New York Times bestselling author Kellerman traveled to Germany for the meticulous research conducted for this new novel that takes readers on an e...
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reviews
Jan 01, 2009
Vivienne
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Story of an average citizen in 1929 Munich, with a 2005 prologue and epilogue written from the viewpoint of the citizen's son. I have a love/hate relationship with books set during this time. So much tension and tragedy with opportunity for the good and bad elements of the individual to shine through makes for great reads but I'm usually left with a "how can people be so vile" hang over that lasts for days.
Straight into Darkness reads like a mystery, not a WWI/WWII novel. More...
Straight into Darkness reads like a mystery, not a WWI/WWII novel. More...
Apr 06, 2011
Anna
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This book turned out to be different from FK's usual Decker&Lazarus series (which I'm kind of addicted to). Very different.
She has definitely done her research for this book. But I don't think she likes Germans at all: each and every person described in this book seems to be with poor morales and with really big flaws. All German men (and Axel Berg, the protagonist police officer, who turns out to be Danish) frequent prostitutes (with a loveless marriage, and a nagging wife, who can bl More...
She has definitely done her research for this book. But I don't think she likes Germans at all: each and every person described in this book seems to be with poor morales and with really big flaws. All German men (and Axel Berg, the protagonist police officer, who turns out to be Danish) frequent prostitutes (with a loveless marriage, and a nagging wife, who can bl More...
Jul 04, 2010
Jerry
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Complex serial murder mystery set in political turmoil of 1920's Munich...
First, if you're expecting the typical relatively soft mystery plot of Faye's regulars, Rina Lazarus and Peter Decker, they're not here!! This unusual novel features a troubling string of serial killings set in Munich Germany during the historical period in between the world wars (1920's). In addition to the unrest created by the murders, the political scene is one of total upheaval as Hitler's rise to power is More...
First, if you're expecting the typical relatively soft mystery plot of Faye's regulars, Rina Lazarus and Peter Decker, they're not here!! This unusual novel features a troubling string of serial killings set in Munich Germany during the historical period in between the world wars (1920's). In addition to the unrest created by the murders, the political scene is one of total upheaval as Hitler's rise to power is More...
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Mar 22, 2009
Benjamin
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Straight into darkness, is a mysterious crime thriller set in 1920s Munich, where Hitler is slowly growing to power. Inspektor Axel Berg must deal a disturbing case in the midst of this hot political climate. With an engaging premise, Faye Kellerman is able to hook you into a mystery with an ending not seen until the final pages.
I really liked this book. Kellerman sets the scene very well and it drew me in as the story went on. There was no way I could work out who the killer was, bu More...
I really liked this book. Kellerman sets the scene very well and it drew me in as the story went on. There was no way I could work out who the killer was, bu More...
Jan 21, 2011
Laurel-Rain
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In 1920s Munich, Faye Kellerman’s backdrop for this murder mystery is a war-torn city steeped in political unrest. As a barbaric butcher stalks the city, hate-mongers abound, ready to point fingers at any suspect in order to solve the crime and settle the unrest.
But Axel Berg is persistent in attempting to solve the crimes, and not just to close his case; he relentlessly pursues this goal, despite the obstacles he encounters along the way. Beautiful women are murdered and dumped in c More...
But Axel Berg is persistent in attempting to solve the crimes, and not just to close his case; he relentlessly pursues this goal, despite the obstacles he encounters along the way. Beautiful women are murdered and dumped in c More...
Mar 24, 2009
Angela
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This is one of my favorite all time books! I want to read it again soon. It had me hooked from the beginning. It is set in WWII time Germany, about a police officer. I love the lead guy even though he is kind of a pig in the way of his marriage. It has a lot of things about the war, but the main theme is about a serial killer, whom the detective is trying to find. This is definately in my top five. I usually have a hard time reading Faye Kellerman books, but this is in a whole new league.
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Feb 03, 2011
Bridget
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Very good combo of a detective murder mystery and a tale of pre-Holocaust Germany. It's a different look into Germany and Germans than many of those that we've already heard before. The solution was a mystery until the very end - she's a great mystery writer for this reason, although some of the writing did seem a little stiff. I didn't find it "amazing" because there were no strong female characters like Rina in her earliest Lazarus/Decker novels. Well - the women WERE strong, jus
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Sep 17, 2011
Donna
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I found this book disturbing to read. A serial killer is at work in Munich against the background of Germany between the two world wars. Homicide detective Axel Berg, tries to investiage the murders at a time when there is much hatred against the Jewish population and Hitler is becoming popular. The book is, of course, well written and obviously well researched. It lands the reader in the middle of this troublsome time in Germany, which was definitely a difficult place to live and even to r
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Apr 11, 2008
Richard
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Although the plot strains credulity, weighted as it is with Freudian baggage, the atmospherics and the characters are compelling. The events take place in Munich, 1929, and the city is in turmoil. Germany was recovering from the depression, goods were more readily available, the rich were - filthy, and Munich was a gem of a city. 1929 marked the end of Hitler's so-called "Wilderness Years;" the Nazi party had been rebuilt, membership had grown, and the elite, middle-class, and civil se
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Feb 05, 2012
Carol
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This book features a troubling string of serial killings set in Munich Germany during 1929. In addition to the unrest caused by the murders, the political scene is adding much turbulence as Hitler's rise to power is well underway. Adding to this disturbing scene is the fact that political influence and corruption run amok at high levels of the police force and government. Despite all this, homicide inspector Axel Berg, uses all his mental abilities and persistence to close in on the killer. In
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Aug 07, 2010
Jeanne
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Very different from her usual mystery novel. Munich in 1920's.
