What do you think?
Rate this book
Postwar
Berlin, 1948. The war is over—but for Major Joshua August, it never really ended.
Stationed in a divided city still bleeding from defeat, August is a senior U.S. judicial officer in Berlin —and a man coming apart at the seams. Angry, exhausted, and half-drowned in whiskey, he’s pulled into a murder investigation that forces him back into the streets he’s been trying to forget. As strikes erupt and violence simmers beneath the fragile calm, August is reunited with a woman he once loved, now a German police officer on the same case. Her presence rekindles something he thought the war had burned out for good. But in a city built on ruins, justice comes at a cost, and survival doesn’t always mean peace.
Postwar is a story of reckoning, loss, and whether a man shaped by conflict can ever truly leave the war behind.
Stationed in a divided city still bleeding from defeat, August is a senior U.S. judicial officer in Berlin —and a man coming apart at the seams. Angry, exhausted, and half-drowned in whiskey, he’s pulled into a murder investigation that forces him back into the streets he’s been trying to forget. As strikes erupt and violence simmers beneath the fragile calm, August is reunited with a woman he once loved, now a German police officer on the same case. Her presence rekindles something he thought the war had burned out for good. But in a city built on ruins, justice comes at a cost, and survival doesn’t always mean peace.
Postwar is a story of reckoning, loss, and whether a man shaped by conflict can ever truly leave the war behind.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 24, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 26, 2026
A Murder, A Cover-Up, and the Fog of Postwar Berlin
Bill Greenberg, writing as William Geri, delivers a gritty, atmospheric novel that drops readers into the moral wreckage of Berlin after World War II. Postwar is not just a murder mystery. It is a story about power, truth, and how easily justice can get buried when larger political agendas take over.
At the center is Joshua August, a battle-scarred American JAG officer tasked with investigating the murder of a German woman. What begins as a routine case quickly spirals into something far more dangerous when the evidence points to an American general. From there, the story tightens its grip.
Greenberg excels at building tension through detail. The ruined city, the fragile alliances, and the growing Cold War all press in on the investigation. August is a compelling lead, flawed, relentless, and increasingly aware that the truth he’s chasing may be the one thing no one actually wants uncovered.
The supporting cast adds depth, especially Fritz, the enigmatic German assistant, and Kristen Stell, a police detective whose own past reflects the chaos of the time. Their presence grounds the story and raises the emotional stakes.
What sets Postwar apart is its honesty. This is not a neat whodunit with a clean resolution. It is a story about compromised justice, political expediency, and the cost paid by those who refuse to look the other way.
Greenberg writes with authority and restraint. The pacing is deliberate, the dialogue sharp, and the sense of place authentic. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a strong procedural spine will find a lot to like here.
“In a city shattered by war, the truth is just another casualty.”
A smart, absorbing novel that reminds us the end of a war does not mean the return of justice.
Bill Greenberg, writing as William Geri, delivers a gritty, atmospheric novel that drops readers into the moral wreckage of Berlin after World War II. Postwar is not just a murder mystery. It is a story about power, truth, and how easily justice can get buried when larger political agendas take over.
At the center is Joshua August, a battle-scarred American JAG officer tasked with investigating the murder of a German woman. What begins as a routine case quickly spirals into something far more dangerous when the evidence points to an American general. From there, the story tightens its grip.
Greenberg excels at building tension through detail. The ruined city, the fragile alliances, and the growing Cold War all press in on the investigation. August is a compelling lead, flawed, relentless, and increasingly aware that the truth he’s chasing may be the one thing no one actually wants uncovered.
The supporting cast adds depth, especially Fritz, the enigmatic German assistant, and Kristen Stell, a police detective whose own past reflects the chaos of the time. Their presence grounds the story and raises the emotional stakes.
What sets Postwar apart is its honesty. This is not a neat whodunit with a clean resolution. It is a story about compromised justice, political expediency, and the cost paid by those who refuse to look the other way.
Greenberg writes with authority and restraint. The pacing is deliberate, the dialogue sharp, and the sense of place authentic. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a strong procedural spine will find a lot to like here.
“In a city shattered by war, the truth is just another casualty.”
A smart, absorbing novel that reminds us the end of a war does not mean the return of justice.
