March Violets

De: Philip Kerr

Narrado por: John Lee

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

Reseñas de la Crítica

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)

Good story, weird accent

What did you love best about March Violets?

Plot was good, interesting to hear about the historical setting and the pov of germans during ww2; alot of names drop during the story like Goring, Himmler, Ernst Lubitsch, Jesse Owens which gives context. The hardboiled private investigator is sort of an amoral character who is respected by everyone as a gifted detective.

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

It reminded me of other Nordic Noir novels that go back in time to WW2 settings like Jo Nesbo and Arnarldur Indridasson.

Did John Lee do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

This narrator did an ok job but HE IS NOT GERMAN and doesn't have a German accent or anything remotely like a german accent. Such good detail in the writing that doesn't translate in the narrators voice all because of his speaking voice/accent. It is also really nasally which is annoying.

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

To the Publisher: Please hire narrators who can be convincing in their role, particularly for English versions of books set in other locales....Its really annoying to only be able to get half-way into a books headspace.

Raymond Chandler's private eye in Nazi Germany

The "schtick" here is placing the hard-boiled detective in the midst of SS officers, concentration camps, etc. while trying to solve a double murder. And, it gets better and better as it goes.

Great narrator. I will be buying the next story.

I enjoyed this one. I really like the main character and the narrator is fantastic. Im going to be buying the next one. I'm so glad I found this book.

Crime in the time of Hitler's Germany

Phillip Kerr is actually a french female author who sets all of her stories in Hitler's time. Through her novels you get to know first hand the rise of the nazis and eventually their fall following WWII. Her protaganist Bernie Gunther is a fairly typical, hardboiled private investigator but the historical details raise the stories well beyond their genre.

Excellent historical crime novel narrated by one of the best!

Nonstop action and suspense. In excellent plot and well written. I can't wait to listen to the authors other novels and see how Bernard Gunther's character evolves!!