Germania

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

As part of the Hitler ordered official vendetta against Jews, Gypsies and other selected groups as part of his campaign to create scapegoats to blame for Germany's economic woes a council working in the city of Neurenberg passed legislation taking away German citizenship from these peoples. The laws prohibited marriage between Germans and members of the selected groups. They could not serve in the military and were forced to leave jobs and businesses. The code passed was termed the Neurenberg laws and were the law of the land between 1935 and 1945 with Nazi expansion by war taking place to rectify the damage theoretically done by these groups.
Harald Gilbers adroitly takes us back into the height of the effects of these laws in a very compelling novel set in the period cited. The appearance of a serial killer in Berlin in 1944 brings up a conundrum for the police working in Berlin at this point. Certain factors point to the killer being a member of the Nazi party elite. Since no disparaging information could be issued about high level party members to avoid "misleading" the people the police were stymied in their pursuit of the killer.
A unique solution was forced on the police. They had to reactivate Richard Oppenheimer who had been a member of the Berlin detective squad. He had been forced to resign his post with the police.due to the fact that he was Jewish. He still lived-in Berlin due to his marriage to a woman who was ethically acceptable since she was a pure bred German. It also developed that Richard had been one of the leading detectives while active and could look for and possibly even neutralize the serial killer without having to bring up the individual's place in the Nazi party.
Mr. Gilbers is very adept in breathing life into the characters involved in his book. He is also extremely adept with a description of the method used by the killer in disposing of the women (all victims were females) It is not an easy task to read about the horrors visited upon the victims by the killer. I did understand the reason for this would probably be to allow the reader a better understanding of the degenerate behavior of an individual that is mentally not human. "Germania" is a unique novel in using a policy of discrimination against several groups by a leader who was undoubtedly insane running the show. It is also well written with a good plot. The book is certainly a good reason to start looking for Mr. Gilbers next book.

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

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.

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.

I did not know what to expect from a book with such a seemingly outlandish premise: Oppenheimer, a Jew and a former police inspector, is brought into a case of a particularly grisly murder that has not been solved and is now the responsibility of German officer Volger. The case evolves into a series of murders and the author takes us on a wild ride as Oppenheimer works through the mysteries under extraordinarily trying circumstances. There are twists and turns at every corner. But Gilbers does not offer merely an excellent murder-mystery. Instead, he enhances it with a dark portrayal of Berlin in 1944, when ordinary residents faced housing and food shortages, risked death during a series of air raids after D-Day, faced the cruelty of the SS, and so much more. Jews who had survived, primarily due to their non-Jewish spouses, faced further indignities and constant threat of deportation to concentration camps or immediate death at the whims of both the Gestapo and ordinary citizens. Gilbers delivers a hard-to-put-down thriller cum social portrait of the capital city of one of the cruelest regimes in modern history. Highly recommended.

Germania by Harald Gilbers is a gripping detective novel set during the 1940s in Nazi Germany. When the novel takes place, Richard Oppenheimer lives in a designated "Jewish House" and is surviving on bare scraps. His wife is a German but is excluded from her community and penalized because she married Jewish Oppenheimer. As for Oppenheimer, he had won the Iron Cross during World War I and had been a highly respected homicide detective but has been forced out of his job.

Oppenheimer wakes up in the middle of the night to find SS officer Volger in his bedroom. Volger takes Oppenheimer to a crime scene and requires Volger to assist in the homicide investigation.

Oppenheimer's situation and the dangers that he faces as a Jew in Nazi Germany are made apparent during the investigation. Even as Oppenheimer is granted privileges in order that he can investigate unimpeded, he is aware of precarious position. I was drawn into the story almost immediately. Gilbers created a sympathetic character who faces terrifying odds and repeatedly proves his character and skill. Germania is a detective mystery with an unusual premise told by a talented storyteller.

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

In 1944, a sadistic serial killer stalks the streets of war-weary, bombed-out Berlin. With some evidence that the perpetrator may be a member of the Nazi party, the investigation stalls, forcing an unexpected solution.

Reactivating a former Jewish member of the Berlin police [removed from public service following Hitler’s rise to power], the Gestapo tasks homicide detective Richard Oppenheimer with finding the brutal murderer targeting women who are somehow connected to the Nazi party. Oppenheimer, who was an expert within the Berlin murder squad, finds himself partnered with Schutzstaffel Hauptsturmführer Vogler.

As much as Oppenheimer comes to appreciate being involved in an investigation once again, he realizes that he is in the midst of a dangerous and deadly game. Can he find the culprit and keep himself and his wife, Lisa safe? Or will he sacrifice everything?

Stalwart, well-developed characters and a strong sense of place anchor this compelling murder mystery. Told primarily from Oppenheimer’s point of view, the unfolding story surprises readers with unexpected plot twists and turns. Although there are violent elements, readers become aware of them only in their aftermath and, from the outset, the story pulls readers into the telling of the tale.

Throughout the story, there’s an underlying sense of foreboding that is all but impossible to ignore as it permeates every page in this gripping narrative. With readers placed in Oppenheimer’s shoes, so to speak, they feel all of the dread and unsettledness that surely affected everyone living under the Nazi regime during the Second World War.

Readers will find much to appreciate in this intriguing mystery/social commentary/historical saga.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press / Thomas Dunne Books and NetGalley
#Germania #NetGalley

It is June, 1944. Richard Oppenheimer, once a successful homicide detective inspector with the Berlin Kriminalpolizei, was forced off because he is Jewish. He has not been deported “to the east,” though, because he is married to a so-called Aryan, Lisa. Along with others in mixed marriages, they live a hand-to-mouth life in a Jewish House apartment building.

Out of the blue, Oppenheimer is told to join an SS officer, Vogler, to investigate a series of brutal murders of women. It’s a shock to his system, being able to be out and about in Berlin and working with the powerful. He sees the rapacious acquisitiveness of the Nazi elite, the foreign workers doing much of the labor and, most of all, the transformation wreaked on the city in these waning months of the war. The city is bombarded daily, turning it into a landscape of ruins, smoke and death. There are rumors of the D-Day invasion, and Germans seem to know that the Third Reich will fall far short of its promised thousand years.

In this bizarre time and place, a serial killer must be stopped, to protect public morale. Oppenheimer’s methods are classic police procedural stuff. As in many serial killer novels, we have some passages from the point of view of the killer. They’re not nearly as interesting as Oppenheimer’s story, but fortunately they take up only a small proportion of the book.

Harald Gilbert is a German writer of WW2 history, and this is a translation of his (first?) novel. The translation is good, though not always entirely smooth.

There is one thing that puzzled me about this book. A couple of times while he’s out on his new official duties, Oppenheimer runs into people who know him and know that he’s Jewish. When they ask how he can be working as a detective (or anything, for that matter) in Nazi Berlin, he tells them he converted. This doesn’t make sense, since Nazis considered Jewishness to be an immutable racial category, not merely a religious faith. And Harald Gilbert, as a historian of the period, must surely know that.

