Set against the tumultuous backdrop of post-World War II Europe, 'Prussian Blue' follows the gritty detective Bernie Gunther as he navigates a web of political intrigue and hidden dangers. When a high-profile murder case surfaces, Gunther finds himself embroiled in secrets that could unravel the very fabric of the Cold War. With a mix of historical detail and noir sensibility, Kerr intertwines art, power, and betrayal in a narrative that keeps you guessing. As trouble brews on every side, Gunther must confront both his past and the dark choices that define him. Will he be able to uncover the truth before it costs him everything?
By Philip Kerr
Published: 2017
"In a world where darkness and light are often indistinguishable, it’s not the dead we should fear, but the living who have forgotten how to love."
When his cover is blown, former Berlin bull and unwilling SS officer Bernie Gunther must re-enter a cat-and-mouse game that continues to shadow his life a decade after Germany's defeat in World War 2... The French Riviera, 1956: Bernie's old and dangerous adversary Erich Mielke, deputy head of the East German Stasi, has turned up in Nice--and he's not on holiday. Mielke is calling in a debt and wants Bernie to travel to London to poison a female agent they've both had dealings with. But Bernie isn't keen on assassinating anyone. In an attempt to dodge his Stasi handler--former Kripo comrade Friedrich Korsch--Bernie bolts for the German border. Traveling by night and hiding by day, he has plenty of time to recall the last case he and Korsch worked together... Obersalzberg, Germany, 1939: A low-level bureaucrat has been found dead at Hitler's mountaintop retreat in Bavaria. Bernie and Korsch have one week to find the killer before the leader of the Third Reich arrives to celebrate his fiftieth birthday. Bernie knows it would mean disaster if Hitler discovers a shocking murder has been committed on the terrace of his own home. But Obersalzberg is also home to an elite Nazi community, meaning an even bigger disaster for Bernie if his investigation takes aim at one of the party's higher-ups... 1939 and 1956: two different eras about to converge in an explosion Bernie Gunther will never forget.
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“In a world where darkness and light are often indistinguishable, it’s not the dead we should fear, but the living who have forgotten how to love.”
Prussian Blue
By Philip Kerr
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Philip Kerr was a renowned British author, best known for his gripping and atmospheric historical crime novels, particularly the Bernie Gunther series, which includes titles like 'March Violets,' 'The Pale Criminal,' and 'A Quiet Flame.' His work often explores themes of morality and the human condition against the backdrop of Nazi Germany and post-war Europe. Kerr's writing style is characterized by its sharp dialogue, intricate plots, and deep psychological insight, drawing readers into the complexities of his characters' lives and the historical contexts they navigate.
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