May 3, 2026
‘Nothing could completely obscure Berlin’s past burnt-out calamity’ – the postwar angst!
Author Willem Geri (the nom de plume for William Greenberg) steps onto the stage of tectonic composers of historic fiction with POSTWAR, his initial novel that explores the effects of war on humans - and countries. Though this salient story arrests insight into WW II, the factors that add relevance to his writing are before us now as we observe the current struggles in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Opening this immersive novel, the author sets a fine mood: ‘On Sunday morning, in February of 1948. Major Joshua August slept in his upstairs flat at 7 Reichweilerweg in Berlin, in the Soviet zone. He kept it against regulations – regulations that were universally ignored. August was the managing attorney at the Criminal Judiciary Bureeau, “CJB Berlin,” a mission of the US Army Judge Advocate Corp….There was a knock on the door at 7 Reichweilerweg. August was sound asleep; a half empty bottle of Jack Daniels sat beside his bed….’
Geri quite adeptly describes that postwar chaos in Berlin, when ‘recovery’ of the city was managed by Germans, Americans, British, and Soviets and their permutations – providing new insights into the manner in which not only Berlin, but all of the world struggled to return to normalcy. As Geri, distills the action, Major August ‘is a senior U.S. judicial officer in Berlin —and a man coming apart at the seams. Angry, exhausted, and half-drowned in whiskey, he’s pulled into a murder investigation that forces him back into the streets he’s been trying to forget. As strikes erupt and violence simmers beneath the fragile calm, August is reunited with a woman he once loved, now a German police officer on the same case. Her presence rekindles something he thought the war had burned out for good. But in a city built on ruins, justice comes at a cost, and survival doesn’t always mean peace.’ And as Major August responds, ‘The usual self-protection arrived – numbness. No tears. It was war again. War. War. Only war. He understood war. What he needed was a drink. There was the “Reserve Safety” Jack Daniels he had hidden - from himself – at his billet. That’s what he needed…He was postwar.’
This is a stunning novel that transports us in time while awakening understanding of our contemporary world and the modifications that accompany wars. Outstanding!
Author Willem Geri (the nom de plume for William Greenberg) steps onto the stage of tectonic composers of historic fiction with POSTWAR, his initial novel that explores the effects of war on humans - and countries. Though this salient story arrests insight into WW II, the factors that add relevance to his writing are before us now as we observe the current struggles in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Opening this immersive novel, the author sets a fine mood: ‘On Sunday morning, in February of 1948. Major Joshua August slept in his upstairs flat at 7 Reichweilerweg in Berlin, in the Soviet zone. He kept it against regulations – regulations that were universally ignored. August was the managing attorney at the Criminal Judiciary Bureeau, “CJB Berlin,” a mission of the US Army Judge Advocate Corp….There was a knock on the door at 7 Reichweilerweg. August was sound asleep; a half empty bottle of Jack Daniels sat beside his bed….’
Geri quite adeptly describes that postwar chaos in Berlin, when ‘recovery’ of the city was managed by Germans, Americans, British, and Soviets and their permutations – providing new insights into the manner in which not only Berlin, but all of the world struggled to return to normalcy. As Geri, distills the action, Major August ‘is a senior U.S. judicial officer in Berlin —and a man coming apart at the seams. Angry, exhausted, and half-drowned in whiskey, he’s pulled into a murder investigation that forces him back into the streets he’s been trying to forget. As strikes erupt and violence simmers beneath the fragile calm, August is reunited with a woman he once loved, now a German police officer on the same case. Her presence rekindles something he thought the war had burned out for good. But in a city built on ruins, justice comes at a cost, and survival doesn’t always mean peace.’ And as Major August responds, ‘The usual self-protection arrived – numbness. No tears. It was war again. War. War. Only war. He understood war. What he needed was a drink. There was the “Reserve Safety” Jack Daniels he had hidden - from himself – at his billet. That’s what he needed…He was postwar.’
This is a stunning novel that transports us in time while awakening understanding of our contemporary world and the modifications that accompany wars. Outstanding!
