It is 1944 Berlin. Gruesome murders of women with Nazi connections are taking place and the SS is desperate to solve the case. Former Inspector Richard Oppenheimer, one of the few Jewish Germans allowed to remain in Berlin as his wife Lisa is deemed Aryan, is advised that he will assist Captain Vogler of the SS to find out who is behind the murders. Fearing for his and Lisa’s safety, Oppenheimer has no choice but to put his skills to best use. He ends up becoming energized by the opportunity to work again while realizing he is being used by the Nazis.

Germania is not your typical crime mystery as the story is set in Germany during WWII as the Allies are closing in on the SS. Bombs are continually being dropped. As the serial murders continue, the case becomes more complicated leading to an underworld that includes prostitution and the Lebensborn program, which was the Nazi’s scheme to breed a master race. As the investigation advances, Oppenheimer continues to face personal danger. He is aided by a German friend who is against everything the Nazi party stands for. You’ll want to find out who is behind the murders but more importantly, you’ll want to know how Oppenheimer will fare after the case is done and he will no longer be needed.

While I enjoyed the book, I was disappointed in the lack of connection Oppenheimer seemed to have with his heritage, even if he was not religious. His wife appeared to have a greater hatred of the Nazis.

Rated 3.75 stars.

A Murder Mystery/Thriller Set In An Interesting Time and Location

When I read the teaser for this novel, I found it quite intriguing. Upon reading that teaser, I knew I wanted to read it. I was not disappointed. The setting is around June 1944 in Berlin where the SD officer forces a dismissed Jewish Inspector, Oppenheimer, with a history catching a sadistic serial killer to help investigate a murder of a woman with a mutilated pelvic area and very publicly dumped at a World War I memorial. The storyline unfolds in an environment living and enduring constant Allied bombings, and with the SD, a Security Protection Service of the SS, the Gestapo, Wehrmacht intelligence, old friends who didn’t care that Oppenheimer was Jewish, others who took great offense being integrated by a Jew, Hitler Youth who took offense at a Jewish Oppenheimer would not obey their orders, and lastly, Goebbels who makes an appearance.

During the first chapter, my attention was captured. During the entire novel, I wanted to keep reading. All of the above made the read quite rich for me. Inspector Oppenheimer, the narrator most of the time, is kept in the dark because the investigation is being handled as top secret. There were the twists and turns but now half of his deck of cards was blank for Oppenheimer. The last aspect of the main storyline was the suspense that Oppenheimer was a Jew in Nazi Berlin. This kept an edginess from the start to the last few pages.

The B-storyline was just as complex. Much of Oppenheimer as a person is provided in his interactions with his wife, a dear doctor friend, his Nazi handler, an old police friend, and an old World War I fellow soldier. I even saw his Nazi handler as a human being at times.

What I like was the translator trying to keep the German flavor. The street names used the German, ß, for the double letter, s, in the word street, straße. This was reinforced by the use of German ranks vice their equivalents. There were other words that made the language sound foreign. I learned about some Jews were privileged and had a change not to be sent to the death camps. Also, the common use of methamphetamine, yes – crystal meth in a pill form, by German soldiers and civilians. It was called Pervitin. I knew of this before, but it added another layer of realism to the novel. Unfortunately, some signature British words are used that I just do not see any German using. Vulgar language is almost non-existent. Violence generally described after the fact, and the women were horrible mutilated, but not of these scenes were presented in a titillating manner. This last aspect plus the extreme racism places this novel clearly in the adult content category. Lastly, this novel was not an easy read; it took some effort but it was rewarding.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this novel even though it was not an easy read or quick read for me. All the loose ends were tied up by the end. I am looking forward to reading the next novel in the series if it is translated into English. Because of the few distractors, I rate this novel with four stars. It is well worth the read and I do recommend it.

I have received a free prepublication e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from St. Martin's Press/Thomas Dunne Books with an expectation for an honest, unbiased review. I wish to thank St. Martin's Press/Thomas Dunne Books for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

Germania by Herald Gilbers is a superb read! An engrossing read well worth the time spent and is a book of the year!

