A different sort of WWII novel. Elin, a Danish psychiatrist and expert on murder has been summoned to Berlin and ordered to find the villain who has killed eight women- and counting. She's working with Kurt, who resents her at first and then, well there's romance which frankly I could have done without. She's also got her colleagues Pia Andersen and Jens Miller, who as part of the Danish resistance, committed sabotage because she hopes things will be cooler in Berlin for them than Copenhagen (seriously- not sure why anyone would have thought that). Then there's her story, her fear for her son because her husband was Jewish. While some of this seems implausible, it's also a tense read with good atmospherics (I know). Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Fans of Robards will enjoy this one.

Someone is murdering beautiful young women in 1943 Berlin

Elin Lund, a psychiatrist with training in forensics and an interest in murder, lives in Copenhagen with her young son Niles, Her husband Lars was killed soon after Germany invaded Denmark, so when she is summoned to Berlin to assist the authorities in solving a spate of murders she reluctantly leaves her son behind with her mother-in-law and heads to the last city she (or anyone with any sense) would want to be at this point in the war. She brings with her two colleagues from the University of Copenhagen, Pia Andersen and Jens Miller; she claims that their help is essential to her work but in fact is doing so to get Jens, who works with the Danish resistance and during his last mission was injured while narrowly avoiding capture, out of Copenhagen. Elin’s combination of training and skills make her well-suited to guiding the authorities to those who kill, and have earned her the moniker, “Dr. Murder”. When she and her team arrive in Berlin, the gruesome nature of the killings they are tasked with helping to solve are the least of their problems…the Kripo detective who is leading the case, Kurt Schneider, did not ask for her help (and doesn’t seem to want it), Schneider’s superiors make it quite clear that there is to be no publicity about the case as it could negatively impact morale across the country, and she should assume that the killer is from the lower rungs of society (no Aryan, they reason, could possibly act this barbarically). At the same time, Elin fears that the German authorities back in Copenhagen will figure out Jens’ involvement with the Resistance and the three of them will be in deep trouble, especially given the arrests just after their departure of two prominent Jewish members of the university for sabotage, one of whom is her father-in-law. Up until now, the Germans have not subjected the Danish Jews to the round-ups and incarcerations that those in other conquered territories have suffered, but the war is not going well and the Germans are cracking down. With every reason to want to return to Denmark and keep her half-Jewish son safe, Elin must work with Schneider and other members of the Kripo, unable to trust any of them and under scrutiny from those in power at the top, and hamstrung by the regime’s focus on maintaining the facade of a well-run and morally impeccable society. Over time an unwelcome attraction grows between Elin and Schneider, and as the killer targets Elin she will need to probe tragedies from her own past for possible clues as to who is responsible for the string of brutal murders. Time is running out….can they identify and stop the killer before he claims another victim, possibly Elin herself?
Some Murders in Berlin is a solid thriller set in the waning months of WWII, with an intelligent and resourceful female protagonist and an equally skilled counterpart in Schneider, a man who has made some powerful enemies within the hierarchy of his country’s government and who is battling his own demons. Neither one trusts the other (and who can blame them…in that time and in that city, who would trust anyone else, especially a stranger?), yet they must develop some sort of partnership if they are to identify the murderer and stop the killing spree. Each has secrets that they keep from not only one another but the world, and know that having the wrong person learn those secrets could end their careers and even their lives. All in all this is a great read, although there were a few places when terms used and subjects raised seemed more 2024 than 1943 (pretty sure that the word “rape” would not have bandied about between men and a woman in that era, for example), but the story was well paced and the characters were distinct and relatable. Fans of Ashley Weaver, Susan Elia MacNeal and Jacqueline Winspear would likely enjoy this tale, and I would recommend it as well to anyone else who enjoys romantic suspense set in this period of history. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA for allowing me early access to this historical thriller.

