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Schreiber's Secret
'Unputdownable' - London Evening Standard
AudioFile Magazine Earphones Award Winner
Nazi. Fugitive. Murderer. Sadist. Who is the real Hans Schreiber?Two journalists conduct a desperate search for Schreiber in this riveting thriller about bringing unimaginable secrets to light — and a monster to justice. Crime reporter Mark Edwards and his colleague Danielle Green wade deep in red herrings and a twisting and turning plot as they seek to discover the terrible secret of a Nazi sadist who has continued his murdering ways in modern London. The story switches from a wartime transit camp in Czechoslovakia to contemporary Germany; from a London suburb to the Old Bailey, the world's most famous criminal court, where two men strive to claim that the other is the real Hans Schreiber.Schreiber's Secret is a gripping tale of unimaginable horror and hatred revolving around a question of identity.Can you detect the true identity of Hans Schreiber? Can you guess his terrible secret?NOW AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO BOOK ON AUDIBLE AND iTUNES FOR A TRULY IMMERSIVE AND UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCEREVIEWS'Roger Radford is "unputdownable". He has the gift of leaving you wanting more. – Manny Robinson, London Evening Standard. '... flamboyant action, as unimaginable horror from the past resurfaces in modern London.' – Shaun Usher, Daily Mail."I don't know that I've read a more visceral and arresting story about the Holocaust. Radford is on fire with every sentence, squeezing every last drop of horror and profundity out of every word -- Gregor Collins, acclaimed actor/writer/producer.
AudioFile Magazine Earphones Award Winner
Nazi. Fugitive. Murderer. Sadist. Who is the real Hans Schreiber?Two journalists conduct a desperate search for Schreiber in this riveting thriller about bringing unimaginable secrets to light — and a monster to justice. Crime reporter Mark Edwards and his colleague Danielle Green wade deep in red herrings and a twisting and turning plot as they seek to discover the terrible secret of a Nazi sadist who has continued his murdering ways in modern London. The story switches from a wartime transit camp in Czechoslovakia to contemporary Germany; from a London suburb to the Old Bailey, the world's most famous criminal court, where two men strive to claim that the other is the real Hans Schreiber.Schreiber's Secret is a gripping tale of unimaginable horror and hatred revolving around a question of identity.Can you detect the true identity of Hans Schreiber? Can you guess his terrible secret?NOW AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO BOOK ON AUDIBLE AND iTUNES FOR A TRULY IMMERSIVE AND UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCEREVIEWS'Roger Radford is "unputdownable". He has the gift of leaving you wanting more. – Manny Robinson, London Evening Standard. '... flamboyant action, as unimaginable horror from the past resurfaces in modern London.' – Shaun Usher, Daily Mail."I don't know that I've read a more visceral and arresting story about the Holocaust. Radford is on fire with every sentence, squeezing every last drop of horror and profundity out of every word -- Gregor Collins, acclaimed actor/writer/producer.
428 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
November 3, 2015
I have to say I found this one a disappointment. It started promisingly enough, with a young man entering the, so called, model Jewish settlement at Theresienstdadt, Czechoslovakia. World War II was still in flow and he quickly learnt the full horror of what actually went on in the camp to which he had been sent. In reality this camp (it really did exist) was used as a transit stop for Jews on their way to one of the extermination camps. Quite a few never made it beyond this stop and were killed there. It’s harrowing stuff.
Having not previously having read the blurb I was then taken aback by the book’s sudden switch to contemporary London. From this point the narrative alternated between the historic back story and the modern action where two journalists, Mark and Danielle, found themselves becoming entangled in the tale of an elderly German looking to tell his story of life in Theriesienstdadt. Up to this point it was ticking along acceptably, but then it fell off the rails.
I’d purchased the audiobook version very cheaply (hence I hadn't looked too closely at the plot but had noted that there were some very good ratings provided by a number of very satisfied customers) and I began to get irritated by the reader. His German accent was just about acceptable but his monotone reading of the story was wearing me down. I started to wonder whether the reader was the problem or if it was really the material he was working with. I concluded it was both!
The character of Danielle was totally unconvincing. Her relationship with Mark didn’t ring true: one minute they’d just met and seemingly moments later they were professing undying love for each other – ok, it can happen… but not as described here. And her religious devotion seemed to rocket from disinterested Jew to full piety in the space of a couple of chapters.
The dialogue throughout was clichéd and dull. All the bad guys (all of whom pretended to be good guys) were as easy to spot as a toupee at a bald man’s party. And the plot was turgid and predictable. There was a twist near the end that I hadn’t seen coming, but it was so absurd it just seemed to underline the banality of the whole thing.
I guess I may offend a few of my reader friends who loved this book - and I know that some did - but I can only speak as I find. Not for me, this one.
Oh, and why two stars and not one? Well, simply because (for a reason I can’t quite fathom) I did hang on in there to the bitter end.
Having not previously having read the blurb I was then taken aback by the book’s sudden switch to contemporary London. From this point the narrative alternated between the historic back story and the modern action where two journalists, Mark and Danielle, found themselves becoming entangled in the tale of an elderly German looking to tell his story of life in Theriesienstdadt. Up to this point it was ticking along acceptably, but then it fell off the rails.
I’d purchased the audiobook version very cheaply (hence I hadn't looked too closely at the plot but had noted that there were some very good ratings provided by a number of very satisfied customers) and I began to get irritated by the reader. His German accent was just about acceptable but his monotone reading of the story was wearing me down. I started to wonder whether the reader was the problem or if it was really the material he was working with. I concluded it was both!
The character of Danielle was totally unconvincing. Her relationship with Mark didn’t ring true: one minute they’d just met and seemingly moments later they were professing undying love for each other – ok, it can happen… but not as described here. And her religious devotion seemed to rocket from disinterested Jew to full piety in the space of a couple of chapters.
The dialogue throughout was clichéd and dull. All the bad guys (all of whom pretended to be good guys) were as easy to spot as a toupee at a bald man’s party. And the plot was turgid and predictable. There was a twist near the end that I hadn’t seen coming, but it was so absurd it just seemed to underline the banality of the whole thing.
I guess I may offend a few of my reader friends who loved this book - and I know that some did - but I can only speak as I find. Not for me, this one.
