Midnight in Berlin

by James MacManus

Berlin, 1938. Newly-appointed military attache Noel Macrae and his extrovert wife Primrose arrive at the British Embassy. Prime Minister Chamberlain is intent on placating Nazi Germany, but Macrae is less so. Convinced Hitler can be stopped by other means than appeasement, he soon discovers he is not the only dissenting voice in the Embassy and finds that some senior officers in the German military are prepared to turn against the Fuhrer. Gathering vital intelligence, Macrae is drawn to Kitty Schmidt's Salon (a Nazi bordello) and its enigmatic Jewish hostess Sara Sternschein-a favourite of sadistic Gestapo boss Reinhard Heydrich. Sara is a treasure-trove of knowledge about the Nazi hierarchy in a city of lies, spies and secrets. Does she hold the key to thwarting Hitler or is Macrae just being manipulated by her whilst his wife romantically pursues his most important German military contact, Florian Koenig? In James MacManus' absorbing new novel the author evokes a time and place when the personal and political stakes could not be higher and where the urge for peaceful compromise conflicts with higher ideals and a vicious regime bent on war. As loyalties are stretched to the limit and Europe slides towards another war, could just one act of great courage and sacrifice change everything?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, World War II, Adult Fiction, War, European History, Historical

Paperback

First published April 19, 2016

About the author

James MacManus has worked in the newspaper business for 46 years. He is currently the Managing Director of the Times Literary Supplement.

He is the author of On the Broken Shore (The Language of the Sea, UK edition), and Ocean Devil: The Life and Legend of George Hogg which was made into a film starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers

His latest book, Black Venus, is a vivid novel of Charles Baudelaire and his lover Jeanne Duval, the Haitian cabaret singer who inspired his most famous and controversial poems, set in nineteenth-century Paris. Duckworth will publish the UK edition of Black Venus on February 27th 2014.The UK edition follows the successful launch of the novel in the US by Thomas Dunne books of New York.

Reviews

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Lesson in Failed Diplomacy

1938-39 – Berlin – Hitler is Chancellor of Germany. Chamberlain is the British PM.

British diplomat Colonel Noel Macrae (based on real life Colonel Mason-Macfarlane) is posted to Berlin as military attaché to the British Ambassador.

This riveting, nail-biting narrative takes the reader through the harrowing months that ultimately led up to WWII. The characters are authentic. The mood in Berlin at the time is palpable on the page.

“It was a time of illusion, when the truth became whatever anyone chose to believe.” (Pg.283)

Hindsight is 20/20 but it is still hard to understand how some seemingly intelligent people did not grasp what was happening; except for a few intuitive individuals who tried to sound the alarm and were dismissed as rumor-mongers, one of which was Colonel Noel Macrae. This is his story.

This is historical fiction at its best. More historical than fiction since so much of it is easily confirmed by historical fact found in history books written by historian of the time.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald]

This one was a real disappointment. The sex scenes started on pg. 13, and by the second chapter an affair was in the works, accepted by the husband and wife both.
Sorry, not for me. I wanted historical fiction about WW2. Went on my DNF shelf.

[The Lit Bitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I am a sucker for war romances…..and that’s sort of what I thought I was getting with this book.

While it does have elements of romance, it’s more of a book about the beginning days of WWII and what was going on behind the scenes with diplomatic discussions etc.

So as I said, there are elements of romance which female readers will enjoy but this is not your typical ‘war romance’…..not even close in my opinion. It read a little more like a spy novel with romance sprinkled throughout.

I was really intrigued by this novel and I really enjoyed reading it. It wasn’t what I was expecting at all but I loved the grit and storytelling style of MacManus immensely! From the very beginning I was hooked into the story. It did take me a little bit to get the main characters sorted out and what they were all about, but overall I was able to navigate the characters just fine.

Because this book was a little more in the ‘spy’ genre for me, it filled a need I was craving lately. I loved discovering new ‘intelligence’ about the plot/characters and I loved that the story was fairly fast paced and had a bit of grit to it. Not so much that it would turn off some readers but enough to make it interesting and well applied throughout the plot.

For those readers who were hoping for a ‘love story’ it’s more of an unlikely love story that has it’s fair share of trails and tribulations and it is kind of an unlikely and unexpected love story which I really enjoyed. However it’s not the focus of the novel which was surprising and enjoyable for me.

I loved the atmospheric-ness of the novel. There was definitely tension in the novel itself due to the setting. I felt like it kept me on my toes and interested in the novel and I was constantly wondering what would happen next.

