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The Chemist's Shop
Pharmacology professor Michael Ross retires from the world of academia in 1970 and opens a community pharmacy in a peaceful upstate New York Town. He puts the horrific tragedies of his past behind him and finds serenity in his new life. That is, until he recognizes a customer as former Nazi SS officer, Hans Stern.
Michael looks into Stern’s cold steel-blue eyes, clenches his fists and boils inside, remembering how his three young daughters were taken from him and gassed, and his wife, Ilona, was tortured, raped and stripped of all dignity by Stern twenty-five years earlier in Auschwitz.
Face to face with this evil being, Michael forces himself to stay calm. In that moment, he experiences two opposing but related feelings. One is anger, the other exhilaration.
He could not protect his family then, but he can avenge their deaths now. It wasn’t just about killing Stern. That would be too easy. His death had to be slow, painful, and diabolical, and it begins with a game of chess.
Michael looks into Stern’s cold steel-blue eyes, clenches his fists and boils inside, remembering how his three young daughters were taken from him and gassed, and his wife, Ilona, was tortured, raped and stripped of all dignity by Stern twenty-five years earlier in Auschwitz.
Face to face with this evil being, Michael forces himself to stay calm. In that moment, he experiences two opposing but related feelings. One is anger, the other exhilaration.
He could not protect his family then, but he can avenge their deaths now. It wasn’t just about killing Stern. That would be too easy. His death had to be slow, painful, and diabolical, and it begins with a game of chess.
299 pages, Paperback
First published June 16, 2015
18 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 23, 2020
So disappointed with this. Such a great premise executed very poorly. The writing was stilted, the parts of the story that should have had some build up were abrupt and the court case took up far too much of the story. And the dream as evidence? Really?! It just proves the point that listening to someone telling you a dream in a story is as dull in a story as it is in real life.
I was looking forward to the slow, cleverly thought out demise of the the SS officer using pharmaceuticals and subterfuge. Not to be.
Please don't get me started on the ending.
All in all, this is a great concept still waiting to be written.
I was looking forward to the slow, cleverly thought out demise of the the SS officer using pharmaceuticals and subterfuge. Not to be.
Please don't get me started on the ending.
All in all, this is a great concept still waiting to be written.
February 28, 2016
This book is about vengeance and the lengths someone will go to try and get justice. Events during the Holocaust leave Michael needing justice. His daughter and wife were killed and then one day, out of the blue, Hans walks into Michael's chemist's shop.
I enjoyed the parts of the book where Michael was planning how to get vengeance, when he looked back into his past, and the love he and his wife shared. I felt that the quality of the writing in these parts was let down slightly by some passages of dialogue. Conversations between Michael and Hans were somewhat stilted and came across forced. I kept expecting Hans would figure out what was going on long before he actually did, because of how Michael spoke to him.
There were long passages of what I'll call 'legal speak', which I managed to understand, but some bits did need re-reading. Overall though, this is a thought provoking book which highlights the terrors people are still experiencing because of past events.
I enjoyed the parts of the book where Michael was planning how to get vengeance, when he looked back into his past, and the love he and his wife shared. I felt that the quality of the writing in these parts was let down slightly by some passages of dialogue. Conversations between Michael and Hans were somewhat stilted and came across forced. I kept expecting Hans would figure out what was going on long before he actually did, because of how Michael spoke to him.
There were long passages of what I'll call 'legal speak', which I managed to understand, but some bits did need re-reading. Overall though, this is a thought provoking book which highlights the terrors people are still experiencing because of past events.
December 21, 2015
The Chemist's Shop by Richard Brumer is about the holocaust and morality. In 1970 Michael Ross, a holocaust survivor, meets Harry Sanders. Michael Ross (Miklos Rosen while a prisoner at Auschwitz) recognizes Harry Sanders to be the SS major Hans Stern who murdered his three little girls and raped his wife.
With a mixture of history and fantasy the author explores the morality of murder through the parallel lives of these two men.
I found the topic of the holocaust incompatible in places with the idealistic and fantastic style of much of the book. The holocaust, as shown, defies neat conclusions, while the fairy-tale style seems to demand it. Regardless, the writing is excellent and it is a fast, interesting read.