I did it! I finished! It took me almost two months, but I finished. Unfortunately, this book was really slow for me. Plot wise, it’s solid, it’s engaging, the characters aren’t idiots. I won’t lie, I didn’t think of the main bad guy as who it was till the reveal- which isn’t always something that happens to me. I’m not sure if the fact that it took me so long because it’s a historical thriller set in WW2 and a lot of people in that time were AWFUL, but props to the author to keep me guessing. My biggest struggle I think, was the pacing. It starts out with a dead body and I liked the crime solving skills the FMC uses to find evidence at each murder scene. I also appreciated the fact that the people that died stayed dead… or maybe that’s a fantasy trope that just drives me nuts and this is clearly not a fantasy. Anywho. I finished it, and didn’t DNF so two stars for that. It’s decent, but I don’t see myself reading more historical thrillers anytime soon. Oh, one last comment, there was another review complaining about sex in the book, and I gotta say, it’s fade to black and tastefully done- I was expecting something crazy with what the other person complained about.

Shoutout to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Elin is a specialist, nicknamed “Dr Murder”, she is called in from Denmark to Germany,to help solve a series of murders of young women. Kurt, a german policeman is in charge of the investigation and neither one can fully trust the other in the waning years of Nazi Germany. Elin tries to maintain a delicate balance among all the powers in play as she and Kurt become closer and strive to solve the mystery in the heart of the secret dance clubs. Karen Robards delivers a great story as usual, drawing the reader into the devastating world of war

I was expecting a hard hitting historical psychological thriller, but this was a well written historical mystery set in Berlin at the time of the Nazi decline. I felt the terror of the time but the plot felt predictable with some romantic suspense thrown in. It was not the book for me BUT I feel it would appeal to readers looking for a light romantic suspense during World War II.

This was a well-written, suspenseful historical novel that wound up being a skim read for me. It just never really pulled me in.

I'd say it was me, not the book this time. The characters and the writing were decent. The setting and atmosphere felt real. The story just didn't hold my attention the way I would've liked it to. If you're looking for a decent WWII thriller though, I'd say this is a solid choice.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

An interesting combo of WWII historical fiction and a crime story threaded together. A decent page-turner, but a little all over the board in terms of bringing multiple types of story together and I feel like reading about WWII can be hard enough given the complexities/suffering, then add in a serial killer and at times it was a bit much!
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with an eARC of Some Murders in Berlin in exchange for my honest review!

I had a solid time with the blend of serial killer thriller, historical fiction, and romance that we get in Some Murders in Berlin. With the inspiration it draws from Paul Ogorzow, AKA the S-Bahn Murderer, a serial killer and rapist who had targeted women in Nazi-era Berlin during the peak of WWII, this book creates a tense little tale that gains suspense from the horrific time period surrounding the murder mystery. I do think it could have spent more time fleshing out the side characters, but that doesn't stop me from getting invested in Dr. Elin Lund and the dark backstory we end up learning about her. While the romance that she falls into isn't the most touching thing I've ever read, it's still an engaging part of the narrative.

Overall, I'm officially rating Some Murders in Berlin 3.25 out of 5 stars, which I'm rounding down to 3 stars. It's nothing too groundbreaking, but it's decent fare if you're in the mood for historical fiction and crime.

Murders in Berlin by Karen Robards is an exciting mystery set during World War II. In September 1943 in Berlin, Dr. Elin Lund is an expert in psychological profiling. She’s been summoned from Copenhagen to investigate the murders of eight women. Even in the midst of unspeakable evil, these killings stand apart. And 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 grudging in his welcome. The orders to find the killer come from the top, and to fail means death. The stakes are too high to risk any mistakes—or to trust a stranger. Yet the pair, trapped in an uneasy partnership, each has expertise the other needs. And Schneider, like Elin, is clearly guarding secrets of his own. Racing to complete the investigation and return to her son, Elin feels the net tightening. Every sliver of evidence reveals a killer infinitely more dangerous, and more powerful, than anyone suspected. And in drawing closer to the terrifying truth, Elin has unwittingly made herself his new obsession…

Some Murders in Berlin had me turning the pages to the very end. This book is an easy 4 stars. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction and mystery stories.

I received a free advanced copy and all opinions are my own. I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

The story opens in 1943 and the last thing Dr. Elin Lund wanted was to leave her son and home in Copenhagen to go to Berlin, but one did not say no to the Nazis. She was a psychiatrist who was an expert crime solver and profiler and her skills were needed. Eight young women had been brutally murdered and the Nazis wanted these crimes solved quickly. Elin was in no position to say no. However, Elin quickly learned she had walked into a situation she might not survive.