The attention to historic detail was also impressive. I loved that the story took place directly in Berlin rather than another country or back in England. It made the whole novel more dark and built the tension even move. I loved this book.

There were a few times when I was wanting a little more romance in the book, but as I said before I didn’t mind that it wasn’t the focus. There were plenty of other aspects of the novel that kept me interested and reading.

See my full review here

[Olivermagnus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the somewhat melodramatic cover, this book turned out to be a carefully researched and well written story featuring Noel Macrae, a fictional military attache stationed in Britain's German embassy in 1938-1939. He is witness to the poor decisions made by Ambassador Nevile Henderson, a fervent supporter of Prime Minister Chamberlain’s appeasement policies. Macrae, former sniper and hero of World War I is desperate to convince the British government to change its policy in time to keep Hitler from taking the world back to war.

There's a secondary story line where Macrae, who is in a failing marriage, becomes involved with Sarah, a beautiful Jewish woman who is forced to work in a Berlin brothel. Reinhard Heydrich believes one of the best ways to get information from VIPs is to record their sexual encounters with Sarah for blackmail purposes. There are many factual characters intertwined with the fictional ones. One of the most interesting is William Shirer, the brilliant historian who went on to write the iconic Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.

I thought the novel did a great job of documenting the missteps of the British government during pre-war years. This was a fascinating time in history and the real life events will leave you wondering “what might have been. If you enjoy reading about this time in history, I definitely recommend giving this book a chance.

[Rob Kitchin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Midnight in Berlin, set in the city in 1938/39, draws heavily on actual events and policy and involves numerous real-world characters to tell the story of how Britain and Germany slipped towards war. To add some fictional narrative, MacManus hooks the story around the efforts of British military attache, Colonel Noel Macrae (loosely based on the real attaché at the time), to change Britain’s policy of appeasement and take a more interventionist position, and the tale of Sara, a young Jewish woman forced to work in a Gestapo honey-trap brothel. Macrae is taken to the exclusive club where he meets the woman who offers to pass on information in return for knowledge about the fate of her captive brother. The period and the events are interesting, but for me, the tale is too much a history lesson lightly fictionalised with not enough of a story. As is stands, if the historical account was pared back there's little left, and when the story did focus more on the main fictional characters it flits briefly on their affairs rather than dwelling upon them. Indeed, the tale is cast as a love story, however, the relationship between Macrae and Sara did not come across as a Nazi-era ‘Pretty Woman’. Rather, there was some lust, manipulation, and lingering infatuation, but there was no sense that there was anything serious developing and story tails off to a damp squib of an ending.

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received courtesy of Goodreads.com First Reads Giveaway

This was an amazing work of historical fiction. James MacManus blended the fiction into the facts absolutely seamlessly.

This is the story of British military attache' Noel Macrae who is posted to Berlin in 1938-39. He is faced with watching as Hitler mesmerizes his nation, rebuilds his military and invades his neighbors. As Macrae tries to convince Great Britain to stand up to Hitler before it's too late, he is met with leaders that will not believe what he is saying. In Berlin, he meets Sara. Sara is a Jewess who, under threat to her family, has been forced into a life of prostitution in a Gestapo run brothel. She "entertains" much of the German hierarchy. As Macrae's wife carries on an affair with a German officer, he dreams of bringing peace to Europe and Sara.

I was fascinated by the idea that there were people working at embassies in Berlin who tried desperately to stop Hitler but were met with nothing but resistance from their governments. MacManus describes Macrae's job as watching an accident that is about to occur with no way to stop it. This is a top-notch, well-written piece of historical fiction--highly recommended!

[Annabel Frazer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up because I like wartime/Cold War thrillers and I enjoyed it. The historical period was well-evoked and gripping but not too gruesome or depressing. I'm pretty squeamish when it comes to that and obviously anything set in Nazi Germany is liable to have its depressing moments!

It reminded me rather of John Le Carre but thankfully lacking the overdone world-weariness I get from JLC's books. It also managed to avoid going to quite his level of woman-hating. Very few female characters come off lightly in JLC thrillers - they tend to be either shrewish, soul-destroying wives and ex-wives, or ruthless hookers.
In Midnight In Berlin, although the hero's wife is hardly an exemplary character and the heroine is a prostitute, it manages to avoid being too judgemental. I also liked the fact that the hero is quiet, reflective and intelligent - I tire of overly physical and aggressive heroes - even James Bond has his moments of thoughtfully contemplating the world through his snorkelling goggles.