Oh, and why two stars and not one? Well, simply because (for a reason I can’t quite fathom) I did hang on in there to the bitter end.
July 16, 2013
SCHREIBER’S SECRET BY ROGER RADFORD
What an absolute treat this book was! A very powerful mystery thriller which starts in a Nazi transit camp Theresienstadt, situated near Prague.
A young man, Herschel Soferman, arrives tired and hungry and not knowing what to expect. He is immediately befriended by Oskar Springer, who helps him acclimatise to the dreadful conditions. However, nothing can prepare him for the brutality and horrific things to come when sent to the Small Fortress and he comes up against SS officer Hans Schreiber. This man is evil personified. We are all aware nowadays of the horrors of concentration camps but not so much attention was placed on special transit camps for European Jews such as Theresienstadt. The author skilfully rectifies this with clarity that grips the reader who at some early points can’t wait to turn the pages but is a little afraid of what will be there!
Things have a new direction for Herschel Soferman when Hans Schreiber decides to make him his favourite. I will leave any more on this point for the reader to discover for themselves.
The action then switches to London. Danielle Green, Chief Feature Writer with the Mail on Sunday has managed to get an interview with Henry Sonntag, a very rich man who survived the Holocaust and decides to tell his story.
Then a murder is committed, a Jewish cab driver. Crime reporter Mark Edwards,who works for the London Evening Standard, and is dating Danielle, is assigned to the case.
There then follows another murder, also of a Jew. Both murders have similarities making Mark and Danielle decide to investigate together. Eventually, a link is found to the past.
There are many twists and turns in this tale, red herrings abound and it is full of action. Feel your heart in your mouth as you wonder if Mark will be okay. Will Danielle be safe? This book is so full of tension that you just can’t wait to see what will happen next. Having visited Jerusalem and been taken to the Wall and the Yad Vashem by a Jewish friend, I could identify with the feelings of the reporters.
The culmination comes in a trial at the Old Bailey, which is rivetting. Is the right person in the dock or has everyone got it all wrong? Who is the real culprit? The reader is caught and held from beginning to end and even then finds a twist in the tale!
It is a real experience to read this wonderful book. I loved every word. It is also very thought provoking. Storytelling at its best. It certainly deserves five stars.
What an absolute treat this book was! A very powerful mystery thriller which starts in a Nazi transit camp Theresienstadt, situated near Prague.
A young man, Herschel Soferman, arrives tired and hungry and not knowing what to expect. He is immediately befriended by Oskar Springer, who helps him acclimatise to the dreadful conditions. However, nothing can prepare him for the brutality and horrific things to come when sent to the Small Fortress and he comes up against SS officer Hans Schreiber. This man is evil personified. We are all aware nowadays of the horrors of concentration camps but not so much attention was placed on special transit camps for European Jews such as Theresienstadt. The author skilfully rectifies this with clarity that grips the reader who at some early points can’t wait to turn the pages but is a little afraid of what will be there!
Things have a new direction for Herschel Soferman when Hans Schreiber decides to make him his favourite. I will leave any more on this point for the reader to discover for themselves.
The action then switches to London. Danielle Green, Chief Feature Writer with the Mail on Sunday has managed to get an interview with Henry Sonntag, a very rich man who survived the Holocaust and decides to tell his story.
Then a murder is committed, a Jewish cab driver. Crime reporter Mark Edwards,who works for the London Evening Standard, and is dating Danielle, is assigned to the case.
There then follows another murder, also of a Jew. Both murders have similarities making Mark and Danielle decide to investigate together. Eventually, a link is found to the past.
There are many twists and turns in this tale, red herrings abound and it is full of action. Feel your heart in your mouth as you wonder if Mark will be okay. Will Danielle be safe? This book is so full of tension that you just can’t wait to see what will happen next. Having visited Jerusalem and been taken to the Wall and the Yad Vashem by a Jewish friend, I could identify with the feelings of the reporters.
The culmination comes in a trial at the Old Bailey, which is rivetting. Is the right person in the dock or has everyone got it all wrong? Who is the real culprit? The reader is caught and held from beginning to end and even then finds a twist in the tale!
It is a real experience to read this wonderful book. I loved every word. It is also very thought provoking. Storytelling at its best. It certainly deserves five stars.
November 30, 2013
Very difficult to put down and ended up reading it within 2 days.
The story centres around the identity of Nazi sadist Hans Schreiber, and the court case over some present day murders that he is accused of.
The story shows well the unease some feel over trying apparently helpless old men who have however carried out the worst crimes and excesses of the last century and are nonetheless still guilty men today.
A gripping story with a great twist at the end. Well worth a read.
The story centres around the identity of Nazi sadist Hans Schreiber, and the court case over some present day murders that he is accused of.
The story shows well the unease some feel over trying apparently helpless old men who have however carried out the worst crimes and excesses of the last century and are nonetheless still guilty men today.
A gripping story with a great twist at the end. Well worth a read.
July 8, 2013
"Schreiber's Secret" by Roger Radford is a masterly written thriller. One narrative deals with the crimes committed by the Nazi's in the Czech Republic, particularly the famous Theresienstadt concentration camp not far from Prague. We meet a varied group of Jewish characters as well as their Nazi torturers. Some of the writing here is rather explicit in its violence, I need to warn you (although still little compared to the horrors we know occured in other places). The story is told in snippets, adding suspense and interest as the parallel story unfolds as well.
This second narrative deals with two murders in the UK years after the war, which point the finger to Theresienstadt and one of the Nazi officers and a case of mistaken, stolen or assumed identity.
The difficulty for the prosecutors is to find out who the killer, Schreiber from the title, is in the present.
Based loosely on or inspired by the real case of a convicted Nazi officer 'Ivan' the story offers plenty of food for thought, mystery and turns to make the reading experience on a superficial level only already a breath taking and compulsive one. I hate to resort to over-used phrases but I found it hard to put the book down and was eager to find out what was going to transpire.
As the plot thickens and the past comes back into the present however there is much more to this gem of a book than the entertainment and suspense factors.
We get to look at some issues deeply, such as guilt and forgiving, identity and conformity. There are great lines in this book to ponder on and some inspiring characters that have interesting thoughts and attitudes. The plot could never unfold in this amazing way of these characters had not been so well set up and put together.
As writer of historical fiction in the same period I can vouch that the historical setting is authentic, the facts are accurate and the camp life is competently described.