July 16, 2026
After Europe in World War II Comes a Story of Triumph, Tragedy, Heartbreak and Change
War stories mean humanity at worst and best; men and women forced into making decisions and taking actions thought unthinkable only years before. World War II in Europe completed the destruction of the Old World, begun in 1914, and ushered in the Cold War with two superpowers pulling the strings. The story in ‘Postwar’ involves murder, secret agents, deceptions, war criminals, politics and a time of radical change in the fortunes of the world.
Every character has been altered by the war; what they saw, did, had done to them and what they cannot forget. Broken men, abused women, destroyed lives, starvation, privation, everywhere one looked in Berlin, it was destroyed buildings and people scrounging for food, fuel and self-respect.
The novel starts with the protagonist sleeping off yet another combat forgetting drunken bender in the Soviet Zone of Berlin, where an American officer is not permitted to reside, ‘On Sunday morning, in February of 1948, Major Joshua August slept in his upstairs flat at 7 Reichweilerweg in Berlin, in the Soviet Zone. He kept it against regulations, regulations that were universally ignored. August was the managing attorney at the Criminal Judiciary Bureau, “CJB Berlin,” a mission of the US Army Judge Advocate Corp.
‘CJB Berlin’s Post was at 32 Machnowerstrasse, Berlin, within the Zehlendorf Borough, the so-called “Nest” to distinguish it from the rest of Berlin known as “Germany.” August had been posted at the Nest since January of ’46. There was a knock on the door at 7 Reichweilerweg. August was sound asleep; a half-empty bottle of Jack Daniels sat beside his bed. The knocking became a pounding, and then the pounding became relentless. August got out of bed and looked at his watch: 2:15 a.m. He stumbled over the downstairs living room furniture and made his way to the front door.’
The knock on the door was a call to investigate the murder of a German prostitute, possibly by an U.S. Army officer. This is the beginning of journey through history, politics, double-dealings and looking towards the future. I applaud the author for creating a fantastic story.
War stories mean humanity at worst and best; men and women forced into making decisions and taking actions thought unthinkable only years before. World War II in Europe completed the destruction of the Old World, begun in 1914, and ushered in the Cold War with two superpowers pulling the strings. The story in ‘Postwar’ involves murder, secret agents, deceptions, war criminals, politics and a time of radical change in the fortunes of the world.
Every character has been altered by the war; what they saw, did, had done to them and what they cannot forget. Broken men, abused women, destroyed lives, starvation, privation, everywhere one looked in Berlin, it was destroyed buildings and people scrounging for food, fuel and self-respect.
The novel starts with the protagonist sleeping off yet another combat forgetting drunken bender in the Soviet Zone of Berlin, where an American officer is not permitted to reside, ‘On Sunday morning, in February of 1948, Major Joshua August slept in his upstairs flat at 7 Reichweilerweg in Berlin, in the Soviet Zone. He kept it against regulations, regulations that were universally ignored. August was the managing attorney at the Criminal Judiciary Bureau, “CJB Berlin,” a mission of the US Army Judge Advocate Corp.
‘CJB Berlin’s Post was at 32 Machnowerstrasse, Berlin, within the Zehlendorf Borough, the so-called “Nest” to distinguish it from the rest of Berlin known as “Germany.” August had been posted at the Nest since January of ’46. There was a knock on the door at 7 Reichweilerweg. August was sound asleep; a half-empty bottle of Jack Daniels sat beside his bed. The knocking became a pounding, and then the pounding became relentless. August got out of bed and looked at his watch: 2:15 a.m. He stumbled over the downstairs living room furniture and made his way to the front door.’
The knock on the door was a call to investigate the murder of a German prostitute, possibly by an U.S. Army officer. This is the beginning of journey through history, politics, double-dealings and looking towards the future. I applaud the author for creating a fantastic story.
May 25, 2026
Postwar is a story filled with multiple layers of suspense, romance, and historical drama. The
novel centers around Joshua August, the highest-ranking judicial officer in Berlin, and Kristen
Stell, a German police officer. The two share a complicated romantic history. Together, they
become involved in the investigation of the murder of a German prostitute, and the mystery
immediately draws readers in. The investigation storyline itself is engaging and unpredictable,
constantly keeping readers on edge as new details unfold. The dialogue between the characters
feels natural and immersive, making it easy to become invested in both the case and the
emotional tension surrounding it.