Another reviewer commented that perhaps because the story is based on truth, the narrative is a little too reserved and dispassionate at times, more like history than fiction. I think this is probably a fair comment, but it wasn't a deal-breaker for me. In fact, I came away wondering what else the author has written and will look out for his other books. It would also make an excellent film.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for this historical novel set in Berlin during the years leading up to WWII. The fact-based narrative about Britain's efforts to appease Hitler made for interesting reading. As a novel, it's okay but nothing remarkable.

[Linda Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received AUC of this book via a goodreads giveaway.

The book takes place in Berlin, Germany during 1939 and the rise of the Third Reich. Living in the midst of government corruption, the extermination of Jews and the knowledge that Hitler is intent on world domination Colonel Noel Macrae, a British military attaché who continuously butts heads with the British ambassador, must find a way to convince the British government that peace is not an option.

Macrae, certain n that his wife is having an affair with a high ranking German Military official, a friend of his own & a man who wants an end to Hitler; Macrae gives into his own lust, eventually falling in love with a German Jewish woman who is being blackmailed by the Gestapo to work in a Gestapo run bordello in order to assure her twin brother’s survival.

What Macrae does not know is that at the same time he plans to help his mistress escape Germany and stop another European war, the Gestapo has him in their sites. Macrae finds himself caught in a tangled web of indifference, corruption and the means to retain his own humanity.

This book is said to have been inspired by true events, whether or not that is true only the author can say for sure. What I can tell you is that it is one of the best Historical fictions I have ever read. It was written with great care, the details bringing both the background and the characters into life. At times, I could even picture myself in the midst of it all.

With ever changing political lines throughout the world, I think this clarifies George Santayana’s famous quote “those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it.” This book opened my eyes a great deal more than I ever expected; I hope that many, many more take the time to read this book and hopefully their eyes will be opened as well.

[Meena · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway back in April.

Like most books, this one started off well. I was drawn in from the very beginning - and even towards the end of the first half, it was solid. It was interesting to read about how things were like before the war and how the characters acted and reacted. It was also interesting to read about the Gestapo and all the political intrigue. What dragged it down for me was the love affair, I think. I found that I simply got bored all of a sudden. Not saying it was all bad, I just lost interest and couldn't read beyond page 272.

I appreciate the writing and the atmosphere. I may reread it in the future to get the full story, but not anytime soon.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this novel in a goodreads drawing.

I really don't understand all this recent interest in all of the failed plots to kill Hitler. It seems the current thing, but it strikes me odd.

This is a European style romance thriller, where an English sniper turned diplomat is seduced into trying to kill Hitler by a Jewish prostitute. All very tragic and futile.

The words and deeds of the appeasers were the most eye opening to me. They sound exactly like the appeasers of today. Plus ca change.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting historical fiction account of Berlin in the 1930's. Sadly if England had not tried so hard to make peace with a madman, Hitler might not have done as much destruction as he did.

