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The Fifteenth Man
The Wall may have fallen. But there are still Nazis in Berlin.
West Berlin, 1990. Anglo-German journalist Michael Braun has made his living tracking down old Nazis and selling their stories to Fleet Street. But since the fall of Berlin Wall, the press's interest is waning, and Braun needs more than another concentration camp guard or petty bureaucrat.
Just as he thinks the well is dry, Braun is offered an improbable assignment. During the storming of the East German Stasi headquarters, files were found that show a Nazi may have been hiding in Berlin for decades. And not just another low-ranking soldier. Heinrich Müller, head of the Gestapo, and the fifteenth the only leading Nazi at the Wannsee Conference whose fate has been unknown for over forty years.
Desperate for money, Braun takes the job. But the man he's hunting - Müller or not - knows how to stay hidden. And how to protect his secrets.
West Berlin, 1990. Anglo-German journalist Michael Braun has made his living tracking down old Nazis and selling their stories to Fleet Street. But since the fall of Berlin Wall, the press's interest is waning, and Braun needs more than another concentration camp guard or petty bureaucrat.
Just as he thinks the well is dry, Braun is offered an improbable assignment. During the storming of the East German Stasi headquarters, files were found that show a Nazi may have been hiding in Berlin for decades. And not just another low-ranking soldier. Heinrich Müller, head of the Gestapo, and the fifteenth the only leading Nazi at the Wannsee Conference whose fate has been unknown for over forty years.
Desperate for money, Braun takes the job. But the man he's hunting - Müller or not - knows how to stay hidden. And how to protect his secrets.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2026
About the author
William Cook
256 books7 followersLibrarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
See also:
William Cook, 1849-1904, poultry
William Cook*, horror, thrillers
William Cook, chess
William Cook, comedians
William J. Cook*, suspense, mystery
William J. Cook, mathematics
William J. Cook Jr., criminal justice
William J. Cook Jr., education
William John Cook, WWII vet
William R. Cook, history, philosophy
William Wallace Cook, 1867-1933
William Wesley Cook, 1859-1936
William Wilson Cook, 1858-1930, law
An author marked with an asterisk (*) indicates a Goodreads author.
See also:
William Cook, 1849-1904, poultry
William Cook*, horror, thrillers
William Cook, chess
William Cook, comedians
William J. Cook*, suspense, mystery
William J. Cook, mathematics
William J. Cook Jr., criminal justice
William J. Cook Jr., education
William John Cook, WWII vet
William R. Cook, history, philosophy
William Wallace Cook, 1867-1933
William Wesley Cook, 1859-1936
William Wilson Cook, 1858-1930, law
An author marked with an asterisk (*) indicates a Goodreads author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Fifteenth Man is set against the backdrop of a fractured yet reunifying Germany. It opens in West Berlin, just after the wall has fallen. The story follows a British/German journalist, Michael Braun, who is tipped off to a bombshell of a story: Heinrich Müller, the notorious head of the Gestapo, is allegedly hiding in plain sight.
What starts as a journalistic chase soon spirals into a dangerous web of stolen identities, forbidden relationships, and deeply corrupt politics. Braun also finds himself tailed by a stranger; it is not clear if this is friend or foe. Someone is clearly desperate for Müller’s secrets to remain buried resulting in some genuinely intense, thrilling chases.
William Cook does a masterful job of capturing the raw, claustrophobic terror of East Berlin immediately following the fall of the wall. The transition period of reunification is well balanced, and Cook’s detailed descriptions of real locations make the setting feel incredibly vivid. You can practically feel the cold, tense air coming off the page.
This is a fast-moving story that kept me hooked through its various twists and turns. It rarely lets up on the pace and the inclusion of the author’s note at the end is a very welcome addition. It explains how the book, although fictional, was inspired by his German Grandfather’s life after the war. This emotional connection adds a profound layer of integrity and poignancy to the overall narrative.
As the protagonist, Braun is a tough pill to swallow. He is deeply selfish and unlikeable, driven more by the pursuit of fame and money rather than actual journalistic integrity. I found myself not wanting him to succeed in his quest as the novel progressed.
While the build-up is excellent, the ending feels a little rushed. Cook leaves a few loose ends untied by the final page, which left me a little disappointed after such a gripping start and middle.
However, despite this hasty conclusion and frustrating lead character, I would highly recommend The Fifteenth Man to any fans of post-Cold War thrillers and would definitely pick up this author again.
3.5 starts rounded up to 4.
The Fifteenth Man is set against the backdrop of a fractured yet reunifying Germany. It opens in West Berlin, just after the wall has fallen. The story follows a British/German journalist, Michael Braun, who is tipped off to a bombshell of a story: Heinrich Müller, the notorious head of the Gestapo, is allegedly hiding in plain sight.
What starts as a journalistic chase soon spirals into a dangerous web of stolen identities, forbidden relationships, and deeply corrupt politics. Braun also finds himself tailed by a stranger; it is not clear if this is friend or foe. Someone is clearly desperate for Müller’s secrets to remain buried resulting in some genuinely intense, thrilling chases.
William Cook does a masterful job of capturing the raw, claustrophobic terror of East Berlin immediately following the fall of the wall. The transition period of reunification is well balanced, and Cook’s detailed descriptions of real locations make the setting feel incredibly vivid. You can practically feel the cold, tense air coming off the page.
This is a fast-moving story that kept me hooked through its various twists and turns. It rarely lets up on the pace and the inclusion of the author’s note at the end is a very welcome addition. It explains how the book, although fictional, was inspired by his German Grandfather’s life after the war. This emotional connection adds a profound layer of integrity and poignancy to the overall narrative.
As the protagonist, Braun is a tough pill to swallow. He is deeply selfish and unlikeable, driven more by the pursuit of fame and money rather than actual journalistic integrity. I found myself not wanting him to succeed in his quest as the novel progressed.
While the build-up is excellent, the ending feels a little rushed. Cook leaves a few loose ends untied by the final page, which left me a little disappointed after such a gripping start and middle.
However, despite this hasty conclusion and frustrating lead character, I would highly recommend The Fifteenth Man to any fans of post-Cold War thrillers and would definitely pick up this author again.
3.5 starts rounded up to 4.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I think this novel might be described as picaresque. The protagonist, Michael Braun, (his father was German), who narrates the story from his point of view, is no hero. He’s a journalist, he’s lazy, he’s never held down a full time permanent job, he doesn’t seek the thrill of danger, quite the opposite in fact. He’s an outsider, an English man scraping a living finding the dregs of the Nazi regime in Berlin in the 1990s. Germany is on the verge of reunification. He’s just in it for the money so when an old friend, an editor on a popular newspaper offers him what seems on the surface to be a straight forward not too difficult job which will be well payed, he accepts.
The job is to find the “fifteenth man” present at the 1942 meeting of Nazis at Wannsee. A meeting where “the final solution” was discussed and planned. 14 are accounted for. The fifteenth, Heinrich Müller disappeared without a trace. He was head of the Gestapo, so finding him would be a big deal. But…nothing is as it seems. We are soon embroiled in secrets many want kept in the dark, and not just Müller. There are dangerous relationships, stolen identities, honey traps, corrupt police in thrall to corrupt politics, and who is following Braun. Who has trashed his apartment? What are they looking for?
The pace is fast, the danger is terrifying and the description of East Berlin makes you feel the cold winds and claustrophobia of a place in transition but which doesn’t understand how to change. Braun’s character is starkly realistic and although selfish and lazy he does have a conscience and some principles; he is pretty straightforward and honest. These are traits which save him from being a total swine; I actually found him to be sort of likeable and I was certainly rooting for him.
A great post Cold War read which carries the reader along in thrall to the twists and turns. The author’s note at the end, explaining how some of the story is based on his German grandfather’s life gives the story emotional depth and veracity. I gave it 4* as I thought the ending was a bit too drawn out - but still very readable.
Highly recommend this to readers who enjoy a well-written, well-plotted thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for kindle in exchange for my honest review.
The job is to find the “fifteenth man” present at the 1942 meeting of Nazis at Wannsee. A meeting where “the final solution” was discussed and planned. 14 are accounted for. The fifteenth, Heinrich Müller disappeared without a trace. He was head of the Gestapo, so finding him would be a big deal. But…nothing is as it seems. We are soon embroiled in secrets many want kept in the dark, and not just Müller. There are dangerous relationships, stolen identities, honey traps, corrupt police in thrall to corrupt politics, and who is following Braun. Who has trashed his apartment? What are they looking for?
The pace is fast, the danger is terrifying and the description of East Berlin makes you feel the cold winds and claustrophobia of a place in transition but which doesn’t understand how to change. Braun’s character is starkly realistic and although selfish and lazy he does have a conscience and some principles; he is pretty straightforward and honest. These are traits which save him from being a total swine; I actually found him to be sort of likeable and I was certainly rooting for him.
A great post Cold War read which carries the reader along in thrall to the twists and turns. The author’s note at the end, explaining how some of the story is based on his German grandfather’s life gives the story emotional depth and veracity. I gave it 4* as I thought the ending was a bit too drawn out - but still very readable.
Highly recommend this to readers who enjoy a well-written, well-plotted thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for kindle in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Berlin wall has just fallen and Michael Braun, an Englishman, is working in Berlin as a freelance journalist. His recent stories have mainly consisted of hunting down nazis - now old men - and turning them in, so he is not surprised when an editor, an old friend, asks him to investigate the possibility that Heinrich Muller, who was head of the Gestapo, is still alive and hiding in plain sight and even working at a Jewish organisation. In the flurry of activity when the wall came down, the notes on a meeting about the 'final solution' have resurfaced and appear to show that one man, the fifteenth man, has not been accounted for after the war.
What starts for Braun as regular search for information, soon spirals out of his control, as it seems more than just himself is looking for Muller, and some people have a lot to lose if he is discovered.
The setting of Berlin and east Germany after the collapse of the communist regime are very telling, with the difference in life styles between the east and west Germans being stark and brutal. This is a great backdrop for a story that is fast paced and twisted.
Braun, himself, is self centred character, out to make money, being somewhat down on his luck at the beginning of the story. However, as he freely admits, he's never really wanted a regular job. He doesn't come across as too smart as several people including the West German secret service, an ex girlfriend and his boss, all manage to fool him, as he is hampered by having his drink spiked, being followed, and being accused of having indecent literature.
The plot was fresh and interesting and I enjoyed the settings very much. The author's note at the end explains how Cook came to write the story and his own German connection, which was interesting.
Some repetition of Braun's thoughts slowed the pace down a bit for me, but all in all a good read.
With thanks to the author, Netgalley and publishers for an early copy in return for an honest review.
What starts for Braun as regular search for information, soon spirals out of his control, as it seems more than just himself is looking for Muller, and some people have a lot to lose if he is discovered.