This is a powerful read that I would love to see being made into a movie. 5 stars because I can't give it 6.
This second narrative deals with two murders in the UK years after the war, which point the finger to Theresienstadt and one of the Nazi officers and a case of mistaken, stolen or assumed identity.
The difficulty for the prosecutors is to find out who the killer, Schreiber from the title, is in the present.
Based loosely on or inspired by the real case of a convicted Nazi officer 'Ivan' the story offers plenty of food for thought, mystery and turns to make the reading experience on a superficial level only already a breath taking and compulsive one. I hate to resort to over-used phrases but I found it hard to put the book down and was eager to find out what was going to transpire.
As the plot thickens and the past comes back into the present however there is much more to this gem of a book than the entertainment and suspense factors.
We get to look at some issues deeply, such as guilt and forgiving, identity and conformity. There are great lines in this book to ponder on and some inspiring characters that have interesting thoughts and attitudes. The plot could never unfold in this amazing way of these characters had not been so well set up and put together.
As writer of historical fiction in the same period I can vouch that the historical setting is authentic, the facts are accurate and the camp life is competently described.
This is a powerful read that I would love to see being made into a movie. 5 stars because I can't give it 6.
August 20, 2013
Schreiber’s Secret: Roger Radford
The atrocities described in this gripping thriller are real, and the Holocaust did indeed happen. As Herschel Soferman and Oskar Springer meet in the Theresienstadt transit camp near Prague, they forge a friendship for survival. The conditions are deplorable, the food inedible and the final outcome brutal. World War II brought us Hitler, whose reign lasted too long and whose brainwashing over the German people caused shock waves throughout the world. Many turned a blind eye to what so many endured. Hans Schreiber was a sadist. SS officers were known to do horrific things to those they held captive within the walls of these unkempt camps. You are about to enter the war along with those that fought for survival and see first-hand what they endured, as author Roger Radford vividly describes and depicts the terrors and horrors the Nazis inflicted on so many. Inhumane treatment and despicable actions cause the reader to want to seek more than just simple revenge on this monster.
Defining what happened and vividly explaining what those that survived endured pales in comparison to the actual events. The graphic descriptions brilliantly depicted within the pages of this novel take readers inside the arenas where men were pitted against men and the final outcome was death. Standing aloof and enjoying the spectacle was Hans Schreiber. The word monster seems too tame for the man. The SS men under his direction stand by and watch as this sadist, guided by his sick mind, orchestrates the events.
Mark Edwards is a crime reporter for the London Evening Standard and receives an anonymous phone call that rocks his world. One man claims to have information that would set the record straight, but first he has to be sure that Schreiber no longer poses a threat to him or anyone else.
Theresienstadt is where it took place, but moving to London in 1995, we learn that hate is still a powerful tool, and the end result is two murders in the eastern suburbs of the capital. A cab driver hopes his final fare will take him in the direction of his home and provide a hefty sum. Thinking that he might have a lucky night, what transpires will have the police searching for answers to the past. Two brutal murders and both bodies mutilated in the same way. The similarities are clear, the evidence is not hidden and the road points to one man. Could this be a serial killer or are we looking at a re-enactment of the means or method of what one man did to dead prisoners during the Holocaust? As Mark Edwards takes on the case, he enlists the help of Danielle Green, a Jewish colleague with whom he has ignited a romantic relationship. The pair soon learn that not everything is what it seems; illusions are often created and the link to it all is someone with the initials HS. But which one of the characters with those initials HS do they stand for? The killer leaves two notes, refers to these initials, and leaves his well known trademark. Henry Sonntag was an inmate of Theresienstadt and has decided that his story needs to be told. Sonntag agrees to be interviewed by Danielle Green. We hear his voice as he allows readers to envision the tortures he endured.
The author flashes back many times, and we learn more about Herschel Soferman when Schreiber uses him as his favorite. In this particular case the definition takes on a whole new meaning.
Within this novel, the author reminds readers that not everyone believed that the Holocaust really happened or that there were many war criminals that needed to pay for their crimes. We hear the voice of the Rt. Hon. Douglas Hurd, CBE. MP, Secretary of State for the Home Office in London, as an inquiry into war crimes ensues, and a law that they want passed is in question. In chapter four, we enter the House of Commons, hearing the voices of the Speaker and Hurd as the final decision is brought to light. Arguments are heard, the evidence presented and the decision made. War crimes are defined and voices are raised. The final outcome you will have to read and learn for yourself.
A man is arrested for the murders of a cab driver and a wealthy businessman. An anonymous caller and source is revealed, linking both to the Small Fortress at Theresienstadt. Identification is made and the trial will eventually take place. Why does Danielle think this man is innocent? In the course of their investigation, Mark and Danielle learn more about the war. Mark enlists the help of a German professor on sabbatical in London. Danielle questions the professor and the discussion gets heated. The research and the history included in this novel is quite extensive, and the many ways German SS officers made their way to Britain after the war is revealed.
When you hear the voice of one survivor tell his story and the graphic depiction of the events he endured in the Small Fortress, you, the reader, must decide for yourself whether the man charged is guilty of Nazi War Crimes, and whether the 1991 law that states War Criminals can be tried in Britain should be employed and upheld. It is an interview so powerful and so graphic that you will read it more than once to make sure you get the full impact of what is being said. Danielle visits the defendant in jail, a harsh reality is revealed, a twist to the plot that will keep readers wondering just who is guilty and who has created their own veil of lies and deceit. A trip to Germany and Israel will hopefully help Mark and Danielle learn the truth about Hans Schreiber. Who is the defendant? Who is the man that claims to be Herschel Soferman? A trial so filled with hate and anger and so powerful that readers will learn just what Hans Schreiber has been hiding all these years. The setting is the Central Criminal Court, the Old Bailey, and the players are in place as reporter Mark Edwards and feature writer Danielle Green take a leap of faith in the hope of discovering the truth.
Two men recount their experiences in the Small Fortress, but which one is telling the truth? When Mark hires a private detective to learn more about Sonntag, the end result will bring to light that someone is out there and wants to prevent the truth from coming out. A courtroom scene becomes utterly compelling as two lawyers will stop at nothing to win! Just who is the real Hans Schreiber, and who is the imposter?