For more see: http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2015/1...
With a mixture of history and fantasy the author explores the morality of murder through the parallel lives of these two men.
I found the topic of the holocaust incompatible in places with the idealistic and fantastic style of much of the book. The holocaust, as shown, defies neat conclusions, while the fairy-tale style seems to demand it. Regardless, the writing is excellent and it is a fast, interesting read.
For more see: http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2015/1...
October 31, 2018
I’ll admit that I didn’t know much about concentration camps and Nazi officers, aside from what I learned in school years ago. But this book taught me a lot of things. I enjoyed the story very much, especially the emotions of the lead character. It was very believable and engaging. Such a well written book and I also enjoyed the narrator. I didn’t love the ending, if I’m being honest, but that’s okay!
May 18, 2019
Couldn’t stop listening! Brilliant!
October 18, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
July 22, 2015
Subject: Book Review - The Chemist's Shop by Bob Beebe
The Chemist's Shop by Richard Brumer is thought provoking psychological thriller that quickly grabbed my attention and did not let go.
It is not common for me to read a book in only a couple of sittings- This was one of those books. The pace is lively and creative, yet logical which helps make the novel a pleasure to read.
The book has two main characters—a Nazi officer and a Jewish professor of Pharmacology who meet briefly at Auschwitz during the Holocaust in the 1940s. In a quite believable series of events these two meet again in the year 1970 in America at the Chemist's Shop. The Chemist's shop in the story is a pharmacy in upstate New York which the professor recently started as a new career-investment to coincide with his retirement from the university.
The Chemist's Shop is actually a twist of plots woven on many levels over many timelines spanning fifty years. Twenty five years [1945-1970] an ocean apart and even the Anglicizing of the two main character's names cannot stop fate from bringing these two people together.
It is a tragic love story, a story of inner crisis, a duel between two people, contains a realistic legal/courtroom drama. There are flashbacks where the main character daydreams and speaks to his deceased wife, a diary of sorts.
There are cleverly placed clues which help to add suspense as well as creating a structure in which the plot can unfold.
The story was also quite educational and raised many ethical and philosophical points.
The Chemist's Shop was one of the most original books I have ever read. I believe it has to do with the varied life of the author and his obvious love for the craft of writing. I strongly recommend this book.
Merged review:
Subject: Book Review - The Chemist's Shop by Bob Beebe
The Chemist's Shop by Richard Brumer is thought provoking psychological thriller that quickly grabbed my attention and did not let go.
It is not common for me to read a book in only a couple of sittings- This was one of those books. The pace is lively and creative, yet logical which helps make the novel a pleasure to read.
The book has two main characters—a Nazi officer and a Jewish professor of Pharmacology who meet briefly at Auschwitz during the Holocaust in the 1940s. In a quite believable series of events these two meet again in the year 1970 in America at the Chemist's Shop. The Chemist's shop in the story is a pharmacy in upstate New York which the professor recently started as a new career-investment to coincide with his retirement from the university.
The Chemist's Shop is actually a twist of plots woven on many levels over many timelines spanning fifty years. Twenty five years [1945-1970] an ocean apart and even the Anglicizing of the two main character's names cannot stop fate from bringing these two people together.
It is a tragic love story, a story of inner crisis, a duel between two people, contains a realistic legal/courtroom drama. There are flashbacks where the main character daydreams and speaks to his deceased wife, a diary of sorts.
There are cleverly placed clues which help to add suspense as well as creating a structure in which the plot can unfold.
The story was also quite educational and raised many ethical and philosophical points.
The Chemist's Shop was one of the most original books I have ever read. I believe it has to do with the varied life of the author and his obvious love for the craft of writing. I strongly recommend this book.
The Chemist's Shop by Richard Brumer is thought provoking psychological thriller that quickly grabbed my attention and did not let go.
It is not common for me to read a book in only a couple of sittings- This was one of those books. The pace is lively and creative, yet logical which helps make the novel a pleasure to read.
The book has two main characters—a Nazi officer and a Jewish professor of Pharmacology who meet briefly at Auschwitz during the Holocaust in the 1940s. In a quite believable series of events these two meet again in the year 1970 in America at the Chemist's Shop. The Chemist's shop in the story is a pharmacy in upstate New York which the professor recently started as a new career-investment to coincide with his retirement from the university.
