bookivore's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Not a bad little murder mystery, although these days it's a little dated. The setting is interesting, being Berlin between the end of the war and the raising of the wall. The cast of characters is big enough to be a little difficult to keep track of at times, but it does give plenty of possible suspects for all the devious happenings.
thenovelbook's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as Death in Cyprus, but not bad as a quick little whodunnit suspense thing.
quietjenn's review against another edition
3.0
Just re-read this, as I've decided to work my way through the Kaye's. But, I only know it was a re-read because it's already shelved here on Goodreads. I've no memory at all of the first time around and there wasn't any spark of recognition as I made my way through it now. Which, perhaps, isn't the best sign for the book, overall. But I enjoyed it, even if I might not remember it.
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
3.0
Miranda Brand is returning to Germany with her cousin Robert, his wife Stella, and their daughter. Miranda will be on a month's holiday and Robert is being stationed in the British half of the recently partitioned country. She doesn't remember much of Germany--having escaped from the country early in World War II after her parents were killed in an accident. While on the journey to Germany, they meet Brigadier Brindley who tells his fellow travelers an incredible story of runaway Nazis and a missing fortune in diamonds--a story that the young Miranda apparently took part in unknowingly. The entire party is fascinated by the tale...but someone has more interest than they let on.
The Germany-bound group (12 in all) board a train en route to Berlin and during the night, the Brigadier is stabbed to death. He had made it known that he didn't sleep well on trains without medication and so the killer knew Brindley would put up no resistance. Miranda and all of her traveling companions are suspects....but Miranda, who discovered the body when she inadvertently entered the wrong compartment, is the one who has blood on her hands.
Simon Lang, a soft-spoken British policeman stationed in Berlin, is also on the train and winds up commanding the investigation. Miranda is sure that he's fixed upon her as the primary suspect, but there's plenty of suspicion to go around--especially after more murders occur.
Though this is the second of Kaye's mysteries, it is the last one that I needed to read to complete the series. The others were much easier to find for some reason. Overall, I was pleased with the story. Kaye gives us an excellent view of Germany in the post-WWII era before the Berlin Wall was erected. Since her husband was posted there during this time period, she was able to give us the benefit of her first-hand experience. She has always been very good at getting place and atmosphere right and Death in Berlin is no exception.
The primary mystery is also interesting with its ties to Nazi Germany and the motives behind the initial killing are quite sound. I do have a couple of minor quibbles (see spoiler portion of the review if you're curious), but did enjoy watching Simon Lang unravel all the threads. I did pick up on some of the solution (Kaye hits us over the head a bit with one particular clue...), but missed how other bits featured in the pattern. I blame that on the second part of my quibbles below. I'm definitely glad I finally found this and was able to finish the series. I do wish I had been able to read them in order because I think her mystery plots improve over time and my expectations might not have been as high for this one. ★★★
My other quibble is that we have two murderers. The motives loosely tie together, but not in a satisfactory way. If the primary concern was the Brigadier and his diamond story (as it seems to me it is), then I think it would have been better to stick to that motive for the murders. The other story line could well have served as a red herring, but adding in a second murderer seems to be a bit of....wait for it....overkill.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
The Germany-bound group (12 in all) board a train en route to Berlin and during the night, the Brigadier is stabbed to death. He had made it known that he didn't sleep well on trains without medication and so the killer knew Brindley would put up no resistance. Miranda and all of her traveling companions are suspects....but Miranda, who discovered the body when she inadvertently entered the wrong compartment, is the one who has blood on her hands.
Simon Lang, a soft-spoken British policeman stationed in Berlin, is also on the train and winds up commanding the investigation. Miranda is sure that he's fixed upon her as the primary suspect, but there's plenty of suspicion to go around--especially after more murders occur.
Though this is the second of Kaye's mysteries, it is the last one that I needed to read to complete the series. The others were much easier to find for some reason. Overall, I was pleased with the story. Kaye gives us an excellent view of Germany in the post-WWII era before the Berlin Wall was erected. Since her husband was posted there during this time period, she was able to give us the benefit of her first-hand experience. She has always been very good at getting place and atmosphere right and Death in Berlin is no exception.
The primary mystery is also interesting with its ties to Nazi Germany and the motives behind the initial killing are quite sound. I do have a couple of minor quibbles (see spoiler portion of the review if you're curious), but did enjoy watching Simon Lang unravel all the threads. I did pick up on some of the solution (Kaye hits us over the head a bit with one particular clue...), but missed how other bits featured in the pattern. I blame that on the second part of my quibbles below. I'm definitely glad I finally found this and was able to finish the series. I do wish I had been able to read them in order because I think her mystery plots improve over time and my expectations might not have been as high for this one. ★★★
Spoiler
I have two primary complaints about Kaye's book, one is the amount of coincidence in the story. The Brigadier just happens along and tells his story--to the very group of people that has not one, but two participants in it. Miranda (who had long forgotten the details of her escape from Germany) and the killer (who most certainly had not forgotten). Then another of the group of suspects just happens to run into their long-lost relative and that throws a few red herrings about which interfere with the smooth investigation of the crimes.My other quibble is that we have two murderers. The motives loosely tie together, but not in a satisfactory way. If the primary concern was the Brigadier and his diamond story (as it seems to me it is), then I think it would have been better to stick to that motive for the murders. The other story line could well have served as a red herring, but adding in a second murderer seems to be a bit of....wait for it....overkill.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
maigahannatu's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good mystery. I don't want to include spoilers so I won't say much. Just that I was surprised.
deannah's review against another edition
4.0
These Death in ---- books have been the closest thing to reading Mary Stewart as I have found. Which isn't too surprising as these were writing around the same time. They also read like Agatha Christy novels, as well as remind me of classic black and white films staring dashing leading men and ladies of the silver screen with their impeccable style and grace. That being said, they come with all the horrific racial and gender stereotypes of the time period.
holtfan's review
4.0
A fun, vintage adventure story colored with mystery, mayhem, and post-WW2 Germany. Kaye writes from personal experience and it adds another dimension to the setting of the story. I didn't love the conclusion but it certainly kept me guessing.
Spoiler
much like [b:Death in Kashmir|10217|Death in Kashmir|M.M. Kaye|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312043223l/10217._SY75_.jpg|12939] it relies too heavily on insanity to explain improbable motivationlsneal's review
3.0
The gloomy, post-WWII Berlin setting of this book contributes an extra-spooky atmosphere. The locations really are the stars of this series!
barbarahowe's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jodilynclayton's review
3.0
I read this because someone claimed that the author was similar to Mary Stewart but she was not. It was an okay story.