as well. I'm intrigued now by Dresden , it's history and its present.
Looking forward to more Max Heller and more from Mr Goldammer! I just pre-ordered the next book, due out in October!
I'm a slow reader but still got through this book fast, I couldn't put it down. Very exciting, great character development. Our hero is very likeable, a hard working good guy, smart and full of compassion.
Thank you for the history as well. I'm intrigued now by Dresden , it's history and its present.
Looking forward to more Max Heller and more from Mr Goldammer! I just pre-ordered the next book, due out in October!
buttonsandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Dang. This had me thinking one thing for quite a while and then threw me for a loop completely. Such an interesting read about a sadistic killer who strikes only when the air raid sirens ring out at the end of WWII in Germany. Max Heller reminds me a lot of Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon - unassuming, intelligent, unlikely, persistent and quiet hero.