Straight Into Darkness

I have to admit that this one dragged a bit for me. I hadn't realized that it would be more historical fiction than suspense, and it felt like the majority of the book's attention actually went to building up situation, atmosphere, and Munich as a real, breathing place in 1929. And there's nothing wrong with that--the author did a fantastic job of it. But, one way or another, I went into the book feeling in the mood for a thriller, and in that respect, the book just didn't quite satisfy. There was nothing wrong with the plot, but everything was so drawn out--in an effort to build up the history and the characters and the social situation--that it was hard to get caught up in the plot itself, and far too easy to put the book down in favor of something else. I'd probably recommend this to readers who want historical fiction above all, and don't mind a murder plot as being secondary.

3.5 stars

It is the 1920s in Germany. Hitler is becoming more popular, and Jews and other minorities are becoming targets of violence. Axel Berg is a detective with the Munich police force, but police are not always respected, either. Women are being murdered and Axel is trying to find out who did it, despite, at least in the case of the first murder, his boss wanting him to just pin it on the woman's husband (who is Jewish). Even if they are wrong, it doesn't matter because it looks like they are doing something about it, and the man is Jewish, anyway, so no big deal if he's arrested wrongly. Axel doesn't agree with that attitude.

I liked this. I think the author did a really good job of bringing this time frame to life, plus it was an interesting mystery. But, I think the historical parts of it were just done so well, and that's what stood out for me. There were a couple times where Axel was helping provide security at Hitler's rallies, and it just felt like you were there. Scary... I'm not sure I'll seek out another book by Kellerman, but if something comes to my attention and is a topic I'm interested in, I just might pick it up

Substance: A searing look into Germany in the time of Hitler's ascension, and the world-views that made his rise possible. The story of the Police Homicide Inspector caught up in politics and murder is intriguing, and the protagonist a sympathetic and ultimately heroic, if flawed, character.
The evocative view of Weimar Germany through a Bavarian lens is used to discuss the political and social climate that Hitler manipulated, and show the people who saw the danger concomitant to his popularity, athough sometimes Kellerman stretches to bring into the story elements of the milieu that seem to be there just to complete the record.
Style: Outstanding as a novel; as a mystery, not so much. No relevant clues to the perpetrator are planted (one minor conversation 250+ pages beforehand is not sufficient for fair play with the reader), nor any to the major plot-turns of the final chapters and the motivations of the actors that make them. Frequently mentioned "clues" (missing shoes) are left hanging as loose ends, and the Freudian speculations on motive are not carried through to the end.
Although Kellerman uses German words and phrases to good advantage in setting the milieu, she is inconsistent (why "Kommunismus" but not "Juden"?)
And the "frame" is not really necessary to the story.
RATING: PG-13 for language, violence, sexual situations.
Special note: Acknowledges assistance from Franz Geiger of the White Rose resistance group, most of whom were executed by Hitler.
NOTES:
p. 139: Why does Commisioner Volker encourage Inspector Berg to arrest the Jew Gross for his wife's murder, even though both men realize he is probably innocent, but resist the same suggestion from his own superiors?
p. 187: "I believe I am done when I have nothing more to add. The work may not be exactly what I want. But adding new material will not help. So I surrender to my imperfections, curse my inability to translate to the brush what is in m head, and say, 'I quit'."..."That is the frustrating part...To see it so clearly i my brain but lack the skills to put it down on canvas."
p. 211: "I know you do not approve of Herr Hitler. You think he is a thug, and maybe he is. Still, if we don't stand up for ourselves, who will stand up for us?"..."And who is trying to keep us down, Jaochim?...As painful as it is to admit, the fault cannot lie exclusively with the Jews....(and others)...At some point we...the German people...must take responsibility for our own messes...We went to war and we lost. And that, my dear son, is not the fault of the Jews."

I thought this was quite good, and a departure for Mrs. Kellerman. Axel Berg is not the morally sound police detective you're used to seeing as the main character in a novel like this. Berg is flawed and imperfect and realistic, much like Munich itself in 1929. The roiling political climate makes an excellent backdrop to the story. The end is unexpected, but not unthinkable.

Interesting concept. Hard to follow characters (names) Interesting history of pre Nazi Germany from a citizen standpoint.