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Hitler's Angel
A young American doctoral student, Annie Pohlmann, comes to Munich in 1972 to do research for her dissertation. She is interviewing Fritz Stecher, a former detective inspector in the Kriminalpolizei about a 1929 investigation that was seminal in the development of modern police procedures. Stecher says too much attention has been paid to that investigation and insists on discussing the 1931 purported suicide of Geli Raubal, the teenage niece and alleged lover of Adolf Hitler. Through a series of flashbacks, Stecher relates the tale of his attempted investigation, which is opposed by forces outside the police from the beginning. When Stecher first arrives at the scene, the body has already been removed by some of Hitler's minions, including Rudolf Hess. The doctor who would normally perform the autopsy says he has never seen the body. Stecher's superior officer gives him the mission of finding out the truth but then sends Stecher on leave, because he can't investigate fully in an official capacity. Foiled at almost every turn by various members and supporters of the National German Socialist Workers' Party (NSDAP, or Nazis), Stecher nonetheless persists with his inquiry.
The historical information woven into the story is interesting and gives a good summary of politics in early 1930s Germany for those who are unacquainted with the period. Rusch's writing, especially the dialogue, impressively conveys the aura of mistrust, dread, and intimidation surrounding people at all levels who were not members of the NSDAP. This is a fascinating exploration of the psyche of the main character and the pressures brought to bear on him as he investigates a crime that might have changed the course of history. This novel, which is based on an actual historical incident, is a departure from the author's usual science fiction and fantasy, but it marks a stunning debut in the mystery field.
Sue Reider
213 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1998
9 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Kris Rusch
2 books5 followersThe author also publishes under the names: Kathryn Kristine Rusch; Kristine Grayson; Kris Nelscott; Sandy Schofield
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 21, 2011
Kris Rusch is really Kristine Katryn Rusch who has written several sci-fi and fantasy novels as well as some really good mystery short stories.
What ifs are always interesting in a spooky way. They are endless. What Rusch does in this book is focus on a small and usually mentioned in passing event - the death of Hitler's niece. The ending of the novel, at least in terms of the big historical event, is no surprise, so wisely Rusch keeps her focus on her invented characters - a former German detective, Fritz; and the women interviewing him, the American Annie. The story takes place just prior to the Munich Olympics as well as in pre-WW II Weimer Republic.
The mystery isn't so much whether or not Hitler killed his niece, but who extactly Fritz is, what is motivations are, and why is he telling this to Annie. The answers are revealed in fits and starts, but are fully revealed by the end of the novel. Rusch does a good job in writing about a time that feel American history books focus on.
What ifs are always interesting in a spooky way. They are endless. What Rusch does in this book is focus on a small and usually mentioned in passing event - the death of Hitler's niece. The ending of the novel, at least in terms of the big historical event, is no surprise, so wisely Rusch keeps her focus on her invented characters - a former German detective, Fritz; and the women interviewing him, the American Annie. The story takes place just prior to the Munich Olympics as well as in pre-WW II Weimer Republic.
The mystery isn't so much whether or not Hitler killed his niece, but who extactly Fritz is, what is motivations are, and why is he telling this to Annie. The answers are revealed in fits and starts, but are fully revealed by the end of the novel. Rusch does a good job in writing about a time that feel American history books focus on.
October 7, 2012
I expected to like this book - it's a period of history I'm interested in, and the subject matter looked good. But I found myself being irritated by it more than anything. I think my main problem was with the framing device, which was the story set in 1972, where the young American student comes to Germany to interview the detective. This part of the book was very repetitive, and for ages I couldn't see the point of it. The point became clear at the very end, but I still didn't enjoy it. The American student, Annie, is naive and irritating, and the constant jumping back and forth between 1931 and 1972 dragged me away from what should have been a gripping story in the older time period.
May 11, 2011
Was Hitler a murderer before he started murdering millions? Was his involvement in the murder of his niece covered up? Did he do it?
These questions are answered in this spell binding mystery by Kris Rusch. A well researched story using actual facts from the early 1930's to jump off from to tell this incredible tale.
Imagine what the world would be like if Hitler had been convicted of murder before he became Chancellor of Germany.
These questions are answered in this spell binding mystery by Kris Rusch. A well researched story using actual facts from the early 1930's to jump off from to tell this incredible tale.
Imagine what the world would be like if Hitler had been convicted of murder before he became Chancellor of Germany.
June 16, 2019
A short (compared to my recent reading of Peter Hamilton's monumental SF novels) novel, entertaining, well researched, but not quiet there. The mystery could have been more complex and the bleakness of the Nazi's (the Germany, 1930s Nazis) darker. Overall, the story would have been better as a longer novel. I enjoyed the book, but I do not suspect I will ever reread.
September 1, 2017
Mi ha attratto la trama: una giovane ricercatrice americana si trova a Monaco per le Olimpiadi del 1972 (questo particolare non ha alcuna rilevanza per la stori!) e va a trovare Fritz, un famosissimo investigatore tedesco che negli anni '30 aveva risolto un caso difficile con nuove tecniche investigative che poi hanno fatto storia. Dall'incontro scaturisce la narrazione dell'ultimo caso affrontato dall'uomo, la morte violenta della nipote (Angela, Geli, l'angelo del titolo presumo) di Hitler.
La storia è ben narrata con un'altalenare continuo tra il passato ed il presente, anche la tensione narrativa (pur sapendo noi come andrà a finire alla FINE) non viene mai meno, ma sarebbe un banale romanzo giallo storico se non fosse per le ultime due pagine. Dove si capisce che il suicidio-presunto-omicidio di Geli ha una risonanza ben più cupa, profonda e lacerante per Fritz di quanto non sia trapelato in tutte le pagine precedenti.
