Buried Secrets

by Karl May, Robert Stermscheg (Translator)

In the spring of 1870, France is preparing for an imminent war with Germany. A French cavalry officer, Bernard de Lemarch, has been given the delicate task of approaching a high-ranking Prussian officer, hoping to glean vital military information. But what he doesn’t know is that the Prussian High Command has been forewarned…. and is expecting him. Posing as a painter, the disguised officer meets up with a bungling landscape painter forming an unlikely friendship, one that unwittingly propels both men headfirst into unexpected danger, while resurrecting a secret from Lemarch’s own past.

Richard von Löwenklau, aided by Franz Schneeberg, finds himself in the heart of enemy territory, tasked with trying to stop the build-up of arms and uncover the establishment of a new para-military presence, the franctireurs... headed up by none other than the irrepressible Captain Albin Richemonte. His task is further complicated by the arrival of a new enemy, Colonel Rallion, who’s bent on supporting Richemonte’s war efforts, while hampering Löwenklau’s plans.

412 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 5, 2013

About the author

Karl Friedrich May (also Karol May) was one of the best selling German writers of all time, noted mainly for books set in the American Old West, (best known for the characters of Winnetou and Old Shatterhand) and similar books set in the Orient and Middle East. In addition, he wrote stories set in his native Germany, in China and in South America.

May also wrote poetry and several plays, as well as composing music; he was proficient with several musical instruments. May's musical version of "Ave Maria" became very well known.

Reviews

[Victor Epp · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Book Review of Buried Secrets
To translate a book in one’s childhood language is a difficult task at best. To do so with an author whose language is a hundred or so years old and whose phraseology and idioms are steeped in a combination of ancient sayings and his own wild imagination, that is not a task for an amateur.
Robert Stermscheg is certainly no amateur in this field. Of course, working with an author who has the uncanny ability to hold his audience from beginning to end is helpful, but the secret lies in the ability to portray the mood and the intent of the author. In my mind, Robert has done this admirably. The story flows as smoothly in current English as it did in the original German and still demands the reader’s attention until it’s conclusion.
The adventure takes place in the mid nineteenth century, carrying the protagonists through the turbulent times of intrigue and deception. The combination of daring-do interspersed with Karl May’s wacky sense of humor keeps the reader glued to the book throughout. At the end of the book, the translation notes are a bit confusing, but I assume that the same notes apply to books one and two as well.
All things considered, I would give this book a rating of five out of five.

Victor Epp

[Robert Stermscheg · Rating 5 out of 5]

To all the Karl May afficianotos, let me bring you up to speed on this latest translation. Although completed in 2014, I'm happy to say that this has been my favourite to date. In typical Karl May style, the author brings the reader back to Paris, where Monsieur Belmonte( a disguised Prussian oficer) uncovers a plot to kidnap a wealthy heiress. Not to be outdone, we're also introduced to a bungling landscape painter by the name of Hieronymus Schneffke. This painter is more than ready for adventure, and becomes entangled in a number of humorous and self-deprecating events, most at his expense. This third installment keeps the reader wrapt for action and suspense.

[Tracy Krauss · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Book Two in the series spans a considerable period of time as far as the saga goes, this one, Book Three, is quite compact in terms of the time frame. However, it makes up for it by adding several new characters and storylines, making it just as complex and multi-layered. It’s divided into three parts, with part one picking up where we left off in the last book. I admit that I inadvertently started reading this book first when I was introduced to Karl May’s writing, and had a hard time keeping the people and situations straight. Then I realized I needed to go back and read them in order: The Prussian Lieutenant (Book One), The Marabout’s Secret (Book Two), and then this third installment, Buried Secrets. What a difference this made! (Obviously!) I knew I was missing something, but once I read them in the proper order, I had no trouble keeping up with all the characters and the complicated backstory. Then, just when I was on the edge of my seat, waiting to find out what would happen to our hero, Richard Lowenklau, part two changed gears and introduced me to a whole new set of characters! By the end of the book I could see the connections that where ahead—and then the book ended abruptly! I must now move on to book number four – Captain Richemonte. Once you get into this series, you won’t want to stop! It’s full of action, intrigue, romance (albeit somewhat old-fashioned and sometimes even “cheesy”!) and even humor. I love this series. Thank you, Robert Stermscheg, for introducing us to Karl May’s wonderful adventures!

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book continues the saga of the bitter war between a German soldier and his French enemy. It is already involving the third generation. One thing that I found a bit difficult was to keep up with the characters in this book. There were several new characters introduced and they have aliases, which makes it hard to remember who they are and where they fit into the story. I hope there is yet another book to be translated because the story seems unfinished.

[Taryn Spearey · Rating 5 out of 5]

1this was yet another wonderful installment of this book set. In this one, we are introduced to Bernard de Lemarch, a French officer. We have a war about to start between France and Germany.

We also have a man named Richard von Lowenklau, who's trying to put a stop to the war effort.

I think that these three books were all well translated. I liked the fact that we got to see multiple generations of these families grow up.

I look forward to the next book!!