I can’t help assessing any novel about homicide in the Nazi era to the Bernie Gunther series by the late Philipp Kerr. Does this book meet that standard? No, it’s not quite as good at painting an entire world, rich with historic context, and Oppenheimer is, unsurprisingly, not the wisecracking gumshoe that Bernie Gunther is. Still, this is a vivid story, well told, and if Harald Gilbert has more crime fiction to offer, I will happily read it.

Berlin 1944: a serial killer stalks the bombed-out capital of the Reich, preying on women and laying their mutilated bodies in front of war memorials. All of the victims are linked to the Nazi party. But according to one eyewitness account, the perpetrator is not an opponent of Hitler's regime, but rather a loyal Nazi.

Jewish detective Richard Oppenheimer, once a successful investigator for the Berlin police, is reactivated by the Gestapo and forced onto the case. Oppenheimer is not just concerned with catching the killer and helping others survive, but also his own survival. Worst of all, solving this case is what will certainly put him in the most jeopardy. With no other choice but to futher his investigation, he feverishly searches for answers, and a way out of this dangerous game.

Harald Gilbers has given us an enthralling look into Berlin in the middle of the war, and the lives of ordinary people trying to survive the bombings and the capricious orders of their leaders. Germania is an engrossing murder mystery, but at its heart, it it so much more. Highly recommended.

This book was originally written in German and published there in 2013. This edition is a translation by Alexandra Roesch and is a new publication. It takes place in Berlin in May and June, 1944, when D-day occurs and WWll is turning around. Oppenheimer is a former police inspector and a Jew. Because of this he is now working in a factory cleaning up and he and his wife live in the Jewish House. One morning when he is leaving home for work he is picked up by the Secret Police and taken to a crime scene where he meets Vogler, a Nazi Storm Trooper who has been placed in charge of the case. Vogler makes Oppenheimer part of his team. The victim is a young woman who has been brutally murdered. I won’t go further into the plot because of spoilers but will say that the interactions between Oppenheimer, an experienced Police Officer and a Jew, and Vogler, a Nazi and an enabler, are remarkably well done. The author literally takes his readers back to the Berlin of 1944 and captures the essence of the times. He does the same with the descriptions of the non-Nazi German people who apparently recognized the Third Reich was coming to an end. The characters are all as well developed as people living in the circumstances of the times and their interactions could be. The plot well done. Thanks to Net Galley and Thomas Dunne Books for an ARC for an honest review.

Bleak. And, oddly, both enlightening and engrossing: Those are my reactions after reading this book. It was not, at least to me, an easy book to read. First of all, my coming of age happened on the lower cusp of the "Make Love, Not War" generation; I don't like the thought of war, much less reading about one. As for World War II, near the end of which this story is set, my earliest recollections, somewhere around age 4, is hiding with my mother while my father - an air raid warden in our small Indiana town - hit the streets to make sure all the residents had their lights turned off (in later years, though, I did wonder whatever possessed my mother to think we'd be safe hunkered down in an upstairs bedroom - but that's a story for another day).

At any rate, I've for the most part steered clear of reading books or watching movies about wars. But because this one is a murder mystery/thriller and offered to me from the publisher, I put aside my doubts and dug in. And in the end, it won me over, triggering emotions from hope to sadness to fear and giving me a unique glimpse into what it must have been like to live in war-torn Berlin in mid-1944. Honestly, I can't imagine hell being much worse.

The story centers around former Detective Richard Oppenheimer, who, as Jew, has been relieved of duty under Nazi Germany rules. He's spared a worse fate, at least for the time being, because he's married to an Aryan woman named Lisa. They live in not much more than a hovel, which at any moment could be reduced to rubble by one of the frequent Allied air strikes. But then, his life takes a different turn: The Gestapo, it seems, need his expertise to help solve the gruesome murder of a woman whose mutilated body was laid out in front of a war memorial. He's reluctant to get involved - especially to help the people he sees as the enemy - but he also sees little choice. Soon, another body turns up in similar fashion - and now the search is for what is presumed to be a serial killer.

As he tries to skirt the uncertainties of interacting with a Gestapo supervisor (including such details as to when, or whether, he should keep the Star of David sewn onto his overcoat lapel as is normally required of him as a Jew), he becomes fascinated by the case. But many obstacles fall into his path, not the least of which is dodging the damage from incoming artillery. As all this unfolds and he's eager to nail the murderer, he tries to maintain his secret relationships with his anti-Nazi friends and keep up his hopes that he and his wife can escape to a safe country instead of being banished to a concentration camp - perhaps after the case is solved and he is no longer needed.

In between the action are extensive descriptions of what it was like to live in a war-torn city and the workings of the Nazi regime. It was to me a bit of a difficult read because scenes shift within the chapters with no warning; I lost count of the times I had to back up because I suddenly realized I was reading about an entirely different character in an entirely different setting. Still, it was overall a well-thought out, intriguing story I'm glad I took the time to read. Thanks very much to the publisher, via NetGalley, for offering a pre-release copy. Definitely worth reading!

Nazi Germany 1944, Bombs Falling Day And Night, A Serial Killer Stalks Women

Horrendous murders, women tortured and mutilated, bodies left posed in front of war memorials. The SS has been investigating but has been unable to find the killer. Richard Oppenheimer, a Jew, was an investigator for the Berlin police before being removed and forbidden to work in public service. He survives only because he is married to an Aryan woman. When the Gestapo awakens Richard in the middle of the night he is suddenly forced into helping SS Captain Volger find the killer.

This novel has been translated from the original German, the author capturing the essence of the war-torn period. He adroitly describes the feelings of depression, fear, anxiety, and despair felt by the Jewish people who remain in Berlin. It also reveals a strained relationship between a German SS officer and a talented Jewish detective, each adhering to the chasm required while silently admiring the others skills. So much more than a war story or a murder mystery, this novel draws the reader into the delicate balance between people forced to live in circumstances beyond their control. I hope more of Harald Gilbers novels are translated into English for us.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC for my enjoyment and review.

First off I want to say huge thank you to the publisher Thomas Dunne Books-St. Martin's Press ,the author Harald Gilbers and to NetGalley for inviting me to read and review it. As soon as I saw the email from St.Martin's , I knew that I was going to read it and that I might actually like it , because of two things , 1 for those that don't know me I love reading historical fiction, 2 I love reading about WW 2 or events that took place doing that time ,3 thrillers are one if not my all time favorite genre and when you combined those three things then you have a winner and will definitely have my attention. And this had all of those things because its a historical fiction thriller that takes place doing WW 2.Not only that but the author was able to bring that time period to life as well as the character, he has a way of making you feel what his characters are going though and seen them come to life.

