Synopsis:
There is a serial killer on the loose in Berlin in 1943, and Dr. Elin Lund and Detective Kurt Schneider must team up to solve the murders.
This book had historical fiction, mystery, thriller and romance all rolled into one. The premise of the book was incredibly interesting, and the book kept me engaged and guessing, trying to figure out who the killer could be. I enjoyed the writing, but at times it seemed to me that there were way too many plot points all going on at the same time. Overall, it was a pleasant and engaging read.

There is a serial killer operating in Berlin, but as it is late in WWII and Nazi Germany is struggling, the Nazi leadership is desperate to keep the murders a secret, afraid that news coverage will cause a panic and disrupt the war effort. A special team of investigators have been assembled to solve the murders. Professor Elin Lund, aka Dr. Murder, a Danish forensic psychiatrist, has been invited to assist them, in the hopes that her unique skill set, and unorthodox approach, will result in the discovery of the murderer's identity quicker. Elin is not particularly happy about being in Berlin because of bad memories from her last visit to the city, and because it means being apart from her son, Niles, who is half Jewish. The Nazis have taken over Denmark and have started their campaign of persecution of the Jewish population, as well as efforts to capture and kill members of the Danish Resistance. She was supposed to go to Berlin alone, but two of her friends and fellow professors have joined her as "team members" because one of them (Jens) is a member of the Danish Resistance and was recently wounded during an act of sabotage. Berlin is not the safest place to be but is certainly safer than Copenhagen for Jens and Pia. Their skill sets will turn out to be quite useful, but the fear of their discovery will also prove to be a distraction for Elin. Making the investigation even more difficult is conflict between Elin and Detective Schneider, the lead detective; the fact that Schneider has made enemies among some of his superiors; and the killer may be a police officer or otherwise have information about the investigation, making it hard to know who to trust. The story has plenty of twists and turns, and the plot references or utilizes various horrendous Nazi policies and practices. The author does a great job of keeping the killer's identity secret; the reader will likely not guess the killer before the author reveals him.

Some Murders in Berlin: A Crime Thriller by Karen Robards was an interesting, suspenseful, but somewhat predictable read. Elin Lund (AKA Dr. Murder) is a reknown psychologist who has helped solved several murders in her time. She is called from Denmark to Berlin to help solve a string of murders during WWII. It reminded me a bit of a Patricia Cornwell, Kay Scarpetta novel set during WWII. Other than the time period and Nazis, I felt like this is a story that could happen at any place and time and still hold one's attention. My only complaint is that by about 2/3 of the way through the novel that it is pretty obvious as to who the murderer is and then the ending also felt rather rushed. This was my first Karen Robards novel, but I would most likely read future novels by her in a similar genre.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC.

#SomeMurdersinBerlin #NetGalley

Karen Robards is one of my favorite authors whom I’m always eagerly awaiting their next book. Some Murders in Berlin is well worth the wait. It’s set in my favorite time period of the WW2 era the ultimate battle between Good and Evil! Lots of suspense filled twists and turns. Thanks to the author her publisher and NetGalley for letting me read an advance reader copy of Some Murders in Berlin.

Karen Robards bring us a story set against the backdrop of World War II Berlin and the dangers it presents to Professor Elin Lund and her team. She has been called in to help solve the cases of several murdered women found throughout Berlin. She must work with Kriminalinspektor Schneider. Elin must maneuver through the politics and secrecy within Nazi Germany while having to solve these cases. She must decide who to trust and how much to share while working against her own clock to get back home. While working closely with Detective Schneider, will they be able to lower their guard enough to figure out who is murdering these women? Or will their past and their present prevent them to fully trust each other keeping them away from truly being able to share and solve these cases? Or will feelings start coming between them just as the secrets each one of them is keeping from the other prevent them from fully accepting each other as equals?

Karen Robards brings us into a world of secrets and lies as we go along with Detective Schneider and Professor Lund as they race against time to solve the cases before he strikes again. You follow along with them as each clue reveals something about the murderer until you are trying to keep up with them as you turn the page. You are so immersed into the story and these characters that you want to keep reading more when you get to the end. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I have read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for this privilege.

Heart pounding read! It’s WWII in Denmark and the Nazi’s are controlling the country. Elin, a widow, psychiatrist, and investigator is called to Berlin to find a serial killer of young women. Known as DR. Murder she has no choice. Leaving her son with her mother-in-law. Elim is matched with the special crimes group and thus begins a long police procedural. Lots of twists and turns. Underlying fear always as she had brought resistance scientists with her to shield them. Relationships develop. Elim andKurt, head of Berlin special crimes have difficulty working together until they don’t. Everyone has secrets which slowing come to light. There is much pressure to solve the case quickly while the Nazis are pressuring Jews in Denmark. She wants to solve the crime and get home to her son. But will she solve the case or die trying?

I used to read Karen Robards way back when I was a younger woman. So when I had the opportunity to read this, I was excited.

