March Violets Audiobook

" I'm not a fan of the hard boiled detective novel, but this one was pretty good. It has all kinds of advantages: the Berlin setting during Hitler's reign (but before the war), a credible detective, and the noir tradition that went before it. This is much more coherent than anything by Chandler and much more interesting than Hammett. The tough-guy metaphors were a bit too fast and furious though. I got to like Berhard Gunther, and despite this being a bit of a slog, I'm likely to read the rest of the trilogy. "

" I'd had this small tome that I'd picked up at a used book store a few years ago waiting on my shelf. Finally picked up Berlin Noir. I was in it for the Berlin aspect, but then discovered I'm not really fond of the detective noir style. Some turns of phrase were either directly translated from German (though it was not originally written in German) or deliberately strange. The sex and violence seemed formulaic. I did care enough to make it to the end of the first of the trilogy, but the next two will be donated away, unread. (July 16, 2004) "

" This is the first in the series, but the third one I read. It was good, very Chandlerish and Hammettish, but three in a row is enough for now. "

" Very much noir.. Felt like a guy noir story on NPR too many similes. "

" I found the historical facts interesting and informative. Also liked how the author wove the,story within them. Thought the author was over descriptive at times but overall an entertaining read. "

" good atmosphere for the city and the period. Too much plot twisting and gory details to really be my cup of tea. "

" Humorouslyl written, very graphic, unsentimental P.I. novel set in Nazi Germany. The villains are very bad and the good guys are not so "good". "

" Excellent. Captures the menacing atmosphere perfectly. "

" A confusing mix of levity and dread. I suppose that's what noir is... "

" An ingenious mash up of Nazi jackboot-era Gestapo heavy-handedness, Chandler-esque intrigue and hard-boiled noir. A thoroughly enjoyable read that is much more than purely a guilty pleasure. "

" Murder mystery in the Raymond Chandler style, set in Berlin in 1936. First of a trilogy. "

" Background seems to be well done, but logic suffers a lot. "

" If you are looking for a politically correct book, this is not for you. Very hard boiled novel with excellent plot and some twists. Takes place in 1930s Berlin. Some graphic scenes. Looking forward to read more of this series. "

" sometimes a bit too graphic, but rather good "

" Great...except for a rape scene that was unnecessarily graphic. That was just weird. "

" Very good, three very atmospheric stories. The main character, Bernie Gunther, is likeable despite his flaws. Highly recommended. "

" March Violets was a chilling read and the other books in the Bernie Gunther series are also absorbing reads. "

" REally enjoyed the first two novels. The third, not so much. "

" I loved these three books. Very old school detective, but set in a turbulent time and place. "

" En fait, je n'ai lu que la première partie (L'été de glace). Le contexte historique est bien décrit, mais je n'ai pas réussi à m'attacher au personnage principal, un détective plutôt macho. Le style m'a particulièrement agacée, avec son abus de comparaisons longues et souvent boiteuses. "

" Impeccably written superb historical fiction - deeper and more thoughtful than A Conspiracy of Paper, or Saylor's Roman mysteries. Rather dark gumshoe tales, but understandably so given the Nazi Germany (and immediate post-war Germany) setting. "

" Bernie Gunther is for me the most realised of literary detectives. He has a rich history and I would love to see him on a TV or film screen someday. I think Daniel Craig would play him perfectly, once the 007 gig is over and done with. "

" i liked the evolution of the main character and Berlin from 1933, to 1943 to 1950. "