Questo per quanto attiene la storia; per il resto, la scrittura è debole, l'editing sciatto, la traduzione a volte mi ha lasciata decisamente perplessa.
La storia è ben narrata con un'altalenare continuo tra il passato ed il presente, anche la tensione narrativa (pur sapendo noi come andrà a finire alla FINE) non viene mai meno, ma sarebbe un banale romanzo giallo storico se non fosse per le ultime due pagine. Dove si capisce che il suicidio-presunto-omicidio di Geli ha una risonanza ben più cupa, profonda e lacerante per Fritz di quanto non sia trapelato in tutte le pagine precedenti.
Questo per quanto attiene la storia; per il resto, la scrittura è debole, l'editing sciatto, la traduzione a volte mi ha lasciata decisamente perplessa.
August 22, 2018
Grazie ad una visita nel vecchio archivio di Delos, ho potuto avere questo testo e devo ringraziare Silvio Sosio, perchè la lettura è stata emozionante ed interessante. Una K.K.Rusch molto distante dai temi degli altri suoi libri che ho letto, ma altrettanto capace di costruire caratteri e stori di incredibile spessore e sensibilità. Ottima anche la ricostruzione storica di un periodo a me quasi ignoto. Una lettura assolutamente consigliata per gli amanti del giallo storico.
April 8, 2025
Based on a true incident, the author delves into the psychological impact for a young detective who has to live with the fact that he may have been able to stop Hillter before he came to power. It's an interesting premise as the detective tells his story to a young grad school journalist. Be forewarned that some information can be disturbing.
July 22, 2019
Well paced, plausible and engaging historical fiction, with an opportunity to explore the complexities of life.
April 4, 2021
Well-written, made me sad. You know, all that. Then again I am literally 14 so yeah
May 13, 2023
Il libro viaggia su due linee temporali: una nel presente narrativo e uno dove vengono raccontati i fatti della storia. Ottimo mystery psicologico intracciato con la storia raccontato dall'autrice.
January 13, 2012
The author, Kris Rusch, is a prolific fantasy writer, who usually publishes under the name Kristine Kathryn Kusch. This novel is a quick read.
The story is framed as this: in 1972, a young American woman who is writing a dissertation travels to Munich, Germany, to interview an older German. He was a Detective-Inspector in Munich in 1932; she is interested in a case at the time. The case: the death of 23-year-old Angela Maria Raubal, who is the daughter of Adolf Hitler's half-sister. Ms. Raubal's death is ruled a suicide, but our Detective-Inspector has suspicions that she was murdered. The novel proceeds from there --- lengthy flashbacks interspersed with scenes with the young American woman. There is alot of dialog, combined with relatively brief descriptions of the physical world. Recommended.
The story is framed as this: in 1972, a young American woman who is writing a dissertation travels to Munich, Germany, to interview an older German. He was a Detective-Inspector in Munich in 1932; she is interested in a case at the time. The case: the death of 23-year-old Angela Maria Raubal, who is the daughter of Adolf Hitler's half-sister. Ms. Raubal's death is ruled a suicide, but our Detective-Inspector has suspicions that she was murdered. The novel proceeds from there --- lengthy flashbacks interspersed with scenes with the young American woman. There is alot of dialog, combined with relatively brief descriptions of the physical world. Recommended.
February 28, 2013
In 1972 a criminology student travels to Munich to interview an elderly detective about the death of Hitler’s niece in 1931. Was it suicide or murder?
Well written with a believable and interesting plot – even though it was clearly a mixture of fact and fiction (the book states that the detective is fictional). But the end left me cold, the two themes (Hitler could have been stopped and to understand a criminal you must be one) seemed very lazy / predictable.
Worth reading if you are fan of this author or of historical mysteries.
Well written with a believable and interesting plot – even though it was clearly a mixture of fact and fiction (the book states that the detective is fictional). But the end left me cold, the two themes (Hitler could have been stopped and to understand a criminal you must be one) seemed very lazy / predictable.
Worth reading if you are fan of this author or of historical mysteries.
March 14, 2013
"Hitler's Angel" by Kris Rusch is a powerful and compelling read with a great story. A journalist visits a retired Detective in Munich to interview him about a high profile case of 1929 but instead the man talks about a different investigation concerning Hitler's niece and the cover up that followed her death.
The story lines of then and now were a bit much for me at times although it added to the great suspense the author created.
A good read.
The story lines of then and now were a bit much for me at times although it added to the great suspense the author created.
A good read.
July 26, 2014
This story is based on a truth of which I was unaware. I already found Hitler to be the worst of the worst, but this is beyond disturbing! I finished the book so I would know the ending, but I didn't like the story at all. It was well written though.
June 5, 2007
A pretty good mystery novel. It makes you wonder how the world would have developed had Hitler been imprisoned for murder in the early '30s, rather than rising to political power.
April 12, 2011
The idea was interesting, but there was some blocking me from becoming completely involved in it.
June 25, 2011
A truly super alternate history.
January 19, 2016
Hitlers niece was murdered in his flat before he came to power. That part is true. This excellent mystery explores who killed her and why.
April 12, 2016
Novel surrounding the death of Adolf's niece, Geli Raubal . Fictional detective, Fritz Stecher investigates the 'suicide' and in retirement dictates his story to a student.
June 3, 2018
really good, enjoyed it a lot interesting to see WW2 from another point of view
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews