March Violets

By: Philip Kerr

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Hailed by Salman Rushdie as a “brilliantly innovative thriller-writer,” Philip Kerr is the creator of taut, gripping, noir-tinged mysteries set in Nazi-era Berlin that are nothing short of spellbinding. The first book of the Berlin Noir trilogy, March Violets introduces listeners to Bernie Gunther, an ex-policeman who thought he’d seen everything on the streets of 1930s Berlin - until he turned freelance and each case he tackled sucked him further into the grisly excesses of Nazi subculture. Hard-hitting, fast-paced, and richly detailed, March Violets is noir listening at its best and blackest.

“Echoes of Raymond Chandler but better on his vivid and well-researched detail than the master” (Evening Standard)

©2008 Philip Kerr (P)2008 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"The brutality and corruption of Nazi Germany serve as the backdrop for this impressive debut mystery novel. Scottish-born Kerr re-creates the period accurately and with verve; the novel reeks of the sordid decade that saw Hitler's rise to power." (Publishers Weekly)

"Echoes of Raymond Chandler, but better on his vivid and well-researched detail than the master." (Evening Standard, London)

Classic Detective Story with a Nazi backdrop.

What did you love best about March Violets?

Philip Kerr's use of language is unique, creative and beautiful. I have never read a detective novel where the author could turn a phrase as sharply.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

At times, yes.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The characters were supposed to be German, but the reader was British. While I can see the value in using a non-American accent, it was distracting to hear British accents speaking as Nazi's and using Germanic names and phrases.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Every so often Kerr would use a phrase that would have me laughing out loud - even though it really isn't a comedy.

Any additional comments?

I would never think someone could write a detective novel where 1930's Germany was a backdrop - where the Nazi's were NOT the main characters. Kerr does so masterfully. And in doing so, we get a better feel for the life of the citizens of Germany during the Nazi rise to power.

WOW, Trump Gov. similar to Nazi's Regime, Eerie!

Interesting historical description and portrayal of the consolidation of the Nazi power by inserting unquestioning patriotism and authoritarianism into German society. Reminds me so much of what Trump is trying to do. Great book for getting​ a feel of the period. We must not let this be a book about the USA.

One of the BEST

You won't want to stop listening to what is one of the best historical thriller written. Nazi Germany provides the background. The writing is Chandler quality. If you like historical thrillers - don't miss this one.

Noir, Gutsy, Real

What made the experience of listening to March Violets the most enjoyable?

The language of pre WW2 germany combined w the fatalism of the detective

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favorite?

The Detective

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The clouds of war could not hide this story

Best ever

I loved everything about this book. Excellent reading and the story had my rapt attention. I can’t wait to read the next one.

fiction for trump era

punchy pulp prose "his jaw slacked like a douchebag", sprawling true detective trope takes you to the beating heart of post weimar hegemony. entertaining and insightful ... standard phillip kerr :)

Berlin's new Badass!

What did you love best about March Violets?

Well written, fast-paced, periodically correct, and most of all, entertaining.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main one of course, Thats why he was the main character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

As a matter of fact it took two days to absorb it all. It was refreshing to learn how most Germans considered Hitler a joke and how his rise to power was due to the fact nobody cared enough to do anything about him because he was considered such an outsider.

Any additional comments?

This book resonated in 2017 America in a very big big way. As citizens we must be ever vigilant against those

Compelling Story I

Grimly colorful. Detailed. Narration is good when speaking a male voice but John Lee makes the women sound as if they are auditioning to play the lead in a Dracula film - not seductive - just creepy & false.

An Interesting Twist

I have never read/listened to a story about a private investigator in pre WWII Germany. Sort of Sam Spade meets Hitler. The story is well put together and I thought the narration done well. Not all characters are resolved in the book so I will have to see if it comes up in the next installment.

Great book, perfect narration

What made the experience of listening to March Violets the most enjoyable?

Expands my imagination into pre-WWII germany

What other book might you compare March Violets to and why?

new to the genre so I don't know of any

What about John Lee’s performance did you like?

the different voices

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

would have liked to but it's lot of book. Concepts take time to digest