Review:
Praise for PRAGUE FATALE: "["Prague Fatale"] is clever and compelling, proving once again that the Bernie Gunther books are, by a long chalk, the best crime series around today."--"The Daily Beast"" ""Inside this mesmerizing novel, set mainly in a country house outside Prague, is a tantalizing locked-door murder mystery that will thrill fans of Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther novels."--Carol Memmott, "USA"" Today" ""Prague Fatale" is classic Philip Kerr, a first-person noir detective story worthy of Dashiell Hammett or Raymond Chandler in every regard, seamlessly transplanted to war-era Europe. Every time I finish another Gunther novel, I think, "This is as good as it gets." Then inevitably, the next one comes along and is even better!"--Bruce Tierney, BookPage.com "In "Prague Fatale," [Bernie Gunther] is back in the early days of the Second World War, dealing with a case that combines espionage, terrorism and a locked-room mystery [. . .] Philip Kerr does his usual fine job of setting the scenes and portraying the personalities of the era. His Nazis are note-perfect creations, as are the other characters, fictional and historical, of Second World War-era Europe, all of it flavoured by the wisecracking, tough-talking Gunther, who has been called the Sam Spade of Germany. Kerr knows his modern German history, and is gifted at storytelling, and Gunther is a dark anti-hero for the ages." --H. J. Kirchhoff, "The Globe and Mail" Praise for Philip Kerr:
"Just as youth is wasted in 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."--Julia Keller, "Chicago Tribune"
"A wily and unreliable narrator, Bernie may be forgiven for holding his cards so close to his chest as he tries to do the right thing in so many wrong places. Shades of the moral ambiguity of some of Graham Greene's and John le Carre's more memorable characters are here, as is the spirit of
Praise for A MAN WITHOUT BREATH
"Captivating . . . Kerr makes everything look easy, from blending history with a clever and intricate whodunit plot to powerful descriptions of cruelty."--"Publishers Weekly" (starred review)
"Kerr's sketch of Goebbels dazzles. The author pulls the reader down into the dark underground of Der Fuhrer"'s "rabbit hole of totalitarian horror . . . ["A Man Without Breath"] masterfully explores morality's shadowy gray edge."--"Kirkus"
Praise for Philip Kerr:
"Just as youth is wasted in 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"
"A wily and unreliable narrator, Bernie may be forgiven for holding his cards so close to his chest as he tries to do the right thing in so many wrong places. Shades of the moral ambiguity of some of Graham Greene's and John le Carre's more memorable characters are here, as is the spirit of Raymond Chandler's knight-errant, Philip Marlowe."--"Los Angeles"" Times"
"The allure of these novels is that Bernie is such an interesting creation, a Chandleresque knight errant caught in insane historical surroundings."--John Powers, "Fresh Air", NPR
"German private detective Bernie Gunther would have been respected by Philip Marlowe and the two of them would have enjoyed sitting down at a bar and talking."--Jonathan Ames, Salon.com
"In terms of narrative, plot, pace and characterization, he's in a league with John le Carre."--Patrick Anderson, "The Washington Post"
"Evokes the noir sensibilities of Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald while breaking new ground."--"Los Angeles"" Times"
Praise for A MAN WITHOUT BREATH
"Captivating . . . Kerr makes everything look easy, from blending history with a clever and intricate whodunit plot to powerful descriptions of cruelty."--"Publishers Weekly" (starred review)
"Kerr's sketch of Goebbels dazzles. The author pulls the reader down into the dark underground of Der Fuhrer"'s "rabbit hole of totalitarian horror . . . ["A Man Without Breath"] masterfully explores morality's shadowy gray edge."--"Kirkus"
"This ninth Bernie Gunther tale (after "Prague Fatale") focuses on two months of 1943, mixing real-life characters with fictional ones. Kerr's historical knowledge and writing skills merge these elements seamlessly in a gripping story of murder, but it is Bernie who holds it all together even as he questions the absurdity of attempting normalcy during war. Mystery, historical fiction, and military history buffs will join existing Bernie fans in welcoming this latest installment in the series."--"Library Journal"
Praise for Philip Kerr:
"Just as youth is wasted in 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"
"A wily and unreliable narrator, Bernie may be forgiven for holding his cards so close to his chest as he tries to do the right thing in so many wrong places. Shades of the moral ambiguity of some of Graham Greene's and John le Carre's more memorable characters are here, as is the spirit of Raymond Chandler's knight-errant, Philip Marlowe."--"Los Angeles"" Times"
"The allure of these novels is that Bernie is such an interesting creation, a Chandleresque knight errant caught in insane historical surroundings."--John Powers, "Fresh Air," NPR
"German private detective Bernie Gunther would have been respected by Philip Marlowe and the two of them would have enjoyed sitting down at a bar and talking."--Jonat
Praise for "A Man Without Breath"
"This is the most intelligent brand of crime fiction, and there is moral complexity here in spades."--"The Daily Beast"
""A Man Without Breath" is a masterful accomplishment that delivers a gripping mystery wrapped around meticulously researched history...It brings the deadly past to life."--"The Arizona Republic"
"Kerr just keeps raising the ante with this series. And this is the best book yet."--"Dayton"" Daily News"
"One of these days World War II will come to an end, and then how will we manage without Bernie Gunther, the cynical Berlin cop who has somehow contrived to stay alive and retain some vestige of personal integrity in Philip Kerr's harrowing historical thrillers?"--"The New York Times Book Review"
"This ninth Bernie Gunther tale (after "Prague Fatale") focuses on two months of 1943, mixing real-life characters with fictional ones. Kerr's historical knowledge and writing skills merge these elements seamlessly in a gripping story of murder, but it is Bernie who holds it all together even as he questions the absurdity of attempting normalcy during war. Mystery, historical fiction, and military history buffs will join existing Bernie fans in welcoming this latest installment in the series."--"Library Journal"
"Captivating . . . Kerr makes everything look easy, from blending history with a clever and intricate whodunit plot to powerful descriptions of cruelty."--"Publishers Weekly" (starred review)
"Kerr's sketch of Goebbels dazzles. The author pulls the reader down into the dark underground of Der Fuhrer"'s "rabbit hole of totalitarian horror . . . ["A Man Without Breath"] masterfully explores morality's shadowy gray edge."--"Kirkus"
From the Back Cover:
Berlin, March 1943.
The mood in Germany is bleak after the stunning defeat at Stalingrad. Private Investigator Bernie Gunther is at work in the German War Crimes Bureau - weary, cynical but well aware of the value of truth in a world where that's now a rarity. When human remains are found deep in the Katyn Forest, Bernie is sent to investigate. Rumour has it that this mass grave is full of Polish officers murdered by the Russians. For Josef Goebbels, proof of Russian involvement is sure to destroy the Western Alliance, giving Germany a chance to reverse its devastating losses. But supposing the truth is far more damaging to the German cause? It's Bernie Gunther's job to give Goebbels what he needs. But when there's nothing left for Gunther to lose, the compulsion to speak the truth becomes ever stronger...
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.