An intriguing crime mystery, Break Even (2024) by Nick Buckets is the second in the Detective Olaf Bauer series. Set in Germany, the novel opens with Olaf signing the papers to release his older brother Max from prison - despite Olaf being responsible for putting him there. The narrative is spread over seven days in Berlin, 2021 and has chapter flashbacks to twenty years ago, providing the backstory. Olaf is concerned that Max's threats against him may be followed though, after he receives warnings and is then a victim of an attempted hit-and-run. Meantime, as Olaf investigates the murder of a journalist, he interviews a lawyer, pub owner, university professor and a hospice nurse caring for his father. Then a politican is kidnapped and Olaf discovers some interesting links, including some leading back to his own brother, Max. Although part of a series, this is a standalone review of a sophisticated and engaging police procedural, with a four and a half stars read rating. With thanks to Impressum and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Nick Buckets’ Break Even is a gripping addition to the Olaf Bauer series, blending intense personal drama with a complex murder investigation. This second installment delves deeper into the life of Detective Olaf Bauer, offering readers a thrilling ride through the streets of Berlin.

 The novel kicks off with the unexpected release of Olaf Bauer’s brother, Max, from prison due to a legal loophole. This sudden turn of events reopens old wounds and sets the stage for a high-stakes confrontation between the two brothers. As Olaf digs deeper, he uncovers a web of secrets that ties these events together, leading to a shocking revelation about a dark incident from twenty years ago.

Buckets excels in creating multi-dimensional characters. Olaf Bauer is portrayed with a compelling mix of determination and vulnerability, making him a relatable and engaging protagonist. The tension between Olaf and Max adds a personal layer to the narrative, heightening the stakes and emotional intensity.

Break Even explores themes of justice, family loyalty, and the long shadows cast by past actions. Buckets’ writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the gritty atmosphere of Berlin and the psychological complexities of his characters.

The novel’s pacing is expertly managed, with a balance of action and introspection that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Buckets skillfully builds suspense, with well-timed twists and turns that maintain a high level of intrigue. 

Break Even is a compelling and well-crafted thriller that showcases Nick Buckets’ talent for storytelling. It is a worthy sequel that not only advances the overarching narrative of the Olaf Bauer series but also stands strong as a standalone novel.

Not great. This book is written by a non-native English writer and although at first some of the mistakes add charm to the book, by the end I was quite irritated by the writing style. The plot is cryptic, told over two time periods and the links are not revealed until quite late into the book. Olaf, the main detective, has few social contacts and chased around interviewing people without a clear purpose (that the reader knew about) and without gaining much information. Towards the end of the book, the plot did come together.
All in all, not really my cup of tea. I had been hoping for some background facts about Berlin, which did not really come, though there is a passing reference to Checkpoint Charlie. Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

Detective Olaf Bauer is galled by having to release his violent brother, Max, from prison due to a legal loophole. He knows that it's just a matter of time until Max commits another crime, so he vows to watch him closely.

As is my habit, I read 25% of a book (at least) before abandonment. It was a struggle with this one. I did not like Olaf, despite his noble aims, and I had no interest in what happened with Max. There were a number of grammatical errors in the book, and though I believe that English may not be the author's first language, a competent editor should have corrected these. So, between the grammar issues, unlikeable characters, and unengaging story, I didn't make it to the end of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Detective Olaf Bauer thought he’d seen the last of his brother when he put him behind bars. But when a legal loophole sets Max free, their violent past comes roaring back to life! Good book! I definitely enjoyed reading this one! This book had good suspense, intriguing, action, murder, mystery, a good who done it and some crazy twists and turns! The story was very interesting and kept me glued to my kindle! I definitely recommend reading this one! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Oh boy, Break Even is a thriller that readers of James Patterson and Michael Connolly will greatly enjoy . This is the second book in a series series. Although, I haven’t read the first it definitely wasn’t challenging to keep up.