This was OK. Really picked up during the second half. I found the writing a little dry and stiff but that could be an effect of translation, maybe it flowed better in German. Lots of possibilities for the killer, so it did keep me guessing.

Frank Goldammer, The Air Raid Killer (German 2016, English 2018)

I snatched the chance to read this mystery / thriller on Netgalley when I saw that it was set in the city of Dresden at the end of World War 2. I have first heard of the massive bombings of the city of Dresden in highschool in the 20C history class, but it was abstract to me. The city was bombed by Allies in an attempt to discourage German civilians and hasten the end of the war. The number of dead people at the end of 3 days bombings was equally staggering for the 17 year old-me as for the 40 something me. I read in Wikipedia that an independent history investigation said that 25000 people died. But even with pictures it remains mind-blowing to even imagine what people went through. I read Slaughterhouse-Five
by Kurt Vonnegut and the Emigrants and the Natural History of Destruction by Sebald but it was still hard to grasp. What better way then, than turn to fiction?

I didn’t care much for the killer part. I am a bit jaded about serial killers doing terrible things to young women, but I must say that 1945 Dresden is a great context for it. The end of the Nazi era gave plenty of opportunity for a lot of sociopathic / psychopathic people. Plus, the disorganization of all structures including the police, the influx of thousands of refugees fleeing the Soviet soldiers’ progression, the lack of reliable information, the rumors and the endless queuing for food make for a very credible background for a psychopath killing spree to go unsolved or even unseen.

I really liked police detective Max Heller. We see him pair up with a dangerous Soviet inspector and still doggedly search for the killer despite adverse circumstances. I may have my doubts about the historical credibility that a German policeman would have been able to keep his job throughout the Nazi era without adhering to Nazi ideology in any way, but I’m willing to leave my doubts aside for now, until I get to know him better!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.

This novel has brilliant pacing and I truly enjoyed the subject matter, but the characters fell utterly flat. I couldn't rouse any interest in their personalities and thus didn't care how it all played out. Ultimately appreciated Goldammer's ability to keep the story moving, but can't see myself recommending it to other readers.

I really enjoyed this book; it was a pity I didn't get to finish it.
I received a copy through NetGalley for an unbiased review. They suggested I use Adobe Digital Editions if I was using a laptop. I had been having trouble for months and just last week it stopped working completely and I was two-thirds of teh way through the book! (it has already been archived through NetGalley.) Now that disclaimer is out of the way, on to the review.

During World War II the focus of every military, professional and civil person is on the war. In Dresden people are starving, refugees are looking for safety, and every night people are in teh basement because of air raids. This is the perfect chance for a psychopath to take advantage of. Max Heller is an investigator who stumbles upon his work: women butchered and flayed. Heller gets a lot of flak from the brass for pursuing this; there are more important things like the war going on. But Heller doesn't give up; he knows these women deserve justice.
I was mesmerized by the case. What could cause that much anger? Why this particular signature? Why?
I loved Heller and his desire to make sure that civilians were safe from other civilians. Each character seemed to be layered. Where they true Nazis? Who didn't hail Hitler?
Sadly, I won't know the ending but if it is anything like the first two thirds, then it probably had a satisfying ending.

This was a very good novel that was researched well. This is a should read for all historical fiction and mystery genre fans.

This is set in Dresden, Germany in the weeks leading up to the infamous firebombing that destroyed the city in February of 1945. The author writes this crime/suspense story in chronological order with the historical events of that time period, so it was interesting to learn more about that time period. The writing was so good that I could visualize that time and place. Definitely worth a read!

"The Air Raid Killer" was a mixed bag to me. The mystery about the air raid killer, named by the local German as the fright man, was the beginning of the search of the murderer of few brutal crimes. Something more insane and sinister was waiting for Detective Max Heller to uncover. The mystery plot was alright for the most part. There were some twists and turns but they hardly created any climaxes. To simply put, the mystery part was only satisfactory, nothing wow.

But the author's detail descriptions on the bombing of Dresden was done superbly. The Russian's occupation of Dresden, the before and after the raids of the city added surprising interests to the story that kept me wanting to finish the book. Written by a German who talked about the insanity of the Nazis, and the tribulations to the destruction to Dresden, the city furnished with cultures and history, the author's voice added credibility to the historical aspect of the book.