What begins as an intense murder investigation gradually develops into a moving and tragic
romance. The novel shifts seamlessly between crime, romance, and history, giving the story
emotional depth beyond the murder storyline. August is portrayed as a dark, harsh, and
emotionally guarded character, which makes it especially compelling to watch his feelings for
Kristen resurface. One particularly emotional and special moment occurs when August reflects
on how deeply he loves Kristen, thinking, “It was unthinkable to spend another day, another
hour, another minute without Kristen. All his concerns evaporated. He'd marry Kristen as fast as
he could.” This scene highlights the softer side of a character who normally appears burdened
by his life and past.
August and Kristen's relationship becomes a major aspect of the novel, as August even states
that he would leave everything behind for her, even imagining a future in places as distant as
Alaska or Paris. During Kristen’s German inquiry, she suddenly goes missing, prompting August
to travel to Berlin himself in an effort to find her. Willem Geri creates a novel that feels like a
roller coaster of romance, crime, and history. The combination of suspenseful storytelling and
emotional depth keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. Anyone looking for a novel that
combines mystery with a tragic love story will likely find Postwar to be a memorable read.
novel centers around Joshua August, the highest-ranking judicial officer in Berlin, and Kristen
Stell, a German police officer. The two share a complicated romantic history. Together, they
become involved in the investigation of the murder of a German prostitute, and the mystery
immediately draws readers in. The investigation storyline itself is engaging and unpredictable,
constantly keeping readers on edge as new details unfold. The dialogue between the characters
feels natural and immersive, making it easy to become invested in both the case and the
emotional tension surrounding it.
What begins as an intense murder investigation gradually develops into a moving and tragic
romance. The novel shifts seamlessly between crime, romance, and history, giving the story
emotional depth beyond the murder storyline. August is portrayed as a dark, harsh, and
emotionally guarded character, which makes it especially compelling to watch his feelings for
Kristen resurface. One particularly emotional and special moment occurs when August reflects
on how deeply he loves Kristen, thinking, “It was unthinkable to spend another day, another
hour, another minute without Kristen. All his concerns evaporated. He'd marry Kristen as fast as
he could.” This scene highlights the softer side of a character who normally appears burdened
by his life and past.
August and Kristen's relationship becomes a major aspect of the novel, as August even states
that he would leave everything behind for her, even imagining a future in places as distant as
Alaska or Paris. During Kristen’s German inquiry, she suddenly goes missing, prompting August
to travel to Berlin himself in an effort to find her. Willem Geri creates a novel that feels like a
roller coaster of romance, crime, and history. The combination of suspenseful storytelling and
emotional depth keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. Anyone looking for a novel that
combines mystery with a tragic love story will likely find Postwar to be a memorable read.
July 14, 2026
Aftermath of War More Complicated Than Actual War, Axiom Demonstrated in ‘Postwar’
I remember watching Gregory Peck in a post-WW2 Berlin movie called ‘Night People.’ The story involved exchanging German prisoners with the Russians and every interrogation of Germans saw them denying they were Nazis. This leads Gregory Peck to comment, ‘I don’t know where the rumor got started there were Nazis in Germany.’ This scene kept running through my mind when reading Willem Geri’s amazing novel, ‘Postwar.’
Winning the peace is often harder than winning the war. War is straight forward, the politics of victory and defeat messy and long-term. Over 150 years later, there are millions of American Southerners who are still extremely mad about Sherman’s March to the Sea. That is the nature of what Geri tries to capture; the confusing time in Berlin during 1948 when three years of post World War Two general apathetic stasis was about to change completely.
The murder of a German prostitute, a common profession in those desperate years, by an American officer has opened dreaded cans of worms across a wide political landscape. Divided Berlin is still largely wrecked, with many of the buildings in states of repair and food and commodities still in short supply. Enter the lead investigator, a Jewish war hero who is basically phoning in his job while getting blind drunk most every night to mask the violent nightmares plaguing him.
For his own reasons, this case awakens Major August while forcing him to confront the politics of aftermath and his own mistakes while residing in a shattered Berlin. His family, back in Texas, are puzzled on why he decided to stay in Berlin, but he knows that world doesn’t exist for him anymore. Like millions of others, the war changed him too much.
