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)

Great window into pre-war Berlin

Philip Kerr brings the noir genre -- think Sam Spade, Red Harvest, and the Continental Op -- to Berlin in the mid-thirties. Under the boot of Nazism a cynical private eye hunts for missing persons -- usually missing owing to the activities of the Gestapo or the SS. The writing is a bit too derivative of Chandler, with the tough-guy similes, but the portrayal of how ordinary people dealt with the terrible time they lived in is very interesting. It's kind of the bad guys' (i.e., German) side of the world Alan Furst writes so brilliantly about: the coming of WWII, but in this case with people who are not actually involved in the war's coming.The story is a fairly generic tough detective caper, but the way it's told is quite good. John Lee does a nice job of the world-weary detective, and all-in-all I liked it.

Sehr gut!

Perfect narrative and pertinent parallels to the current American Zeitgeist. A very relevant and cautionary perspective is presented in this novel

Nazi Noir

This is a very entertaining story. The hero is a classic 1930s detective, the story moves nicely along, but the best part was the setting -- Germany 75 years ago. It was completely captivating.

I want more...

This book gives you some insight into not so distant past and transports you to an era that is a blight on German history. Well researched and well written... I will definitely get this entire series.

Kept me from dozing off in bed

Enjoy listening to audible books just before going to bed. This one kept me up until wee hours of night. Really exiting and great understanding of Nazi Germany in 1930s. Will certainly buy the remaining 3 books.
Ivan

Just another detective story

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No, because it was too mundane. Had all the same characteristics of any common detective story. No unique features.

What could Philip Kerr have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Given a little more life to the constraints of living in Nazi Germany, similarly to the way life in Soviet Russia was treated in Child 44.

What three words best describe John Lee’s performance?

Just OK

Do you think March Violets needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, but there undoubtedly be one.

love John Lee

I have enjoyed every book Mr Lee was the narrator, he brings so much to the performence.

Excellent narration, v interesting story

Really enjoyed this Book refreshing story instead of formulaic crime story. The prose is several cuts above the usual suspense novels and the narrator is perfect for this story line

A great historical series based on WWII

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I think this series would appeal to readers of all shapes and sizes.

What did you like best about this story?

The historical elements flow so well. Great mystery. Great characterizations.

Have you listened to any of John Lee’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, more in this particular series. I really love his voice, especially for this Kerr series.

Herr Gunter is my new Favorite PI!!!

Move over Sherlock here comes Bernie! A real gritty true to the genre of PI Noir. Tough and smart a real man in a world going mad and dealing with the decay of a society and the terrible slide into Nazi Germany as the back drop.