Hitler is coming...but when

This is the second book by Wake I've read and it resembles the style and characters who appeared in the first book, Death in East Berlin. In particular, the lead character Alex Kovacs shares similar qualities with Peter Ritter, the East Berlin detective investigating dual murders before the construction of the Berlin Wall- both come across as self-doubting and self-effacing, enjoying a glass or two and lovers of women. Are all Wake's central characters cast in this mould?

Vienna at Nightfall details the events leading up to Hitler's invasion of Austria in 1938. The author cleverly creates a sense of surprise and anticipation although we all know what happened. When will the German army arrive, will we resist, how will France and England react, can we remain independent if our Government carries out more pro-Nazi actions? There's an atmosphere of despondency and inevitability throughout the novel - today it's Austria's turn, tomorrow it will be Czechoslovakia's. This quote sums up the atmosphere well and in a way reflects exactly what's happening in some countries today including the USA, being careful not to offend too much just in case the tiger is released from its cage-

'If you knew you were talking to a closet Nazi, you tried to be as noncommittal as your conscience would allow. Same with staunch supporters of the government. With monarchists, you mostly told the truth but always found a way to mention the good old days. And if you knew you were talking to a closet Socialist or a Jew, you ********** Hitler with alacrity, albeit in sotto voce. The whole thing was complicated, and getting more tangled all the time, but getting through a conversation without somebody standing up and storming out had become a practiced skill and a sign of good breeding, kind of like knowing which fork to use for the salad.'

This review was written by Shawn Callon, author of The Diplomatic Spy.
Vienna at Nightfall