Berg's superiors demand quick answers and a quick arrest when the dead body of a wealthy woman is found: a vagrant, the woman's husband (a Jew), anyone who can be demonized will do. When a second body is
discovered, the city erupts into panic, Berg can trust no one, dodging faceless enemies, struggling to find the killer amongst the growing fanaticism of Hitler's hate mongering.
A very surprising ending.
Berg's superiors demand quick answers and a quick arrest when the dead body of a wealthy woman is found: a vagrant, the woman's husband (a Jew), anyone who can be demonized will do. When a second body is
discovered, the city erupts into panic, Berg can trust no one, dodging faceless enemies, struggling to find the killer amongst the growing fanaticism of Hitler's hate mongering.
A very surprising ending.
Apr 16, 2010
J.
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This was a very enjoyable book by Faye Kellerman. It was very different from the other books that I have read of hers but even with the differences it was a good read.
Mystery fans will like this book.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
Mystery fans will like this book.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
Jan 31, 2009
Chana
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All said and done, I didn't really like it. It is very violent and crude, ugly and sad. One could reasonably argue that the time and place were all those things as it is set in Munich, Germany in the 1920's as Hitler and the Nazi party were gaining power.
Jan 02, 2009
Alisa
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I bought this book in Peru to read on the Eduardo boat--we had a lot of time to kill. It wasn't a bad read--set in WWII in Germany, a thriller. This is just not my type of book. But it helped me pass the time.
Oct 08, 2008
Greg
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I was skeptical to begin with as I was used to Faye Kellerman s a psychological thriller/whodunit type of author. I knew she is of Jewish faith and descent and was a child of the Holocaust. I am of Jewish descent myself but my direct family experience does not include the Hitler experience. At any rate, I was skeptical of the subject matter due to my own family experience and the massive amount of anecdotal literature out there on the subject.
That being said, I was enthralled by the setti More...
That being said, I was enthralled by the setti More...
Apr 13, 2010
Barbara
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Set in Germany between the world wars a policeman works to solve murders by what appears to be a serial killer. His work is hindered by his superiors and the anti Jewish sentiments due to the rise of Hitler.
Jan 27, 2011
Melody
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A serial killer is loose in Munich pre WW2. Hitler is slowly working his way up to Chancellor, politics play an important role in this mystery. I liked it but didn't love it.
May 01, 2010
Robert
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This is a good audiobook! It is a serial murder/mystery that takes place pre-World War 2 in Germany. Other than being pre-World War 2, it is the typical murder/mystery. I recommend it.
Oct 14, 2011
Jean
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I liked the historical setting, but I couldn't stay with it to find out who the serial killer was. Maybe I'll go back to it later.
May 09, 2011
Carol
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Language. Any book that combines police corruption and Hilter is a bad choice for me. Probably an OK story but I should never had read it!
Apr 28, 2011
1920s Munich: Police Insp. Relentlessly hunts killer of 5 women while dealing with unrest fomented by Hitler's thugs
Sep 17, 2010
Mary
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Interesting because it takes place in Germany between the World Wars. I don't see much written in that period. A police inspector, only somewhat corrupt, is investigating serial killings in the setting of the rising popularity of Hitler and the Nazi party.
May 05, 2010
Ruperto
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Faye Kellerman never fails to deliver a great story. This book has been one of my favorites up until now! Get a copy. it's really good!
Sep 24, 2010
Angela
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This book was a vivid and haunting read and so real i felt as if I was there.
Jan 27, 2008
Jane
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Well...this was an interesting book. The author is Jewish and uses her personal family history for part of the book. The story takes place in Munich as Hitler is rising to power and the Jewish persecution begins. Given the subject matter and time in history this book is very gloomy and sad. Definitely not a book to read at night before going to sleep. The author did an excellent job of transporting the reader to the time and story. The characters are well developed and the ending is intric
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Dec 21, 2007
Alicia
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Whenever I'm home for Thanksgiving, my mom always supplements my library books with her own collection of mysteries and whatnot. In this story, Kellerman departs from her usual murer stories involving Orthodox Jews and goes for a historical tale taking place in Munich in the 1920s, as a detective attempts to find a serial killer while dealing with the turmoil of Hitler's rise to power. It was pretty entertaining, especially since the only other option for entertainment was some random football g
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