All in all, "The Air Raid Killer" was a decent read.
The mediocre suspense was a letdown otherwise I would have given it a 4-star rating. That said, a solid 3.5

I stumbled upon this title during my hunt for more international authors/translations and I was immediately intrigued both by the cover and the blurb. I admit I had forgotten about the exact content of the story when I started reading it and went in blind thinking it was going to be a historical fiction read. And while there is no doubt that The Air Raid Killer is a proper historical fiction read set in Dresden, Germany during the final part of WWII, I was pleasantly surprised to find out especially the first part reads more like a historical detective thriller. Two of my favorite genres combined? Definitely a bonus! The Air Raid Killer starts out strong and will be able to draw you in straight away. Historical descriptions are mixed with a most brutal murder scene that will definitely chill you to the bone. The main character of this German detective series Max Heller has the almost impossible task to try and find out what happened when nobody seems to care about one more body in a war with so many casualties. But detective Max Heller is determined to find out even when he meets resistance everywhere. Both the actual murders and the general situation in Dresden are not suited for the weak-hearted; combined they form a very explosive and shocking plot. The serial killer on the loose is without doubt brutal, and combined with the air raid attacks and the chaos during the end of the war you have a recipe for a very chilling read. While the first part focuses on the thriller aspect of the plot, the second half of the story is more historical fiction focuses. I think I would have preferred have just one way or the other and not both, although I do understand why the author made the choice to swap and include more historical details after the end of the war. The final reveals of the murder case do feel a bit rushed though, and I'm also wondering up to what point the methods of investigation used were actually available in that time period. Still, The Air Raid Killer was without doubt a very good historical thriller set during the end of WWII, and both detective thriller and historical fiction fans will be able to enjoy this one.

Historical fiction is mixed with a classic detective thriller, as a serial killer and air raid bombs fight for the title of ‘most feared’ by the inhabitants of the city of Dresden. The writing style and initial plot make it really easy to get a proper feel for the story, and the first half of the story is without doubt the strongest part of the book. I would have preferred a continued focus on the detective thriller side of the story, which felt a bit rushed in the second half. But I also understand the switch and need for a focus on what happened in Dresden during those final days and after. While not perfect, The Air Raid Killer is without doubt a great read for anyone who wants to read a WWII story with a slightly different focus and angle.

I don't often read WWII based novels but I'm glad I got a copy of this. I enjoyed the story and the characters. I wasn't sure how I would feel about it based on the synopsis, but it was definitely worth reading it.

Not my typical read at all but I was surprised by it and enjoyed it. While it seems predictable at first and even a little cliche there are a lot of little twists in there which don't come together until the end, and I'm glad to see a positive ending for a book set in such a difficult historical time. While I would have liked a little more grit to Heller (seriously, for a cop he's very naive and lacking that "bulldog" mentality that the author isn't quite creating) I'm not sure if that's simply a "lost in translation" thing which is why I'm not taking any stars off.

Dresden, 1945, is a city on the edge. The Third Reich is in its (well deserved) death spiral, the Russians are encroaching to the east as American forces push through from the west, air raids are constant, and wartime rationing and an influx of refugees have left the city on the brink of starvation. Amidst all this chaos, a brutal killer stalks the streets. Max Heller is a Detective Inspector with the Dresden police, a man seeking justice in a country descended into paranoia and chaos. As the body count grows, Heller must not only find a way to stop a serial killer who strikes when the air raid sirens sound, but to ensure justice in a city still under the thumb of Hitler’s fanatics.

This book was fantastic, a noir in every sense of the world. Goldammer has painted a world in the deep blacks, grays, and browns of a world torn apart by war, an ancient city beset on all sides by enemies and destructive forces. Goldammer has painted us a vivid picture of a city under seige, and the hardships its people must endure. In the midst of starvation, overflowing refugee camps, and the brutality and paranoia of Hitler’s officials, one serial killer is something most people are content to overlook, to let slide without investigation as the realities of war seem so much mire dire. Max Heller is the perfect detective to place into this mess. His overarching sense of duty and justice compel him to see the case resolved, to ensure that he can do a small part to defend his world against true anarchy.

The story is compelling, with actual historical events woven through the plot. I finished the book in one day, more accurately one sitting. This is an engaging read, infused with the unreality and paranoia of the time period. Max Heller isn’t the most fleshed out protagonist out there, but he doesn’t have to be. Rather, he represents our “better angels” fighting a losing battle against horror.

Fans of WWII era stories, dark mysteries, or serial killer-related plots will really like this book.

An advance copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.