Let down by narrator choice

It is perhaps unfair as I have both read and listened to the first book, and this is my first encounter of book 2 and it’s via audible rather than reading. But I find that the voice direction is so very different to the audible version of book 1 that I am having trouble reconciling that this is Bernie Gunter from book 1. Whereas the voice actor in the first book plausibly attempted German accents (for other characters) and delivered Bernie’s sardonic lines with range, energy and skill: allowing me to really visualise Bernie saying and doing these things , the voice actor here comes across as hackneyed British when doing other characters and lacks the enthusiasm and delivery of Bernie’s sarcasm and this jarrs me.

I have read the reviews of the written book and I know some have said that Bernie is less “cheeky Chappie” than in book 1, so perhaps it is not all the voice actor. But so far I’m enjoying the story, but not so much how it’s being told.

That being said, I heard the voice before I purchased the book and I didn’t think it would bother me: it’s more his other accents, like Bernie’s partner, where (to my ears) the British of sorts breaks my immersion.

I also question the actual authors choice of language when describing characters of colour. I understand that Bernie is a product of his time and don’t begrudge how he mentally describes people, but at points , I felt the descriptions were overused and lacked variety and it just struck a discordant tone with me. Especially given that Bernie isn’t really presented as an overall prejudiced man in book 1. But perhaps this accurately reflects Bernie’s character development from book 1 to 2, or perhaps it’s just me reading too much into it.

Overall though. I enjoyed the story and worldbuilding.

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Gripping story

A gripping detective story in the vein of the tough P.I.s like Hammer or Marlowe. However being set in pre-war Germany, this unusual backdrop, with the presence of such well-know Nazi figures, sets the story apart from the normal detective thrillers. and gives it an air of reality. This is the second Bernie Gunther novel, and is possibly even more enjoyable than the first. Here Bernie is given no option but to return to working as a policeman to solve the murders of young girls in Berlin, but is still up to all his old tricks as a private detective, and as full of irreverence as usual, even against the Nazi leadership.

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2 people found this helpful

One of the best !

I would highly recommend this book as a possible introduction to the Bernie Gunther series. The plot, characters and delivery keeps you wanting the next episode constantly. One of the very very few books I’ve considered immediately re-reading.

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1 person found this helpful

another brilliantly well read book

the atmosphere of Berlin in the 1930s as well as the reading performance are fantastic

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Brilliant historic storytelling

The accuracy and detail of the historic details coupled with a compelling who done it.

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Great

Great story, strong atmosphere, and terrific dialogue with humour and sarcasm making me laugh out loud.

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Great story

excellent story framed by unsettling historical context and a timely reminder of Nazi Germany and the genesis of World War 2. highly recommended warning from history

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Sadly, wrong narrator and tedious story

Thought I would try the second, but although this is one of my favourite narrators, he is very wrong for this story. And the story, just not for me

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