The setting of Berlin and east Germany after the collapse of the communist regime are very telling, with the difference in life styles between the east and west Germans being stark and brutal. This is a great backdrop for a story that is fast paced and twisted.
Braun, himself, is self centred character, out to make money, being somewhat down on his luck at the beginning of the story. However, as he freely admits, he's never really wanted a regular job. He doesn't come across as too smart as several people including the West German secret service, an ex girlfriend and his boss, all manage to fool him, as he is hampered by having his drink spiked, being followed, and being accused of having indecent literature.
The plot was fresh and interesting and I enjoyed the settings very much. The author's note at the end explains how Cook came to write the story and his own German connection, which was interesting.
Some repetition of Braun's thoughts slowed the pace down a bit for me, but all in all a good read.
With thanks to the author, Netgalley and publishers for an early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A dark story of a man's search for the truth.
"The Fifteenth Man" opens in west Berlin, in 1990. The Wall has fallen and the reunification of Germany is starting to become a reality. Freelance reporter, Michael Braun is surviving on stories about former Nazis still being brought to justice. When an editor, an old-time friend, asks him to investigate the possible sighting of Heinrich Müller, head of the Gestapo in 1945, and key architect of Hitler's Final Solution, he grudgingly accepts what appears to be a simple job. The money is good, and a simple job suits his lazy attitude to life.
But as the story develops, Braun is dragged into a complex situation of stolen identities, forbidden relationships and hidden agendas. From the days of WW2 to the height of the Cold War, there are people who will stop at nothing to prevent Müller's story being made public. Soon Braun is racing to confront people he doesn't even know, in order to save his own life. Along the way he reflects on what might have been, and who was to blame.
This is a fast-moving story, told by a fairly unlikeable man. Bitter, lazy, and not-too-smart, Braun is the perfect Noir anti-hero. In fact, the entire book plays out like a Bogart-esque thriller - chases on the U-Bahn, mysterious men in the shadows, honeytraps, and clandestine meetings all play out against the backdrop of post-war Germany. East Berlin is particularly well drawn - the stark reality of a society suddenly exposed to the technicolour West is a delight. For those familiar with Berlin, there's plenty of name-dropping in terms of streets and places - you might even be tempted to pick up a street map!
In the author's afterword, he explains that the story, although fiction, grew out of his interest in his German grandfather, and his life after the war. It adds poignancy to a wonderful story, well told.
Highly recommended.
"The Fifteenth Man" opens in west Berlin, in 1990. The Wall has fallen and the reunification of Germany is starting to become a reality. Freelance reporter, Michael Braun is surviving on stories about former Nazis still being brought to justice. When an editor, an old-time friend, asks him to investigate the possible sighting of Heinrich Müller, head of the Gestapo in 1945, and key architect of Hitler's Final Solution, he grudgingly accepts what appears to be a simple job. The money is good, and a simple job suits his lazy attitude to life.
But as the story develops, Braun is dragged into a complex situation of stolen identities, forbidden relationships and hidden agendas. From the days of WW2 to the height of the Cold War, there are people who will stop at nothing to prevent Müller's story being made public. Soon Braun is racing to confront people he doesn't even know, in order to save his own life. Along the way he reflects on what might have been, and who was to blame.
This is a fast-moving story, told by a fairly unlikeable man. Bitter, lazy, and not-too-smart, Braun is the perfect Noir anti-hero. In fact, the entire book plays out like a Bogart-esque thriller - chases on the U-Bahn, mysterious men in the shadows, honeytraps, and clandestine meetings all play out against the backdrop of post-war Germany. East Berlin is particularly well drawn - the stark reality of a society suddenly exposed to the technicolour West is a delight. For those familiar with Berlin, there's plenty of name-dropping in terms of streets and places - you might even be tempted to pick up a street map!
In the author's afterword, he explains that the story, although fiction, grew out of his interest in his German grandfather, and his life after the war. It adds poignancy to a wonderful story, well told.
Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 stars
It’s 1990 in Berlin, soon after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and British journalist Michael Braun is living a care-free life, selling stories about old Nazis to a German paper. With the stories drying up, Braun is after a quick-win story that pays well.
When his contact brings news that head of the Gestapo, Heinrich Muller, the fifteenth and last man from the Nazi’s Wannsee Conference who has kept himself hidden for the past 40 years, is reportedly in Berlin, the money on offer is too tempting for Braun to turn down.
But, as desperate for his next pay cheque as Braun is, he’s nowhere near as desperate as Muller is to stay hidden.
I loved this! It was such an exciting blend of historical fiction, twisty thriller, and classic cat-and-mouse detectiving!
Michael Braun was such a fun character – the work-avoidant, malcontent and loveable rogue, with a dark and droll humour, he sort of reminded me of Yossarian from Catch-22 (one of my favourite fictional characters of all time!)
The first-person narrative worked really well to capture the bumbling out-of-depth investigations of Braun into the dangerous character of Muller. Braun soon realises that this isn’t like his usual jobs that don’t require much effort, and that he’s very much on the back foot with Muller.
There were some brilliantly unexpected twists and I loved the humour. The writing was really exceptional, it was so much fun to read! And I particularly liked the background information about the author’s grandad, who inspired the story. This, coupled with his own experience of working as a journalist in Germany in the early 90s was very apparent through the expert amount of detail and historical knowledge. Brilliant!
It’s 1990 in Berlin, soon after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and British journalist Michael Braun is living a care-free life, selling stories about old Nazis to a German paper. With the stories drying up, Braun is after a quick-win story that pays well.