‘Postwar’ really digs into 1948 Berlin and is a great book!
I remember watching Gregory Peck in a post-WW2 Berlin movie called ‘Night People.’ The story involved exchanging German prisoners with the Russians and every interrogation of Germans saw them denying they were Nazis. This leads Gregory Peck to comment, ‘I don’t know where the rumor got started there were Nazis in Germany.’ This scene kept running through my mind when reading Willem Geri’s amazing novel, ‘Postwar.’
Winning the peace is often harder than winning the war. War is straight forward, the politics of victory and defeat messy and long-term. Over 150 years later, there are millions of American Southerners who are still extremely mad about Sherman’s March to the Sea. That is the nature of what Geri tries to capture; the confusing time in Berlin during 1948 when three years of post World War Two general apathetic stasis was about to change completely.
The murder of a German prostitute, a common profession in those desperate years, by an American officer has opened dreaded cans of worms across a wide political landscape. Divided Berlin is still largely wrecked, with many of the buildings in states of repair and food and commodities still in short supply. Enter the lead investigator, a Jewish war hero who is basically phoning in his job while getting blind drunk most every night to mask the violent nightmares plaguing him.
For his own reasons, this case awakens Major August while forcing him to confront the politics of aftermath and his own mistakes while residing in a shattered Berlin. His family, back in Texas, are puzzled on why he decided to stay in Berlin, but he knows that world doesn’t exist for him anymore. Like millions of others, the war changed him too much.
‘Postwar’ really digs into 1948 Berlin and is a great book!
May 29, 2026
Willem Geri’s “Postwar” is a haunting and deeply atmospheric historical novel that captures the psychological wreckage left behind after World War II. Set in the shattered landscape of Berlin in 1948, the story follows Major Joshua August, a senior U.S. judicial officer whose battle did not end with the ceasefire. Through August, Geri explores the emotional exhaustion of soldiers who survived the war physically but remained trapped in it mentally.
The novel’s opening immediately establishes a bleak yet compelling tone, immersing readers in a divided Berlin where ruin, political tension, and human despair linger in every corner. Geri’s writing is vivid and cinematic, painting the city not merely as a backdrop but as a living wound struggling to heal.
What makes Postwar especially powerful is its emotional depth. Joshua August is not portrayed as a conventional hero; he is broken, bitter, dependent on alcohol, and burdened by memories he cannot escape. His involvement in a murder investigation becomes more than a procedural mystery—it transforms into a personal reckoning with guilt, trauma, and the fragile concept of justice in a morally fractured world. The reappearance of a former lover, now a German police officer, adds another layer of complexity and tenderness to the narrative. Their relationship reflects the larger themes of reconciliation and survival, showing how human connection can persist even amidst devastation.
Beyond being an engrossing historical thriller, “Postwar” feels remarkably relevant to the modern world. The novel’s reflections on war, occupation, division, and recovery echo contemporary global conflicts, making its themes timeless and thought-provoking.
The novel’s opening immediately establishes a bleak yet compelling tone, immersing readers in a divided Berlin where ruin, political tension, and human despair linger in every corner. Geri’s writing is vivid and cinematic, painting the city not merely as a backdrop but as a living wound struggling to heal.
What makes Postwar especially powerful is its emotional depth. Joshua August is not portrayed as a conventional hero; he is broken, bitter, dependent on alcohol, and burdened by memories he cannot escape. His involvement in a murder investigation becomes more than a procedural mystery—it transforms into a personal reckoning with guilt, trauma, and the fragile concept of justice in a morally fractured world. The reappearance of a former lover, now a German police officer, adds another layer of complexity and tenderness to the narrative. Their relationship reflects the larger themes of reconciliation and survival, showing how human connection can persist even amidst devastation.
Beyond being an engrossing historical thriller, “Postwar” feels remarkably relevant to the modern world. The novel’s reflections on war, occupation, division, and recovery echo contemporary global conflicts, making its themes timeless and thought-provoking.
July 17, 2026
Postwar by Willem Geri is a riveting historical novel that blends mystery, emotional depth, and historical realism to examine the lasting scars of war. Set in Berlin in 1948, the novel follows Major Joshua August as he navigates a city divided by conflict while confronting the personal battles he cannot seem to escape.
