A review by ljm57
Blackout by Simon Scarrow

4.0

Atmospheric murder mystery set in Berlin in the cold depths of winter, 1939 with WWII in its infancy. This thriller charts the rise of Himmler’s brutal Gestapo as it became dominant, its sinister tentacles reaching into every aspect of German life. Into this mix comes the wonderful protagonist Criminal Inspector Horst Schenke assigned to investigate the murder of Goebbels’ ex-mistress. His single-minded concentration on the fair and equal application of justice no matter who is involved and an unwillingness to become involved in the Nazi politics gripping the Reich’s Main Security Office, the fountainhead of all legal matters, make him an ideal fall-guy for those in the organisation with something to hide. This is a gripping work of crime fiction that captures time, place and prevailing attitudes perfectly. Also very readable and authentic.