When the final scene in court is presented, readers will be left with unanswered questions. As Mark and Danielle search for the truth, they question the one man who just might be able to give them the answers? What was Schreiber’s Secret? What happens when you hear the harsh words that one man leaves for everyone to ponder? Author Roger Radford creates an ending that will leave readers wanting more. Powerful, historically correct, creatively written and told in many voices as we hear two men who claimed to have been there. Which one reveled in the pain of others? Which one tortured so many defenseless victims? Whose story is the truth? Will Danielle and Mark find the answers they are looking for? Is there more to tell?
A first-rate novel filled with twists, turns and a surprise ending the readers will never expect. Hans Schreiber: A secret so devastating that when revealed many lives will never be the same. An outstanding novel that reminds readers that the Holocaust really happened and we must never forget.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
February 10, 2014
Unresolved
First and foremost, I enjoy most stories on World War II no matter what the topic. I found the blurb catchy and interesting so I took a chance.
For me, it missed the mark. There is a great premise hidden deep in the story and I mean deep. I can understand using lovers to drive the vehicle, but when the story centers more around them then the true path of the work, the result falls a bit flat.
Pros’s
1) The book start out with an excellent description of Theresienstadt and the fortress within the way station. It was easy to be swept up with hate and contempt for Herr Schreiber. Sadly, this was the best part of the book.
Con’s
1) There are a host of formatting and spelling issues which need to be addressed. They did interrupt the flow of the read. The overuse of sudden and suddenly became overbearing.
2) Empathy. For such a fascinating story, I found it difficult to feel anything for the victor or the victim.
3) The love affair between Danielle and Mark was trite and I didn’t believe it added anything to what should have been a gripping tale. In fact, instead of the story centering around Schreiber’s Secret, it revolved more around these two.
4) The first change from present to past, was very jarring. There was no indication of going back in time. I believe this occurred halfway through the story. If we’re going into the past, it could have been a much smoother transition.
5) There were so many missed opportunities for real suspense, I lost count. Instead of resolutions or shocking revelations, the story would just stop. The one that comes to mind happens during the trial. We are given this long drawn out presentation from the prosecution. I wanted to hear the same from the defense and instead was greeted with, wait for it, nothing. Very disappointing.
I can see where this book could appeal to survivors or relatives who were all too familiar with the brutality of the Nazis and the camps they forced victims to die in.
Overall, I was mildly disappointed with the work.
*** Since I published the review, Mr. Radford and I have been in communication. He is addressing the issue of the misspellings and formatting issue with due diligence. He also explained the true premise behind the book. It was fascinating to say the least. Still, I held my ground with the unresolved issues. It was a spirited discussion. I relish the opportunity to chat with other authors and listen to them describe their thought and reasoning process. We must have chatted a good thirty to forty-five minutes talking politics and recounting his days as a war correspondent. When he told me he was at the Golan Heights in 1972, I was hooked.
With no bias, I am raising the star rating to a three and-a-half as the first con I pointed out is being resolved.
I look forward to continuing discussions with this fascinating author and human.
First and foremost, I enjoy most stories on World War II no matter what the topic. I found the blurb catchy and interesting so I took a chance.
For me, it missed the mark. There is a great premise hidden deep in the story and I mean deep. I can understand using lovers to drive the vehicle, but when the story centers more around them then the true path of the work, the result falls a bit flat.
Pros’s
1) The book start out with an excellent description of Theresienstadt and the fortress within the way station. It was easy to be swept up with hate and contempt for Herr Schreiber. Sadly, this was the best part of the book.
Con’s
1) There are a host of formatting and spelling issues which need to be addressed. They did interrupt the flow of the read. The overuse of sudden and suddenly became overbearing.
2) Empathy. For such a fascinating story, I found it difficult to feel anything for the victor or the victim.
3) The love affair between Danielle and Mark was trite and I didn’t believe it added anything to what should have been a gripping tale. In fact, instead of the story centering around Schreiber’s Secret, it revolved more around these two.
4) The first change from present to past, was very jarring. There was no indication of going back in time. I believe this occurred halfway through the story. If we’re going into the past, it could have been a much smoother transition.
5) There were so many missed opportunities for real suspense, I lost count. Instead of resolutions or shocking revelations, the story would just stop. The one that comes to mind happens during the trial. We are given this long drawn out presentation from the prosecution. I wanted to hear the same from the defense and instead was greeted with, wait for it, nothing. Very disappointing.
I can see where this book could appeal to survivors or relatives who were all too familiar with the brutality of the Nazis and the camps they forced victims to die in.
Overall, I was mildly disappointed with the work.
*** Since I published the review, Mr. Radford and I have been in communication. He is addressing the issue of the misspellings and formatting issue with due diligence. He also explained the true premise behind the book. It was fascinating to say the least. Still, I held my ground with the unresolved issues. It was a spirited discussion. I relish the opportunity to chat with other authors and listen to them describe their thought and reasoning process. We must have chatted a good thirty to forty-five minutes talking politics and recounting his days as a war correspondent. When he told me he was at the Golan Heights in 1972, I was hooked.
With no bias, I am raising the star rating to a three and-a-half as the first con I pointed out is being resolved.
I look forward to continuing discussions with this fascinating author and human.
July 19, 2013
"Schreiber's Secret" by Roger Radford is a masterfully written thriller. One narrative deals with the crimes committed by the Nazi's in the Czech Republic, particularly the famous Theresienstadt concentration camp not far from Prague. We meet a varied group of Jewish characters as well as their Nazi torturers. Some of the writing here is rather explicit in its violence, I need to warn you (although still little compared to the horrors we know occured in other places). The story is told in snippets, adding suspense and interest as the parallel story unfolds as well.
This second narrative deals with two murders in the UK years after the war, which point the finger to Theresienstadt and one of the Nazi officers and a case of mistaken, stolen or assumed identity.
The difficulty for the prosecutors is to find out who the killer, Schreiber from the title, is in the present.
Based loosely on or inspired by the real case of a convicted Nazi officer 'Ivan' the story offers plenty of food for thought, mystery and turns to make the reading experience on a superficial level only already a breath taking and compulsive one. I hate to resort to over-used phrases but I found it hard to put the book down and was eager to find out what was going to transpire.
As the plot thickens and the past comes back into the present however there is much more to this gem of a book than the entertainment and suspense factors.