As a senior U.S. judicial officer, August is tasked with investigating a murder amid political unrest and lingering tensions in postwar Berlin. Haunted by his experiences and struggling to cope with the emotional weight of the past, August finds himself drawn back into the memories he has tried to leave behind. His unexpected reunion with a former love, now a German police officer working alongside him, adds another layer of complexity to the story. Their shared history brings moments of vulnerability and hope, reminding readers that even in the aftermath of devastation, human connection can prevail.
What makes Postwar especially compelling is its balance of suspense and introspection. Geri skillfully captures the uncertainty of a city rebuilding itself while exploring the emotional toll war leaves on those who survive it. The murder investigation provides a steady sense of intrigue, but it is August's internal struggle with grief, guilt, and redemption that gives the novel its greatest emotional impact.
Overall, Postwar is a thoughtful reflection on resilience, justice, and the lasting effects of conflict. Geri delivers a moving and immersive novel that asks whether it is ever truly possible to leave the past behind. Rich in atmosphere and emotion, Postwar is a memorable read that will resonate with fans of historical fiction and character-driven storytelling.
As a senior U.S. judicial officer, August is tasked with investigating a murder amid political unrest and lingering tensions in postwar Berlin. Haunted by his experiences and struggling to cope with the emotional weight of the past, August finds himself drawn back into the memories he has tried to leave behind. His unexpected reunion with a former love, now a German police officer working alongside him, adds another layer of complexity to the story. Their shared history brings moments of vulnerability and hope, reminding readers that even in the aftermath of devastation, human connection can prevail.
What makes Postwar especially compelling is its balance of suspense and introspection. Geri skillfully captures the uncertainty of a city rebuilding itself while exploring the emotional toll war leaves on those who survive it. The murder investigation provides a steady sense of intrigue, but it is August's internal struggle with grief, guilt, and redemption that gives the novel its greatest emotional impact.
Overall, Postwar is a thoughtful reflection on resilience, justice, and the lasting effects of conflict. Geri delivers a moving and immersive novel that asks whether it is ever truly possible to leave the past behind. Rich in atmosphere and emotion, Postwar is a memorable read that will resonate with fans of historical fiction and character-driven storytelling.
July 9, 2026
Fine Novel on Postwar Berlin, Story of Survival, Intrigue, Destiny, Deception and Love
Beyond World War Two in Europe was cleaning up a continent that was flattened from Moscow to France, millions of displaced refugees and war weary citizens barely able to find shelter and food. Events turned Postwar Berlin into the epicenter of the aftermath and then the Cold War. Willem Geri gives the reader a look at divided Berlin through the lens of a murder investigation that reveals layers of secrecy, war crimes, black bag operations and combat veterans living with their war experiences in a wrecked city.
The year chronicled in ‘Postwar’ is 1948, that key year when President Truman got fed up with Stalin’s attempts to undermine the West German/West Berlin occupation by France, Britain and the United States. Major August, an infantry veteran who became a post-war investigator, is assigned to look into the murder of a prostitute operating in the American sector of Berlin, but the case takes on dark turns that play straight into August’s personality and history to drive the story forward in a disjointed manner, thus matching the tenor of the times.
Through every development, details about each of the main characters, American and German, emerge to create a web of interconnected lives and events during and after World War II. The history is factual and the descriptions of Postwar Berlin compelling. Intriguing and sometimes shocking, one comes to realize these people have lived through tragic times and the struggles did not end with the war. ‘Postwar’ draws you in and keeps you engaged, a tale full of horror and hope.
Beyond World War Two in Europe was cleaning up a continent that was flattened from Moscow to France, millions of displaced refugees and war weary citizens barely able to find shelter and food. Events turned Postwar Berlin into the epicenter of the aftermath and then the Cold War. Willem Geri gives the reader a look at divided Berlin through the lens of a murder investigation that reveals layers of secrecy, war crimes, black bag operations and combat veterans living with their war experiences in a wrecked city.
The year chronicled in ‘Postwar’ is 1948, that key year when President Truman got fed up with Stalin’s attempts to undermine the West German/West Berlin occupation by France, Britain and the United States. Major August, an infantry veteran who became a post-war investigator, is assigned to look into the murder of a prostitute operating in the American sector of Berlin, but the case takes on dark turns that play straight into August’s personality and history to drive the story forward in a disjointed manner, thus matching the tenor of the times.