The Chemist's Shop is actually a twist of plots woven on many levels over many timelines spanning fifty years. Twenty five years [1945-1970] an ocean apart and even the Anglicizing of the two main character's names cannot stop fate from bringing these two people together.
It is a tragic love story, a story of inner crisis, a duel between two people, contains a realistic legal/courtroom drama. There are flashbacks where the main character daydreams and speaks to his deceased wife, a diary of sorts.
There are cleverly placed clues which help to add suspense as well as creating a structure in which the plot can unfold.
The story was also quite educational and raised many ethical and philosophical points.
The Chemist's Shop was one of the most original books I have ever read. I believe it has to do with the varied life of the author and his obvious love for the craft of writing. I strongly recommend this book.
Merged review:
Subject: Book Review - The Chemist's Shop by Bob Beebe
The Chemist's Shop by Richard Brumer is thought provoking psychological thriller that quickly grabbed my attention and did not let go.
It is not common for me to read a book in only a couple of sittings- This was one of those books. The pace is lively and creative, yet logical which helps make the novel a pleasure to read.
The book has two main characters—a Nazi officer and a Jewish professor of Pharmacology who meet briefly at Auschwitz during the Holocaust in the 1940s. In a quite believable series of events these two meet again in the year 1970 in America at the Chemist's Shop. The Chemist's shop in the story is a pharmacy in upstate New York which the professor recently started as a new career-investment to coincide with his retirement from the university.
The Chemist's Shop is actually a twist of plots woven on many levels over many timelines spanning fifty years. Twenty five years [1945-1970] an ocean apart and even the Anglicizing of the two main character's names cannot stop fate from bringing these two people together.
It is a tragic love story, a story of inner crisis, a duel between two people, contains a realistic legal/courtroom drama. There are flashbacks where the main character daydreams and speaks to his deceased wife, a diary of sorts.
There are cleverly placed clues which help to add suspense as well as creating a structure in which the plot can unfold.
The story was also quite educational and raised many ethical and philosophical points.
The Chemist's Shop was one of the most original books I have ever read. I believe it has to do with the varied life of the author and his obvious love for the craft of writing. I strongly recommend this book.
December 8, 2015
Horrible
I am sorry I wasted my money on this... The writing is awful, and the ending was worse. There are so many good, thoughtful, and very well researched books on the Holocaust out there. This, sadly is not one of them. The writing is stilted, the characters speak in oddly formal tones, the story itself goes in twenty different directions, and the premise ( of a man seeking revenge on his Nazi tormentor) while it is a good one, comes off as totally unbelievable. How this got so many starred reviews on Amazon is beyond me... The author must have a lot of friends :( My suggestion if you want a book on this topic is to read Sarah's Key, or All the Light We Cannot See... Even Once We Were Brothers is better than this.
I am sorry I wasted my money on this... The writing is awful, and the ending was worse. There are so many good, thoughtful, and very well researched books on the Holocaust out there. This, sadly is not one of them. The writing is stilted, the characters speak in oddly formal tones, the story itself goes in twenty different directions, and the premise ( of a man seeking revenge on his Nazi tormentor) while it is a good one, comes off as totally unbelievable. How this got so many starred reviews on Amazon is beyond me... The author must have a lot of friends :( My suggestion if you want a book on this topic is to read Sarah's Key, or All the Light We Cannot See... Even Once We Were Brothers is better than this.
September 4, 2016
I really wanted to like this book. The description sounded interesting and I thought it had a lot of potential, but unfortunately it didn't quite live up to my expectations.
I had a difficult time trying to figure out what kind of story this was trying to be. It's a little bit life drama, part psychological thriller, and a fair amount of court drama, with some not-so-subtle political and social rhetoric thrown in.
I wasn't fond of the ending either. it didn't really surprise me, but it left some things unresolved and questions unanswered. That may have been part of the purpose of ending the way it did; however, I found it to be somewhat confusing and unsatisfying.
