Philip Kerr was the New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed Bernie Gunther novels, three of which—Field Gray, The Lady from Zagreb, and Prussian Blue—were finalists for the Edgar Award for Best Novel. Kerr also won several Shamus Awards and the British Crime Writers’ Association Ellis Peters Award for Historical Crime Fiction. Just before his death in 2018, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. As P.B. Kerr, he was the author of the much-loved young adult fantasy series Children of the Lamp.
Praise for Philip Kerr and the Bernie Gunther Novels
“A brilliantly innovative thriller writer.”—Salman Rushdie
“Philip Kerr is the only bona fide heir to Raymond
Chandler.”—Salon.com
“In terms of narrative, plot, pace and characterization, Kerr’s in
a league with John le Carré.”—The Washington Post
“Every time we’re afraid we’ve seen the last of Bernie Gunther,
Philip Kerr comes through with another unnerving adventure for his
morally conflicted hero.”—Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book
Review
“Just as youth is wasted on the young, history is wasted on
historians. It ought to be the exclusive property of novelists—but
only if they are as clever and knowledgeable as Philip
Kerr.”—Chicago Tribune
“Kerr quantum leaps the limitations of genre fiction. Most
thrillers insult your intelligence; his assault your
ignorance.”—Esquire
“A richly satisfying mystery, one that evokes the noir
sensibilities of Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald while breaking
important new ground of its own.”—Los Angeles Times
“Part of the allure of these novels is that Bernie is such an
interesting creation, a Chandleresque knight errant caught in
insane historical surroundings. Bernie walks down streets so mean
that nobody can stay alive and remain truly clean.”—John
Powers, Fresh Air (NPR)
“The Bernie Gunther novels are first-class, as stylish as Chandler
and as emotionally resonant as the best of Ross Macdonald.”—George
Pelecanos
“Kerr’s stylish noir writing makes every page a joy to
read.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Fifteen years after his last Bernie Gunther thriller (A German Requiem), Kerr turns his Berlin Noir trilogy into a quartet. In 1949, Bernie closes down his deranged wife's failing hotel in Berlin and returns to Munich. Drawing on his experience as an ex-cop involuntarily absorbed into the SS during World War II a past that will dog his heels he goes into business as a private detective. His first three cases involve missing persons, including a Nazi guilty of numerous atrocities. To track the man down, Bernie has to immerse himself in a world he'd hoped to leave behind, that of the "Old Comrades" who help Nazis flee Germany. But dangerous as it is, the case is not what it seems, and Bernie soon finds himself in another man's shoes, locked in a desperate struggle to save his own life. Bernie's wicked wit is a delight, the plot is gripping, and the historical settings are masterfully developed. Although Kerr sometimes overdoes his descriptions of characters (wildly inventive similes abound), his dazzling touch will sweep readers away. A profound sense of moral introspection underlies the whole. Highly recommended for all public libraries. Ron Terpening, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Praise for Philip Kerr and the Bernie Gunther Novels
"A brilliantly innovative thriller writer."-Salman Rushdie
"Philip Kerr is the only bona fide heir to Raymond
Chandler."-Salon.com
"In terms of narrative, plot, pace and characterization, Kerr's in
a league with John le Carre."-The Washington Post
"Every time we're afraid we've seen the last of Bernie Gunther,
Philip Kerr comes through with another unnerving adventure for his
morally conflicted hero."-Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times
Book Review
"Just as youth is wasted on the young, history is wasted on
historians. It ought to be the exclusive property of novelists-but
only if they are as clever and knowledgeable as Philip
Kerr."-Chicago Tribune
"Kerr quantum leaps the limitations of genre fiction. Most
thrillers insult your intelligence; his assault your
ignorance."-Esquire
"A richly satisfying mystery, one that evokes the noir
sensibilities of Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald while breaking
important new ground of its own."-Los Angeles Times
"Part of the allure of these novels is that Bernie is such an
interesting creation, a Chandleresque knight errant caught in
insane historical surroundings. Bernie walks down streets so mean
that nobody can stay alive and remain truly clean."-John Powers,
Fresh Air (NPR)
"The Bernie Gunther novels are first-class, as stylish as Chandler
and as emotionally resonant as the best of Ross Macdonald."-George
Pelecanos
"Kerr's stylish noir writing makes every page a joy to
read."-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
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