I don't often find myself drawn to books about WWII and Nazi Germany; however, I was intrigued by the idea of a serial killer mutilating women, in Berlin, in 1944. As is often the case, I find reading historical fiction to be easier to digest than a text book, and usually more enlightening overall.

Today we think of Germany as having no Jews anywhere but in concentration camps or ghettos. Since I don't read much about this time period, I sincerely hope that there were Jewish people living in Berlin as late as 1944. Gilbers places Oppenheimer and his wife (who is not Jewish) in a designated "Jewish House" where they have a dwindling number of neighbors.

Gilbers has taken a bold step in making the detective investigating the case a Jew. Richard Oppenheimer was a detective inspector until forced out of that position because of who he was. At the time of his removal, he had been honored because he had solved a case very similar to the one he finds himself investigating at the behest of SS Hauptsturmführer Vogler. Some of the German titles are a bit daunting, but if you break them down into syllables, they are easier to read (i.e., Haupt sturm führer).

Without going into spoiler details, there is a scene involving Oppenheimer and a gang of Hitler youth that will put ice water in your veins. It made me think of where some of the youth today are headed under the tutelage of today's nationalistic propaganda machines.

GERMANIA is the first in a series of German language novels about Oppenheimer (published in 2013). As I was reading, I thought perhaps the author was British given some of the words and phrases used. I now think that it must have been translated into the Queen's English. (This is merely an observation and is in no way meant as a criticism.) I always feel strange saying that I 'enjoyed' reading a novel about a serial killer, but I did enjoy reading this one. Should the subsequent books in the series be translated into English, I will surely read them.

Thanks to the publisher, author and Netgalley for this ARC for a review.
I fully enjoyed this taut, tense thriller/mystery. Excellent characters and descriptions, and a fine, complex plot full of tension and danger. Highly recommended.

The Nazis forced Jewish detective Richard Oppenheimer from his post. But in 1944, the Gestapo knocks on his door to offer their protection in exchange for his help catching a serial killer. As Oppenheimer gets deeper into the investigation, more women are killed, and he has to question if they will ever catch the culprit.

Germany loves their crime novels, and the unusual premise made me excited to pick up this book. Oppenheimer is a great protagonist - his thought process is well documented in the book, and I liked his snarky attitude when dealing with the Nazis. The historical fiction side of the story is strong as well - Gilbers shows a side of Berlin that I hadn't seen before, including the Jewish House, where some Jews married to Aryans lived. He also realistically depicts the destruction of Berlin by Allied bombing towards the end of the war. The story meanders a bit, but I enjoyed the setting, unusual circumstances, and puzzling crime Gilbers assembled here, and I look forward to reading other novels by him.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Germania by Harald Gilbers A unique premise and interesting blend of historical and crime novel . Full of espionage, covert operations, well developed characters, a serial killer, and investigative procedures, the story is set against the backdrop of nights of the bombing and ending days of the third empire. The living conditions of the citizens of Berlin during the last year of the war are vividly described. Not a light read, at times slow moving however spine chilling moments keep the reader engrossed.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

It took me a little while to get into this book, and I am so glad I stuck with it. The criminal element never sleeps and so we are presented with a novel about a serial killer in Nazi Germany during the Second World War. The Nazis are intent on keeping the news of this serial killer secret because it appears to involve members of the Nazi High Command. Unable to solve the mystery themselves, they enlist a man who was once a highly successful German police investigator, but who has since been stripped of his position and is no longer allowed to work with the authorities because he is a Jew. Saved from being sent to the labor camps because he is married to an Aryan, he, nevertheless, lives in a Jewish House and suffers all the indignities afforded the Jewish people during the Nazi regime. Balancing his innate desire to solve the crime with the opportunity to flee Hitler’s Germany when its presented, this novel is well written and gives the reader a different perspective of Nazi Germany.

Review
Germania
Harald Gilbers

reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads



,Rejoice fans of Philip Kerr and Alan Furst, a new voice has reached our shores. Germania was published in Germany in 2013 to great acclaim, and garnered the prestigious Glauser Prize for Best Debut Crime novel. Finally, an excellent English translation is available for our reading pleasure.

A cinematic noir thriller is woven through the bombed-out streets of war-torn Berlin in the waning years of 1944 Nazi Germany. SS Hauptsturmfuhrer Vogler has unsuccessfully chased a serial killer for three months. In desperation, he enlists—or rather coerces—Richard Oppenheimer to act as an advisor in his unsuccessful endeavor. Oppenheimer was one of the best investigators in the crime squad before he was removed from public service, because of his odious crime of being “a Jew.” He had successfully investigated and brought to justice three of the most heinous serial killers in German history: Friedrich “Fritz” Haarmann the “Butcher of Hannover,” Peter Kurten the Vampire of Dusseldorf, and Karl Grossman the killer of prostitutes and homeless women. It was Oppenheimer’s involvement in this last one—the killer, monster, madman investigation—that brought his name to the attention of Vogler.

Oppenheimer has no choice and certainly cannot not turn down Vogler’s request. He’s already living in the “Jew House” with his Aryan wife, and slinks around the streets marked by a yellow star, avoiding eye contact with passersby. By joining the case, Oppenheimer hopes to avoid his “evacuation,” an official term used by the National Socialists and euphemism for being shipped off to a concentration camp.

Inspector Oppenheimer quickly, reflexively, takes on the familiar role of hunter. At the multiple murder sites he finds a young women, strangled and displayed in a somewhat sacrificial manner on top of a World War I memorial with her legs splayed open, revealing a horrendous mutilation of her genitals. With further exploration the victims have had long steel nails driven into both ear canals, which were embedded into the brain.

Gilbers weaves together a complex and convoluted narrative that culminates in multiple unexpected reveals. His cinematic and atmospheric tale obviously pays homage to the great noir films of Fritz Lang. Like any good historical novel, this story is populated by the main players of the time: Hitler, Goebbels, Speer, and Goring, though they are only present tangentially. The main focus are the protagonists of Oppenheimer, Vogler, and the murderer. And, lastly perhaps, the German people.

The bottom line: An excellent translation to a deeply engaging historical noir. All the markings of a classic.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Dunne Books / St. Martin’s Press for supplying an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review. This tale measures right up there with the best of Philip Kerr’s beloved “Bernie Gunther” series. I look forward to English translations of Gillber’s four other “Oppenheimer” novels.

For me, having a historical background enables the author to spend more time with action, plot and characters and 'Germania' did a good job with this. Oppenheimer was torn between his personal responsibilities and what he was professionally successful at-at times conflicted between the two. I have to admit, 'Germania" is one of the few books where I don't figure out the ending until it happens. Good job by Harald Gilbers!
Enjoyable tale!

