The Other Side of Silence

By: Philip Kerr

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling author Philip Kerr, the much anticipated return of Bernie Gunther in a series hailed by The Daily Beast as "the best crime novels around today".

Once I'd been a good detective in Kripo, but that was a while ago, before the criminals wore smart gray uniforms and nearly everyone locked up was innocent. Being a Berlin cop in 1942 was a little like putting down mousetraps in a cage full of tigers.

The war is over. Bernie Gunther, our sardonic former Berlin homicide detective and unwilling SS officer, is now living on the French Riviera. It is 1956, and Bernie is the go-to guy at the Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, the man you turn to for touring tips or if you need a fourth for bridge. As it happens, a local writer needs just that - someone to fill the fourth seat in a regular game that is the usual evening diversion at the Villa Mauresque. Not just any writer. Perhaps the richest and most famous living writer in the world: W. Somerset Maugham. And it turns out it is not just a bridge partner that he needs; it's some professional advice. Maugham is being blackmailed - perhaps because of his unorthodox lifestyle. Or perhaps because of something in his past, because once upon a time, Maugham worked for the British secret service, and the people now blackmailing him are spies.

As Gunther fans know, all roads lead back to the viper's nest that was Hitler's Third Reich and to the killing fields that spread like a disease across Europe. Even in 1956, peace has not come to the continent: Now the Soviets have the H-bomb, and spies from every major power feel free to make all of Europe their personal playground.

©2016 Philip Kerr (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Narrator John Lee and author Philip Kerr's German cop, Bernie Gunther, have been together for a while now, but familiarity hasn't dimmed their affinity for each other.... Lee's telling interpretations of oily ex-Nazis, local rich folk, the elderly Maugham and his un-closeted gay set, and Gunther's love interests help color Kerr's undecorated writing and add to the book's undisputed pleasures." (AudioFile)

B. Gunther not at his best

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

This novel is rated 3 only in comparison to the other Gunther books I've read. Kerr is a talented writer, but the story did not suck me in as did the others. There was a great plot twist which helped a lot, so definitely still worth reading!

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I get dark, but really, maybe at least one relationship could have worked? A little heavy on the metaphors and life comments at times.

Was The Other Side of Silence worth the listening time?

yes

Back to form

This is a return to form for Kerr. I recommend and look forward for the next.

Outstanding!

I love and admire Philip, Kerr’s writing, and now John Lee’s excellent narration has brought the words to life.

Nobody beats Bernie

This is one of the better series in mystery fiction, and this offering is no exception... As usual Bernie finds himself knee deep in the proverbial smelly stuff, and somehow makes it amusing... I love the historical aspect to these novels, and this one gives a double dose w/ both world history and literary history... We see the very beginning of the cold war getting it's legs and the casual, and not so casual digs at the French are deliciously entertaining... I clipped several to send to friends... The mystery is easy paced yet engaging... The casual flow works well w/ the literary and espionage backdrop... The narration is fantastic and only adds to an already above average story... Worth the credit... FYI, if interested you can start the series at any point and not miss anything...

Great read.

I've read and loved each of the Bernie Gunther novels by Philip Kerr. I loved this one just as much. The plot has many twists and many turns and you don't know who can be trusted, or who's a friend or foe.

I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys historical fiction, is a Bernie Gunther fan, and likes fast-paced thriller style plots.

I would suggest to anyone who has never read a Bernie Gunther novel that they get some background on his character first. Bernie is cynical, sarcastic, and always seems to love the wrong woman. If you have more background about him, it's easier to understand why he's like that. This book includes many characters from past books written by Philip Kerr about Bernie, so reading or looking up summaries of his past books about Bernie Gunther will help you follow this one that much better. Although this is a good stand alone book as well.

I would like to see Bernie find some peace and happiness in his old age, but it always seems to elude him, but then again his books wouldn't be as interesting to read if he became wealthy, found a good woman and settled down.

Overall, a four and half star rating.

Slow starting but very satisfying

I didn't feel like this book really hit stride until halfway through. The plot became increasingly complex in the final several chapters and once again left me very grateful that Phillip Kerr is writing these books and that John Lee is performing. I will no longer download anything with Paul Hecht narrating which is frustrating because he did do some of the books in the series. I have opted to read those instead.

Maybe not Kerr's best, but quite good.

I've now followed Bernie Gunther through from the lead up to WWII all the way to the cold war. I've wondered how Kerr could keep a very middle aged hero heroic. Well, he does a very good job. Bernie, a man continually compromised by circumstances beyond his control, manages to maintain his slightly tarnished integrity and decency. Kerr's talented writing creates a character I can root for, even as he ages. A well written continuation of the series, and there's a promise of another book. I hope that someday Kerr allows his hero a little rest. Perhaps a little less engrossing than some of the other books in the series.

Well crafted and satisfying

I'm a fan of the series to me this is the best one yet very well-crafted story good thriller get to stories and one one goes back to World War II and then one in the 50s with Soviet and British spies. I would not recommend this is the first reading the series though I think I'm a reader should start with some of the earlier books

Bernie Gunther...Time Traveler

Not having listened to any of Philip Kerr's writing other than all of Bernie Gunther, I hesitate to do so. To me, Kerr is Bernie Gunther. In writers terms he has to be a "method actor". This fictitious character that is insinuated into the most significant history of the 20th century is sheer genius. For all practical purposes, Bernie should not have lived to tell most of this story. Kerr brilliantly lets him live so that the story can continue. Most fictitious police/private detective protagonists would never have made it to 60 yrs of age. Having read all of La Carré's Smiley series, Bernie helps me to understand more about the world of intelligence that was more difficult for me to visualize through George Smiley, not to take anything away from La Carré on any level!
My only complaint about Bernie is his voice change when not read by John Lee. There are reasons, I'm sure, in the literary world, why this happens, but it requires a major change in gears and imagination when it does.
So my hesitancy to read more Kerr is that he and Bernie are heroes to me and Bernie Gunther is how I want to remember them both.

Philip Kerr never disappoints!

I'm not sure if Bernie Gunther can get more entertaining than in this work of Mr. Kerr, but I can't wait to hear Prussian Blue, his next novel. The research is meticulous and the plot is full of twists and turns. John Lee is a great narrator and the pace of the novel keeps the listener totally engaged. In short, this is writing and narration at it's best!