“Straight Into Darkness”  By Faye Kellerman

2011 Book Review #51

Book List Review

Kellerman, perhaps best known for her Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus novels, takes a hiatus from things contemporary in this ambitious historical mystery, in which politics, prejudice, and revenge form the backdrop for murder.

The time is 1929, the place is Munich, and Hitler and his thugs and sycophants are gathering momentum for the horrors to come. Kommunisten, Social Democrats, gays, and, especially, Jews are the targets of Brown Shirts, who are increasing in number and viciousness.

 Even Munich's Homicide Unit has its Nazi sympathizers. Inspektor Axel Berg, however, isn't one of them. He hopes to steer clear of politics, especially on the job. But when the murders of three women and a young child spawn rumors of a serial killer, the pressure to find a scapegoat (the Jewish husband of one of the victims will do as a start) intensifies, and Berg finds himself fighting not only for fairness for the accused but also for his own career.

This is a complicated novel, and its mystery occasionally flounders under the weighty political backdrop. But suspense gradually mounts, and the ironic ending is worth the wait. As for Berg, he is one of Kellerman's richest creations--an intriguing protagonist, flawed yet compassionate and heroic, forced to confront enormous odds in brutal times. --Stephanie Zvirin

My Thoughts:  If you like mysteries and you like history, this book is for you.  This is very different from what Kellerman usually writes.  It is frightening because the horrible history is real even if the story is fiction and Kellerman takes you directly into that history.  The surprise ending is extraordinary.  It is a well written story and I’m glad I read it.  BUT…I prefer Kellerman’s  Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus novels.  History can be very cruel and hard to read about!