[Eric Drysdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

October 2018
This is my “book of the year” and James is my “author find of the year”, which I will note in my Christmas card to some 500 clients. In addition, from over 5,000 books that I have read it is only the fourth time I have immediately read the book a second time to savour the reading pleasure.
Anyone who is reasonably well read on Twentieth Century and WW2 history will appreciate the seamless integration of the real and fictional characters who people this wonderful novel.
As a writer you automatically assess the books you read in terms of plot, characterization, dialogue, craft and style, and, whilst you then know why you appreciate a particular novel, you also evaluate it with a more critical eye. Let us consider each of these:
PLOT: The novel is set in Berlin during 1938-1939 and centres on the conflict between Colonel Noel Macrae, the recently appointed Military Attache and Sir Neville Henderson, the actual British Ambassador to Berlin. This is set against the escalating crisis in Europe as Hitler flexes his muscles to take over Czechoslovakia, Poland and then Russia, while England, lead blindly by Neville Chamberlain, is determined to ignore every warning.
CHARACTERIZATION: The characters are skilfully drawn and I would defy anyone, who did not know from previous reading, to identify the real and fictional people in the drama.
DIALOGUE: The plot is driven forward by the exchanges between the many characters, friends and foes. These burgeoning or deteriorating relationships are subtly delineated with great economy and voices that ring true.
CRAFT AND STYLE: This is a finely crafted novel with the dramatic events unfolded against a carefully honed evocation of time and place. I applaud James for his depiction of Berlin in the various seasons in the last two years before the War. From the snow covered streets to the British Embassy and the German controlled bordello where the basest of human failings are exploited. The prose is evocative and economical and we are there with Noel Macrae as he strives to obtain confirmation of Hitler’s evil intent and find someone in power in London who will listen to his plaintive cries.
The audio edition is narrated perfectly by Peter Noble who captures the accents and nuances of the many characters. I felt the lovely Scot’s brogue of Noel Macrae rounded out a most admirably drawn character.
I could not imagine any discerning reader who was not impressed, touched and moved by this fine novel, which to me rates 100% in all departments.
I would like to thank James for the care and attention to detail he has clearly taken in producing what to me is a text book example of quality writing at its best, and I wish him great success. Happy reading. Thank you, Eric.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good WW2 novel.
Berlin 1938,Noel Macrae is the new military attaché who can see what is happening in Berlin is dangerous and that war is on the horizon.
Step by step, fear is used to make a country compliant. Propaganda is used effectively by the Nazis to create a them and us scenario, the fear becomes contagious and the people begin to follow orders blindly.
Slowly the people begin to believe all that is said and when Jews are mistreated ,blind eyes are turned
If something does not effect a person, then they don't feel the need to speak up for the victims especially as they may be carted off for not accepting the new laws. Of course it does not stop there but it's too late for a collective of people to then speak out.
The British also turn a blind eye as they wish to avoid war and the book follows Colonel Macrae trying to persuade Chamberlain and the government that Hitler is dangerous and must be stopped. He wishes to assassinate Hitler but needs to persuade Chamberlain.
Although we know the outcome,it makes us think what if ? Also history repeats itself and we still do nothing.
The author seems to capture the authentic atmosphere of pre-war Berlin in the throes of being spell bound by the Nazis. Goebbels had learnt that symbols and slogans worked well ,short messages on billboards tapped into the hopes and fears of the subconscious mind. Techniques which are effectively used today with the same effect.
This is a good historical novel, most of the characters are from real life with some fictional alongside,. There is a love story too involving a Jewish lady forced to work in the Salon Kitty where the Gestapo force her to become a sex worker and then the Gestapo listen into all the conversations.
In Berlin, there is fear and mistrust everywhere, to be kind to your neighbours is a sin and in fact you should report all breaches of the new laws brought in.
It's not a good place and the more everyone buries their head saying it won't happen to me or war won't come ,the more the Nazis can impose more rules and restrictions.
History is a warning to the future and this book mixes a good story with historical facts.
I really enjoyed it.

[David Lowther · Rating 3 out of 5]

Midnight in Berlin is another take on the years of appeasement before the Second World War and it's pretty decent. Most of the action focusses on the British Embassy in Berlin where the Ambassador Sir Neville Henderson is very much a pro-appeaser and close to British PM Neville Chamberlain. There are a number of sub plots, most centred around the British Military attaché and his buddy, the resident SIS man.

Also making an appearance is the great American journalist William Shirer whom I remember saying in his diary that it would have been easy to toss a hand grenade into the back of Hitler's open topped car during his 50th. birthday celebrations in Berlin in April 1939. Heydrich is lurking in the background somewhere. I've written a book on this same subject and, while it's not quite as black and white as Midnight in Berlin, reaches similar conclusions.

David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not sure that I see this as a “love story”, as the description calls it. This is truly historical fiction at its best. To me, historical fiction makes me want to find out more information about the topic so that I can learn the history. My research, after finishing the book, led me to Sir Noel Mason-Macfarlane. The book is loosely based on his time as the British Military Attaché to Berlin in 1938-1939. The character in the book Noel Macrae is also the military attaché. They both proposed an assassination of Hitler in honor of his 50th birthday. In both fiction, and real life, he was denied.

I have read quite a bit about this war and Hitler and his “gangsters”. This was the most I had read about the struggle between Chamberlain, Prime Minister, on one side and the other people who were not convinced that Hitler could be appeased. I am sure they wish they could have a “do over”.

[Dobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

They DO say don’t judge a book by its cover and this is an excellent example! I chose to order this from my local library because ages ago I’d earmarked it as a potentially excellent read. When I picked it up I was a little alarmed by the cover ( 1930’s couple cuddling up at a train station) as it implied this was a wartime romance and not at all what I was hoping for.
But upon reading it I was delighted to find that it was an exceptionally well written historical fiction which had been thoroughly researched and detailed the months of the run up to the Second World War and the rise of the Third Reich.
Historical fiction at its best.
There is a romance within the narrative but it manifests as a sub plot and I think it’s a shame the publishers pushed this side of the story - those who harboured hopes of a love story would be dashed! But I was completely delighted. 😁

[Grainne Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book - it's set in the late 1930s and is a mix of fiction and fact. It's really well written - the author, James MacManus is a journalist all his life and it shows. It has great pace and brilliantly portrays the fear of people in Germany and the denial about Hitler's intentions elsewhere in Europe but particularly in London. It's the kind of book u really look forward to picking back up each day and would make a brilliant film - a really stylish thriller, all the more gripping because of so much historical accuracy. One tiny thing, I found the ending a bit too sentimental, but that's probably just me - a tough nut!

[Natalie Lynner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is detailed and engaging historical fiction about the British foreign policy of appeasement in Berlin from 1938-1939. It has an absurd "love" story that is entirely unnecessary and unconvincing. If you completely ignore the main character's love life (which is easy to do despite what the kitschy cover indicates) it will be a much more satisfying read that seems more like nonfiction as it tells the surprisingly gripping story of appeasement in Berlin. So many lost opportunities. I kept hoping against hope that the British would pull it together and prepare to defend themselves against Hitler.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on historical events and people, I enjoyed this book about Hitler's not so secret plans to run over Czechoslavakia in 1939, the staff in the British embassy in Berlin witnessing and reporting to the British Prime Minister and his high ranking staff. The Prime Minister's weak attempts at diplomacy did nothing to stop Hitler from invading Czechoslavakia and probably emboldened him. Clearly Chamberlain had no real understanding of Hitler and how much power he had already amassed. As a fictionalized account, it gets more into the personal affairs of the main characters and some of the horrible events such as Kristalnacht, abuse of women in brothels, etc.

[Marlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I really enjoyed this book, though for some reason it took me a little while to keep track of the characters. Even though I knew the assassination attempt at the end could not possibly work, I felt disappointed when the book ended right after without any other exciting events. It seemed anticlimactic to me. I suppose it fits, but at the same time, the story seemed to be about so much more than the lovers. Hearing that Sarah/Ruth was pregnant didn’t seem like enough to end on. Maybe I am not doing it justice, and the fact that I wanted more just shows how much I enjoyed the book.

[Geneva Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reading. Intriguing, I read this book for my literary club,l

History is reflected in this writing. Ther is a parallel in history taking place as I review your book.. what putan is doing t in Ukraine is the same move Hitler took with Austria. Annex of Austria vs annex of part of Ukraine. The tyranny in and from geramy continues. This needed to written published and read. Younger generation don't believe the genocide of the Jewish race really happened. I will and have recommended your book to other friends..

[Bill McFadyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is fiction - based in Berlin 1938 - 1939. Many of the characters are based on real players - the key man being based on General Mason - Macfarlane who was the military attaché based on the British Embassy who put an assassination attempt on Hitler to the Chamberlain cabinet. He spent the war as Gibraltar’s Governor.
A good read although the author must have just missed out the bad sex writing award.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good. I am drawn to anything WW2 or holocaust related and this had so many historical facts while still reading as entertaining fiction. I liked that the romantic aspects of the characters stories in the book were kept minimal, since too much cheesy love plot lines in a book makes me want to barf. I have read so much about WW2 but have never gotten such detail about the time period before the outbreak of the war in Europe. Great story. 4 1/2 stars

[Cat Rayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Midnight in Berlin by James MacManus found it’s way into my library from a foray on the Half Price Books Clearance Shelf. It cured a rainy day, and was well enough researched into the 1938-1939 Berlin, and providing a fictional retell of history.

The characters were not likable, (some of them real persons!) and the plot of the story took quite some time to gel. But for those who like WWII stories, fictional or otherwise this would be a good choice.

[Stefany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an example of those whose cover doesn't match the content, which is a good thing here. It isn't very romance focused and instead gives good insight into the beginning of WWII in Berlin. The main character is based loosely on the British military attache at the time, and we see the frustrating appeasement of Hitler through his eyes. The author researched this time very well which shows in the book.

[Barbara Ab · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better written and thought out than Sleep in peace by the same author. Strong historical political background. The fiction is based on real historical figures on whom the author took some liberties – a lot 

[Annette Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the details in this book, the author had obviously researched it well but did not fall into the trap of facts overpowering the fiction. A real page turner Which kept me guessing right until the very last page.🤓

[Roger Scherping · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding book. The author has a very impressive style. I like the line near the end, "He felt the hand of history on his shoulder." The book gave great insight into that critical time in history, the players in the drama, and the depth of just how badly they misread Hitler.

[Sherralynne Smith]

A stunning war time story

I really enjoyed this story. It's description of events in Europe at the time has enhanced my knowledge and I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys reading World War Two era literature.