We get to look at some issues deeply, such as guilt and forgiving, identity and conformity. There are great lines in this book to ponder on and some inspiring characters that have interesting thoughts and attitudes. The plot could never unfold in this amazing way of these characters had not been so well set up and put together.
As writer of historical fiction in the same period I can vouch that the historical setting is authentic, the facts are accurate and the camp life is competently described.
This is a powerful read that I would love to see being made into a movie. 5 stars because I can't it 6.
This second narrative deals with two murders in the UK years after the war, which point the finger to Theresienstadt and one of the Nazi officers and a case of mistaken, stolen or assumed identity.
The difficulty for the prosecutors is to find out who the killer, Schreiber from the title, is in the present.
Based loosely on or inspired by the real case of a convicted Nazi officer 'Ivan' the story offers plenty of food for thought, mystery and turns to make the reading experience on a superficial level only already a breath taking and compulsive one. I hate to resort to over-used phrases but I found it hard to put the book down and was eager to find out what was going to transpire.
As the plot thickens and the past comes back into the present however there is much more to this gem of a book than the entertainment and suspense factors.
We get to look at some issues deeply, such as guilt and forgiving, identity and conformity. There are great lines in this book to ponder on and some inspiring characters that have interesting thoughts and attitudes. The plot could never unfold in this amazing way of these characters had not been so well set up and put together.
As writer of historical fiction in the same period I can vouch that the historical setting is authentic, the facts are accurate and the camp life is competently described.
This is a powerful read that I would love to see being made into a movie. 5 stars because I can't it 6.
January 5, 2016
The plot of this book was intriguing, but the writing was distracting. There were many times that it felt as if the author had written the book and then used a thesaurus instead of an editor to try to make it better. For instance , one description of freshly shampooed hair is that of being dank. Caves are dank. Clothes left to moulder in the washer are dank. Dank and damp are not the same thing. Then a couple of paragraphs later another character is said to be luxeriating in the dampness of her hair. Who would luxeriate in something dank (unpleasantly damp). There were minor details like this throughout the book, and it was distracting. The story itself was compelling, but I felt I had to plow through the cumbersome writing for the first 3/4 of the book. Finally, the conclusion was deeply dissatisfying. I'll leave it there so as to give no spoilers.
March 21, 2016
Such a brilliant book, I listened to this over a couple of weeks and I found this so enthralling and was beautifully read which only gave more dimension to the story. A true mystery throughout the book that kept me interested no matter how long I had left it.
January 30, 2016
Could not put it down.. Very tough in the beginning as it covers a lot of the holocaust and is graphic .. Worth getting thru that part to a great story.
July 15, 2022
I found this story both difficult to read because of the description of the treatment of Jews and other prisoners by the Nazis during WWII, and difficult to stop reading because of the compelling writing about efforts fifty years later to possibly bringing at least one war criminal to justice.
The story does go back and forth between events at a concentration camp in Czechoslovakia and 1990s London. The murder of a cab driver in London results in an anonymous call to a newspaper crime reporter. The pursuit of the background of the prime suspect was, for me, a truly interesting investigation to read.
If you are looking for a light read, this is not the story for you. However, for the subject matter, if you enjoyed Forsythe’s The Odessa File or Uris’s QBVII, this was comparable. I was not prepared for the climax.
The story does go back and forth between events at a concentration camp in Czechoslovakia and 1990s London. The murder of a cab driver in London results in an anonymous call to a newspaper crime reporter. The pursuit of the background of the prime suspect was, for me, a truly interesting investigation to read.
If you are looking for a light read, this is not the story for you. However, for the subject matter, if you enjoyed Forsythe’s The Odessa File or Uris’s QBVII, this was comparable. I was not prepared for the climax.
January 11, 2020
I must have gotten an obscure edition as my cover art is a dagger and the page count (314), it doesn't say anything about being abridged. Anyway, this is a interesting tale with a few big twist toward the end. One was very predictable. The parts of the book about the concentration camp were the most interesting. The current day (1995) were't bad either. However, as I read I kept thinking, "This book has the potential to be so much better". There were many opportunities to take advantage of adding suspense and action that the author could have taken better advantage. I wasn't crazy about the end, too contrived in my opinion. Overall a worthwhile read if this genre is in your wheelhouse.
March 16, 2025
More twists and turns than a Swiss alpine road!
I could not put this one down. Mr. Radford has done impeccable research and it shines through in the details. Several times I thought I had it solved, but then another surprise sent me reeling. Literally until the final 3 or 4 pages, it had me guessing.
If you love a courtroom mystery with lots of action and we'll developed characters this is a MUST read.
Highly recommend
I could not put this one down. Mr. Radford has done impeccable research and it shines through in the details. Several times I thought I had it solved, but then another surprise sent me reeling. Literally until the final 3 or 4 pages, it had me guessing.
If you love a courtroom mystery with lots of action and we'll developed characters this is a MUST read.
Highly recommend
January 9, 2019
Very realistic....
I was born in 1937....my Grandparents were always talking about the war...I wish I had been older....for some reason my interest now is WW2 .....
This book was different...and had a hard time putting it down...the ending was a shocker...
I was born in 1937....my Grandparents were always talking about the war...I wish I had been older....for some reason my interest now is WW2 .....
This book was different...and had a hard time putting it down...the ending was a shocker...
March 4, 2022
Schreiber’s Secret
A fascinating book. With so many twist and turns. Keeps you guessing , and second guessing through out. This is a book that will not be deleted from my library. I recommend it to anyone especially if you have an interest in WWII.
A fascinating book. With so many twist and turns. Keeps you guessing , and second guessing through out. This is a book that will not be deleted from my library. I recommend it to anyone especially if you have an interest in WWII.
August 30, 2018
I was not super happy with the ending, but all in all this was a good suspenseful book. Lots of surprises will keep you guessing.
March 31, 2019
There were a lot of typos, but a pretty suspenseful story.
May 12, 2025
Brilliantly written I was not able to put it down. An incredible book, skilfully articulated and based on true historical events. Very much recommended.
January 25, 2014
Spy thrillers, WW2 mystery thrillers are genres I rarely touch these days. I couldn’t get enough of it when I was younger but I soon grew weary of it and (perhaps unfairly) stopped reading it altogether. I am pleased to have been presented with the opportunity when signing up for theindieview.com to be introduced to some modern works by indie published authors and perhaps rekindle the curiosity I once had for fiction set around international politics.