When his contact brings news that head of the Gestapo, Heinrich Muller, the fifteenth and last man from the Nazi’s Wannsee Conference who has kept himself hidden for the past 40 years, is reportedly in Berlin, the money on offer is too tempting for Braun to turn down.
But, as desperate for his next pay cheque as Braun is, he’s nowhere near as desperate as Muller is to stay hidden.
I loved this! It was such an exciting blend of historical fiction, twisty thriller, and classic cat-and-mouse detectiving!
Michael Braun was such a fun character – the work-avoidant, malcontent and loveable rogue, with a dark and droll humour, he sort of reminded me of Yossarian from Catch-22 (one of my favourite fictional characters of all time!)
The first-person narrative worked really well to capture the bumbling out-of-depth investigations of Braun into the dangerous character of Muller. Braun soon realises that this isn’t like his usual jobs that don’t require much effort, and that he’s very much on the back foot with Muller.
There were some brilliantly unexpected twists and I loved the humour. The writing was really exceptional, it was so much fun to read! And I particularly liked the background information about the author’s grandad, who inspired the story. This, coupled with his own experience of working as a journalist in Germany in the early 90s was very apparent through the expert amount of detail and historical knowledge. Brilliant!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After World War II, thousands of high-ranking Nazi officials, SS officers, and collaborators, escaped Europe using clandestine smuggling networks known as ratlines. They primarily fled to South America—most notably Argentina, Brazil, and Chile.
West Berlin 1990, and the Berlin Wall is no longer in existence. Anglo-German journalist Michael Braun has made his living tracking down old Nazis and selling their stories to Fleet Street, but since the fall of the Wall, interest is on the wane. Braun needs a headline catching story, and just when he thinks it’s all over, he’s offered an assignment that may prove that not every Nazi fled, because files were found in the East German Stasi headquarters, showing that one of them has been hiding in plain sight in Berlin! It’s not just any Nazi either, but none other than Heinrich Müller, head of the Gestapo! Braun takes on the assignment, but he has no idea how dangerous it will turn out to be.
Braun’s task is to find the “fifteenth man” present at the 1942 meeting of Nazis at Wannsee. This was a meeting where “the final solution” was discussed and planned. 14 of those present were accounted for. However, the fifteenth, Heinrich Müller disappeared without a trace - or did he?
Capturing the transition period of reunification, the author recreates a time and a place where, (despite the wall coming down) no one is to be trusted, and there is still a great deal of fear.
This is a fast paced story that kept me hooked throughout with its twists and turns, and although our protagonist was rather lazy and unlikeable, I was still rooting for him. The author’s notes at the end were really interesting, relating how he came to write his novel, and providing details of his own German connection. A great Cold War thriller!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Serpent’s Tail/ Viper/ Profile Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
West Berlin 1990, and the Berlin Wall is no longer in existence. Anglo-German journalist Michael Braun has made his living tracking down old Nazis and selling their stories to Fleet Street, but since the fall of the Wall, interest is on the wane. Braun needs a headline catching story, and just when he thinks it’s all over, he’s offered an assignment that may prove that not every Nazi fled, because files were found in the East German Stasi headquarters, showing that one of them has been hiding in plain sight in Berlin! It’s not just any Nazi either, but none other than Heinrich Müller, head of the Gestapo! Braun takes on the assignment, but he has no idea how dangerous it will turn out to be.
Braun’s task is to find the “fifteenth man” present at the 1942 meeting of Nazis at Wannsee. This was a meeting where “the final solution” was discussed and planned. 14 of those present were accounted for. However, the fifteenth, Heinrich Müller disappeared without a trace - or did he?
Capturing the transition period of reunification, the author recreates a time and a place where, (despite the wall coming down) no one is to be trusted, and there is still a great deal of fear.
This is a fast paced story that kept me hooked throughout with its twists and turns, and although our protagonist was rather lazy and unlikeable, I was still rooting for him. The author’s notes at the end were really interesting, relating how he came to write his novel, and providing details of his own German connection. A great Cold War thriller!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Serpent’s Tail/ Viper/ Profile Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Set in newly reunited Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall, The Fifteenth Man is a gripping historical thriller that blends real events with an intriguing mystery. Michael Braun, an English freelance journalist in Berlin, is asked to investigate rumours that Heinrich Müller, the former head of the Gestapo, may still be alive and hiding in plain sight. The investigation soon turns dangerous when Braun discovers that powerful people want the truth buried.
I particularly enjoyed the setting. The contrast between East and West Germany after the collapse of communism is vividly portrayed, while the atmosphere of uncertainty and change heightens the tension.
Braun is an interesting protagonist: far from a traditional hero, he is self-centred, occasionally naïve and often outmanoeuvred. These flaws make him believable and human as he becomes entangled in deception, surveillance and hidden agendas.
The mystery is well constructed, with enough twists to maintain momentum. I also appreciated the author’s note, which explains the his personal historical connection.
Overall, The Fifteenth Man is an engrossing thriller that successfully blends history and fiction. Its distinctive setting, strong sense of place and intriguing premise make it an enjoyable read that I would recommend to fans of historical mysteries and espionage fiction.
Thanks to Tim Cook, his publisher and NetGalley for this ARC, for which au have given my honest opinion.
I particularly enjoyed the setting. The contrast between East and West Germany after the collapse of communism is vividly portrayed, while the atmosphere of uncertainty and change heightens the tension.
