WWII in Nazi Germany. Dr. Elin Lund, a psychological profiler working to find a serial killer. Very unusual take on a historical fiction book written about WWII. I was surprised that the character of Dr. Lund was a woman, a well respected Dr. I didn't think that women were very valued by the Nazis. Interesting read.

Love historical fiction? Intrigued by thrillers? Appreciate a good romantic side storyline? This book has it all. It's the story of Dr. Elin Lund, a psychologist and criminal profiler who gets called to Nazi Germany to consult on a serial killer case just after Denmark, her home country is occupied. As she navigates investigating the murders alongside a local detective while not embarrassing the Reich, she worries for her jewish in-laws and half-jewish son back home.

From start to finish, I was on the edge of my seat. It just kept getting more and more gripping with twists and turns up to the very end. With only a few pages left, I was worried about a lack of closure or an unfinished sequel awaiting me, but I was wrong. The characters have depth and emotional range. There is strong backstory and realistic encounters with people alive during that time whose stories and perspectives are often overlooked. The tension between characters was palpable. It really puts you in a position to consider some of the difficult decisions people had to make who weren't simply Nazis or Jews, the persecutors or the persecuted, as we so often see and read about in stories about this period. There were a lot of complexities to be navigated trying to stay safe while doing the right thing.

I 100% recommend this book to anyone who wants to hunker down with a captivating story for an uninterrupted few days. You won't want to do anything else.

This was a fine mystery/suspense story with some interesting periodic elements. I always enjoy reading historical mysteries with a female protagonist, although I sometimes wonder how realistic this particular plot line might be. The protagonist, Dr. Elin Lund, is working as a psychological profiler in Hitler’s Nazi Berlin, in 1943. My feelings regarding this extremely unlikely, strong female character in this place and time is what kept me from appreciating this story more. It just didn’t feel especially believable, given what I know about the Nazi’s views of women. I also thought the ending was unfortunate, in that it was just too pat. That said, it’s a very decent read, with an interesting plot and relatable characters and I thank NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for a review.

An excellent read! I love the look at the infancy of forensic science and that Elin was Danish but dispatched to Berlin to solve murders.
The action was fast paced and kept my attention.
I wasn’t sure how the book would turn out but happily it had a good ending against the backdrop of strife and agony.

I felt like this was two stories at once. The Nazis seemed to be very much a background to the mystery. I would have liked to see the stories work together a bit more seamlessly.

An immersive period suspense with a touch of romance. The characters and plot were well fleshed-out and compelling, making the brief epilogue a bit unsatisfying as it didn’t address the fate of a side character near and dear to one of the principals.

This novel had such a great premise but ultimately it fell flat. The enemies to lovers trope. The bio-mother serial killer plot - completely unnecessary. The story was intelligent and well written but drags. But also rushed somehow? Maybe it was with all the unnecessary backstory and sub-plots? I don't know.

typically like thrillers and especially anything during this time period (fiction and nonfiction) but Some Murders in Berlin just didn't resonate with me.

Thanks to NetGalley, I had the privilege of receiving an advanced copy to read. This book started a bit slow and was hard to read, but it eventually picked up and was well thought out.

Dr. Murder was the moniker Professor Elin Lund has been given. Wanted or not. Solving murders with psychological profiles has been her claim to fame. Having to do it under the eyes of Hitler's regime is a whole other story.

Working on this serial murder case with the officer in charge, Kurt Schneider, was going to be taxing. But she had to get through it. To get herself and her team back home. Home to her son - who, being half Jewish, is at constant risk.

This book is SO good!! So many elements that kept me constantly keeping me on the edge of my seat!

Karen Robards weaves a gripping tale of suspense and intrigue in Some Murders in Berlin. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the story follows a captivating duo: a brilliant female professor, an expert on serial killers, and a determined German police detective. As they delve into the investigation of a sinister serial killer terrorizing Berlin, Robards masterfully captures the tension and uncertainty of wartime Germany, adding layers of complexity to both the characters and the plot.

Robards skillfully blends historical detail with a heart-pounding mystery, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. The tense dynamic between the professor and the detective adds depth to the narrative, as they navigate personal and professional challenges while racing against time to catch a ruthless killer. Some Murders in Berlin' is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and suspense, offering a compelling glimpse into the dark underbelly of war-torn Berlin. I read it in a day- I didn’t want to put it down! Now I’m sad that I don’t have it to read. If you like crime novels, historical fiction, or better yet a combination of the two, this is the novel for you. 4.25/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this as an ARC!

A twisty WWII historical murder mystery that sees a new psychiatric forensic scientist helping the German police track down a serial killer.
Denmark had just surrendered to the Nazis when Professor Elin Lund, a forensic psychiatrist, from Copenhagen is directed by Nazi command to go to Berlin to investigate a serial killer. Blonde women have been found murdered in identical situations.
Elin can’t disobey. She’s hiding a secret, or two.
This title was twisty, heart stopping and intriguing. Karen really knows how to co-mingle genres. This war novel brought the mystery, the history and a bit of romance too.

Please read my review at Shelf Awareness: https://www.shelf-awareness.com/sar-issue.html?issue=1239#m24130

If there is one thing about me, it's that I LOVE a WWII historical novel. Make it a mystery novel and it's even better! This entire book was incredibly fast paced and well done. I couldn't book this book down the entire time I was reading it! Thanks so much to Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA and NetGalley for the ARC!

In Berlin during World War II, Dr. Elin Lund is an expert in psychological profiling, and she’s been summoned from Copenhagen to investigate the gruesome murders of eight young women. With her homeland now under Nazi occupation and a young son to protect, Elin can’t refuse such a request.

Homicide Detective Kurt Schneider, head of the criminal police unit, is not welcoming at all The orders to find the killer come from the top, and to fail means death. The stakes are too high to risk any mistakes. This pair, trapped in this partnership, needs the other one. Each one is guarding secrets.

Every bit of evidence reveals a killer more dangerous and more powerful, than anyone suspected. I really liked the plot in this historical romance.

Some Murders in Berlin is a well written WWII historical mystery novel. This book is set in Berlin during World War II, and I found it to be very fast paced and engaging. This was my first Karen Robards novel and I would say she hit it out of the park, I will be back for more. The book deals with a serial killer killing Aryan women in the city and the government is trying to keep the citizens from finding out, along with a host of characters who have their own secrets this book will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Eight women slaughtered. Not a headline the Nazis want broadcast to the citizens of Berlin in 1943. Nothing can affect morale at home or the front. Therefore, Dr. Murder must be consulted, regardless of what the lead investigator thinks. Elin Lund detests the moniker she has earned through her forensic psychiatric work. No matter how much she wants to stay in Denmark to protect her half-Jewish daughter from the evil that threatens Copenhagen, Elin feels compelled to help two colleagues who work for the Resistance and are being hunted by the Nazis. They accompany her to Berlin to aid the investigation and to hide in plain sight. If they are discovered, all three will die.

Despite the skepticism of Kriminalinspektor Kurt Schneider, Elin scours the crime scenes for clues, which are easily lost in the rubble from nightly bombings. But the connection between the women remains elusive. One piece of evidence suggests the culprit has ties to the SS. This knowledge endangers both Elin and Kurt for different reasons, both associated with their pasts. Trust becomes an issue because they are enemies who must work together.

Robards has crafted a complex mystery, set in a well-known historical period. The usual subjects are covered in atypical ways that make the story fresh and compelling. Tension, conflict, psychology, and atmosphere combine to clearly demonstrate how the past affects the present and influences who characters are. Danger may lurk in the shadows of Some Murders in Berlin, but the threats and peril are palpable enough to make readers constantly look over their shoulders.

Some Murders in Berlin by Karen Robards is historical fiction at its best. Professor Elin Lund, a Danish forensic psychologist, is called to Berlin to help identify a brutal serial killer. Coming from an occupied country, it is impossible for her to refuse. Berlin in 1943 is dangerous enough, what with Allied bombs and the Nazi Gestapo, but now Lund and her team have to face a manic murderer as well. With political pressure weighing heavily on the Berlin cops to find an "acceptable" suspect - preferably Jewish - Lund finds herself in a race against time. Highly readable and recommended.

I was excited to read Karen Robards’ newest book, Some Murders in Berlin. I had previously read The Black Swan of Paris and The Girl from Guernica by her and had been impressed with her writing and plot development in both of those books. Some Murders in Berlin definitely lived up to my expectations. It was fast paced, filled with tension and was action packed. It was set in Berlin, Germany during World War II and examined a very unique situation that was occurring in the city. I would describe Some Murders in Berlin as a World War II historical fiction murder mystery thriller.

A serial killer had made their presence known in Berlin and had already killed eight young Aryan women in much the same way. The German government was trying to prevent the public from finding out about these horrific killings. They needed the German men to continue fighting for the Nazis. If German husbands, sons or brothers were made aware that a serial killer existed and was still loose on the streets, those men would probably want to return home to protect their wives, mothers, sisters and daughters. That was something that the Nazis wanted to avoid at all costs. The Nazis had their best personnel working on this case but so far they had not been able to stop the killings or identify the killer. They needed help.

Shortly after the Nazis took control of Denmark, Dr. Elin Lund was summoned to Berlin. Dr. Elin Lund was a well respected psychological profiler. Many referred to Elin as “The Murder Doctor “. In September of 1943, Elin dropped her young son off with her late husband’s family and boarded a train headed for Berlin. Elin usually worked alone but this time she was accompanied by two academic colleagues of hers who were also members of the Danish Resistance. Both Pia and Jens needed an escape route from Copenhagen. They were in danger of being caught by the Nazis for the acts they carried out for the resistance. Pia was a photographer and was able to sketch portraits from verbal descriptions given by witnesses. Jens was a brilliant mathematician. Beside wanting to help them escape from Denmark, Elin knew their expertise would prove valuable in helping her solve the case. Elin was not thrilled about going to Berlin. The last time that she was there, Elin had been a young girl. She had accompanied her parents to Berlin. Her father was scheduled to speak at a conference in Berlin. Elin’s father had been a well known and respected police detective. The day her father was speaking, Elin and her mother spent the day together. That was the worst day of Elin’s life. Her mother had tragically died in a hit and run accident as her mother started to cross a road. The car came out of nowhere and hit her mother head on and then sped away. Elin had witnessed the entire incident. She had not been back to Berlin since that tragic day.

When Elin, Pia and Jens arrived in Berlin, they were introduced to Kriminalinspektor Kurt Schneider, the head of the criminal police and in charge of the case Elin would be working on. Kurt Schneider was far from welcoming. He probably resented that Dr. Elin Lund had been brought in on this case. The two were forced to work together. Kriminalinspektor Schneider informed Elin that she always had to be aware of who was listening when she wanted to convey something. Phones were tapped and listening devices were planted everywhere. As Elin began to build a psychological profile of the killer, she suspected that the killer had ties to the police department, had a troubled childhood that included violence, was fluent in Kurrent, a distinct way of writing and reading German and had type A blood. As Kurt and Elin explored all the leads and clues they gathered, they started to develop respect for one another. That eventually led them to develop feelings for one another. There was more to Kurt than Elin had suspected at first. The more Elin got to know Kurt, the more she began to understand him and like him. Kurt became very protective of Elin once the killer set his sights on her. Real danger awaited both of them around every corner. Elin’s main goal was to identify and catch the killer as quickly as possible so she could return to Denmark and to her young son. She missed him dearly and worried about his safety. Would Kurt and Elin be able to put the pieces of the puzzle together and discover who the killer was before the killer struck again?

I really enjoyed reading this riveting historical fiction murder mystery book by Karen Robards. Some Murders in Berlin was full of twists. Many of the characters were harboring secrets, including Elin and Kurt. Karen Robards included many high profile Nazis in the book, explored the existence of German nightclubs which often played music that was forbidden by the Nazis and took a close look at the Lebensborn society and the Black Orchestra, a small group of Nazis who were secretly sympathetic to the welfare of the Jewish people and helped them escape. i couldn’t read Some Murders in Berlin fast enough to see what was going to happen next. It was the kind of story that put me at the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. I highly recommend it if you enjoy a good mystery that was set in Nazi Germany during World War II.

Thank you to Harlequin/ MIRA Publishing for allowing me to read Some Murders in Berlin by Karen Robards through Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Another good page turner by Robards. To my knowledge, Professor Lund, Detective Kurt Schneider and the murdered women are all fictional characters. The rescue of Jewish people and children from Germany is true. However, the story is totally believable and keeps you involved until the last page.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity read this and provide my feedback

I love historical fiction in this era. A serial killer, crime thriller written so well I thought I was there. I truly enjoyed the female lead. She was smart and witty.. tjis is my first book by this author and will not be my last. I give this 4.5 stars