The story flits between two time periods – Nazi era Czechoslovakia and modern day Berlin and London. We are introduced in the earlier period to Hans Shreiber, a horrific and truly sadistic SS Officer; we are given a thorough summary and left in no doubt that this man was an utter psychopath. This narrative is carefully woven along with the modern stories as two reporters investigating the murders of Jewish Londoners (the first a cab driver). In their investigation they learn of Schreiber and come to understand that he is now in modern Britain – their goal is to discover his modern identity. The job of the authorities after learning this information is to figure out who he is. Though not a page-turner, it is not dull by any stretch of the imagination. The writer bides his time, careful to set the plot out clearly and tell us what we need to know when we need to know it. In this, he keeps our curiosity piqued.
This is one of the better edited examples of the indie published work I have read in the last few months. All credit to the writer and his beta readers. The text flows well and has the right feel for the genre; the writer has emulated the expected style very well. This is not the sort of genre that I read very often these days though I used to read a lot of it in my teens and twenties. Though my attention drifted at times, that is far more to do with my lack if interest than any flaw in the writing – congratulations to the writer for keeping my attention in the long run.
Some have commented on the graphic violence, and it certainly is but it doesn’t feel gratuitous, it is as brutal and as shocking as it needs to be. We are talking about a Concentration Camp here after all and the very real issue of Nazi war criminals who escaped punishment and ended up in the countries that were allied against them, some smuggled out by those governments and others smuggled themselves in and forget a new identity.
The research is meticulous and feels far closer to a real criminal investigation – so it fuses crime drama with political thriller rather well too. I believe the author had a background in this. When he emailed me the copy he explained his history but sadly I cannot find the details now. Either way, he has put his background to very good use here.
A solid 4/5
See more book reviews at my blog
The story flits between two time periods – Nazi era Czechoslovakia and modern day Berlin and London. We are introduced in the earlier period to Hans Shreiber, a horrific and truly sadistic SS Officer; we are given a thorough summary and left in no doubt that this man was an utter psychopath. This narrative is carefully woven along with the modern stories as two reporters investigating the murders of Jewish Londoners (the first a cab driver). In their investigation they learn of Schreiber and come to understand that he is now in modern Britain – their goal is to discover his modern identity. The job of the authorities after learning this information is to figure out who he is. Though not a page-turner, it is not dull by any stretch of the imagination. The writer bides his time, careful to set the plot out clearly and tell us what we need to know when we need to know it. In this, he keeps our curiosity piqued.
This is one of the better edited examples of the indie published work I have read in the last few months. All credit to the writer and his beta readers. The text flows well and has the right feel for the genre; the writer has emulated the expected style very well. This is not the sort of genre that I read very often these days though I used to read a lot of it in my teens and twenties. Though my attention drifted at times, that is far more to do with my lack if interest than any flaw in the writing – congratulations to the writer for keeping my attention in the long run.
Some have commented on the graphic violence, and it certainly is but it doesn’t feel gratuitous, it is as brutal and as shocking as it needs to be. We are talking about a Concentration Camp here after all and the very real issue of Nazi war criminals who escaped punishment and ended up in the countries that were allied against them, some smuggled out by those governments and others smuggled themselves in and forget a new identity.
The research is meticulous and feels far closer to a real criminal investigation – so it fuses crime drama with political thriller rather well too. I believe the author had a background in this. When he emailed me the copy he explained his history but sadly I cannot find the details now. Either way, he has put his background to very good use here.
A solid 4/5
See more book reviews at my blog
July 15, 2013
What an absolute treat this book was! A very powerful mystery thriller which starts in a Nazi transit camp Theresienstadt, situated near Prague.
A young man, Herschel Soferman, arrives tired and hungry and not knowing what to expect. He is immediately befriended by Oskar Springer, who helps him acclimatise to the dreadful conditions. However, nothing can prepare him for the brutality and horrific things to come when sent to the Small Fortress and he comes up against SS officer Hans Schreiber. This man is evil personified. We are all aware nowadays of the horrors of concentration camps but not so much attention was placed on special transit camps for European Jews such as Theresienstadt. The author skilfully rectifies this with clarity that grips the reader who at some early points can’t wait to turn the pages but is a little afraid of what will be there!
Things have a new direction for Herschel Soferman when Hans Schreiber decides to make him his favourite. I will leave any more on this point for the reader to discover for themselves.
The action then switches to London. Danielle Green, Chief Feature Writer with the Mail on Sunday has managed to get an interview with Henry Sonntag, a very rich man who survived the Holocaust and decides to tell his story.
Then a murder is committed, a Jewish cab driver. Crime reporter Mark Edwards,who works for the London Evening Standard, and is dating Danielle, is assigned to the case.
There then follows another murder, also of a Jew. Both murders have similarities making Mark and Danielle decide to investigate together. Eventually, a link is found to the past.
There are many twists and turns in this tale, red herrings abound and it is full of action. Feel your heart in your mouth as you wonder if Mark will be okay. Will Danielle be safe? This book is so full of tension that you just can’t wait to see what will happen next. Having visited Jerusalem and been taken to the Wall and the Yad Vashem by a Jewish friend, I could identify with the feelings of the reporters.
The culmination comes in a trial at the Old Bailey, which is riveting. Is the right person in the dock or has everyone got it all wrong? Who is the real culprit? The reader is caught and held from beginning to end and even then finds a twist in the tale!
It is a real experience to read this wonderful book. I loved every word. It is also very thought provoking. Storytelling at its best. It certainly deserves five stars
A young man, Herschel Soferman, arrives tired and hungry and not knowing what to expect. He is immediately befriended by Oskar Springer, who helps him acclimatise to the dreadful conditions. However, nothing can prepare him for the brutality and horrific things to come when sent to the Small Fortress and he comes up against SS officer Hans Schreiber. This man is evil personified. We are all aware nowadays of the horrors of concentration camps but not so much attention was placed on special transit camps for European Jews such as Theresienstadt. The author skilfully rectifies this with clarity that grips the reader who at some early points can’t wait to turn the pages but is a little afraid of what will be there!