I have to say the World War Two context here doesn't normally appeal to me, but this was such a beautifully told story and such a wonderfully written book that I loved it despite that. I'll certainly recommend it in various places online and in my next newsletter. It's a novel that deserves to be widely read.

Thank you for providing me with an ARC. It made my week.

This book was rather unsettling in the basic fact that here was this Jewish detective that had been removed from his job for being Jewish, in Nazi Germany, near the end of WWII, being asked to investigate a serial murderer while bombs are falling around them and Jews are being exterminated. I've read books set during the war but in other countries and it wasn't as odd. The combination of the almost nightly bombings and the situation of a Jew helping the Nazis made for a very surreal read. I did really enjoy getting to know Oppenheimer and seeing his relationship to the world and people around him. The level of gore wasn't quite up to what I expected, assuming this would be similar to Scandinavian noir, but that isn't a complaint, just an observation. I do wonder how this continues as a series but couldn't find book descriptions for the next one in English. But, I'll be waiting for the translation!

I love books set in this time and this was an engaging and engrossing read for me. I am grateful for the opportunity to read this and know of this author. I’m looking forward to more! Thank you.

World War II is drawing to a close, but in 1944 Berlin tensions are still running high. In fact, the German high command may be acting even more forcefully because suddenly the outcome may not favor them. Worse, a serial killer is on the loose. His methods are ritualistic and grotesque. His victims are young women, who may or may not be somehow connected to one of their own.

In spite of their reach, methods and resources, the Gestapo is not making headway in solving the case. Pressure is building upon them to come to a solution that stops the murders and resolves the case while not ruffling any political feathers. Who better to assist them if things go wrong – Richard Oppenheimer, a former Jewish detective still surviving within the city. He cannot say “no” to the Gestapo, and his resolve and professionalism resurfaces to further draw him in.

Gilbers strength in this book is the detail given to the city of Berlin, its architecture, parks, streets and wartime environment. He is also quite thorough in building a police procedural with twists that may solve the case and still bring doom to Oppenheimer. Gilbers’ weaknesses are the slow pacing of the story, chapters take sudden leaps in narrative and location, and the necessity to suspend belief about Oppenheimer’s personal brand of intuitiveness and naiveté.

Readers who enjoy a period procedural that dwells in meticulously setting the stage, may enjoy this title. More ponderous, more descriptive and more gruesome, Richard Oppenheimer’s methods require the reader to constantly reconsider his theories. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this title.

"...has the Jew got any authority?... Oppenheimer thought that it would be a difficult investigation if every person he talked to first had to question his status as an external advisor."

The above is one of many problems in plaguing Jewish Detective Richard Oppenheimer as he hunts a serial killer in Berlin during World War II. Germania by Harald Gilbers, translated by Alexandria Roesch, is a heart stopping murder thriller wrapped in a gut wrenching historical fiction war novel.

From the very first page of chapter one where Oppenheimer wakes up in the middle of the night in darkness and senses, rather than sees, a stranger in his bedroom staring at
him and his wife, we are taken on a wild ride filled with tension, fear, anger, and twisty surprises and I loved every minute of it.

Our detective earned a reputation for solving the unsolvable but as a Jew in Nazi Germany he could no longer work. This Nazi rule is overturned when police cannot figure out who is killing women and leaving their mutilated bodies by war memorials.

Oppenheimer has several dilemmas. Once he solves the case he will most likely be sent to a concentration camp. If he doesn't solve it he will most likely be killed. His resistance friends want him to spy on his Gestapo handlers and by the way, there is a freaking war going on and Berlin is being pummeled by the Allies everyday with bombs. I can't even get into his conflicting psyche over wanting the Allies to win and feeling unpatriotic toward his home.

This writer put me in the middle of the action, the emotions and the consequences not only of the war from Berlin's side of it but of the insane reasoning of a tormented serial killer.
Perfect reading for a lover of murder mystery thrillers, historical fiction and war novels.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Police procedural with a twist: serial murder investigation in the middle of Berlin in WWII

The set-up: a Jewish former detective, Richard Oppenheimer, is asked by the SS to find a serial killer in Berlin in 1944. At first I was puzzled as to how a German Jew could still be alive in Berlin in 1944 but as I read on, the author made it clear that this was due to Oppenheimer being married to a non-Jew and that a number of Jews, after a protest by a lot of non-Jewish wives, had been spared, at least from being sent away to concentration camps.

This is a very unusual World War II story, in that it describes police detective work, but set in the middle of a city under bombardment and ordinary people trying to survive under extreme circumstances. Definitely not your typical WWII setting!

Germania was published in German in 2013 but is only now being made available to English-language readers. Translated from the German by Alexandra Roesch, the writing flows beautifully, with crisp descriptions of the bombed out city and the countryside. Harald Gilbers has written more books featuring Oppenheimer. I hope these will also be translated for English-language readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Thomas Dunne Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is an interesting novel that reads with ease. It takes place in Berlin, during the Summer of 1944, where there’s a serial killer murdering women that he deems unworthy and mutilating them. When former inspector Oppenheimer is approached by the SS to assist in a sensitive investigation, he's wary to accept the request and feels he has no other choice but to do as told. As a Jewish man living in war-torn Nazi Berlin, there's no safe way to investigate without putting his life in danger.

An exceptional tale. Oppenheimer is a Jewish investigator living in Berlin during the time of Hitler. The story details his day to day life as he becomes involved in an investigation of a serial killer. It is eerie to watch him do this investigation while his life is also at stake everyday from the very people he is being forced to work with. The challenges he faces with his Arian wife as they struggle to survive in a world that wants to divide them is palpable. The author shows the deep struggles between good and evil that each of the characters faces without ever seeming to come to any conclusion.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for inviting me to read this copy.

It's 1944 in Berlin and as if the war wasn't enough, a serial killer is preying on women and placing their mutilated bodies in front of war monuments. The victims are all linked to members of the Nazi party, and contrary to what one might think, the perpetrator might very well be a loyal Nazi also.

To solve the case, the Gestapo reinstates former Jewish police investigator, Richard Oppenheimer. But the case is fraught with danger. For as he helps to secure the survival of others, his own life is put on the line.

A dark thriller, this is a great read for mystery fans and those who like WWII fiction. Author Harald Gilbers paints a realistic backdrop of life in Germany as the events during the latter part of the war unfold. It's complex and heavy--don't expect a light, fast-paced thriller here; this one has some meat on its bones.

The only downside was that it read like many translations do--the writing didn't seem to flow that cleanly but felt a little forced at times.

I was invited to read "Germania" by Harald Gibers. While the description wasn't really the type of book I usually read, I couldn't NOT read it because it is nearly impossible for me to say "no" to a reading invite ;).
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. Just when I think that I am done reading about Nazi Germany, something refreshing like "Germania" is added to my reading list.

