Scan barcode
pdxpiney's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I listened to the audiobook, which I can’t find here. This was not as enjoyable as if I had read the print version, as the complex plot and many characters were hard to track, especially with the odd Anglicized pronunciations of German words. The audiobook reader did reasonably well with the many male characters, but he represented every female with a breathy upspeak, regardless of their class, age, emotion, or experience.
As to the content, it’s Bernie Gunther #0.5, a prequel and finale to the series. Plenty of noir banter, underworld machinations, and Gray Lady Berlin as a character unto herself—districts, architecture, arts, food, fashion, and politics.
As to the content, it’s Bernie Gunther #0.5, a prequel and finale to the series. Plenty of noir banter, underworld machinations, and Gray Lady Berlin as a character unto herself—districts, architecture, arts, food, fashion, and politics.
karijuan's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
belanna2's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
jacki_f's review against another edition
4.0
Reading this was a bittersweet experience. The latest instalment in probably my favourite series is also the final instalment after the death of author Philip Kerr last year. I'm sad that there will be no more episodes in Bernie Gunther's life. Given that Metropolis is actually the first chronologically (set in 1928, when Bernie is in the Berlin policeforce), I am tempted to immediately re-read all the rest of the books in order of when they are set - although the timeslip element in a few of them does make that slightly difficult.
Metropolis begins with Bernie Gunther's transfer from the Vice division to the Criminal division where he is immediately confronted with a serial killer who is targeting prostitutes. As in all the other books, real people and events are woven into the story, although in most cases they were less famous than the Nazi elite who pop up in the later books. However I always find it satisfying to look up photographs of the people and imagine them as he describes them.
While Bernie is a cynical character, here he is in his early 30s and "still capable of being shocked at human behaviour". He is heavily affected by his experiences fighting in the trenches during WW1 and more deferential to his superiors than in the later books.
The plot concerns Gunther's attempts to identify two serial killers whom he suspects are actually the same person. While the case is eventually resolved, it is in a classic Philip Kerr way, full of compromises and politics.
Ultimately I don't think this was the best in the series but it was still high quality. Philip Kerr, you are missed.
Metropolis begins with Bernie Gunther's transfer from the Vice division to the Criminal division where he is immediately confronted with a serial killer who is targeting prostitutes. As in all the other books, real people and events are woven into the story, although in most cases they were less famous than the Nazi elite who pop up in the later books. However I always find it satisfying to look up photographs of the people and imagine them as he describes them.
While Bernie is a cynical character, here he is in his early 30s and "still capable of being shocked at human behaviour". He is heavily affected by his experiences fighting in the trenches during WW1 and more deferential to his superiors than in the later books.
The plot concerns Gunther's attempts to identify two serial killers whom he suspects are actually the same person. While the case is eventually resolved, it is in a classic Philip Kerr way, full of compromises and politics.
Ultimately I don't think this was the best in the series but it was still high quality. Philip Kerr, you are missed.
didactylos's review
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Story isnt the strength of the book - indeed the murderer was clearly signposted well ahead of the end. What is captured very well is the atmosphere of Berlin in the early 30’s
tsenteme's review against another edition
4.0
Κάπως έτσι κλείνει ο κύκλος για τον Μπέρνι Γκούντερ, στο Βερολίνο, όπως στα πρώτα βιβλία της σειράς.
thain's review
4.0
Dark police thriller set in Germany during the Nazis' rise to power. This last series entry is an early case for Bernie Gunther, who suspects the same person is scalping prostitutes and shooting disabled war veterans.
A realistic if grim portrait of the attitudes of the time, especially against Jews and homosexuals, and antipathy to Berlin's sex club trade. Features cameos by historic figures including screenwriter Thea von Harbou, to whom Bernie suggests the plot of Fritz Lang's classic movie M (not the titular Metropolis, which is also mentioned).
A realistic if grim portrait of the attitudes of the time, especially against Jews and homosexuals, and antipathy to Berlin's sex club trade. Features cameos by historic figures including screenwriter Thea von Harbou, to whom Bernie suggests the plot of Fritz Lang's classic movie M (not the titular Metropolis, which is also mentioned).
octygon's review
3.0
Very gritty detective story set in Weimar Germany. Great writing, interesting characters, and a setting I hadn’t read too much about before. I had the audiobook read by John Lee, who was as excellent as ever.
graff_fuller's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a prequel novel in the Bernie Gunther series (0.5), but it was the latest book written (#14).
Since I wasn't able to pick up Book #1 March Violets, I decided to try and read the series chronologically (where possible).
Hopefully Book One will be available from the library, soon.
At first I wasn't too sure about the story. It takes place in 1928 Berlin. The main protagonist is a policeman. At first I wasn't too sure if he was a Nazi, or not. I was happy to find out a little into the book...that he wasn't a Nazi (always a good thing to read/hear), for there were characters in the story that subcribed to this ideology. Also, there were a number of Jewish characters in the story that were treated VERY poorly, and though Gunther's boss was a Jew, he was not very well liked by many people, though he was the head of the Criminal Division (Murder Division).
Also, the story deals with homosexuality and other LGBT+ characters. They are deamed a danger to the community, but in the underworld they thrive...even in the open, though many are harrased by the establishment.
The story has a LOT of real world cases interwoven into the fictional character's path. It was very interesting to see him pondering and dealing with multiple cirmcumstances, some that he was able to solve, and others that have gone unsolved (in the real world).
I am VERY excited to read March Violets, which wasn't assured when I picked up this book.
I'm very thankful for the recommendation (of sorts) from Murphulaphagus @mybigcity on Twitter. Thank you.
Since I wasn't able to pick up Book #1 March Violets, I decided to try and read the series chronologically (where possible).
Hopefully Book One will be available from the library, soon.
At first I wasn't too sure about the story. It takes place in 1928 Berlin. The main protagonist is a policeman. At first I wasn't too sure if he was a Nazi, or not. I was happy to find out a little into the book...that he wasn't a Nazi (always a good thing to read/hear), for there were characters in the story that subcribed to this ideology. Also, there were a number of Jewish characters in the story that were treated VERY poorly, and though Gunther's boss was a Jew, he was not very well liked by many people, though he was the head of the Criminal Division (Murder Division).
Also, the story deals with homosexuality and other LGBT+ characters. They are deamed a danger to the community, but in the underworld they thrive...even in the open, though many are harrased by the establishment.
The story has a LOT of real world cases interwoven into the fictional character's path. It was very interesting to see him pondering and dealing with multiple cirmcumstances, some that he was able to solve, and others that have gone unsolved (in the real world).
I am VERY excited to read March Violets, which wasn't assured when I picked up this book.
I'm very thankful for the recommendation (of sorts) from Murphulaphagus @mybigcity on Twitter. Thank you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Racism, Homophobia, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Antisemitism, and Racial slurs
marcel22112022's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25