Genre: Novel
Grade A-
Notable People: Philip Kerr
Title: A Quiet Flame
Review: another in a long line of quality books I’ve read in last year that takes place in Berlin in the dark days of the Nazi emergence. This is part of as series by this gifted writer about Bernie Gunther, a Berlin detective genius trying to survive despite his anti-Nazi sentiment. The book moves flawlessly back and forth between his experiences in the late 30s in Berlin and in 1950 after his escape to Argentina- hunted as a war criminal despite being forced into SS duty during the war. The man is a walking ball of guilt and regret and determined to tie the atrocities of the very corrupt Peron regime with unsolved pre-war Berlin atrocities. The portrayals of some of the most heinous war criminals hiding out in Buenos Aires along with the ruthless Peron government are chilling. Gunther remains a man for all seasons despite it all, and no happy endings likely in sight-paying the price for his time and place. A bunch more of these to look forward to. A very quick and quality read.