One from the Other

Even if you haven't been exposed to Kerr's noir detective thrillers before, you soon will be enthralled by this fourth novel in the series. Bernie Gunther is a private detective working in Germany during and after WWII. In a story that spans the 1930's and 1940's, this latest installment of Gunther's adventures involves perpetration and prosecution of war crimes by the Third Reich. In post-WWII Germany Gunther confront his own culpability as a German in the crimes of the Nazis, as well as becoming embroiled in both the hunting of Nazi criminals and in these criminals attempts to flee prosecution. As is the convention in these novels, it all starts with a gorgeous femme fatale and ends with the exposition of a convoluted plot in which the hapless detective has been but a pawn. Like his literary ancestor Sam Spade, Bernie Gunther is a sarcastic, witty, hardboiled non-comformist who won't be bought and whose hilarious observations and descriptions of human nature keep the reader laughing even during the hero's darkest hour. Kerr's portrayal of this likeable character is lucid, mordant and finally melancholy. A suspenseful and thrilling plot rounds out the novel. Highly recommended.