Through every development, details about each of the main characters, American and German, emerge to create a web of interconnected lives and events during and after World War II. The history is factual and the descriptions of Postwar Berlin compelling. Intriguing and sometimes shocking, one comes to realize these people have lived through tragic times and the struggles did not end with the war. ‘Postwar’ draws you in and keeps you engaged, a tale full of horror and hope.
July 11, 2026
‘Postwar’ Offers Redemption, Salvation and Hope Amidst Berlin’s 1948 Turmoil
Human existence is colored by tragedy of all kinds, and the wholesale misery brought to hundreds of millions during World War II has no parallel. I remember reading about when General Eisenhower flew to Moscow, not long after the war ended, he did not see one house standing from the Polish border to Moscow, about 1,000 miles. This is a difficult image to grasp, but wholly believable with a cursory knowledge of the Nazi-Soviet War.
In his novel ‘Postwar,’ Willem Geri ties a number of different strings together in the context of a murder investigation in the American sector of Berlin. The author lets the reader in carefully, and soon stories from nearly every angle of the war, and the horrid aftermath, are in play; from the Battle of Berlin with the Red Army destroying the city to the nightmare of the Hurtgen Forest with American infantry; from hunting down suspected Nazis for war crimes to getting a grasp on Germans who are supposedly cleansed from the taint of their Third Reich involvement.
The main character, a combat vet with legal experience turned into a judicial investigator, finds himself in a political minefield where every step gets papered over with bizarre secrets. Remember, 1948 was when the Cold War really started and Berlin was the overlapping epicenter of intrigue and dirty deals. The reader will assume one thing and stand shocked by another, all within the context of frightfully real events that take on larger meaning in every page. Exciting and real, depressing and enlightening, uplifting and tinged with tragic sadness is the world of ‘Postwar.’
Human existence is colored by tragedy of all kinds, and the wholesale misery brought to hundreds of millions during World War II has no parallel. I remember reading about when General Eisenhower flew to Moscow, not long after the war ended, he did not see one house standing from the Polish border to Moscow, about 1,000 miles. This is a difficult image to grasp, but wholly believable with a cursory knowledge of the Nazi-Soviet War.
In his novel ‘Postwar,’ Willem Geri ties a number of different strings together in the context of a murder investigation in the American sector of Berlin. The author lets the reader in carefully, and soon stories from nearly every angle of the war, and the horrid aftermath, are in play; from the Battle of Berlin with the Red Army destroying the city to the nightmare of the Hurtgen Forest with American infantry; from hunting down suspected Nazis for war crimes to getting a grasp on Germans who are supposedly cleansed from the taint of their Third Reich involvement.
The main character, a combat vet with legal experience turned into a judicial investigator, finds himself in a political minefield where every step gets papered over with bizarre secrets. Remember, 1948 was when the Cold War really started and Berlin was the overlapping epicenter of intrigue and dirty deals. The reader will assume one thing and stand shocked by another, all within the context of frightfully real events that take on larger meaning in every page. Exciting and real, depressing and enlightening, uplifting and tinged with tragic sadness is the world of ‘Postwar.’
July 10, 2026
Murder Mystery Wrapped Inside a Berlin’s 1948 Transition to Cold War Battleground
So many books about World War II but so few about the aftermath in places like Tokyo, Berlin or Moscow. Willem Geri rectifies that dearth of publications with his novel ‘Postwar,’ which takes place in the shattered world of Berlin where Nazi war criminals were hunted while citizens try to survive and rebuild a shattered world. But in this world the Cold War was heating up, and this is when the story kicks off with a murder that appears simple but is complex.
The lead investigator, a Jewish war hero from a family of prominent Texas oil and gas lawyers, is a mass of contractions, regrets and anger. He is a man who drinks heavily to squelch the ongoing combat nightmares from his time in the Hurtgen Forest, a horribly bloody battle late in the war. Geri is precise in his ability to place fictional characters within the real life history of 1948 Berlin, where shadows behind shadows and secrets behind secrets are taking hold in the surreptitious world of Cold War espionage and outright Soviet aggression.
