I really enjoyed this novel set in Bavaria in 1936. The main protagonist, Sebastian Wolff, is a murder detective investigating the mysterious disappearance of a glamorous film star but there’s also the case of a murdered SS officer. All this has to be hushed up as the Winter Olympics are starting and the Nazis don’t want anything bad to spoil it.
Wolff is a great character and he’s assisted by his sergeant, Winter, who goes undercover in Dachau concentration camp. The scenes there were some of the most gruelling in the book and the author brilliantly conveys the horror of these camps, particularly the treatment of Jewish prisoners.
It’s a gripping read with lots of excitement and action but also a thoughtful main character who has no time for the Nazis.
Thanks to Viking Penguin and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Who do you trust when a stray word or action could mean a death sentence.

This is the second in a series, the first book being "Munich Wolf", which I do recommend reading before this one as it will give the reader move of an anchor for this second book. Both books are set in 1930s Germany, when the Third Reich was in the ascendant, war was not yet a reality, and the Olympic Games would be used by Hitler as an opportunity to promote his government and ideals of racial supremacy.

Into this cauldron of conspiracy, suspicion, corruption, paranoia, elitism and racism, is a solid police procedural wherein our main character, Sebastian Wolff is at odds with the party line, and his Sergeant, Hans Winter, has a secret that could end not only his career but his life.

Both men are sent to investigate the disappearance of film star Leila Lang, and are required to conduct their investigation without treading on the toes of the German aristocratic elite and the dreaded SS. Against this, the reader is confronted by the treatment and persecution of Jews, the support given to Hitler from elements of the British aristocracy, and the growing control over all levels of society that was beginning to be more forcefully exerted and enforced.

The narrative is full of " .. twists and turns as tight as the winding bend up to Schloss Stark ...".

This is a compelling work and one I would liken to by that of author Douglas Jackson, whose books are set in late 1930s Warsaw.

5*

Thoroughly enjoyed this Nazi era thriller. I had not read the first in this series and was slightly hesitant to begin with this in mind, however, the story and the characters and the setting pulled me in and I was gripped from first page to last. I will be going back to the first one after this

Highly recommend.

Second book featuring Munich head of detectives Seb Wolff. Set against the backdrop of the 1936 Winter Olympics, it sees Wolff try a difficult balancing act investigating two murders with the SS taking a keen interest. Full of atmosphere and intrigue, Rory Clements is onto another top notch series.
An author at the top of his game and this ranks as one of his best novels to date.

This reads like a noir, hard boiled detective and all. I enjoyed the setting but found the book felt a bit long, however I think I really would have enjoyed it had it been a movie!

A sequel to 'Munich Wolf' this is set in Bavaria at the time of the 1936 Winter Olympics, amongst the rich, famous, and also those usually in the background. A famous actress - who happens to also be Goebbels mistress - is working with a British film crew, and then goes missing. Members of the SS are found murdered. What is happening? Detective Sebastian Wolff has to lead the enquiry, which uncovers corruption at the highest level.

Again, Rory Clements has written an excellent page-turner, to be recommended to anyone who appreciates a good book. Highly recommended.

With many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for an ARC.

This is the second outing in Rory Clements’ new series featuring Sebastian Wolff, a detective in the Munich police department. Set between the first and second World Wars, Wolff has to tread carefully while investigating a murder and the disappearance of a famous film star during the Winter Olympics. But it is clear that he is not a man to be cowed in the face of threats from the likes of those in high office or their friends including the ubiquitous Bobo Mitford. Wolff is a likeable and intelligent investigator. I liked the development of his relationship with Sergeant Hans Winter, now on a much firmer footing and the way in which Wolff’s family life is seamlessly melded into the storyline as part and parcel of his daily life. The plot is detailed and satisfying, the historical detail of time and place immaculate as always. It is an exciting story with plenty of action and different threads that keep it interesting as Winter goes undercover in Dachau and Jurgen’s mother turns up out of the blue. The story telling has a light touch of humour here and there especially between Wolff and his girlfriend Hexie that contrasts well with some of the darker themes of life in Nazi Germany that are explored.
Although I have enjoyed the author’s Tom Wilde series, I much prefer Seb Wolff as a protaganist and look forward to the next in the series, hopefully without the presence of Miss Mitford.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

An excellent piece of historical fiction. Atmospheric, detailed and gripping this has it all. Really looking forward to seeing it published and hope that it becomes a series!