Translated from German, "Germania" is a historical-fiction police thriller. It is 1944 and former police investigator Richard Oppenheimer has been called on a case. As a Jew, he must do whatever the SS tells him to do- in this case, solve a crime-- Oppenheimer is happy to work the case, even though the threat of being sent to a camp or killed is not far from his mind.

Of course, reading a story about Jewish people set in Nazi Germany is sad and horrible. Also horrible: the mutilation of the victims in the story.

There were so many moments in this book that I turned to Wikipedia to gain a better understanding of the history. "Germania" did a great job weaving a fictional police thriller into a time period piece. The ending concluded the mystery, but was very abrupt. (Like the ending of this review, haha)

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. "Germania" was released on December 1st- it's ready to read everyone! :)

This historical crime novel takes place in war torn Berlin in 1944. A serial killer is killing women, placing their mutilated bodies in front of war memorials. The main character is Richard Oppenheimer, a Jew who was once a highly thought of investigator with the Berlin police. He is enlisted to help catch the killer while fearing for his own safety.

Gilbers gives us some insight into what it was like being a Jew in Nazi Germany. Oppenheimer's wife was not a Jew so he escaped early exile. He is under pressure because the murders must be solved but the investigation must be kept quiet. The Nazi regime did not want to admit there could be a murderer in the ethnically cleansed society. There was pressure to identify the killer as a Jew.

I enjoyed the investigative process. It first appears the murders are random but Oppenheimer finds relationships the victims had to Nazi officials. He has to avoid Allied bombing as he pursues leads. He has to walk the fine line of finding the truth while not alienating those who could send him to a deadly future.

Gilbers' writing style is clear and informative. I felt there was a good balance between the investigation and the character development of Oppenheimer. I was disappointed in the ending but other than that, an enjoyable crime novel with an interesting historical setting.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Special thanks to St. Martin's Press Thomas Dunne Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this heart pounding mystery, thrillers intertwined with historical fiction in the time of World War Ii, my favorite war because my father was a war hero. In this thrilling book, a Jewish detective is hunting a serial killer who is leaving his mutilated victims on war memorials. But in trying to solve the case, Oppenheimer is putting himself in danger himself.

GERMANIA goes on sale this week! I highly recommend it! Bravo to author Harald Gilbers!

Do you like stories about WWII? How about murder mystery/thrillers? Maybe throw in a serial killer just to make it the perfect trifecta! If has caught your attention then you really do need to grab this very book and get reading. You won’t be sorry!

4/5 stars

<b>Germania</b> is set in Berlin 1944 at the height of the Nazi reign, written in the perspective of a former detective, Richard Oppenheimer, a Jewish man. As a man of Jewish faith, during this time period, Oppenheimer's life is ruled by uncertainty and fear of what could come to himself, despite his marriage to his Aryan wife, providing a tenuous protection. One night an SD man comes to his door, in the Jewish House, and takes him away - Oppenheimer is certain his luck has run out. Alas, this is not so, as the SS has a particular use for him as an investigator. There is a serial killer running amok in Berlin, preying on women and placing their mutilated bodies before war memorials from WWI. All of the victims are linked to the NS party, and they want this kept secret from the public.

So what did I love about this book? I loved the mystery. The plot was captivating, the mystery well written, leaving the perpetrator unknown until close to the end. The main characters were interesting, adequately developed, and all side-line characters were relevant to the story line.

What made this book different for me than any other typical mystery? Hands down, the historical references. A time period that I've always found interesting to learn about and attempt to dissect in order to have a better understanding of the tragedies that occurred is WWII. I really enjoyed the setting of the story during the tail-end of WWII, and the resulting impact of the air-raids and bombings on a serial murder investigation.

What turned me off about this book or made it harder for me to follow along with the story? I preface this by saying, that initially I found it difficult, but as the story progressed I came to appreciate it more as I felt it developed a certain level of authenticity to the story. The titles of SS men that were either left untranslated from German, or were purposely left. I had trouble deciphering what these titles were and the resulting hierarchy of ranks. I am fairly confident that a quick Google search would have probably clarified my initial confusion, but I don't necessarily read a work of fiction to find myself searching across the internet for more clarity. Additionally, another slight irk for me was the changing of perspectives a few times, to that of the killer's perspective. I was left, initially, quite taken aback because there was no separation between Oppenheimer's perspective and that of the killer. A minor issue, but something that I feel the need to mention, nevertheless.

All in all, I very much enjoyed the opportunity to read this novel. I found Gilbers writing to be very enjoyable, particularly because it allowed me to dive into the perspective of a Jew in Berlin, Germany during the Third Reich and the implications of day to day life as such. I would definitely be interested in reading more of his works!

<i>I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! I will also be posting my review to Amazon Canada upon publishing.</i>

I liked this book. There was plenty of action and tension throughout. I'm looking forward to more from this author.

There is a serial killer of women in Berlin. One of the Nazi's comes after Oppenheimer. He used to be a cop in the Berlin police department and had a good record. Now they want him to find the killer...

Thomas Dunne Books and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It has beeen published and you can get a copy now.

This is a fascinating story. Richard is happy to help them find the killer, but he's a Jew and he has to be careful. He's only alive because he married a woman that was not Jewish. The man he's working with protects him as well as he can.

The women are mutilated and as it goes on, the killer is cutting their arms off and taking them with him.

Richard works hard on the case and comes up with a suspect. It's hard to do your job when you are constantly being bombed.

The first man they brought in is not the killer but the Nazi's get a confession out of him through torture and then they kill him.

Richard is still going after the real killer. The man had killed before and was in jail but when Hitler took over, he pardoned him. He's very elusive.

Richard has to worry about his wife, too. He's leaving her alone while he hunts and it's dangerous in Berlin.

You get an upclose look at the Nazi's. Someone else's life means nothing to them.

Richard finds the killer but the killer isn't going down easy. The man he's working with has been given orders to kill him once the case is closed. Will the Nazi do it?

Germania is an interesting novel about a Jewish police detective, no longer eligible to work for the Berlin police, but called into service by the Nazis. As a historical novel, it felt real. The author does a good job of maintaining the excitement of the hunt. I did get a feeling of Bernie Gunther as the late author Philip Kerr created a detective story similar to Germania. All said, there is a drawback to the novel. The book makes no distinction as it shifts scenes and characters. You think you are continuing to read a scenario only to realize that the author is somewhere else.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

In the waning weeks of the second world war, a Jewish homicide detective is conscripted into helping the German authorities when the sexually mutilated body of an unidentified woman turns up in front of a memorial to the victims of a previous war. Former police inspector Richard Oppenheimer, a lifelong resident of Berlin, has managed this far to escape the fate of many other Jews, but as the threat to the few of his co-religionists remaining in the city grows more site, his only hope of survival rests with the young Nazi officer who recruited him. As evidence begins to mount that a serial killer is on the loose and that a high ranking Gestapo officer may be involved, Oppenheimer realizes that solving the crime may spell the end of his own life, but his need to pursue the case no matter where it leads wars with his own survival instincts.
A well written procedural with an excellent portrayal of a nation on the brink of self-destruction, and a sympathetic and multidimensional protagonist.

