• A Quiet Flame

  • By: Philip Kerr
  • Narrated by: Paul Hecht
  • Length: 13 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (495 ratings)

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A Quiet Flame  By  cover art

A Quiet Flame

By: Philip Kerr
Narrated by: Paul Hecht
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Publisher's summary

Philip Kerr’s intricate novels featuring former Berlin homicide detective Bernie Gunther have earned ahallowed place in the hearts of mystery fans. It’s 1950, and Bernie has arrived in Argentina seeking asylum after being falsely identified as a Nazi war criminal. There he investigates the murder of a wealthy banker’s daughter ina case reminiscent of one he worked in Germany 18 years before.

©2009 Philip Kerr (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

What listeners say about A Quiet Flame

Average customer ratings
Overall
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Philip Kerr Catches World of Germany in the 30's

Would you listen to A Quiet Flame again? Why?

Yes, excellent story well narrated.

What did you like best about this story?

The continued saga of Bernie Guenther.

Which character – as performed by Paul Hecht – was your favorite?

Excellent diction and German pronuncation

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

Nothing

Any additional comments?

Kerr is the master of pre-war and war time Germany. His knowldege of Berlin is phenomonal.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Cinematic Noir

Was fun to get back to the B. Gunther series. Fun may not be the right word as there are many horrible events on display here, but having visited Argentina in recent years, I found the locations and descriptions very cinematic. The earlier era Germany flashback chapters were also a good anchoring for the character's past. One of the best in the series for me, once I got used to the rhythm of hardboiled similes (maybe overdone in this one) from the opening pages. I wonder if at some point someone will get the rights to make a film series of some of the novels. This particular one would make a great noir thriller.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Another good one!

What did you love best about A Quiet Flame?

Philip Kerr just knows how to tell a story. Interesting characters, interesting plot, interesting ending.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Long story.

This is a long one. Interesting because of the post war Argentine / German nazi angle but very labyrinthine and complex. Requires one to stick with it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not His Best but Still Worth It

The writing here is okay but not as good as usual. Hecht is still fine as the narrator. Even Kerr's not-so-good stories are still worth reading/listening to. In this episode it just seems that Bernie is making too many mistakes for the convenience of Kerr so he can make rather obvious political statements. It is more fun when Kerr is simply telling a story and letting Bernie smart-off and get into feasible trouble. In A Quiet Flame Bernie's arrests are far too contrived to enable the listener to feel a smooth flow of the plot. The wise-cracks are still there and the story is passable, even given the several bumps along the road.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love Philip Kerr and Paul Hecht

The Bernie Gunther books are astoundingly good and I look for books narrated by Paul Hecht. One of the best narrators ever.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting but miss John Lee

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

Narration not as good as Lee. Also I believe the language spoken in Argentina is Portugese and not Spanish as mentioned many times in story.

How could the performance have been better?

John Lee should have been narrator

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

This series is amazing...

I love that I am getting a history lesson with each book in this series. It is well written and narrated. The author takes you along on the adventures of Bernie Gunther. I will get the next book for sure. Enjoy.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Historical Relevance

In light of the recent murder of Argentine prosecutor Alberto Nisman, this book has particular historical relevance. Some things never change. The story and narration are excellent.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A very interesting take on post war history.

I am a Kerr fan. This book introduced me to a new Bernie. Great history lesson!

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