Book Review: The Inconvenient German by Peter Steiner

About:

The Inconvenient German by Peter Steiner is a historical fiction which takes place in Nazi Germany during World War II. This is the third book in the Willi Geismeier thriller series.

• 192 pages
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Severn House
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1448306418

My rating for The Inconvenient German  – 5
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More books by Peter Steiner*

Thoughts:

I didn’t realize this was the third in a series until I started reading The Inconvenient German by Peter Steiner. I usually don’t like to start a series from any other book except the first, but it was a short novel, so I figured I’d give it a shot.

What I discovered, right at the beginning, an atmospheric novel with engaging characters. I did not feel, even for one page, that I have missed anything by not reading the first two books, which I certainly intend on doing.

Mr. Steiner manages, in a short time, to show the best and worst of Germany. Those who help humanity, and others who betray their friends, countrymen, or civilization itself.

Only half the story takes place during the war, the other half finds Willi being reinstated as a detective. The novel takes a turn into a disturbing investigation of trafficked children, which the top brass is willing to turn a blind eye to.

This noir novel kept my interest throughout. The glue that holds the book together, Willi Geismeier is an intriguing, nuanced character, acting as only I could wish I would under similar circumstances.

Even though this novel has hints which could put it in the same category as the Bernie Gunther books, I didn’t see any similarities between Gunther and Geismeier. Bernie Gunther is a flawed individual, a gray man living in gray times making gray choices. Geismeier, on the other hand, is passionate about justice, even for perceived enemies. He always attempts to make the right choice, and is not afraid to put his job on the line to do so.

Synopsis:

Willi Geismeier, an ex-cop wanted by the Gestapo, is part of the Flower Gang whose mission is to help people escape from the Reich. However, the Flower Gang has gotten on the Gestapo’s radar, and the members must be extra careful.

An American pilot, Captain Charlie Herder, is shot down near Munich. He has managed to evade capture by the SS, but needs help to make it to safety. A huge manhunt ensues and Herder is aided by the Flower Gang in his attempt to make it to the French border.

Buy The Inconvenient German from Amazon.com*
More books by Peter Steiner*

Zohar — Man of la Book
Dis­claimer: I got this book for free
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account, the money is usually spent on books