Well plotted and complex, Some Murders in Berlin is a fascinating story. The narrative is packed with life threatening action scenes, secrets and unexpected twists and turns. Added to the mix, there is even romance.

Skillfully told, I found this book to be an exciting and riveting work of historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin Trade Publishing through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is a pretty good serial killer mystery / thriller with a historical fiction setting. That sounds like a lot, but it's pretty straightforward.

Elin is sent from Nazi occupied Denmark to Berlin to investigate the murder of a series of young women. She brings her team in order to get them out from under the scrutiny they are facing in Denmark. They are joined up with a policeman who has clearly been demoted for some reason, but seems to be on their side, regardless. But who can you really trust in Berlin at this time period?

This is set up as if it were part of a series and you're supposed to be familiar with the characters and their backstories. And as far as I can tell it is not part of a series. In my opinion, this made the setup a bit awkward, because I kept thinking there were other books I should have read first. I found this distracting.

My recommendation is to read it anyway. Because it is entertaining and I was engaged in the story.

A serial killer thriller that is set in Berlin during World War II? Yes, it’s a must-read!

Dr. Elin Lund, a psychological profiler from Copenhagen, is summoned to Berlin to assist in the investigation of the murders of eight women, while bombs are dropping in Berlin. Dr. Lund needs to solve this so she can get home to recently occupied Copenhagen to care for her son.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for an advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

It was a good read. Kept me engaged the whole time, but it was a bit redundant at times. I also felt that the reveal of who the killer was wasn't all that shocking. It was fairly obvious to me from the beginning. I'd give this one a 3.75.

Elin Lund is an expert in analyzing crime from the psychological angle. She has been brought to Berlin from her native Denmark to help solve some murders. She has Nazi threats to deal with and a young son back in Denmark to keep alive. The action in this book keeps moving. The author keeps it just on the edge of creepy, so the reader doesn't get overloaded. I received an ARC and am leaving a review of my own free will.

⭐️: 4.5

I was hooked on this book from beginning to end. You get it so much, you get true crime, suspense and romance. This story takes place in Berlin in 1943 which adds so much more to the story because of the tension that was occurring during that time since there was eyes and ears everywhere! The only thing I didn’t care for was the connection of Elin’s parents though it was interesting, I felt like it didn’t really bring anything to the plot. But overall it very good book.

There is a serial murderer in Berlin and the authorities have requested Dr. Elin Lund, a Danish professor known as Dr. Murder, to find the killer. Although she usually works alone, she has requested the assistance of two of her associate professors, Pia and Jens. Jens has been working with the Danish resistance and was recently wounded. He is now being hunted by the Gestapo and Pia feels he might be safer in Berlin than Copenhagen. The murder victims are all young women from different parts of the city. Each death has been followed by a note to the police with a code written across the bottom. Lately the notes have been addressed to Inspector Kurt Schneider, head of the investigation, who Elin must work with. The two trade barbs as he feels her participation is unnecessary and she would rather be home with her son. Elin is a widow whose husband was Jewish, placing her son in danger as the Germans begin their round ups. She is reluctant to work with the Nazis, but as she works with Kurt an attraction develops. Then the notes are directed to Elin and contain threats against her. The last time she was in Berlin she accompanied her parents to a conference where her father spoke on police investigations. The visit ended with the murder of her mother. Even though it was a number of years ago, Kurt feels there may be a connection. Jen’s, a mathematician, is working on the code and it becomes imperative if they are to find the murderer and keep Elin safe.

Kurt has recently returned from the Eastern front, where he was sent after offending a superior. He has been put in charge of this investigation, but his future may depend on the outcome of the case. While Elin is keeping secrets about her son’s background, Kurt is also keeping secrets about his activities that could get them both killed. Elin is expected to find that the murderer is from a less desirable element of society, but the true murderer has influence of his own and Karen Robards revs up the suspense with a desperate escape and a final confrontation that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade/Mira for providing this book.

