3.82
Part of "Bernie Gunther" series
"March Violets" by Philip Kerr is a gripping historical crime novel set in 1930s Berlin. The book introduces readers to Bernie Gunther, a former police officer turned private detective, who is drawn into a complex web of crime, politics, and corruption. The story begins with Gunther being hired by a wealthy industrialist to investigate the murder of his daughter and her husband. As Gunther delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a plot involving stolen treasure, Nazi Party officials, and a shadowy criminal organization. The investigation takes Gunther from the seedy underbelly of Berlin to the highest echelons of power, as he navigates the dangerous waters of pre-war Germany. Kerr's writing is sharp and evocative, bringing 1930s Berlin to life in vivid detail. The city is depicted as a place of contrasts, where glamour and decadence exist side by side with poverty and desperation. The atmosphere is tense and oppressive, reflecting the growing political tensions of the time. Bernie Gunther is a complex and compelling protagonist. He is a man of honor in a world that values power and wealth above all else. Despite his cynicism and world-weariness, he remains committed to justice and truth. Gunther is a flawed character, with a dark past and a tendency to bend the rules, but he is also deeply human and relatable. "March Violets" is a masterful blend of historical fiction and crime thriller. It explores themes of morality, power, and corruption, while also delivering a gripping and suspenseful plot. Fans of hard-boiled detective novels and historical fiction will find much to enjoy in this book. It is a compelling and thought-provoking read that will leave readers eager for more adventures with Bernie Gunther...
Raymond Chandler
The Big Sleep
If you enjoyed the noir style of 'March Violets', you might want to try 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler. This classic hard-boiled detective novel features Philip Marlowe, a private detective navigating the dark underbelly of Los Angeles.
Learn MoreDashiell Hammett
The Maltese Falcon
Another classic of the noir genre, 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett features private detective Sam Spade in a tale of murder, mystery, and intrigue. A great choice for fans of 'March Violets'.
Learn MoreMichael Chabon
The Yiddish Policemen's Union
If you enjoyed the historical setting of 'March Violets', you might want to try 'The Yiddish Policemen's Union' by Michael Chabon. This novel is set in an alternate history where Jewish refugees have created a thriving society in Sitka, Alaska, and follows a detective investigating a murder.
Learn MoreDennis Lehane
The Given Day
For fans of 'March Violets' who are interested in historical fiction, 'The Given Day' by Dennis Lehane is a great choice. Set in Boston in 1919, this novel explores the city's political and social upheaval through the eyes of a police officer and a union organizer.
Learn MoreCaleb Carr
The Alienist
If you enjoyed the historical setting and mystery of 'March Violets', you might want to try 'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr. Set in New York City in 1896, this novel follows a criminal psychologist and a journalist as they investigate a series of gruesome murders.
Learn MoreMichael Connelly
The Black Echo
For fans of 'March Violets' who enjoy detective novels, 'The Black Echo' by Michael Connelly is a great choice. This novel introduces Harry Bosch, a detective investigating a murder that has ties to his own past in the Vietnam War.
Learn MoreMatthew Pearl
The Dante Club
If you enjoyed the historical setting and mystery of 'March Violets', you might want to try 'The Dante Club' by Matthew Pearl. Set in Boston in 1865, this novel follows a group of poets as they investigate a series of murders that have ties to Dante's Inferno.
Learn MoreMichael Connelly
The Lincoln Lawyer
For fans of 'March Violets' who enjoy legal thrillers, 'The Lincoln Lawyer' by Michael Connelly is a great choice. This novel introduces Mickey Haller, a defense attorney who takes on a high-profile case that has ties to his own past.
Learn MoreUmberto Eco
The Name of the Rose
If you enjoyed the historical setting and mystery of 'March Violets', you might want to try 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. Set in a medieval monastery in Italy, this novel follows a Franciscan friar and his apprentice as they investigate a series of murders that have ties to the monastery's library.
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