The One from the Other

A Bernie Gunther Novel

By: Philip Kerr

Narrated by: John Lee

Bernie Gunther, the tough, fast-talking noirish detective who made his first appearance in March Violets, takes center stage in this twist-filled thriller that turns Philip Kerr’s German trilogy into a surprise-filled quartet. Fans have had to wait 15 years for Bernie’s resurrection. They will not be disappointed.

Munich, 1949: Amid the chaos of defeat, it’s a place of dirty deals, rampant greed, fleeing war criminals, and all the backstabbing intrigue that prospers in the aftermath of war. It is also a place where a private eye can find a lot of not-quite-reputable work: cleaning up the Nazi past of well-to-do locals, abetting fugitives in their flight abroad, sorting out rival claims to stolen goods. It’s work that fills Bernie with disgust - but it also fills his sorely depleted wallet. Then a woman seeks him out. Her husband has disappeared. She’s not looking to get him back - he’s a wanted man who ran one of the most vicious concentration camps in Poland. She just wants confirmation that he’s dead.

It’s a simple enough job. But in postwar Germany, nothing is simple - nothing is what it appears to be. Taking the case, Bernie takes on far more than he’d bargained for, and he soon finds himself on the run, facing enemies on every side. Because in a defeated and divided Germany, it’s hard to know friends from enemies, the one from the other.

©2007 Philip Kerr (P)2007 Books on Tape

the one from the other

another Phillip Kerr book; great narrator; highly recommend this author and this series

A cracking good read.

I liked the way the author weaved the the plot lines together putting Bernie in the center of a frame-up. Bravo. This would make one heck of a movie.

Not the best in the series, but still good

This is the least of the bunch. I don't read series detective novels as a rule because - most are garbage. This series is good fun, however - the setting is original, the dialogue is thoughtful and the plots are (generally) clever. The central twist here is the disappointment - you will see it a long way off and the fact that Bernie doesn't is irritating because he comes across as far more astute in the first three books.
Anyway, still far beyond much of what you will find out there.

Great book, but depressing to read how the Catholic Church colluded with former Nazis

This was a great book, yet at the same time, it was very depressing to read how the Catholic Church had colluded with former Nazis to assist with their escape from justice.

The best in the series

Easily read as a standalone. John Lee fits for the voice of Gunther and is excellent at voice characterization of the other players. Intricate plot with much credible history. A great read.

Brilliant

John Lee is fantastic, and this fourth book in the series is even better than the first three.

Amazing

I love Bernie and Philip and am so sad he’s been gone. Rereading and relistening to this series I am always in amazement of both the quality of the writing and the idiocy of many of those leaving “reviews.”

John Lee give this series its true flavor

love the story line of the series. Philip Kerr shows with Gunther that during crazy times there were some people who saw how wrong everything was a the time.

I like Bernie

If you are a World War II buff, you'll like this novel. The protagonist is so imaginative, a loyal German who hated the Nazis but got sucked up into the morass in spite of not wanting to.

This book takes place in the five years following the war. Where did all of the worst of the worst SS soldiers go after the war? Some were captured and executed or imprisoned but many just went underground. They strove to get a new identity or have their true identity declared dead. Some left Europe, many to Argentina where there was a friendly government, or they just assimilated back into Germany. But many kept their loyalty to the SS and supported its efforts to remain viable.

Along with this there were many who tracked these criminals for years to bring them to justice; the Americans and its allies, Jewish organizations that sprung up seeking revenge. If you were a war criminal you had to always be looking over your shoulder.

Into this environment author Philip Kerr brings his Bernie Gunther detective.With the deck stacked against him, Bernie does his thing often just to stay alive.

I enjoyed this book a lot, I look forward to proceeding on with the series.

Amazing

Gunther comes alive by John Lee and the story can’t get any better. Love his humor and philosophy