Braun is an interesting protagonist: far from a traditional hero, he is self-centred, occasionally naïve and often outmanoeuvred. These flaws make him believable and human as he becomes entangled in deception, surveillance and hidden agendas.
The mystery is well constructed, with enough twists to maintain momentum. I also appreciated the author’s note, which explains the his personal historical connection.
Overall, The Fifteenth Man is an engrossing thriller that successfully blends history and fiction. Its distinctive setting, strong sense of place and intriguing premise make it an enjoyable read that I would recommend to fans of historical mysteries and espionage fiction.
Thanks to Tim Cook, his publisher and NetGalley for this ARC, for which au have given my honest opinion.
October 1, 2026
A really gripping historical thriller and one that had me hooked from the start.
Set in Berlin shortly after the fall of the Wall, the premise is fascinating. Michael Braun, a struggling journalist, is given the task of tracking down Heinrich Müller, the former head of the Gestapo and the only surviving member of the fifteen men who attended the Wannsee Conference.
I really enjoyed the setting and the sense of a city going through such a dramatic period of change. The story is well paced, with plenty of twists and turns, and I particularly liked the idea of a notorious Nazi hiding in plain sight under a completely different identity.
Michael is an interesting, rather reluctant hero and I liked the fact that the characters aren't necessarily people you immediately warm to. There is a constant feeling that something could go wrong, and Müller is a particularly compelling character.
What impressed me most was how believable the story felt. Knowing that the novel is fiction but that some of the ideas were inspired by real events and the author's own family history made it all the more intriguing.
4.5 stars from me. A cleverly plotted, atmospheric and thought-provoking historical thriller which kept me turning the pages and left me thinking about it afterwards.
Recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.
Set in Berlin shortly after the fall of the Wall, the premise is fascinating. Michael Braun, a struggling journalist, is given the task of tracking down Heinrich Müller, the former head of the Gestapo and the only surviving member of the fifteen men who attended the Wannsee Conference.
I really enjoyed the setting and the sense of a city going through such a dramatic period of change. The story is well paced, with plenty of twists and turns, and I particularly liked the idea of a notorious Nazi hiding in plain sight under a completely different identity.
Michael is an interesting, rather reluctant hero and I liked the fact that the characters aren't necessarily people you immediately warm to. There is a constant feeling that something could go wrong, and Müller is a particularly compelling character.
What impressed me most was how believable the story felt. Knowing that the novel is fiction but that some of the ideas were inspired by real events and the author's own family history made it all the more intriguing.
4.5 stars from me. A cleverly plotted, atmospheric and thought-provoking historical thriller which kept me turning the pages and left me thinking about it afterwards.
Recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Michael Braun is half-English and half-German. After his divorce, the journalist returns to Berlin, just as the wall falls. Down on his luck and looking for work, Braun is happy to be contacted by a newspaper editor, Schmidt, who wants him to track down a Nazi. Heinrich Müller, former head of the Gestapo and Heydrich's right-hand man, has been hiding in plain sight. Last seen in Hitler's bunker in May 1945, he is believed to have been in Berlin all along.
This really ticks all my boxes in theory. I love the Cold War, love books in Berlin and felt I would really enjoy this. The reality was I did like it, but with some reservations. There are some personal details which helped fill out the character of Braun, including the fact a woman he loved when very young is now married to Schmidt. However, his lack of enthusiasm for his role, the fact that he wanted the money and his ability to make concessions regardless of what they were, made me less sympathetic and invested in the story. It might be more realistic, but I wanted to root for Braun a little more. That said, I liked the setting, and it was an interesting premise.
Rated 3.5. Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.
This really ticks all my boxes in theory. I love the Cold War, love books in Berlin and felt I would really enjoy this. The reality was I did like it, but with some reservations. There are some personal details which helped fill out the character of Braun, including the fact a woman he loved when very young is now married to Schmidt. However, his lack of enthusiasm for his role, the fact that he wanted the money and his ability to make concessions regardless of what they were, made me less sympathetic and invested in the story. It might be more realistic, but I wanted to root for Braun a little more. That said, I liked the setting, and it was an interesting premise.
Rated 3.5. Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.
October 1, 2026
Is there anything more satisfying than catching Nazi’s? So this is a historical thriller centred around the tension following on from the fall of the Berlin Wall. It’s set in the 90’s and I think knowing it was a historical fiction about catching a Nazi in hiding, I had in my head it would have more elements around WW2. I’m showing my age here because of course the 90’s are now considered historical. 😭
Anyway, this book follows a journalist looking to uncover a Nazi in hiding and I really enjoyed the background of the time period and the tension between East and West Germany. It’s made me want to understand the topic further, so I will be going down that rabbit hole at some point too. This book was such a page turner with just the right amount of tension and I thoroughly enjoyed the cat and mouse chase throughout. The characters were well fleshed out and despite the main character being unlikeable, I still found myself rooting for him until the end. The showdown at the end was brilliant, it was satisfying and I felt it gave me the closure I needed.
The golden nugget for me was reading the authors afterward, which gave a background to his family and the inspiration behind the story. It was really fascinating and was a great addition to a well rounded and well throughout story.
Anyway, this book follows a journalist looking to uncover a Nazi in hiding and I really enjoyed the background of the time period and the tension between East and West Germany. It’s made me want to understand the topic further, so I will be going down that rabbit hole at some point too. This book was such a page turner with just the right amount of tension and I thoroughly enjoyed the cat and mouse chase throughout. The characters were well fleshed out and despite the main character being unlikeable, I still found myself rooting for him until the end. The showdown at the end was brilliant, it was satisfying and I felt it gave me the closure I needed.