I love a good mystery. A historical mystery with a little love story on the side. SIGN ME UP.

The characters were fleshed out. The mystery was good and the ending was compelling.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trading Company for the ARC.

Murders and World War II are like catnip to me. I love reading about both topics. So I was excited to read Some Murders in Berlin by Karen Robards. The book is an intriguing story of a serial killer who is raping and murdering women in Nazi-era Berlin. To catch him Danish psychologist Dr. Elin Lund, known as "Dr. Murder", has been brought into Berlin by the Nazi government to develop a psychological profile of the killer, which will then be used to help the local police, led by Homicide Detective Kurt Schneider,catch the killer. Soon, however, the killer realizes Ellin is getting close to identifying him and she thus becomes his target.

The book's plotting was generally good. The unfolding of clues was logical and believable. However, the book took a long time to become compelling and suspenseful. There were many conversations and descriptions that could have been shortened or eliminated to get the action going. Also, there were many characters introduced early in the story. I had to keep reading back to remember who they were. I almost gave up on it. Glad I didn't because the last half of the book is a page turner.

The identity of the killer needed to be fleshed out more; I wasn't convinced he was a serial killer. Maybe Eli or Kurt witnessing a truly barbaric act on his part would have helped me believe he was capable of rape and murder.

The interweaving of history with story is particularly well done. Robards does a great job recreating Nazi-era Berlin, Secret bars, mandated blackouts, buildings reduced to rubble by Allied bombings, and general chaos, are the perfect environment for the killer to prey on vulnerable young women, many of whom are alone due to their husbands and brothers away fighting in the German army. The reader gets a sense of menacing evil, and danger through her vivid descriptions of Berlin early in the war.
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The two main characters were well developed, with many believable qualities. Elin is a prickly scientist, devoted to her work, yet vulnerable from worrying about her Jewish son. That she is also beautiful, is a bit of a stretch. However, this is a romance novel, so it probably works for most readers. I did not believe that her mother was a serial killer. That seemed contrived and unnecessary to developing her character. Detective Kurt is the stereotypical gruff detective who has a heart of gold. He acts believably as he initially is skeptical of Elin's abilities, then grows to trust her instincts and intelligence. He is also a Nazi. In a cool twist to his personality, it is revealed that he is helping Jewish children escape from Germany. That worked for me and helped me understand Elin’s attraction to him. Of course, the two fall in love. After all, this IS a romance novel. I did think the romance/ sex parts were pretty cringey. Elin, in particular, had a beating heart, thoughts of steamy trysts, glances full of meaning, etc. that just didn't seem in line with a highly educated scientist.

I would have liked to know more about the two Danish resisters who were smuggled out of the country as part of Elin's team. What was their connection to her? Were they already part of her team, but also participants in the Resistance? Why were they smuggled into Nazi Germany? Seems like a terrible place for them to hide. If their identities were fleshed out, I missed it.

Readers who enjoy books about WWII will appreciate this book's unique perspective on the era.

"Some Murders In Berlin" by Karen Robards is an ambitious tale of Dr. Elin Lund, who is summoned to Berlin to assist in finding a serial killer. She is an expert in psychological profiling. But this is Nazi Berlin in 1943 - which complicates the complexity of investigating this case.
"Some Murders In Berlin" is an interesting story set in a vicious time in history. This psychological thriller will keep you guessing until the very last page.

It’s Germany, 1943. The Third Reich rules, but cracks are appearing and its fall seems inevitable. Now toss in a serial killer stalking the dark streets of Berlin and you have Karen Robards’ SOME MURDERS IN BERLIN. The gruesome killings draw profiling expert Dr. Elin Lund from occupied Copenhagen to the chaos of Berlin. Paired with homicide detective Kurt Schneider, who isn’t exactly welcoming, and a mandate from the highest reaches of the Reich, and Elia senses danger at ever turn. Why would Hitler himself take an interest in these murders? What secrets must Elin protect while attempting to identify a dangerous and elusive killer? Could failure result in her own death? SOME MURDERS IN BERLIN is what a historical thriller should be.

DP Lyle, award-winning author of the Jake Longly and Cain/Harper thriller series