The Pale Criminal: A Bernie Gunther Novel: 2 - Softcover

Kerr, Philip

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0142004154 ISBN 13: 9780142004159

Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group, 2005

Synopsis

Hard-boiled detective Bernie Gunther takes on a depraved serial killer terrorizing 1930's Berlin in the second gripping mystery in Philip Kerr's New York Times bestselling series.

In the sweltering summer heat wave of 1938, the German people anxiously await the outcome of the Munich conference, wondering whether Hitler will plunge Europe into another war. Meanwhile, private investigator Bernie Gunther has taken on two cases involving blackmail. The first victim is a rich widow. The second is Bernie himself.

Having been caught framing an innocent Jew for a series of vicious murders, the Kripo--the Berlin criminal police--are intent on locating the real killer and aren't above blackmailing their former colleague to get the job done. Temporarily promoted to the rank of Kommissar, Bernie sets out to solve the dual mysteries and begins an investigation that will expose him to the darkest depths of humanity...

About this title

Review:

Praise for Philip Kerr and the Bernie Gunther Novels

"A brilliantly innovative thriller writer."--Salman Rushdie

"Philip Kerr is the only bona fide heir to Raymond Chandler."--Salon.com

"In terms of narrative, plot, pace and characterization, Kerr's in a league with John le Carré."--The Washington Post

"Every time we're afraid we've seen the last of Bernie Gunther, Philip Kerr comes through with another unnerving adventure for his morally conflicted hero."--Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review

"Just as youth is wasted on the young, history is wasted on historians. It ought to be the exclusive property of novelists--but only if they are as clever and knowledgeable as Philip Kerr."--Chicago Tribune

"Kerr quantum leaps the limitations of genre fiction. Most thrillers insult your intelligence; his assault your ignorance."--Esquire

"A richly satisfying mystery, one that evokes the noir sensibilities of Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald while breaking important new ground of its own."--Los Angeles Times

"Part of the allure of these novels is that Bernie is such an interesting creation, a Chandleresque knight errant caught in insane historical surroundings. Bernie walks down streets so mean that nobody can stay alive and remain truly clean."--John Powers, Fresh Air (NPR)

"The Bernie Gunther novels are first-class, as stylish as Chandler and as emotionally resonant as the best of Ross Macdonald."--George Pelecanos

"Kerr's stylish noir writing makes every page a joy to read."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

From the Back Cover:

'The contemporary master of the morally complex thriller' New York Observer

Bernie Gunther is back on the beat - but not for long...

The sweltering summer of 1938, and Bernie's trying his best to lay low. But on a seemingly straightforward stakeout, his new partner is killed, and Bernie suddenly finds himself tapped for a much bigger job.

A serial sex murderer is killing Aryan teenage girls - and what's worse, he's making utter fools of the police. Bernie accepts a temporary post in Reinhard Heydrich's state Security Service, with a team of men underneath him tasked purely with hunting the killer.

But can he trust his team any more than he can trust his superiors?

A gripping historical thriller, The Pale Criminal is the second novel in the iconic Berlin Noir series, and an unflinching examination of the grisly excesses of Nazi subculture and the social tensions that pervaded prewar Berlin.

'Blends high-powered storytelling and rich historical re-creation' Independent
'Written with bravado, invention and terrific verve, it has an irresistible freshness' Allan Massie

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0142004154
• ISBN 13: 9780142004159
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288