P. B. Kerr (1956–2018)

Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther has long been the voice of conscience, compassion, and cynicism. Kerr's latest and final book in this popular series is set in 1928. Bernie is a decorated veteran of World War One and a member of the Berlin Vice Squad. Gunter's boss, Bernhard Weiss, is in a precarious position, given that he is a Jew at a time when anti-Semites were becoming ever more brazen. When Weiss offers Bernie a permanent job in the Murder Commission, Gunther happily accepts, but the young detective soon realizes that this promotion brings with it harrowing responsibilities.

Kerr, who died in 2018, was a superb descriptive writer. In "Metropolis" (the title is, in part, a homage to the Fritz Lang film), the author lays bare Berlin's sleaziness, debauchery, and immorality. Gunther and his colleague, Ernst Gennat, set out to catch a fiendish killer who preys on ladies of the night. The stakes are raised when someone decides to execute maimed soldiers who beg in the streets. In his search for leads, Bernie visits clubs that cater to depraved clients, speaks to multiple witnesses (including a sadistic criminal with his own agenda), and even agrees to risk his neck by going undercover. As usual, Kerr incorporates real-life personalities into his plot, such as the aforementioned director Fritz Lang, the artist George Grosz, and the noted actress, Lotte Lenya, wife of Kurt Weill.

Although Bernie's macabre sense of humor is always entertaining, and his eye for the ladies adds a welcome touch of romance to the proceedings, this tale is a bit too heavy-handed and talky. It takes quite a while to meet Kerr's large and colorful cast of men and women and, after a while, it is difficult to keep track of each person's backstory. Still, Gunther fans will not want to miss their final opportunity to observe this clever and determined sleuth in action. We sympathize with Bernie when he hits the bottle to dull his senses and erase the burden of painful memories. He finds it depressing that certain malevolent individuals are skilled at hiding their true intentions; that a corrupt society fails to reward integrity; and that seeking justice at a time when citizens thumb their noses at the law is a daunting task. It is sad that certain elements of society in the twenty-first century are not that far removed from the violent and dissolute Berlin depicted in "Metropolis."… (more)

Bernhard Gunther, a World War I veteran and a former detective who was based in Berlin, has always been a smart aleck. When Hitler came to power, Bernie was repelled by the Nazis' cruelty and barbarity, and he habitually made wisecracks about National Socialism in front of important party officials. Gunther was fortunate that his superiors brushed off his insolence as harmless banter, or he would have been summarily executed. Another weakness that has gotten Bernie in hot water is his soft spot for attractive women. Time and again, he has fallen in love (or lust) only to find out that he was played for a fool. In 1956, an older and wiser Bernie works as a hotel manager in the French Riviera.

Out of the blue, a former acquaintance, Comrade-General Erich Mielke, who is a bigwig in East Germany's Stasi, makes an offer Bernie had better not refuse. Either kill someone Mielke wants dead or risk being killed himself. This unnerving situation makes Bernie think back to 1939, months before the outbreak of the Second World War. At the time, Reinhard Heydrich dispatched Gunther to Hitler's lavish retreat in Bavaria. Bernie's task was to apprehend the sharpshooter who gunned down a man in Hitler's compound shortly before the Führer was scheduled to arrive. Martin Bormann, Hitler's right-hand man, warned Bernie that the Leader would be very displeased to learn that a murderer is on the loose. Therefore, Bernie had better close the case quickly and satisfactorily.

"Prussian Blue," by Philip Kerr, is an ambitious work of historical fiction that requires a sizeable commitment of time and energy on the part of its readers. Not only does Kerr move back forth between 1939 and 1956, but the cast of characters is large, and the novel's dense plot has more curves than one of Bernie's buxom beauties. At various times, our beleaguered hero is threatened and attacked, both verbally and physically. During the chapters set in 1939, Bernie conducts a challenging investigation that is both messy and dangerous. In 1956, he becomes a fugitive in order to elude a band of murderous thugs.

It is entertaining to observe this resilient and resourceful sleuth try to keep his cool while dealing with fierce political infighting, corruption, drug use, deceitful witnesses, elusive evidence, and self-serving Nazis. Bernie is no Boy Scout. He smokes incessantly, drinks too much, and cuts corners to achieve his goals. However, he is honest, compassionate, moral, and unwavering in his resolve to protect the innocent and make sure that those who are guilty pay for their misdeeds. The conclusion is brilliant. Gunther's life come full-circle, the past and the present converge, and he feels as if fate is having a huge laugh at his expense. Kerr's exhaustive research, literate and intelligent prose, incisive and satirical social commentary, vivid portrayal of repugnant villains, biting humor, and authentic use of geographical, historical, and biographical details make this a must-read for fans of the irrepressible Bernie Gunther.
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