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A terrifically complex tale ... a beautifully written novel by a gifted writer who has left us too soon.
— Washington Post
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“It doesn't take much to get swept into Gunther's latest adventure or taken in by his darkly witty commentary.
— Chicago Tribune
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"Every bit as powerful and atmospheric and addictively page-turning as all the ones that came before it.
— Christian Science Monitor
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For bereft Kerr aficionados, this is a draught of vintage, as themes of redemption are grippingly explored.
— The Guardian
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Bernie Gunther…is back — which is good news for all readers… What makes this latest Bernie book notable is how it strikes a series of authentic notes.
— The Washington Times
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Beyond Marlowe, though, there’s Bernie…Bernie’s internal demons have always provided the compelling drama in this series, and here we loyal supporters are granted a ray of hard-won hope. It provides a great moment in an always-riveting series.
— Booklist, starred review
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In typical top form, Kerr provides valuable insights into the times...Inspired by real people and events, the latest novel by the celebrated author of the Berlin Noir trilogy is a deep but breezy work in which even the most trustworthy characters can harbor dark secrets.
— Kirkus Review, starred review
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An outstanding historical thriller steeped in intrigue with a superb narrative, pace, and characterization.
— Library Journal, starred review
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Once again, Kerr shows Bernie contending bravely if futilely against powerful forces whose full evil becomes clear only at the end.
— Publishers Weekly
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“Adding an arch tone to his delivery, narrator John Lee provides an extra layer of listening pleasure to the thirteenth installment of the adventures of Bernie Gunther…Lee handles the accents and colorful characters, as well as Bernie’s observations and the shifts in pacing, with steady hands…Lee and Kerr combine their storytelling talents to make this visit to the dark streets and alleys of Berlin bone-chilling and emotionally satisfying.”
— AudioFile
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“As powerful and atmospheric and addictively page-turning as all the ones that came before it.”
— Christian Science Monitor
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“It doesn’t take much to get swept into Gunther’s latest adventure or taken in by his darkly witty commentary.”
— Chicago Tribune
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“A polished gem of unsentimental detective writing echoing Chandler and Hammett in spirit, if not language…Bernie Gunther [is] surely one of the most likable and confounding characters in modern detective fiction—or, it should be said, in contemporary English literature in general.”
— San Antonio Express-News
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“A byzantinely plotted escapade in which the oft-noted similarity between Bernie and Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe is more evident than ever…Bernie’s internal demons have always provided the compelling drama in this series, and here we loyal supporters are granted a ray of hard-won hope. It provides a great moment in an always-riveting series.”
— Booklist (starred review)
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“An outstanding historical fiction thriller steeped in intrigue with a superb narrative, pace, and characterization.”
— Library Journal (starred review)
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"[In] Kerr’s twisty thirteenth Bernie Gunther novel…once again, Kerr shows Bernie contending bravely if futilely against powerful forces whose full evil becomes clear only at the end. The good news for series fans is that an even better career may lie ahead for Bernie—as a spy.”
— Publishers Weekly