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The Berlin Traitor
July, 1945. The war in Europe is finally over. But Auguste Duchene, who survived occupied Paris at great personal cost, cannot escape his past. He finds himself helping the Allies to pursue a Gestapo war criminal through the ravaged and dangerous streets of Berlin. Duchene soon learns, however, that, although one global conflict may have ended, another is beginning, and he is in a deadly race against the Russians as they hunt the same man. And, once again, at the heart of all he does, are his extraordinary wife Sabine and his beloved daughter Marienne.
With its vivid evocation of the post-war hardship and desperation of Germany's capital, The Berlin Traitor pits a man of principle, who hates war and all it stands for, against relentless nationalism and self-interest. Tense, terrifying and compelling, full of twists and turns, this riveting page-turner is a worthy successor to The Paris Collaborator.
With its vivid evocation of the post-war hardship and desperation of Germany's capital, The Berlin Traitor pits a man of principle, who hates war and all it stands for, against relentless nationalism and self-interest. Tense, terrifying and compelling, full of twists and turns, this riveting page-turner is a worthy successor to The Paris Collaborator.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2023
6 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
A.W. Hammond
4 books10 followersA.W. Hammond was born in South Africa and emigrated to Australia as a child. He currently works at RMIT University and lives in Melbourne with his wife and daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 22, 2023
3.5 Stars.
Auguste Duchene realises that the task to track down a Gestapo Oberfuhrer for the French and Americans is one that he cannot refuse. France has been liberated from the Germans, and the Parisians believe that Duchene is a German collaborator. Duchene knows if he does not get out of Paris it is only a matter of time before his body is found in the street along with the other traitors.
With no choice Duchene heads to Berlin to try to find the Oberfuhrer. However, now that the Germans have been defeated the alliance between America and Russia feels frayed, close to snapping. With Fascism destroyed along with the German Army, now what stands between Capitalism and Communism. The two cannot even decide on what will happen with the city of Berlin let alone Germany. Berlin is a wasteland of rubble carved into two halves, one controlled by the East, one controlled by the West and there is a palpable tension growing between the two. Both sides starting to see the other as the new enemy.
The narrative is not only set in Berlin 1945, but also Paris 1936. Sabine, Duchene’s wife is introduced in the 1936 timeline and her backstory is built. It is here we find Sabine is a communist with an unshakable belief in socialism.
Sabine then turns up in the 1945 timeline working with the Russians against Duchene.
As the novel unfolds and the search continues, it becomes evident that there is much more at stake than just simply finding this Oberfuhrer.
It is a novel that explores the power of love existing between two ideologies and the problems that result. This is the second novel featuring Duchene. The first being “The Paris Collaborator”.
Auguste Duchene realises that the task to track down a Gestapo Oberfuhrer for the French and Americans is one that he cannot refuse. France has been liberated from the Germans, and the Parisians believe that Duchene is a German collaborator. Duchene knows if he does not get out of Paris it is only a matter of time before his body is found in the street along with the other traitors.
With no choice Duchene heads to Berlin to try to find the Oberfuhrer. However, now that the Germans have been defeated the alliance between America and Russia feels frayed, close to snapping. With Fascism destroyed along with the German Army, now what stands between Capitalism and Communism. The two cannot even decide on what will happen with the city of Berlin let alone Germany. Berlin is a wasteland of rubble carved into two halves, one controlled by the East, one controlled by the West and there is a palpable tension growing between the two. Both sides starting to see the other as the new enemy.
The narrative is not only set in Berlin 1945, but also Paris 1936. Sabine, Duchene’s wife is introduced in the 1936 timeline and her backstory is built. It is here we find Sabine is a communist with an unshakable belief in socialism.
Sabine then turns up in the 1945 timeline working with the Russians against Duchene.
As the novel unfolds and the search continues, it becomes evident that there is much more at stake than just simply finding this Oberfuhrer.
It is a novel that explores the power of love existing between two ideologies and the problems that result. This is the second novel featuring Duchene. The first being “The Paris Collaborator”.
November 16, 2023
it was good. Did I realise it was a sequel? No. Would it have been better if I realised before I read half the book? Yes.
alas, it is what it is. Enjoyable
alas, it is what it is. Enjoyable
January 27, 2025
Narrated by: Stephen Perring
This is one where it had the potential to be something incredible. Something I'd say needs to be made into a movie because it would translate so well. I could even picture who might play Sabine. But.
But what, you ask? And there in lies the problem. Because I can't quite put my finger on the what. I just know there was a but. Stephen Perring was a masterful narrator. I even had to turn down the volume a few times when he actually yelled the words that were being yelled by the characters (I've noticed a lot of narrators don't do that). The bones were good. It had all the ingredients necessary to be something I'd remember for a while. But.
But I didn't connect with it. Didn't feel it. Didn't rewind to listen to something I missed because I'd phased out for a minute. And I regret that, because I really was hoping this would become what it kept threatening to become.
This is one where it had the potential to be something incredible. Something I'd say needs to be made into a movie because it would translate so well. I could even picture who might play Sabine. But.
But what, you ask? And there in lies the problem. Because I can't quite put my finger on the what. I just know there was a but. Stephen Perring was a masterful narrator. I even had to turn down the volume a few times when he actually yelled the words that were being yelled by the characters (I've noticed a lot of narrators don't do that). The bones were good. It had all the ingredients necessary to be something I'd remember for a while. But.
But I didn't connect with it. Didn't feel it. Didn't rewind to listen to something I missed because I'd phased out for a minute. And I regret that, because I really was hoping this would become what it kept threatening to become.
December 25, 2023
A somewhat plodding story about communists and Germans in Berlin in the days just after war's end. Not really much point to the story.
January 23, 2024
I found this fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat stuff, with tricky relationship dynamics.
I, too, had no idea it was a sequel, but I enjoyed it.
I, too, had no idea it was a sequel, but I enjoyed it.
September 25, 2024
Terrific book that I couldn’t put down 😊😊
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews