"Berlin", by Sinclair McKay

Life and Death in the City at the Center of the World

“Berlin”, explores the city’s human history from the end of the Great War to the Blockade, rise of the Wall and beyond. The author begins in 1919 when Berliner’s went through stages of deprivation, disorder, intolerance and inflation was crippling their economy. Berliners were nevertheless resilient even with all the constraints their creativity in cinema and literature was flourishing. Then, the Nazi came to power and by the end of 1945 Berlin was a city in rubble. The Nazi regime collapsed, Russian arrived and the city divided soon after the Berlin Wall went up and stood there till it was dismantled in 1989.

What an overwhelming and dissatisfying read this portrayed of one of the world’s great city turned out to be. The author devoted inordinate amount of details to the fall of the Third Reich and the action Red Army towards Berliners and raced through the years of the Weimar Republic between the construction of the wall till it was torn down. Nevertheless he did mention the American airlift, the Soviet blockade and the atomic research at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute. Considering the years covered in this book it is to be expected that the author may have overlooked some major topics along the way.

I may not have enjoyed this book at its fullest it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be read. The style although I did find it to be quite heavy is nevertheless richly written to pique our interest in learning more about Berlin and her turbulent years..... Right, this book reads like a textbook....

I received a copy from the publisher St-Martin Press through NetGalley.

"What She Found", by Robert Dugoni

Book #9 in the Tracy Crosswhite mysteries

Tracy is an homicide detective handling cold cases in her latest assignment she investigates a twenty-fine years disappearance of Lisa Childress, a newspaper reporter, who vanished after going to meet an anonymous informant late at night. After examining what Lisa was looking into Tracy became uneasy of what she discovered.

In convincingly details Mr. Dugoni gives Tracy a methodical and creative approach to solving the mystery. The truth was crucial where ever it led and following Tracy footsteps was reopening an explosive investigation: a drug task force scandal, a councilman’s criminal sex life, a mayoral graft and an elusive serial killer who disappeared mysteriously. It doesn’t take long before we are in a level of suspense and tension nonstop and as all the pieces come together and the truth begins to clear it was hard not to turn pages as fast as I could to see what Tracy would come up with next. This story doesn’t involve force and violence and seems realistic. What a nice change.

No doubt, “What She Found” is a strong police procedural drama dialogue driven and very active. Behind the tale is a story of a young woman affected with amnesia, the loss of her past and the hope for a better future. I love the way it was written and how the characters come to life. This mystery is gripping and riveting from start to finish and well-done.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advance copy of this book.

"The Auschwitz Twins", by Roberta Kagan

The Auschwitz Twins series, book #3

A Dark and Gut-wrenching WW11 Tale

Closely following its predecessor where we were left flat wondering the outcome, of course, we all know by now it was definitely not good. Robert Kagan excelled in penning one top notch historical fiction to wrap up her trilogy. Although the novel can be read on its own merits I highly suggest reading the 2 previous books to enjoy the story at its maximum and to understand where the characters came from.

What to expect:

Set within the grim walls of the dreaded Nazi killing floor “The Auschwitz Twins” gives us a bloodcurdling drama that unravels in the shadow of Mengele’s twisted obsession. The doctor is Ernst’s boss and nemesis (we came to know him in book #2) is tormented by what he sees and very much conflicted. He must stand his ground in order to save Shoshaha, Bluma and Perle.( book #1&2 introduced them to us).Being prisoners they only faced torture and death. Then shows up Dr. Marcel Petoit (book#2) a sadist and murderers who fooled a young woman, Gisele, to help him round up Jewish family in the pretext to help them escape but killed them instead, Gisele was scared and had to disappear. She found her way into Ernst’s heart and married him. Book #3 tells us what happened next till Petoit found her....Then we continue with the story of Herschel and Naomie (reading book #1&2 gives us previous details).

My thoughts:

The story of all the players unravel in alternate chapter and at time cross paths. We follow several characters throughout; the focus is on them rather than on the horrors of concentration camps. Although the story highlight the fascination of experimenting medical procedures on prisoners by sadistic doctors just because they could it does not do so with too many gruesome details...Of course WW11 stories are sad this one is no exception.

This novel read well, it is smooth sailing from the opening pages till you reach the conclusion. Even in the darkness of times, love can be explored and enemy can be a friend...The novel is engaging, the plot is fast-paced and the characters are charismatic.

Well-done, well-said

I had the opportunity to read this book and share my thoughts, thanks to The Book Whisperer and Netgalley.