What drew me in:
1. The mystery! This was riveting and original. The killing of women in 1943. Elkin Lund, or “The Murder Doctor”, is called from Copenhagen to Berlin by Nazi officials to give her expertise in the investigation. Her 2 colleagues are part of the Resistence in Copenhagen, and need to get out because they are in danger, so Elkin brings them with her. While they investigate, there are things that they would normally do, that they are now forbidden from the Nazi regime to do. And they have to act and behave in a “respectful” way to the higher officers.
The investigation is interesting and fast paced.

2. The setting in place and time. This added an extra layer of tension. Everyone had trust issues, and rightly so! They struggled to talk freely because there were “eyes and ears” everywhere. Part of what drove the story was Elkin learning who she could trust.

3. The way history is as interweaved through the story- with Ellie’s family, the Jews in Copenhagen, the children.

4. Detective Kurt Schneider. His waters run deep! And trying to figure out his history, motivation and belief’s was intriguing.

My only holdback was the sex! That seemed to take away from a story that had depth and darkness. I also wasn’t sure if I would like Elkin at the beginning, because as she argues with Kurt about how she does things and what she wants to do- she keeps making a lot of demands, yet seems to forget where she is and who called and insisted she help the investigators. If I had been called to do this at that time period, I’d think I’d keep my head down, mouth shut, do my job then get the heck out of there!! Especially with a young son back at home!

Overall, this is a really good historical mystery, with a very interesting premise! Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin/MIRA Publishing for the ARC. This is my voluntary, honest review.

Great story that takes you back in time to another part of the world. Get to experience the world at a new and scary point of view. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat!

"You will discover the murderer among the less desirable elements of society."

That is the instruction Danish Forensic Psychiatrist, Elin Lund, has received from Nazi’s top brass. Known throughout Europe as “Dr. Murder” for her unmatched successes in solving crimes that have baffled other investigators, she has been called in to the heart of the Nazi world to solve a series of brutal murders of women.

From the first page, the author draws the reader into the dark, spectral landscape of 1943 Berlin with its rubble-torn buildings, underground tunnels, and the shifting nocturnal images which bend and sway with speckled pieces of light that play tricks on the eyes - and the psyche - and where the smell of death is ever-present and “sickly sweet, a nauseating perfume.”

Assigned to work with a local Nazi detective whom she doesn’t trust – or like – she suppresses the ache she feels at having to leave her young son back in Copenhagen (where the Nazis are daily gaining more and more of a stronghold) and works to find the wolfsangel, as the killer has coined for himself.

She and the detective need to find the killer - before he kills again. But to whom can they turn for answers? Perhaps two small Jewish children? But they trust no one. Are they hiding in the small spaces in the rubble. Or does she spot them behind a monument in the cemetery?

Elin can’t return home to her son until she finds the killer. Moreover, she wants to warn the women of Berlin about the evil threat that lurks their city, his thirst for sadism and murder growing with each day. But the Nazi regime seeks to avoid anything that will embarrass the Fuhrer and insists that she do her work in the utmost secrecy.

Readers of mystery thrillers of all kinds will revel in this start-to-finish pressure cooker, including readers of procedural crime stories, such as those written by Michael Connelly. Even readers of certain non-fiction books, such as Schindler’s List, will likely be entranced by this story, which is clearly well-researched, for historical accuracy as well for details relevant to locale and culture.

This could have been a great book, a little too graphic and was disappointed by the sex in the book. It ruined a perfectly good book.

This book is set during WWII. This is a good historical thriller that has a romance. You aren’t sure who can be trusted and won’t be able to stop turning the pages to find out how it ends. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

This was a great read! This was a very quick read. The plot line was very original and compelling. This book kept me guessing the entire time. I really enjoyed the writing and the characters.

I loved the crackling romance between Elin and Kurt, and they’re trying to resist it.
I find there are two types of historical fiction authors - those that love to teach history, and those that love to whet the appetite for history. I prefer the latter, Ms Robards seems to be the former. She gives quite a few chunks of history, which although interesting, does weigh down and slow the story as your reading (imo). However, saying that, I do think “Some Murders in Berlin” is worth your time.

Some Murders in Berlin by Karen Robards Historical thriller that features murder, mystery and romance. Action packed and fast paced with engaging characters, . Included in the narrative were Interesting facts about wartime Berlin.. An enjoyable and entertaining read.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

I enjoyed how good the historical thriller elements worked with this story. It had a great overall feel and worked with the time-period overall. The characters were what I was hoping for and worked with the storyline overall. I enjoyed the way Karen Robards wrote this and look forward to read more from her.

This book had lots of history of Berlin during the war. There was murder, mystery and a little romance. I have loved Karen Robards romantic suspense novels and I enjoyed this book also.

I have loved Karen Robards novels back when she was mostly focusing on romantic suspense, but her recent foray into historical fiction is even better!
I loved the main characters in this book and very much enjoyed the serial killer mystery. Absolutely recommend this one!

This was a ride. It’s engaging and entertaining enough. Plus, this was action packed and has had me hooked me on to it till the very end.

If you are looking for a historical, criminal mind's like romance, this one's for you. It is lyrical, yet feels fast-paced. It was hard for me to put down. This will not be my last book by Karen Robards!

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an ARC!