The golden nugget for me was reading the authors afterward, which gave a background to his family and the inspiration behind the story. It was really fascinating and was a great addition to a well rounded and well throughout story.
October 1, 2026
Michael Braun is a 39-year-old bilingual Brit, operating as a lazy but effective journalist in West Berlin. His specialism is exposing ageing Nazis. It’s 1990, the Wall has fallen and the Stasi (the East German secret police) are finished. Paperwork the East Germans haven’t managed to shred includes a file on a senior Nazi figure, who’s been living in West Berlin in plain sight since 1945. Having got wind of the story, the editor of the Berliner Tageblatt contracts Michael Braun to track down the Nazi and write an exposé.
What should be a bread-and-butter job for Braun turns into a dangerous nightmare where the hunter becomes the hunted. How is the elderly war criminal able to anticipate his every move? Someone seems to be wielding exceptional and violent power to stop the journalist at all costs.
Seasoned thriller readers may also stay one step of the protagonist throughout, but this is a good yarn with authentic depictions of Berlin and East Germany.
I've visited Berlin many times since the 1980s. This novel captures the city of 1990 perfectly.
The book has pace, suspense and the good and sleazy atmosphere of a Cold War noir. I loved it.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
What should be a bread-and-butter job for Braun turns into a dangerous nightmare where the hunter becomes the hunted. How is the elderly war criminal able to anticipate his every move? Someone seems to be wielding exceptional and violent power to stop the journalist at all costs.
Seasoned thriller readers may also stay one step of the protagonist throughout, but this is a good yarn with authentic depictions of Berlin and East Germany.
I've visited Berlin many times since the 1980s. This novel captures the city of 1990 perfectly.
The book has pace, suspense and the good and sleazy atmosphere of a Cold War noir. I loved it.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was intrigued and interested to read this 1990s novel. As a fan of Robert Harris I was not disapointed.
The Berlin wall fell on the 9th November 1989 and I remember watching the news at the time. The story is set just after the fall of the wall. and Michael Braun a freelance English journalist. He has been writing about hunting down Nazis who are now older and turning them in for the terrible war crimes they comitted. An editor asks Braun to investigate the Head of the Gestapo- Heinrich Muller. This man is still alive and shockingly working at a Jewish Organisation!!
The hunt is on for Braun to find him and as the hunt intensifires Braun learns that there is more than just him looking and some of the people searching have a great deal to loose if Heinrich is uncovered.
The plot is fast paced and interesting in a time of post war and post Berlin wall fall.
Recommended read and due for publication October 1st 2026 - so will make a good Christmas present for someone
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.
I did enjoy a few aspects of this story. It's twists and turns throughout the plot, particularly the start and the middle which built towards the climax. The twists and turns made the pacing fast and a quicker read. the Author does an exceptional job of encapsulating the claustrophobic feel of East Berlin particularly in the time period. The prose is readable and simple making it quite engaging.
However I did encounter some issues within the story and one in particular was the hasty and contrasts sharply to the rising action and the general pace of the story. Although I like a realistic protagonist in my opinion Michael Braun, was far too flawed for my taste and I couldn't root for him. He's also quite selfish and only on the journey for monetary gain.
Despite this I would still recommend this to fans of cold war thrillers and I may pick up a book from the author again.
I did enjoy a few aspects of this story. It's twists and turns throughout the plot, particularly the start and the middle which built towards the climax. The twists and turns made the pacing fast and a quicker read. the Author does an exceptional job of encapsulating the claustrophobic feel of East Berlin particularly in the time period. The prose is readable and simple making it quite engaging.
However I did encounter some issues within the story and one in particular was the hasty and contrasts sharply to the rising action and the general pace of the story. Although I like a realistic protagonist in my opinion Michael Braun, was far too flawed for my taste and I couldn't root for him. He's also quite selfish and only on the journey for monetary gain.
Despite this I would still recommend this to fans of cold war thrillers and I may pick up a book from the author again.
August 28, 2026
⭐️ Book Review ⭐️
The Fifteenth Man by William Cook
Ad-PR|Gifted by @viper.books
The Fifteenth Man is a Cold War thriller set in a world of quiet danger and shifting loyalties. It’s atmospheric, tense, and very much a slow burn.
This one pulled me in with its mood more than anything. It had that cold, creeping tension where every conversation feels loaded and every silence feels heavy. It’s not flashy or dramatic; it’s steady, controlled, and quietly gripping.
What I loved most was how human it felt. Beneath the espionage and the politics, there’s this thread of vulnerability, loneliness and pressure. There was so much weight in the choices the protagonist had to make as there were never clean answers. It gave the whole story a softness around the edges, even when the stakes were high!
A clever, atmospheric read that is perfect if you like quietly intense thrillers.
#bookreview #bookstagram #readandreview #spythriller #viperbooks
The Fifteenth Man by William Cook
Ad-PR|Gifted by @viper.books
The Fifteenth Man is a Cold War thriller set in a world of quiet danger and shifting loyalties. It’s atmospheric, tense, and very much a slow burn.
This one pulled me in with its mood more than anything. It had that cold, creeping tension where every conversation feels loaded and every silence feels heavy. It’s not flashy or dramatic; it’s steady, controlled, and quietly gripping.