I had a hard time on how to rate and review this book
It’s about a week since I finished the book and I finally getting around to formulating my thoughts.
I first list the negative aspects.
Reading this book it felt like the author was putting down his vision of the story as they appeared in his head without trying to organize them so there be a smoother flow of the story line for the reader.
Too often I found myself confused and flipping back a page to see if I missed one. I notice that this has become a bit of a trend lately but at least most of the time they try to kind of put up a chapter heading that gives you a clue. Maybe the book read better in the original German langue. If I went this feeling alone I would have given it a three star.
Now for the positive, this story is a bit unique. Most books deal with the horror in the concentration camp. Live in the Ghettos, survival by hiding and the inhuman transportation of the Jews from various part of Europe.
Here we learn about the German Jews that had a non-Jewish German partner. The wife would be given a choice, divorce which pretty much meant a dead sentence for the husband. If they decided to stick with their spouse they had go live with their husband in a designated area but at least most of the time it stopped the husband from been send to a dead camp. If the wife left or died then the husband lost this thin line of protection.
In the story our Jewish man was a former detective, so a man with a good job and authority. He also was a soldier for the German Reich during World War I. His fairly comfortable life changed with the rise of the Nazi regime. At the time of story he is resigned to his new status expecting any time to be arrested and send to a concentration camp. It becomes clear when a Gestapo enters his home at night and orders him to follow. He automatically picks up his little suitcase expecting never to go home again.
Fate places him in a kind of partnership (if you can call it that) with a Gestapo officer. Distrust of each other from both sides they do develop respect for the other person and manage to work together.
Learning about the situation of the Jew and the Gestapo officer it is hard to determine who is worse off.
The ending gave our detective back some of his dignity by giving him control on how he was going to die and not at the hands of the Gestapo been tortured to dead.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
A Jewish former police inspector is asked for help in solving a serial murder case.
Interesting plot and characters that suffers a bit from translation problems. Worth a read.

I received a free copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.

While the concept of this novel was one I was looking forward to reading, I found myself wanting it to “get on with it.” It was a little slow for me, but still a very interesting book. I loved Detective Oppenheimer, enjoyed the interaction between him and his wife, and enjoyed the description of his life in Nazi Germany.

The Nazi officer who sought his help in solving a top-secret murder committed by a serial killer was interesting in that he was willing to work with a Jew, but definitely had his own future in mind. He needed help. He sought out the best man with the ability to solve the mystery but couldn’t care less about that man’s future. The question was, how would these two men work together. Both men have reasons for wanting to solve the mystery, each man fears for his future, and each man has no trust in the other. Can they work together and successfully solve this heinous crime?

That’s the truly interesting concept of this book. I recommend this book to all lovers of mystery and human psychology.

I LOVED the perspective that we got in this book. With the rich characters, it felt as if the author had actually lived during WWII. As a former history major, I really appreciated that, and the writing was so crisp that it kept me flipping pages. Even though this is a longer book, it flew by. Thank you for the chance to read it!

An excellent police procedural set in Nazi Germany toward the end of WWII. Richard Oppenheimer is a Jewish detective fired from the police for his ethnicity. He is recruited from the Jewish House by Vogler, a senior Nazi official, to assist in the search for a serial killer, As the story progresses the interactions between Oppenheimer and his wife, his friends and neighbors, and Vogler provide much insight as the killer becomes more irrational and continues his torture and killing of women. The writing is clear and easy to read. The suspense grows through the story as Oppenheimer gets closer to the killer, but steps on a few toes. The environment in Berlin comes through well in the narrative. I enjoyed both the story and the milieu.

I was invited to read this novel and although it’s not my typical detective genre, I dug in as it involved a serial killer in Berlin against the backdrop of the war torn city where the female victims, linked to the nazi party are positioned against war memorials. It’s a blend of spy thriller/police procedural/and almost documentarian style. It’s very good, vert complicated, rather difficult to remember all the characters names but the characters are well developed . I’m glad I moved out of my normal reading zone. I’m better for it.

At the close of WWII, a serial murderer is loose in Berlin. A Jewish detective inspector, banned from the police force, is forced to investigate the crimes. The narrative was a chilling look at war-torn Berlin and the harrowing lives of Jewish and Jewish-associated citizens.

Although this story is grim in many aspects, the tale was brilliantly told, evocatively setting the atmosphere of life at the end of the war for the common citizenry. Gilbers wrote not only from the perspective of a murder investigation, but also portrayed the daily lives of a people under siege. The mystery itself was cleverly orchestrated, despite having a less-than-fully realised resolution. The novel has a moderate amount of suspense without descending into a Stephen King level of horror. The book was an excellently produced English-language translation of a story originally published in German.

Quite a different take on historical fiction/mystery. Germania is a murder mystery set in Berlin in 1944. When a woman's mutilated body is found in front of a war memorial, a former Jewish detective with the Berlin police, Richard Oppenheimer, is forced into helping the Nazis track down the killer. The dead woman has connections to members of the SS. Oppenheimer has no other choice but to help track down not just a murderer, but a serial killer.

Germania is quite a compelling novel with interesting characters. This is a must-read for fans of historical mysteries and police procedurals. It is unique, well-written, and is hard to put down.

The story itself is pedestrian and if you read alternate history, it will seem redundant, but its is especially important in that it is written by a German. Much of the book is spent explaining who many of those involved in the causing of WW2 and of the 'Holocaust'. Well worth reading

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the read of Harald Gilbers, Germania.

1944, Berlin.

Richard Oppenheimer and his wife have been lucky to survive the Nazi brutalities against the Jewish people. With rumors of Berlin falling, they take cover from the increasing intensity of bombing raids and still labor to evade the random acts of violence from Nazi soldiers.

When deep in the night, Richard is pulled from his bed and led out at gunpoint, he believes his end has come. He is secreted out to the middle of nowhere. Instead of being shot he is informed by the Gestapo that his investigative expertise as a leading detective, is required to help in the search for the serial killer responsible for vicious murders of women; all of whom had close ties to the Nazi party. Not understanding why the Nazi SS has made an exception of him, Richard is both excited at being involved in a case again, yet, terrified as to what happens after it is solved.

An intense, thrilling, murder mystery – rife with cleverly crafted scenarios, brilliant writing, and well-developed characters.

Gilbers instantaneously captures the reader.

I highly recommend reading Germania as a 2020 must-read.