The author captured what daily life in Nazi Germany must have been like for the every day existence for Jews and those around them. Unlike other books based on WWII that focus on the absolute horrors committed, this one really focused on the mystery at hand, which was full of intrigue and twists, while submerging the investigation in the reality of living in WWII Nazi Germany and having your life thrown out of control in every way. Interesting character development for the Nazi's and Jews as well as those around them.

A unique twist on your typical murder mystery, Germania by Harland Gilbers had me wondering about the outcome until the very end.

What do you do when a serial killer seems to be choosing his victims from women with close ties to the Nazi SS and the Gestapo and best of the SS can’t seem to find the killer? Well, you ask Berlin’s leading homicide detective from before the war, Richard Oppenheimer, to help out. The catch? He’s Jewish and strictly forbidden by Nazi law to work the case. Should Richard help? Someone’s killing Nazi’s, should he care? But he can’t get the memory of another serial killer out of his head, so he agrees, and with his SS “babysitter” (my word), they continue the investigation.

No more spoilers, but suffice to say that this story kept me guessing what the outcome for Richard would be! Would they just let him walk away?

This was an exciting page turner. If you enjoy a good murder mystery this is for you. The added back story of Nazi Germany added extra depth to the characters for me as a huge historical fiction buff.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

There is a lot going on in this book. It takes place in Berlin, during May/June 1944, a serial killer is murdering women that he deems unworthy (prostitutes mostly), WW2 is raging and the guy the Nazi police call in to help is a former inspector who happens to be Jewish, Richard Oppenheimer. Richard is asked if will help, but he doesn’t really have a choice, although not stated, it’s either that or deported to a concentration camp. The only reason he is still in Berlin is because his wife is Aryan, so he has a preferred status. At this point in WW2 the Allies were bombing Berlin on a near nightly (even during the day) basis, sleep was difficult to say the least. The killer tortures the women before displaying their bodies in front of WW1 monuments. Richard is assigned to Captain Volger of the SS, who had been investigating to no avail on his own. Richard uses his vast knowledge of criminal investigations and makes headway, though at almost every turn he’s reminded he is a Jew, wearing Star of David does not help, at one point almost getting him hung by a gang of Hitler youths. The story does flow, but it is more of a meandering one that a quick flow. It is very enjoyable though and I was engaged in the storyline to the end. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the read.

Very unique spin on a serial killer. Set in WWII Nazi Germany. Nazis must work with a jewish detective as he is an expert. The research showed in the writing. Highly recommend. It has everything: historical fiction, serial killer, interesting characters.

This book was incredible. In Berlin during WWII a woman is found murdered and mutilated and a Jewish man, Richard, is pulled out of bed in the middle of the night and taken to the crime scene. Richard used to be part of the police force crimes unit until Jews were forbidden from working in public service. Now the SS is insisting that he help the solve this crime. Without many options and hoping to keep his wife safe, he agrees. It doesn't take long before he gets carried away by the experience of being back in the thick of things, especially after they realize that this isn't a single murder but a series of mass murders and mutilations being carried out on women in Berlin. Is it safe for a Jew to be helping the SS and will he be able to find the murderer before more women are tortured and killed?

Translated from its original German, this story is gripping. The translation is smooth and the writing is powerful. I had a hard time putting it down! There was very little superfluous information in the book, nor was there much downtime. I also didn't see any of the plot twists coming. I great read!

400 pages

3 stars

A good story with a unique premise.

It is 1944 Berlin and a “retired” Jewish detective is contacted by the Gestapo to solve a string of particularly horrible murders taking place in the capital. Women are being killed and left at Nazi monuments about the city. All of the murdered women have ties to the Nazi Party.

Richard and his non-Jewish wife Lisa live in the Jewish House, basically under house arrest and surveillance with several others who are in a similar situation.

Richard is beset by doubt. Why him? What does the Gestapo really want? What do they expect him to do? While fearful, he is glad to be working as a detective again.

This is a fairly well written and plotted novel. It didn't really grab me as I had hoped it would do. I enjoyed reading it however.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Thomas Dunne Books for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review.