What I loved most was how human it felt. Beneath the espionage and the politics, there’s this thread of vulnerability, loneliness and pressure. There was so much weight in the choices the protagonist had to make as there were never clean answers. It gave the whole story a softness around the edges, even when the stakes were high!
A clever, atmospheric read that is perfect if you like quietly intense thrillers.
#bookreview #bookstagram #readandreview #spythriller #viperbooks
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If I could give this book more stars, I would, that's how much I enjoyed it. The cat-and-mouse nature of the hunt for missing Gestapo head Heinrich Müller, makes for gripping reading. 🗒️
Michael Braun is an Anglo-German freelance journalist, living in Berlin. It's 1990. The wall has fallen and the process of reunification has begun. Braun had previously made his living hunting down Nazis, now living under new identities, and selling their stories to Fleet Street. With the fall of the Berlin Wall however, his stories are no longer of interest. 🗒️
When an old friend tells him that Gestapo head Heinrich Müller, who disappeared in 1945, is alive and living in Berlin, Braun jumps at the chance to find, and expose him. But the man he believes to be Müller, appears to be two steps ahead of him. 🗒️
Fast paced, twisty, and dark, The Fifteenth Man engages the reader from the outset. I highly recommend it. 🗒️
Thanks to Viper Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
Michael Braun is an Anglo-German freelance journalist, living in Berlin. It's 1990. The wall has fallen and the process of reunification has begun. Braun had previously made his living hunting down Nazis, now living under new identities, and selling their stories to Fleet Street. With the fall of the Berlin Wall however, his stories are no longer of interest. 🗒️
When an old friend tells him that Gestapo head Heinrich Müller, who disappeared in 1945, is alive and living in Berlin, Braun jumps at the chance to find, and expose him. But the man he believes to be Müller, appears to be two steps ahead of him. 🗒️
Fast paced, twisty, and dark, The Fifteenth Man engages the reader from the outset. I highly recommend it. 🗒️
Thanks to Viper Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I listened as an immersive read and really found the narrator to have a soothing and engaging tone. I was quickly engrossed in the story and went out of my way to find time to read and listen.
It was an easy read that soon had me feeling like I was chasing down leads with Michael. It was fast paced and there was a frenetic energy to the story that I really enjoyed. The setting of East and West Berlin was perfectly described and I could imagine the settings with ease. There were shadowy figures and twists that I didn't see coming, long buried secrets and powerful forces at play, I think that's why it had me gripped.
Michael wasn't just a freelance journalist, I thoroughly enjoyed his own particular connections with Germany and other characters involved. He was flawed, determined, driven and vulnerable. I found him interesting and a great protagonist.
Thank you to the author, publishers and Netgalley for my copy.
It was an easy read that soon had me feeling like I was chasing down leads with Michael. It was fast paced and there was a frenetic energy to the story that I really enjoyed. The setting of East and West Berlin was perfectly described and I could imagine the settings with ease. There were shadowy figures and twists that I didn't see coming, long buried secrets and powerful forces at play, I think that's why it had me gripped.
Michael wasn't just a freelance journalist, I thoroughly enjoyed his own particular connections with Germany and other characters involved. He was flawed, determined, driven and vulnerable. I found him interesting and a great protagonist.
Thank you to the author, publishers and Netgalley for my copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
West Berlin 1990 Anglo-German journalist Michael Braun, tracks down old Nazis. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Fleet Street is not as interested in old Nazis as it once was. Braun is offered an assignment, the East German Stasi headquarters were stormed and files were found that show a Nazi has been secretly living in Berlin for decades. The head of the Gestapo Heinrich Muller, his fate has been unknown since he disappeared from Hitler's bunker in 1945. Braun who is desperate for money takes the job on, knowing that the man he is looking for has to managed to stay hidden keep his secrets secret.
I really enjoyed this book, it was a real slow burner but when it got going it really got going. It was a real rollercoaster. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this great book.
I really enjoyed this book, it was a real slow burner but when it got going it really got going. It was a real rollercoaster. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this great book.
October 1, 2026
An excellent read. Michael Braun is an under-employed journalist living in 1989 Berlin. Shortly after the demise of the Wall, he is hired to find a former Nazi. Some of the action takes place in Saxony which I have visited and it was interesting to read about it in more straitened circumstances.
Michael and his commissioning editor Schmidt are funny, witty and erudite and their conversations are a joy to read. Some German phrases are scattered through the text - I found the level about right and the author does not patronise the reader by translating them.
Michael is a flawed human being and makes mistakes but is a likeable character. It was a nice change to read a true stand-alone novel but I would not be averse to another adventure.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers Profile Books Ltd for a free copy.
Michael and his commissioning editor Schmidt are funny, witty and erudite and their conversations are a joy to read. Some German phrases are scattered through the text - I found the level about right and the author does not patronise the reader by translating them.
Michael is a flawed human being and makes mistakes but is a likeable character. It was a nice change to read a true stand-alone novel but I would not be averse to another adventure.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers Profile Books Ltd for a free copy.
October 4, 2026
Espionage & World War Two with a modern twist, what’s not to like?
Germany 1942. Fifteen of the highest ranking men in the Third Reich meet in Wannsee. Their goal? The implementation of the final solution.
West Berlin 1990. Anglo-German journalist, Michael Braun, finds himself presented with evidence which suggests Heinrich Műller, one of the fifteen at Wannsee, head of the Gestapo & the only person unaccounted for, has been living all this time in West Berlin. What should he do with this information?