This book is set in Berlin during World War II. Richard Oppenheimer lives in a Jewish house with his German wife. When a man shows up at his door in the middle of the night, he believes his luck has run out.

Before the war, he he was a well-regarded police inspector, and now they need his skills to help them find a depraved, serial killer who is viciously mutilating the genitalia of women and leaving them as offerings on old monuments.

The issue is these are all women who are engaged in affairs with Nazi officers. That being said, the Nazis want him caught ASAP. If the murders cannot be solved, they have a scapegoat. Although this new twist in his life make him feel alive and he wants the personal satisfaction of solving the murders, Oppenheimer also questions what will be his fate when he is no longer useful?

This is not my favorite genre of novels but it was an interesting read. I would definitely recommend to friends and family.

Germania is an interesting peek into Nazi Germany at the height of the war. I was immediately hooked by the serial killer angle and it was a unique take to feature a Jewish protagonist in Nazi Germany that didn't focus on his experiences in the camps or ghetto. That said, I do think Oppenheimer's narrative feels like it was intentionally sanitized in order to balance out the horrific details of the murders. But I will admit that I am ignorant of the experiences of Jews married to Germans.

One issue I had might simply be due to formatting. There were no scene breaks and I found myself getting confused as to the POV. I was in Oppenheimer's head and then quickly -- with no break -- I was in Hilde's. Threw me off and I had to stop and reread.

It is a page-turner and I would recommend it to anyone interested in historical crime fiction to pick it up.

This book was very well paced and heart pounding. Finding yourself following along as a serial killer is being sought. But imagine if the person investigating was a Jew in Nazi Germany. This was a very well written and suspenseful novel of intrigue.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

Loved it!

Let me start by stating that I love that this novel combines historical fiction with a mystery. The author combined the right amount of both to give the reader's an intense, driven, and sophisticated murder mystery and detective. It was almost crazy how fast that I finished this read within a few days. I couldn't put it down and recommended it to friends and family members right away. If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind read, this is the one for you.

Pros: Everything about this book was a simple and engaging read. It combines genres so well and kept me on the edge of my seat. It was easy to follow along with the murder mystery, but kept you wanting more as it delved into the intense era of the Holocaust time.

Cons: I didn't have any cons for this book. I only wish I would have heard of it sooner!

Seriously, if you haven't read this book!

I really enjoyed this book. Historical fiction isn’t usually a genre I would read but I was really taken in by the story as well as the setting and happenings. Lots of mystery and a great amount of characters. Thanks to NetGalley for the privilege to read and review this book.

Compelling read, action packed novel set in Berlin, Germany during WWII. Intense serial killer investigation led by Richard Oppenheimer who is also a Jew. The serial killer is targeting women and displaying them in front of monuments, and no one seems to be able to track down who this killer is. Germania describes the harsh reality of living in Germany and what it was like- the hatred, the lack of resources, the attitudes, and most importantly the fear. Very well written book that is not an easy or a quick read, but one that tells story after story if the reader engages. Highly recommend!!

Thank you to NetGalley for this digital advance review copy for me to read and enjoy. As always, my opinions are my own.

I couldn’t put this book down. I felt like I knew the characters because they were so well developed. The author put you right into the heart of the situation going on toward the end of the war and the hope of a desperate people to be free. I felt their desperation and pain.

This was a great thriller that showed the time period well. I hope that he translates more of his books into English

An excellent piece of historical fiction written from a new, for me, perspective. Richard Oppenheimer is a former police inspector in Berlin. Former due to the fact he is Jewish and could not stay in the job he performed well. The reason he is still in Berlin and has not been transported is that he has he has an Aryan wife which earns a dispensation.

But now there has been an unusual murder of a woman involving signs that a sexual predator may be active in the city. And this is not acceptable in the ordered Reich, even in the spring of 1944 as the Allies have begun bombing in earnest. Oppenheimer finds himself summoned during the night to a crime scene by a member of the SS, unsure why he is there. Is this a trap? Are they going to accuse him of a crime? But it seems one officer wants the benefit of his expertise.

And so begins an unusual mystery and "semi" police procedural performed without benefit of the Berlin police. Oppenheimer proves himself worthy of a modicum of trust as more murders occur. Motives and murderer unknown. There are so many well drawn characters and constant danger for everyone Oppenheimer knows who isn't a Nazi. And he lives day to day watchful and wondering lest he should misstep. What will happen at the end of this all, if there is an end?

I highly recommend this novel written with an inside view of Berlin during the final year of the war, when the government"s attention remained on winning the war at home and abroad and maintaining order. Fascinating.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Although I found it a little slow at times, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Set in WWII Nazi Germany, An SS officer enlists a Jewish, former police inspector to help him catch a serial killer. Lots in intrigue and social commentary on the times. Strongly recommended

This was a great story about a serial killer in Nazi Germany. I look forward to reading more from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

I found this book fascinating. There's a serial killer in Nazi Germany. The war isn't going well and Nazi leaders certainly don't need such news to get out to the general public. To try to track down the killer as quickly and quietly as possibly, they break down and call in a homicide detective who's been inactive for a few years - because he's Jewish. He's distrustful of their motives (for obvious reasons) and is put in an impossible situation, knowing there's probably no good outcome for him - but decides he has no choice and must work with them. In return he's viewed with distrust from all sides - he walks a tightrope between his home life and his work life. I found it all to be well done, and enjoyed watching Richard Oppenheimer teach his Nazi cohorts some lessons in murder investigation. It appears that this is the first in a series, and I will definitely be on the lookout for the next book.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

Wow! This book kept me on the edge of my seat!
The fact that it was a historical thriller was a definite bonus.
I hope to see more of this author!

This is a fascinating police procedural, taking place in Nazi Germany. It features a Jewish detective who was forced to retired is then called back to solve a crime. Fascinating premise with excellent character development. I enjoyed the exploration of moral ambiguities in an amoral society. The conclusion was not totally satisfying, so I hope this becomes a series. Definitely worthwhile reading.

GERMANIA

Set in Berlin during WWII, this was a very good murder mystery involving a serial killer who targeted what at first appeared to be random prostitutes. Each one was left at the base of a WWI monument, with similar mutilations. As the story develops, it seems that these women may have been involved with some elite members of the Nazi party. To avoid scandal, SS Hauptsturmführer Vogler enlists the help of Richard Oppenheimer with the case.

Former Detective Superintendent in the German Army, Oppenheimer is a Jewish man married to an Aryan woman, Lisa. Although expelled from the army for being Jewish, Oppenheimer has had experience in the past with serial killers involved with sexual deviance. With pressure from the regime, Vogler’s hope is to use the former police inspector unofficially to solve the case quickly. Oppenheimer has no choice. The relationship that develops between Vogler and Oppenheimer involving their motives and reactions is also fascinating. With the help of a physician friend Hilde and her acquaintances in the German resistance, and his Pervitin tablets, Oppenheimer makes progress on the case.

