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The Pale Criminal
- Narrated by: Jeff Harding
- Series: Bernie Gunther, Book 2
- Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
- Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Mystery
Non-member price: $38.87
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There has to be one!
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Performance
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Bernie Gunther had his first brush with evil as a policeman in 1930s Berlin and came to know it intimately as a private eye under the Nazis, when each case drew him deeper into the enormities of the regime. Now the war is over and Gunther is in Vienna, trying to clear an old friend of the murder of an American officer. Amid decaying imperial splendour, he traces sprials of depravity that lead him to a former head of the Gestapo.
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Munich in 1949 is a place where a private eye can find a lot of not-quite-reputable work. It fills Bernie Gunther with disgust - but it also fills his sorely depleted wallet. Then a woman seeks him out. Her husband has disappeared. She's not looking to get him back - he's a wanted man who ran one of the most vicious concentration camps in Poland. She just wants confirmation that he's dead.
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Not ready for the pasture
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Research
- By: Philip Kerr
- Narrated by: Nigel Carrington
- Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Houston publishes so many books a year that he can't possibly write them himself. He has a ghost team; writers, agents, publishers. So when he takes a year out to write something of quality, a novel that will win prizes, a lot of people stand to lose their livelihoods. Now Houston, the prime suspect in his wife's murder, has disappeared. He could be anywhere and there are many who'd like to find him.
Publisher's Summary
Meanwhile, private investigator Bernie Gunther is hired by a rich widow to find out who has been blackmailing her, as well as by the Berlin criminal police to track down a serial killer. Temporarily promoted to the rank of Kommissar, Gunther sets out to solve the dual mysteries amid the tensions of pre-war.
Hard-hitting, fast-paced and richly detailed, Philip Kerr's second Bernie Gunther novel is nothing short of spell-binding.
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What listeners say about The Pale Criminal
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Overall

- chris
- 19-01-2009
Second in the series and just as good
This is the second title in the "Berlin Noir" trilogy. Set in Berlin of 1938, Bernie Gunther is investigating a serial killer specialising in young German girls. Meanwhile, elements of the Nazi party are attempting to use the killings to stir up anti-Jewish rioting. An excellent story, with more interesting detail of Berlin in the 30's and the Nazi threat.
7 people found this helpful
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- Nana
- 12-03-2014
Fascinating pre war Nazi German setting
My first Phillip Kerr book. I enjoyed the story of the individuals in the setting of a comming Nazi state. Well enjoyed isnt the right word probably fascinating that so many failed to challenge the holocaust and stand up for what was right. But how easy is it to take tha path. Jeff Hardings narration was first class. Only problem is from tine to time i felt i was in a Jack Reacher Book because it was Jeff narrating. Wonder if this is why the narrator changes later in the series.
4 people found this helpful
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- Emma
- 05-12-2015
Kerr and Harding - another winner for the team
Would you consider the audio edition of The Pale Criminal to be better than the print version?
The chance to listen to more of Philip Kerr's books is a pleasure I look forward to.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Pale Criminal?
The accuracy of his research and the authenticity he gives to the setting and background events really bring his characters to life.
What about Jeff Harding’s performance did you like?
Mr Harding's performance truly brings out the dry wit with which Kerr has endowed Bernie Gunther.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Gunther's cynicism hasn't left him as he is persuaded to serve his new Nazi bosses, but his passion for the truth and justice still shines through.
3 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 07-10-2013
German Chandler innit!
What made the experience of listening to The Pale Criminal the most enjoyable?
If you've read any of the Flashman books and Hammett or Chandler then in a nutshell that's what to expect. A ripping yarn set upon a backdrop of Germany between the 30's to 50's
3 people found this helpful
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Overall

- Miss
- 21-06-2010
Enjoyable Yarn
This was an enjoyable detective story and the setting - late nineteen thirties Germany - added to the interest. I did however find the hard boiled American narration a wee bit annoying, especially as the narrator made such a good job of the other German characters.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall

- Rita
- 12-01-2010
Great period feel
i really enjoyed the hard-boiled detective in this series and the backdrop of 1930s Berlin provides a sinister atmophere. All the series are good but I did not enjoy Philip Kerr's other books. Luckily he has return to the Bernie Gunther stories
3 people found this helpful
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Overall

- Kindle Customer
- 13-03-2009
fantastic listen
I did not know much about Germany before the war. It paints a picture of a country on a downhill slope,where serial killers, thugs and politicians do what they like.
It is a fasinating listen and a great thriller.
It kept me listening right to the end. I really enjoy these books and the characters are gritty, real and have plenty of human faults.
This novel is a 1st rate listen.
3 people found this helpful
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- MsMarko
- 26-08-2015
gripping and funny
nicely narrative of an enthralling adventures of Bernie . Enjoyed every minute of it. thanks
2 people found this helpful
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- Gunnar
- 17-12-2013
Bernie Gunther back in Kripo
Fascinating to have a detective story set in Nazi Germany. The idea is brilliant, the reading is good without being fantastic but the story is a bit too fantastic at times.
But all in all a very good listen.
Recommended
2 people found this helpful
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- Linda C. Stanley
- 15-08-2017
Gripping
Another brilliant Philip Kerr novel set in 1930's Germany. The gripping story of private eye Gunther and his search for the gruesome murderer of several young German girls in the early days of Nazi regime.
Read superbly by Jeff Harding captivating voice who brings the novel to life and fires your imagination.
I listened to this audio whilst making a quilt.
1 person found this helpful
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