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"Every time we're afraid we've seen the last of Bernie Gunther, Philip Kerr comes through." -The New York Times Book Review
Hailed as "one of the greatest series of crime novels in the world" (El Pais, Spain), Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther novels continue to garner fantastic acclaim both here and abroad. This time, it's 1954 and Bernie has resurfaced in Havana. Life is relatively peaceful, but the world-weary ex-cop discovers that he cannot outrun his past when he collides with an old lover-and a vicious killer-from his life in Berlin. Alternating between the flamboyant corruption of Batista's Cuba and Nazi Germany during the buildup to the 1936 Olympiad, If the Dead Rise Not is another stunning example of Kerr's virtuoso talent.
RBA International Prize for Crime Writing (worth €125,000!)
British Crime Writers' Association Ellis Peters Historical Award
Philip Kerr is the author of many novels, but perhaps most important are the five featuring Bernie Gunther—A Quiet Flame, The One from the Other, and the Berlin Noir trilogy (March Violets, The Pale Criminal, and A German Requiem). He lives in London and Cornwall, England, with his family.
silencedogoodreturns
Posted March 20, 2013
Wow. I thought this was the best yet in the Bernie Gunther series. The usual good character story of the hero/anti-hero, along with a jump to the past and more insider stories of 1934 Berlin. In fact, the first 250 pages of the book could have been separate, and worthy, story all on its own, as Bernie gets tangled up with American mafia, German Nazis and unscrupulous business men of all stripes trying to cash in on the upcoming 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Then a jump 20 years to find Bernie now living in pre-Castro Cuba after getting kicked out of Argentina. In Cuba he runs into the characters he last saw 20 years ago in 1934 Berlin. This story is well written, thoughtful and has two different major plot surprises at the end (though I guessed one). Highly recommend this great read. Bernie is becoming more philosophical as he ages, coming to grips with more truths of life and his own humanity.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 23, 2012
I read "Prague Fatale" before this book, so I guess I was expecting more. Prague was certainly far superior to this one. The story about the Berlin experiences during 1934-1936, was somewhat interesting and at times exciting. The Havana part was a bit abrupt, and difficult to tie in to the earlier part at first. Even though in the end, the two were tied into a nice package. I thought the end sort of "fell off the table", with: "I'm shot, he said redundantly". To be continued, is what I wondered?
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Book 6, in the Bernie Gunther series
The readers are carried deeper into Bernie's saga in this terrific story that flips from 1934 Berlin into the rapidly changing world of 1954 Havana. The blend of madness and murder mixed with the Nazi and the Batista era creates an action packed backdrop for an exciting read and Mr. Kerr knows how to spice it up and to deliver it well.
1934, Germany is preparing to host the 1936 Olympic Games.
The action begins when Bernie, the house detective of the Hotel Adlon discovers the body of a German businessman with strong construction industry ties dead in his room. With a body and a multitude of clues, Bernie's investigation propels him into a world of international corruption and dangerous double dealings involving American gangsters, corrupt Nazis and an insight into Hitler's plan for the 1936 Olympics.
Meanwhile, Noreen Chalambides, an American journalist is also a patron of the hotel, she is on assignment to expose the Nazi regime and convince the American powers that be they should boycott the Olympics'.Bernie soon finds himself infatuated by her charming personality.
Two thirds into the novel, the action switches to post war- Cuba 1954
After being expelled from Argentina (the previous novel 'A Quiet Flame') Bernie relocates to Havana with the hope of living a less stressful life under an assumed name. That soon changes when he runs into his old flame, the journalist Noreen, and is invited to her home for a dinner party. Bernie sees this as a chance to rekindle a previous relationship but he quickly learns Noreen has another agenda. Unable to escape his past and head first into the presence, he learns he is still the target of a vicious killer and due to his recent acquaintances he finds himself caught up in the smoldering rebellious movement which is being magnified by Fidel Castro incarceration.
Mr. Kerr's stories are told entirely in dialogue, there is a lot of chatter going on mostly handled by Bernie, I love this, it makes you part of the story. I really enjoy Bernie, he is funny even when dealing with serious issues, he is not portrayed as the customary super hero as found in most novels of this genre. The plot is dynamic and captivating with many twists and turns and tense situations, an attention grabber to the last page. Although, highly entertaining the story is a tad predictable and less realistic than the previous novels, nevertheless following Bernie on his escapades is always a blast, and a journey into historical fiction.
I am looking forward to Bernie's next exploits.
Anonymous
Posted January 19, 2011
Anything by Philip Kerr with Bernie Gunther wisecracking his way through it is worth getting into your hands.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is my second Bernie Gunther novel, and I have thoroughly enjoyed both of them. Here the author takes us into both Nazi Germany as Hitler is rising and then into the mafia days of Cuba. He gets the local color right, and the characters are well-drawn. Each development in the story only makes me want to keep reading.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Kerr reminds me a lot off Len Deighton but a little darker. I stumbled on to Private Investigator several years ago and have absolutley enjoyed alomost every page of every book even though I usually do not like period pieces.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.CozWiz
Posted April 24, 2010
A continuation of the adventures of Bernie Gunther only this time Kerr provides a thread that allows us to go back with Bernie to his early 1930 Berlin days and to leap forward to the post-war era into the 1950s pre-Castro Cuba. Bernie may be getting older but he still possesses a sharp dialog aided by years of hard won experience. A truly enjoyable book and Mr. Kerr's plot-line leaves plenty of opportunities to mine more of Bernie's adventures. Let's hope that he does just that.
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Overview
"Every time we're afraid we've seen the last of Bernie Gunther, Philip Kerr comes through." -The New York Times Book Review
Hailed as "one of the greatest series of crime novels in the world" (El Pais, Spain), Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther novels continue to garner fantastic acclaim both here and abroad. This time, it's 1954 and Bernie has resurfaced in Havana. Life is relatively peaceful, but the world-weary ex-cop discovers that he cannot outrun his past when he collides with ...