Evil in High Place" by Rory Clements was a real surprise discovery for me, terrific historical thriller, plausible plot, set during the winter Olympics 1936 in Nazi Germany, with a very likeable protagonist, detective Stefan Wolff. He is called in to investigate the disappearance of a famous actress, Elena Lang who is rumored to have an affair with Goebbels. With the Nazi's firmly in place, his clash with officials is almost a certainty as Wolff's politics are not the same and his investigation is to be kept quiet.  

At times I was reminded of Volker Kutscher's superb novels, whose books are all set during the Nazi period in Germany. Very much enjoyed this captivating, atmospheric thriller, portraying  what it is like to live and to investigate in a totalitarian country. Thanks for the proof Penguin, out in August!

Having read an earlier novel by this author I was keen to read his latest. I wasn’t disappointed; a thrilling read. Set in Nazi Germany during the 1936 Winter Olympics with Sebastian Wolff, the police murder detective taking the lead role investigating the murders of several people. Twists and turns as expected, but also held elements of the real world, like Unity Mitford and other prominent characters. Clements has produced another mystery thriller masterpiece with his straightforward writing style and just the right level of descriptive detail. This book can easily be read as a stand-alone but continues with the theme of historical fiction covering the lives and sufferings imposed by Hitler’s hard line for a pure Aryan race, which was evident before the outbreak of WW2.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for a review

A fantastic timely look into Nazi Germany pre-war, and the struggles of everyday men and women trying to survive - all the while murder, blackmail and sport rages around them.

This was a tense, well written story about disappearances, murders, stolen items, all while the backdrop of the 1936 winter Olympics happen around them.

It is a fantastic story, bittersweet in so many moments, downright horrific in others, as the abuse of power is played out again and again. I kept turning the pages, devouring this tale and will be hunting down the previous book to feature these characters.

Knowing what we all know of history, it hurts at times, to read about Seb Wolff, a man trying to do the right thing in impossible situations. He is not built for Nazi Germany and I shudder to imagine what will happen to him as the years go on. Or his partner, or his son, the loyal but misguided member of the Hitler Youth. Or Winter - well, I don't want to spoil Winter's arc, but I can't see any of them dealing well with what is to come.

But our past is their future and until then, enjoy these murky depths and glances at a world that is alien and yet all too familiar.

Another solid thriller from a master storyteller.

"Evil in High Places" opens in Munich, 1936. The Olympic games are about to begin, and nothing must happen to make Hitler look bad. So when famous actress Elena Lang disappears, Detective Sebastian Wolff is ordered to find her, quickly and quietly. As he embarks on his mission, he uncovers hidden secrets and hidden motives, something he knows all about in Nazi Germany. Soon he is up to his neck in murder and plots, all the while knowing that should he fail to keep the events quiet, he will be held responsible for spoiling Hitler's major event.

As with the previous book, events move along at a brisk pace, as Wolff attempts to do his job while working under the Nazi regime he despises.
He encounters a wonderful cast of characters, most of whom would rather he just went away. Familiar faces pop up - Unity Mitford, Detective Winter, and Hexie, his fiancé, all helping or hindering as they will, and we also learn a little more of Wolff's background, making his own story more poignant. New faces appear, few of whom are what they appear, including a vastly wealthy family and an arrogant film producer. We even meet a very Bond-esque hero I'd like to see more of. BPP officer Winter is also developing nicely, and his experiences in Dachau are very well depicted.

Once again the reader is exposed to the world of pre-war Germany - the decadence, the struggles for power, and the rising tide of Nazi-ism. On the one hand, there's the elite classes, riding high on Hitler's tails, on the other, the downtrodden and persecuted. The author skilfully combines real-life events with a story of a man torn between doing his job and doing what is right.

The Seb Wolff books are a different read from the Tom Wilde series, but still have the same fast-moving excitement. This book will appeal to fans of Simon Scarrow, Chris Lloyd and Douglas Jackson. Thoroughly recommended.

This is the second novel by Rory Clements featuring detective Seb Wolff and it is a corker with murder and intrigue at the highest levels of the Nazi party as they prepare to host the 1936 Winter Olympics.

Wolff is a good man who detests the Nazis and simply concentrates on doing what he does best - solve crimes which he does in a thorough and dedicated manner.

I enjoyed all the Tom Wilde books and this series definitely has legs as it was well plotted and historically very accurate.

Another wonderful author in Simon Scarrow is currently writing a series featuring a similar character - a conflicted policeman in Nazi Germany in Horst Schenke and these too are excellent books as they vie to replace the much missed Philip Kerr and his magnificent Bernie Gunther series of novels.

Like many others I miss the sardonic humour and cynicism of Bernie but this is an excellent book by Rory Clements and helps fill the gap.