The author, who has lived & worked in Germany, evokes the febrile atmosphere as reunification starts. The uncertainty of what is to come & the disparity between East & West. Authenticity runs throughout this thriller. In Michael Braun, Cook has created a character you sympathise with, love & despair about.
A page turning & engrossing read.
Germany 1942. Fifteen of the highest ranking men in the Third Reich meet in Wannsee. Their goal? The implementation of the final solution.
West Berlin 1990. Anglo-German journalist, Michael Braun, finds himself presented with evidence which suggests Heinrich Műller, one of the fifteen at Wannsee, head of the Gestapo & the only person unaccounted for, has been living all this time in West Berlin. What should he do with this information?
The author, who has lived & worked in Germany, evokes the febrile atmosphere as reunification starts. The uncertainty of what is to come & the disparity between East & West. Authenticity runs throughout this thriller. In Michael Braun, Cook has created a character you sympathise with, love & despair about.
A page turning & engrossing read.
July 31, 2026
3.75 stars rounded down upon reflection. This sounded exactly up my strasse - Berlin, mystery, hunting for a missing man… and by and large it was good. I think the main character’s flaws and openly admitted laziness made it a little hard to root for or connect with him, perhaps. Plus I admit I struggled to keep Müller and Ausberger straight in my head, which is more a me problem than one with the book, but it did make it slightly harder going.
Worth a read if you like journalists hunting for the truth and WW2 themes.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
Worth a read if you like journalists hunting for the truth and WW2 themes.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book feels like it would be a thriller that you would watch on the television.
The protagonist Michael is a flawed character, which makes him believable. A journalist that has found himself in the niche of Nazi-hunting. His first person narration helps you understand how someone can fall into a job, despite not actually having a passion for the work - which is relatable.
The depiction of Berlin and Germany post fall of the Wall captures the reality of a country in transition. Encapsulating the end of an old system and the long tail end of the war.
The protagonist Michael is a flawed character, which makes him believable. A journalist that has found himself in the niche of Nazi-hunting. His first person narration helps you understand how someone can fall into a job, despite not actually having a passion for the work - which is relatable.
The depiction of Berlin and Germany post fall of the Wall captures the reality of a country in transition. Encapsulating the end of an old system and the long tail end of the war.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It is difficult to write positively when the main protagonist is so despicable and unlikeable. I guess this shows how well the author has portrayed him.
A journalist, happy to scrape a living in Berlin, unmasking low-level Nazis hiding in plain sight. The description of post-WW2 Berlin is interesting and gives a good appreciation of the jeopardy Braun puts himself and others in. I struggled to keep track of some of the characters but that is probably because I kept losing myself in parts of the plot.
I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
A journalist, happy to scrape a living in Berlin, unmasking low-level Nazis hiding in plain sight. The description of post-WW2 Berlin is interesting and gives a good appreciation of the jeopardy Braun puts himself and others in. I struggled to keep track of some of the characters but that is probably because I kept losing myself in parts of the plot.
I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
October 1, 2026
A pacy and enjoyable read. It oozes mystery and intrigue of life after the fall of communism, the removal of the Berlin Wall and the eventual reunification of Germany. There must have been many who escaped justice and fled the country after
the 2nd World War and this book tells us about 2 newspaper reporters trying to track down a major Nazi from that time who was hiding in plain sight.
I couldn’t put this book down as it just intrigued me and I loved the ending! I thought that was really a clever turn on things.
October 1, 2026
An excellent page turner that gripped me from the start. Set in an atmospheric Berlin and Germany just after the Wall came down, the main character is a world weary anglo/german journalist charged with tracking down an ex- Nazi. The blending of some factual history about the man being hunted and the geographical location blends well with the fiction of the chase creating a compelling storyline and very enjoyable read
Thank you to netgalley and serpent's tail for an advance copy of this book.
Thank you to netgalley and serpent's tail for an advance copy of this book.
September 7, 2026
I received an advanced copy from a friend but all thoughts are my own
I thoroughly enjoyed this, it was interesting and gripping - completely different to books I would usually reach for but I’m so glad I gave this a chance. It was well paced, the main character personally to me was unlikeable but I was still cheering him on throughout. I really enjoyed the historical aspect, I felt it gave me more insight between the East and West whilst following along with the investigation
I thoroughly enjoyed this, it was interesting and gripping - completely different to books I would usually reach for but I’m so glad I gave this a chance. It was well paced, the main character personally to me was unlikeable but I was still cheering him on throughout. I really enjoyed the historical aspect, I felt it gave me more insight between the East and West whilst following along with the investigation
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Fifteenth Man by William Cook is certainly one not to miss. Cheekily different from the usual spy yarn and very engaging.
I loved this book and was lucky to receive a free copy from NetGalley but I would like to add that this is a book that I would have purchased.
I loved this book and was lucky to receive a free copy from NetGalley but I would like to add that this is a book that I would have purchased.
July 5, 2026
Brilliant! Captures excellently the time of the ‘Mauerfall’ in Berlin. So well written and pure joy to read-highly recommended!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Intriguing 90's set thriller with a truly morally dubious main protagonist.
Very entertaining, great sense of place and time.
Should do very well.
Very entertaining, great sense of place and time.
Should do very well.
Review of advance copy
Received this as a freebie in my goody bag at the Theakstons Crime Writing Festival. Not a topic I would normally read but was really good. I recommend.
October 2, 2026
A very enjoyable book as the hunt for a (former) Nazi fell to Michael to try and track him down. Lots of twists and turns as we follow Michael’s hunt in a storyline that keeps you captivated.
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