‘Postwar’ keeps you glued to the story, wanting to not only experience the evolution of a true mystery but to also learn about that time in history, a time when the United States made the firm decision to stand up to Stalin and rebuild Western Europe through the Marshall Plan. Born at this time was also the CIA, America’s new foreign intelligence agency cobbled together from the wartime OSS with fresh missions and fresh blood. But ‘Postwar’ is also a love story, one worth experiencing.
So many books about World War II but so few about the aftermath in places like Tokyo, Berlin or Moscow. Willem Geri rectifies that dearth of publications with his novel ‘Postwar,’ which takes place in the shattered world of Berlin where Nazi war criminals were hunted while citizens try to survive and rebuild a shattered world. But in this world the Cold War was heating up, and this is when the story kicks off with a murder that appears simple but is complex.
The lead investigator, a Jewish war hero from a family of prominent Texas oil and gas lawyers, is a mass of contractions, regrets and anger. He is a man who drinks heavily to squelch the ongoing combat nightmares from his time in the Hurtgen Forest, a horribly bloody battle late in the war. Geri is precise in his ability to place fictional characters within the real life history of 1948 Berlin, where shadows behind shadows and secrets behind secrets are taking hold in the surreptitious world of Cold War espionage and outright Soviet aggression.
‘Postwar’ keeps you glued to the story, wanting to not only experience the evolution of a true mystery but to also learn about that time in history, a time when the United States made the firm decision to stand up to Stalin and rebuild Western Europe through the Marshall Plan. Born at this time was also the CIA, America’s new foreign intelligence agency cobbled together from the wartime OSS with fresh missions and fresh blood. But ‘Postwar’ is also a love story, one worth experiencing.
July 12, 2026
We Forget How Crazy 1948 Berlin Was, Willem Geri’s ‘Postwar’ Reminds Us
Keeping memories of WW2 is common in books, movies and documentaries, but the years following the defeat of Germany and Italy are less straight forward, messy times as a world in turmoil finds a new path. We forget that millions were starving and homeless, that refugees and ex combatants were trying to escape the grip of the Soviet Union, which was shutting down Eastern Europe while covertly trying to create a communist Europe. Industry, roads, ports, railroads, cities, towns, villages, maritime transport and agriculture were devastated from Moscow to England, from Northwest Europe to the Southern Italy.
Enter ‘Postwar’ by Willem Geri, a fine novel which shoves the reader into the upside down world of 1948 Berlin. At the foundation Geri’s book is a murder mystery, but a mystery involving American military officers and investigators, ex-Nazi German intelligence officers, possible war criminals and a defeated people trying to survive day-to-day in a squalid landscape from Allied bombings and the horrific Battle of Berlin.
Since all the principal characters in ‘Postwar’ have a World War II story to tell, this allows the author to bring in interesting aspects of the conflict to give the men and women depth and purpose. Every time you believe you have an idea about what is going on, the rug gets pulled out and it is back to square one. Right is wrong and wrong is right, up is down and down is up, have fun getting to the truth!
Keeping memories of WW2 is common in books, movies and documentaries, but the years following the defeat of Germany and Italy are less straight forward, messy times as a world in turmoil finds a new path. We forget that millions were starving and homeless, that refugees and ex combatants were trying to escape the grip of the Soviet Union, which was shutting down Eastern Europe while covertly trying to create a communist Europe. Industry, roads, ports, railroads, cities, towns, villages, maritime transport and agriculture were devastated from Moscow to England, from Northwest Europe to the Southern Italy.
Enter ‘Postwar’ by Willem Geri, a fine novel which shoves the reader into the upside down world of 1948 Berlin. At the foundation Geri’s book is a murder mystery, but a mystery involving American military officers and investigators, ex-Nazi German intelligence officers, possible war criminals and a defeated people trying to survive day-to-day in a squalid landscape from Allied bombings and the horrific Battle of Berlin.
Since all the principal characters in ‘Postwar’ have a World War II story to tell, this allows the author to bring in interesting aspects of the conflict to give the men and women depth and purpose. Every time you believe you have an idea about what is going on, the rug gets pulled out and it is back to square one. Right is wrong and wrong is right, up is down and down is up, have fun getting to the truth!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews