Weak ending

Author doesn't like the British, there are little stereotype digs all over the book that shows his dislike. This undermines the tone of the book and comes across a little childish.

After a promising start, this drags in the middle to the point where I almost gave up.

Eventually, the story does pick up pace and the sub plot builds intrigue. Unfortunately, just when you reach the point where you are hooked, the book reaches a rather rushed ending. The villain is unmasked with a confession and the hero is killed off in the third person.

I was left somewhat underwhelmed and wanting to know what could have been and more about the summit.

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nearly there

I was hoping it was going to be more if a alternative history and for 2 thirds of the book it looked as if it was going that way then it swerved away in the last section. Bit of a missed opportunity.

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A great book read by an excellent narrator

Everything you would expect from Philip Kerr. Brilliantly researched, with fictional and historical characters blending together seamlessly in a plausible, and thought-provoking plot, read by a master narrator who is perfectly suited to the author's style. What more could you ask for?

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3 people found this helpful

Ok but rushed ending

I wasn’t going into this book expecting it to be historically accurate, it’s a fiction book so expect it to be fictional. It’s not a bad book and overall I enjoyed it.

The story seemed to build up for a long time and then seemed to rush to a finish in the last few chapters. Often this is a good thing but in this case it just seemed like the author had run out of story so just seemed to end it.

The main character also seemed to become less and less plausible as the story progresses as he seems to become the confident and saviour of everyone.

Shame as it had a good build up and I enjoyed most of the book.

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4 people found this helpful

There was a great story in here somewhere.

First off, this is a quite absorbing tale which is extremely well narrated,however!
The denouement is extremely weak and sadly badly constructed.
The idea that one of the principal players would have been influenced in the way he is by a concern for the human suffering of his own people is a laughable construct. Similarly the ending is a trite and cliched sacrificial nonsense which plays against everything we have learned about the character during the novel. Disappointing to say the least.

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4 people found this helpful

Great first part. Poor finish

I enjoyed this book until the last 4 chapters. I could go along with the inclusion of real characters from history populating the story. For the first part of the book this worked really well - FDR, Schellenberg & Powell rubbing shoulders with the main character. However, the book turned towards ‘alternative’ history of WW2 and a weak finale. This was a shame as there was a great much shorter novel in there somewhere.

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4 people found this helpful

Excellent

Well researched historical novel with some great scenes. Nicely paced. Plenty of twists and turns.
Philip Kerr is a master of creating a sense of place and of grounding a novel in a believable historical time.
Excellent narrator/performer.
The only disappointment is that I wanted it to carry on. I want to know more.

.

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historical gem

obviously super well written, well performed and the story will be a great Netflix series one day, a must read for fans, I do miss Herr Bernie tho

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4 people found this helpful

Well written and well narrated

Excellent in all ways. I will certainly read/ listen to other Philip Kerr books soon

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Can only make us wonder what more Philip Kerr could have done.

Kerr’s untimely death robbed his readers of who knows how many more great books. This one plays fast and loose with history and with the notions of fact, image and storytelling. Real people pop up but that doesn’t mean the story is. It’s done in a subtle and amusing way though.

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5 people found this helpful