Things have a new direction for Herschel Soferman when Hans Schreiber decides to make him his favourite. I will leave any more on this point for the reader to discover for themselves.
The action then switches to London. Danielle Green, Chief Feature Writer with the Mail on Sunday has managed to get an interview with Henry Sonntag, a very rich man who survived the Holocaust and decides to tell his story.
Then a murder is committed, a Jewish cab driver. Crime reporter Mark Edwards,who works for the London Evening Standard, and is dating Danielle, is assigned to the case.
There then follows another murder, also of a Jew. Both murders have similarities making Mark and Danielle decide to investigate together. Eventually, a link is found to the past.
There are many twists and turns in this tale, red herrings abound and it is full of action. Feel your heart in your mouth as you wonder if Mark will be okay. Will Danielle be safe? This book is so full of tension that you just can’t wait to see what will happen next. Having visited Jerusalem and been taken to the Wall and the Yad Vashem by a Jewish friend, I could identify with the feelings of the reporters.
The culmination comes in a trial at the Old Bailey, which is riveting. Is the right person in the dock or has everyone got it all wrong? Who is the real culprit? The reader is caught and held from beginning to end and even then finds a twist in the tale!
It is a real experience to read this wonderful book. I loved every word. It is also very thought provoking. Storytelling at its best. It certainly deserves five stars
January 9, 2014
Holocaust dramatically and factually presented
I was in high school when WWII ended and saw pictures of General Eisenhower’s reactions when he visited several death camps in Europe. After that there were many novels, some autobiographies and movies that were based on Nazi death camps and yet, today, there are certain groups of people who deny the holocaust. The author did exhaustive research before writing this story, as he relates at the end of this novel.
The aspect of this story against many others is that it is a mystery. It certainly sets forth the horribleness of these Nazi camps centered around two young Jewish men who suffered at the hands of one Hans Schreiber, the commander of a separate department of Theresienstadt, a death camp near Prague, so notorious because of Schreiber that it was certain that anyone sent there would never leave alive and would be subjected to the most horrendous experiences while there. There is no doubt that Schreiber is a sadist. It is only by a slip of fate that Herschel Soferman escapes and Schreiber believes him dead.
The book shows how so many Nazis were able to escape Germany before and after it was conquered in WWII and both Soferman and a man utilizing the name of Henry Sonntag made it to England. Then one week suddenly there were two deaths: a taxi driver had his throat cut and a swastika carved into this skull and an industrialist killed the same way. This is the trademark of Schreiber who usually shot a person in the neck and then carved the swastika on the victim’s forehead. The British police eventually arrest Henry Sonnatag, a rich man doing business with the industrialist and was overheard making a threat against him. Information is given the police to lead them to believe that the killer is actually Schreiber. Later Soferman is dragged into the circle of suspicion.
This story is excellently and professionally written with many flashbacks, laying the clues out so that a mystery is building and yet at the same time, is educational and informative for those readers who are unaware of the holocaust and its extensive damage. This story is based on history, but the Nazi tortures, etc. is given to us in bits and pieces around these flashbacks so that it doesn’t become too dark and depressing. It was a page turner for me and I recommend it.
I was in high school when WWII ended and saw pictures of General Eisenhower’s reactions when he visited several death camps in Europe. After that there were many novels, some autobiographies and movies that were based on Nazi death camps and yet, today, there are certain groups of people who deny the holocaust. The author did exhaustive research before writing this story, as he relates at the end of this novel.
The aspect of this story against many others is that it is a mystery. It certainly sets forth the horribleness of these Nazi camps centered around two young Jewish men who suffered at the hands of one Hans Schreiber, the commander of a separate department of Theresienstadt, a death camp near Prague, so notorious because of Schreiber that it was certain that anyone sent there would never leave alive and would be subjected to the most horrendous experiences while there. There is no doubt that Schreiber is a sadist. It is only by a slip of fate that Herschel Soferman escapes and Schreiber believes him dead.
The book shows how so many Nazis were able to escape Germany before and after it was conquered in WWII and both Soferman and a man utilizing the name of Henry Sonntag made it to England. Then one week suddenly there were two deaths: a taxi driver had his throat cut and a swastika carved into this skull and an industrialist killed the same way. This is the trademark of Schreiber who usually shot a person in the neck and then carved the swastika on the victim’s forehead. The British police eventually arrest Henry Sonnatag, a rich man doing business with the industrialist and was overheard making a threat against him. Information is given the police to lead them to believe that the killer is actually Schreiber. Later Soferman is dragged into the circle of suspicion.
This story is excellently and professionally written with many flashbacks, laying the clues out so that a mystery is building and yet at the same time, is educational and informative for those readers who are unaware of the holocaust and its extensive damage. This story is based on history, but the Nazi tortures, etc. is given to us in bits and pieces around these flashbacks so that it doesn’t become too dark and depressing. It was a page turner for me and I recommend it.
January 15, 2014
This is the second book I have read by Mr. Radford (Winds Of Kadeem)and I enjoyed this even better than the 5 star rating I gave to that book. This is well researched, and manages to bring to life the horror of the atrocities committed during the holocaust. Yet it is also a courtroom drama in some ways reminiscent of QB V11. The plot is fascinating. Two Jewish men with no apparent connection, other than the mode of their murder, are found in London. Yet this 1995 murder case is somehow connected to a transit camp in Czechoslovakia where the borderline personality type commandant Hans Schreiber controls with unparalleled sadism. What if a former SS commandant changed his identity to flee Germany and ended up living in England? But was the real Schreiber killed on the Russian front or did he assume another's identity? What if the accuser is really the accused?
The doubt created by the accused and the accusers lead the protagonist present day journalist and his love interest book writer into an investigation that is fully engrossing. The last 20% of the book will leave you breathless. This is an ingenious work and it is both thought provoking and suspenseful enough to satisfy anyone's tastes
The doubt created by the accused and the accusers lead the protagonist present day journalist and his love interest book writer into an investigation that is fully engrossing. The last 20% of the book will leave you breathless. This is an ingenious work and it is both thought provoking and suspenseful enough to satisfy anyone's tastes
September 8, 2015
Wow! So compelling! Just finished. I need to gather my thoughts & write more later. ...
