Extras: Although the subject matter is difficult, at times a break is needed to think about the real atrocities this story portrays. The diligence of the investigation team, against all odds, carries through to the end and this is a terrific historical fiction book. Hopefully, there will be many books in this series. I read this book in two sittings, the second sitting I was determined to read it until the end because I was so engrossed in the story, a story that represents people who had to live through 1940 Berlin, believing Hitler to be a peaceful man, hoping the war wouldn’t last for long. It’s hard to comprehend how those that lived through those years survived. In this tale, we are still in the early days of WWII, in the strange period before all out conflict got underway, despite the declaration of war on Germany in September 1939. Hitler's plan to 'purify' the German nation, by disposing of 'defective' humans through secret programmes of euthanasia, lies at the heart of the story. Berlin, 1940. Germany is gripped by a spell of freezing weather. Food is rationed. The war is underway, but hopes are high it will end soon as the German people mistakenly believe Hitler is a man of peace. At first, the cases seem unconnected, but soon chilling links emerge that point to a terrifying secret. Schenke isn’t the only one in jeopardy. So is everyone within his circle, including Smesler’s widow who has a secret of her own.

The way that Simon Scarrow writes is utterly compelling, he’s like my favorite History Teacher, because although Dead Of Night is a work of fiction, it is based on truth, and in his exceptional style, taught me to look at how working and living in Berlin under the threat of Hitler and his SS henchmen when one is just trying to do one’s job, becomes a minefield of difficulty. In our protagonist, Criminal Inspector Horst Schenke, we have a man who cannot fight due to an injury sustained whilst racing for the famous Silver Arrows Racing Team, so he has risen to the rank of Criminal Inspector with the Kripos, and he loves his job, and just wants to keep fighting the criminals, murderers and rapists and make sure they are caught and punished….sounds simple right? But during wartime in Berlin, nothing is simple, no one trusts one another, and Horst finds himself embroiled in a case that he has been warned off investigating, and when he continues to do so puts himself and those he cares about in grave danger. Germany has conquered Poland. The world is praying for peace. At home, the Nazi Party's hold on power is absolute. I feel this story shows how many Germans may have felt revulsion at what the Third Reich was doing and how, but could not see or accept that it came from the very top. At the end of the book you'll notice a very informative Historical Note, where the horrendous treatment of children and other historical details concerning this period of history are wonderfully explained. I’m not going to give any more of the plot away, but let’s just say the speed of Dead Of Night and the storyline, are thrilling and utterly gripping, you will not be able to put it down. It also had me heading across to Google on several occasions to find out more about topics and people ( there are real Nazis in the books ) so as to add to the story.

Was it murder or suicide? Criminal Inspector Horst Schenke is told that under no circumstances should he investigate. The doctor’s widow, however, is convinced her husband was the target of a hit. But why would anyone murder an apparently obscure doctor? Compelled to dig deeper, Schenke learns of the mysterious death of a child. The cases seem unconnected, but soon chilling links begin to emerge that point to a terrifying secret. Even in times of war, under a ruthless regime The book reads fast, but definitely isn't for the squeamish and those who can't handle the descriptions of the atrocities committed, and to Scarrow's credit, he doesn't go into the detail an historian might go into.

This book has as subject another horrific Nazi massacre at its heart. The killing of handicapped children and sadly this has happened in an organized way by the very thorough Nazi way, because they were a danger for Aryan purity. Sh&t like this happened and there are still people denying the holocaust and it’s kind, which is amazing and absolutely stupefyingly how there can be such a denial. Then again the killing of Muslim men and systematically raping of Muslim girls was ignored in the civil war of former Yugoslavia. Having read the first book in what is turning out to be an excellent series I was excited to receive a review copy of the latest outing of Detective Inspector Horst Schenke of the Berlin Pankow Kripo. He is investigating murders but who has sanctioned these murders and does he really want to find out as this might put his own life in danger. Berlin, 1940. After Germany's invasion of Poland, many still hope that a peace can be agreed before the mayhem of all out war begins in earnest. The shortages are already being felt, as resources are diverted to the war effort, and the brutal, endless winter is starting to hit hard.

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The historical attention to detail was the strength of Dead of the Night, references to a serial killer on the autobahn the Christmas before is a fascinating true crime to explore by itself, and life in Berlin felt very authentically captured

This thriller is set in January/February in Berlin 1940, when after a night out SS Dr Schmesler is found dead the next morning in his home office by his wife. Kripo Criminal Inspector Horst Schenke, after being threatened to leave the case alone, suicide by the official Nazi channel, but after a plea by a mother who's convinced that her girl has been murdered, Schenke decides to investigate this case with the help of Sergeant Hauser and a former SS man called, Liebwitz, and eventually they will unearth more atrocious cases of murdered children, and all because of the children's disabilities mentally or physically. A superb thriller with all the elements that make for a seriously gripping story - an outsider hero in jeopardy, a world of brooding danger, and an entirely, terrifyingly believable denouement - Owen Matthews Was it murder or suicide? Criminal Inspector Horst Schenke is told that under no circumstances should he investigate. The doctor's widow, however, is convinced her husband was the target of a hit. But why would anyone murder an apparently obscure doctor? Compelled to dig deeper, Schenke learns of the mysterious death of a child. The cases seem unconnected, but soon chilling links begin to emerge that point to a terrifying secret.It is the middle of a bitterly cold Winter in the Berlin of 1941 and Horst and his team are investigating a plot to print forged ration coupons.

Well this is absolutely one of those books which grabbed me right from the beginning. Schenke and his assistant Hauser with the help of ex-Gestapo Liebwitz - a character I particularly liked due to his matter-of-factness even in the worst situations - are the good guys. The police who have not succumbed to the Nazi ideology although of course are unable to speak out which would put their lives at risk. At the begin of the book you'll find two maps, one of Berlin and surroundings in 1940, and one of the Nazi Chain of Command. Germany has conquered Poland. The world is praying for peace. At home, the Nazi Party’s hold on power is absolute. The story begins 28th January 1940 as Dr Manfred Schmesler and his wife Brigitte along with friends Hans Eberman and his wife Eva have just attended a concert. They had arranged to go again the following Friday. Unfortunately that night whilst doing some paperwork Dr Schmesler committed suicide, or did he? His wife believes he was murdered.

A seriously gripping story - an outsider hero in jeopardy, a world of brooding danger, and an entirely, terrifyingly believable denouement' Owen Matthews Schenkes private life is also getting more complicated he has asked Karin to marry him, but then he knows he has some sort of feelings for Ruth. But with Ruth being Jewish that would be a dangerous relationship to be in. Writing about the inspiration for Dead of Night, Simon Scarrow describes it as being the story of how ‘an extreme ideology prepares the ground for unthinkable and unconscionable actions’. I expect we can all think of contemporary parallels. Navigating such a situation while keeping his integrity intact is the dilemma Schenke faces. He’s a patriot but one who has become ashamed of what his country is doing. It’s these difficult choices that make the book so powerful, exposing as it does some of the darkest deeds of the 20th century.