I had a difficult time trying to figure out what kind of story this was trying to be. It's a little bit life drama, part psychological thriller, and a fair amount of court drama, with some not-so-subtle political and social rhetoric thrown in.
I wasn't fond of the ending either. it didn't really surprise me, but it left some things unresolved and questions unanswered. That may have been part of the purpose of ending the way it did; however, I found it to be somewhat confusing and unsatisfying.
December 2, 2015
Great mix of drama and romance. Michael Ross has lost his family to the horrors of Auschwitz. When a former Nazi officer comes into his pharmacy twenty-five years later, Ross cannot suppress the anger and feelings of anguish of the past. The author's writing skill is evident in the tender love scenes where Michael is remembering his wife Ilona and the unrelenting need for justice in Michael's scenes with Hans Stern. Good courtroom drama and a shocker ending make for a great read.
May 15, 2016
Disturbing and intense
Disturbing on so many levels of thinking. It deals with depravity and horror and and revenge and some of the thought processes that drive individuals. The story is moving and emotional and reminds us of situations that we should not forget. This is an intense book with a totally unexpected ending. Highly recommended!
Disturbing on so many levels of thinking. It deals with depravity and horror and and revenge and some of the thought processes that drive individuals. The story is moving and emotional and reminds us of situations that we should not forget. This is an intense book with a totally unexpected ending. Highly recommended!
May 22, 2016
ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY FABULOUS.
This book was so unbelievably good I can't begin to calculate the amount of stars it should receive. This was one of the most heart stopping and heart wrenching books I've read in a very long time. From the first page to the last page it was a true masterpiece. If there is any one book you read make sure it's this one.
This book was so unbelievably good I can't begin to calculate the amount of stars it should receive. This was one of the most heart stopping and heart wrenching books I've read in a very long time. From the first page to the last page it was a true masterpiece. If there is any one book you read make sure it's this one.
December 2, 2016
A mixed bag of emotions
This book causes a mixed bag of emotions which will turn your thoughts of black and white to all possible shades of gray. It is a must read not only to remember the horrors of war, but to gain better insight and understanding of the effects war on lives. Riveting.
This book causes a mixed bag of emotions which will turn your thoughts of black and white to all possible shades of gray. It is a must read not only to remember the horrors of war, but to gain better insight and understanding of the effects war on lives. Riveting.
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January 1, 2017Good book but a little too long
I liked this book but when I got to the end I said out loud to my husband, "what kinda ending was that? W T F just happened? There were a lot of twists and turns but never in a million years did I see that happen. Wow!
I liked this book but when I got to the end I said out loud to my husband, "what kinda ending was that? W T F just happened? There were a lot of twists and turns but never in a million years did I see that happen. Wow!
May 18, 2016
Revuew
What an informative book about a terrible time in history! I read it and wept was so g!ad with the verdict but was so surprised with the ending. Wish a different ending? Thanks to the author for a history lesson tat should not be forgotten.
What an informative book about a terrible time in history! I read it and wept was so g!ad with the verdict but was so surprised with the ending. Wish a different ending? Thanks to the author for a history lesson tat should not be forgotten.
July 21, 2015
2.5 stars
November 24, 2015
Wonderful story!
This was a very good book. Great writing, storyline and character development. Full of twists you don't see coming, especially at the end!
This was a very good book. Great writing, storyline and character development. Full of twists you don't see coming, especially at the end!
January 1, 2016
This was a gripping tale that seemed to be over and done halfway through but then picked up "the rest of the story." Very well written.
April 18, 2016
Interesting!
Good characters that you can relate to and root for. Shocker ending. Great read overall. Leaves you wanting more pages to turn.
Good characters that you can relate to and root for. Shocker ending. Great read overall. Leaves you wanting more pages to turn.
May 15, 2016
History
This book drew me in and wouldn't let me go! You could feel the love, the pain and then the darkness of the history.....
This book drew me in and wouldn't let me go! You could feel the love, the pain and then the darkness of the history.....
July 8, 2016
Why this title?
Very different view of a Holocaust survivor. It had some interesting points and unusual twists. I'm still trying to understand the title...
Very different view of a Holocaust survivor. It had some interesting points and unusual twists. I'm still trying to understand the title...
January 31, 2016
Powerful book
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews