A review by historic_chronicles
Blackout by Simon Scarrow
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.