Fantastic book! Highly recommended! My spouse and I listened to it together and referred back to the novel at times. (The narration was excellent.) I actually recommend listening and reading at the same time. We both thought it was excellent. There are some great review written, so I'll keep mine brief. Plus, it's not an easy book to review because I don't want to give anything away. I thought I'd have a really hard time with the Holocaust sections, and given I was listening, my absorption of the novel was quite vivid - which can make things harder. But I "handled" it just fine. Definitely a page turner that keeps you changing your mind every page, it seemed. Steady pace in that it wasn't rushed, but fast in that I wanted to keep going. The characters, imagery, suspense, and writing style were great. Very smartly written. I'm not a historian, but as I learned by other reviews, it's highly historically correct, which brought more depth to the nuances of the story. The insight into the Judaism religion, traditions and customs were also appreciated. It's been several days since we finished Schreiber's Secret and we are still thinking about and discussing it.
Fantastic book! Highly recommended! My spouse and I listened to it together and referred back to the novel at times. (The narration was excellent.) I actually recommend listening and reading at the same time. We both thought it was excellent. There are some great review written, so I'll keep mine brief. Plus, it's not an easy book to review because I don't want to give anything away. I thought I'd have a really hard time with the Holocaust sections, and given I was listening, my absorption of the novel was quite vivid - which can make things harder. But I "handled" it just fine. Definitely a page turner that keeps you changing your mind every page, it seemed. Steady pace in that it wasn't rushed, but fast in that I wanted to keep going. The characters, imagery, suspense, and writing style were great. Very smartly written. I'm not a historian, but as I learned by other reviews, it's highly historically correct, which brought more depth to the nuances of the story. The insight into the Judaism religion, traditions and customs were also appreciated. It's been several days since we finished Schreiber's Secret and we are still thinking about and discussing it.
June 3, 2014
I really think everyone should give this book a try..it's not AT ALL what it initially seems. There's a bit of something for all reading types: suspense, historical fiction, perhaps some light romance and a chuckle or two? It's easy reading; although I thought it was a bit "plodding" at first...but then again the Holocaust is pretty heavy subject matter. I have always felt invested in WWII Era and Holocaust stories, so I kept reading. About 20 pages in, the scene changes to "modern era" and the real story begins. All I can say is WOW...I'm not going to give away "Schreiber's Secret" (which was pretty fabulous); but I am going to say that the story also gave rise to a lot of soul searching and new perspectives...Mind Blown!
July 17, 2015
The Nazis wreaked havoc in World War II and even 40 years later the hunt for war criminals continues.
Two Jewish men, having the same initials, similar appearance, and with stories of Nazi, atrocities emigrated to England after the war. Now, one is on trial for murder but a reporter, Daniele Green, is convince he's innocent. This is a story of murder, mistaken identity, neo-Nazis, and investigative journalism with lots of twists.
Italicized words: no space before and after the italicized word.
I had just started reading this book when the sentencing of a 92 year old Nazi was reported.
Coincidence or synchronicity? It made the story in the book seem possible.
No graphic sex or violence
Two Jewish men, having the same initials, similar appearance, and with stories of Nazi, atrocities emigrated to England after the war. Now, one is on trial for murder but a reporter, Daniele Green, is convince he's innocent. This is a story of murder, mistaken identity, neo-Nazis, and investigative journalism with lots of twists.
Italicized words: no space before and after the italicized word.
I had just started reading this book when the sentencing of a 92 year old Nazi was reported.
Coincidence or synchronicity? It made the story in the book seem possible.
No graphic sex or violence
February 7, 2014
I spent every spare minute reading this book and thought it had the making of a great film. At the end of the book the author mentions that it has been bought by a film company.
The author’s excellent descriptive skill of the horrors of the concentration camp has the reader in the camp with the main character. I could smell the despair of the prisoners, yet the feeling that they had to stay alive. As I read the story it occurred to me that the author must have spent a huge amount of time on his research – not just for the concentration camp period, but also various other scenes later in the book. The twists and turns of the story requires the reader to be attentive. Highly recommended!
The author’s excellent descriptive skill of the horrors of the concentration camp has the reader in the camp with the main character. I could smell the despair of the prisoners, yet the feeling that they had to stay alive. As I read the story it occurred to me that the author must have spent a huge amount of time on his research – not just for the concentration camp period, but also various other scenes later in the book. The twists and turns of the story requires the reader to be attentive. Highly recommended!
April 7, 2014
My Review: I hesitate to say I enjoyed this book since it deals with such a dark moment in history. However I did find it absorbing. It kept me reading long past when I should have put it down. The concept of brothers on different sides in Nazi Germany was unique. I believe I figured out what happened and who the real monster was and which monster was made. However I wish it would have been revealed for sure. The ending really didn’t seem to be an ending at all. The romance between the reporters didn’t seem necessary in this book and it was not well done. Editing could have been a little better. I give this book 4 stars.
September 10, 2015
Schreiber´s secret is a fantastic read that deserves a five stars rating. The book relates the story of holocaust survivor Herschel Soferman, who suffered tremendous cruelty at the hands of SS Obersturmbannfuhrer Hans Schreiber in Treblinka. Soferman manages to survive the war and emigrates to the UK. The story is told from the viewpoint of English crime reporter Mark Edwards, who becomes involved in the Soferman-Schreiber story when a Jewish cab driver gets murdered in the same way that Schreiber used to kill his Jewish victims and a man who claims to be Herschel Soferman claims that Hans Schreiber is alive and murdering Jews.
January 6, 2015
I was lucky enough to get this as a free e-book download from Amazon - not sure how I managed that but I'm not one for complaining ;)
Despite some harrowing descriptions of the Nazi atrocities, I thought this a well written book with excellent characters and it kept me interested to the end. An exiting and page-turning read and I will be interested to see how the film turns out - if it is made.
Despite some harrowing descriptions of the Nazi atrocities, I thought this a well written book with excellent characters and it kept me interested to the end. An exiting and page-turning read and I will be interested to see how the film turns out - if it is made.
May 1, 2014
The suspense and twists and turns made this Holocaust story all the more captivating. It includes some horrendous scenes and details which may be difficult to read however. Once you are drawn into the book, the mystery of how the characters and events will play out becomes all the more compelling. Throughout the book I consistently wanted to jump ahead to the conclusion. Mr. Radford's writing is descriptive, enthralling and powerful.
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