What makes this book so good is how, although the mystery clears with discovery along the way, it is the upset in the last days of World War II Berlin Germany during the Normandy invasion that gives it its interest. The daily struggles of the German people, and especially Jewish citizens, is woven throughout the story painting a clear picture of hunger, weariness, confusion and general turmoil. Political wrangling and nightly bombings of the city result in horrendous upset to transportation, housing, food supply and safety. That this is the “norm” while trying to stop a maniac killer feels incredibly suspenseful and bizarre.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Harald Gilbers, and Thomas Dunne Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

As someone who reads mysteries in part for the escapism, I was initially concerned that serial killer story set in Nazi Berlin might be too depressing to be of interest. This turns out not to be true: even though danger to the Jewish protagonist is a constant, oppressive force in the background, the story is more about resourcefulness and hope under unthinkable circumstances. Richard Oppenheimer used to be a police investigator before the war and once again finds purpose in the opportunity to apply his professional expertise to solving horrific crimes. Oppenheimer’s situation is already special, because his marriage to a non-Jewish woman gives him some level of protection, but he lives in constant fear. Now he is needed by the wartime government and for the duration of the investigation finds a reprieve from some of the many restrictions placed upon him. The authors does a fine job balancing the story of the investigation with descriptions of how Oppenheimer works within the limitations and privations of his situation. He is chasing a murderer while still feeling pursued at all times. The novel is well worth reading both for the mystery and for the fascinating depiction of life in Berlin at this time in history.

This novel has a unique premise and interesting blend of historical and crime novel . Full of espionage, covert operations, well developed characters, My thanks to Netgalley for this advance readers copy.

Fascinating, but heavy combination of thriller, police procedural and WWII history. This would be great on TV.

Germania offers an easy reading historical fiction account of life in World War II Germany, where Jewish scholar is lured into service for the German constabulary.

Germania took me by surprise in a number of ways. I expected there to be a lot about the history, the horrendous trials the Jewish people suffered, and there is a good deal of history. What both surprised and impressed me is how Gilbers wove it into a procedural, and he does it brilliantly. The dangers are still quite tangible, and while we're processing that, we're also trying to work out the whodunit of this tale. There are also parts of the story told from the killer's point of view, and that's ;always intriguing. The whole book is so well done, and wonderfully plotted. The only drawback for me was the conclusion, and while it was bad, I felt a little let down. I wanted to know why. Other than that, this one is a page turner, and I would think this book would appeal to anyone who enjoys WWII fiction. This is the first book in a series, so it's not hard to figure out how Oppenheimer fares, although, there are some tense moments. He's a great character, and I'll be interested to see where his story goes from here.

Thanks to Thomas Dunne Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Brutal crimes happen at the end of the Third Reich in Berlin 1944. All characters are well developed. People who believed in Nazi Germany and Jews as well as common Germans who tried to survive WWII. A well written book I highly recommend reading.

This was an interesting historical fiction. I liked the story (although it was quite gruesome).The main character, Richard, was a police investigator before being forced to quit for being Jewish. Richard is surprised to find SS officers come to his house in the middle of the night to have him lead an investigation. A horrific serial killer is mutilating women and leaving them in monuments. Richard is truly a good investigator even if he is trying to balance that with ensuring his and his wife’s safety. This was a new twist on the unimaginable treatment of Jewish people in WWII Germany, living among the enemy with no options or hope.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I normally don't go for historical mysteries or thrillers but this one was so good! The main character is Jewish but because he is married to a non-Jew and is a detective, he gets a pass (sort of) from the Nazis. I cannot imagine living during that time period and having all eyes on you to solve the mystery of a murdered woman. Talk about having a target on one's back! Dectective Oppenheimer realizes that he is being used but the case he is investigating reinvigorates him. You'll have to read the book to see how it turns out!

Those familiar with Philip Kerr’s Bernie Gunther series will experience a little bit of deja vu as they start reading about a police detective in the waning years of the Third Reich. Don’t despair. The stories are dissimilar despite the common setting. Gilbers has published five books in this Oppenheimer series starting in 2013, but now for the first time this first in the series has been translated (quite expertly) into English.

The setting is unmistakably unsettling as it is Spring 1944 in Berlin and the darkest nightmare ever imagined is starting to lose confidence following the devastating loss at Stalingrad, the Americans beating their way up the Italian peninsula, and the soon-to-come Normandy landing. In Berlin, there is not yet panic, but allied bombing is now a daily occurrence and there is starting to be a sense the tide has shifted.

Berlin is still run by Hitler’s brutal thugs and the ordinary Germans live in fear of saying the wrong thing. Oppenheimer, once upon a time, thought of himself as German as the next person, but he wears a yellow star when he leaves his home, an apartment house dubbed the Jewish house. He is one of the few Jews to survive in Nazi Berlin, tolerated for being married to an Aryan German. He was once upon a time an elite homicide detective and now he’s stuck with no way out.

In a bizarre twist, he is given a taste of his old life as a serial killer strikes in the heart of Berlin and the SS demands that Oppenheimer join the investigation and find the culprit. It is a bit of a Kafka-esque situation as Oppenheimer is asked to take off his star lest it make it awkward when he asks questions. Thus, he fulfills his old position, and somewhat can pretend everything is normal. But he knows it’s only temporary and that as soon as the investigation ends he could be shipped off to the death camps. Indeed, at any second, the Nazi authority or indeed any group of teenage bullies can effectively rip off his mask and condemn him. Gilbers does an excellent job of showing how odd and awkward Oppenheimer’s position is – a bit of normalcy in the center of Hell.

Not only is it a historical novel, but a top notch crime thriller with a chase on for a macabre killer who has eluded the regular investigators. While some reviewers have found the story as a whole slow to develop, the success of this novel is his the author so skillfully creates a believable storyline from such an odd and untenable situation. It’s a given to any readers of historical fiction what the Nazis were and Gilbers does not dwell on their evil. Rather, he gives us an eye toward what it was like at the center of the storm.

A serial killer in the midst of 1944 war torn Berlin, killing women and leaving them as examples. But examples of what? Witnesses report a Nazi killing these Nazi sympathizers. With no leads and an ongoing investigation that's going nowhere, SS officers will conscript Richard Oppenheimer, a Jewish former police investigator, to conduct an intensive investigation that will surprise readers with every twist and turn. Oppenheimer has his own reasons to find the killer but he also knows that should he fail, his life is forfeit.

Harald Gilbers weaves a fascinating look at how a Jewish man might find himself assisting the Nazis while still protecting his family and himself. The book reads as a hard boiled noir set during the ending years of WWII. A different kind of mystery/ thriller that I found engrossing. The ending was satisfying in so many ways. A good read to while away an afternnon with.