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Karin Müller #2
Stasi Wolf
How do you solve a murder when you can't ask any questions? The gripping new thriller from the bestselling author of Stasi Child.
East Germany, 1975. Karin Müller, sidelined from the murder squad in Berlin, jumps at the chance to be sent south to Halle-Neustadt, where a pair of infant twins have gone missing.
But Müller soon finds her problems have followed her. Halle-Neustadt is a new town - the pride of the communist state - and she and her team are forbidden by the Stasi from publicising the disappearances, lest they tarnish the town's flawless image.
Meanwhile, in the eerily nameless streets and tower blocks, a child snatcher lurks, and the clock is ticking to rescue the twins alive . . .
East Germany, 1975. Karin Müller, sidelined from the murder squad in Berlin, jumps at the chance to be sent south to Halle-Neustadt, where a pair of infant twins have gone missing.
But Müller soon finds her problems have followed her. Halle-Neustadt is a new town - the pride of the communist state - and she and her team are forbidden by the Stasi from publicising the disappearances, lest they tarnish the town's flawless image.
Meanwhile, in the eerily nameless streets and tower blocks, a child snatcher lurks, and the clock is ticking to rescue the twins alive . . .
378 pages, ebook
First published February 9, 2017
125 people are currently reading
750 people want to read
About the author
David Young
16 books215 followersDavid Young was born near Hull and – after dropping out of a Bristol University science degree - studied Humanities at Bristol Polytechnic specialising in Modern History. Temporary jobs cleaning ferry toilets and driving a butcher's van were followed by a career in journalism with provincial newspapers, a London news agency, and the BBC’s international newsrooms where he led news teams for the World Service radio and World TV.
David was a student on the inaugural Crime Thriller MA at City University – winning the course prize in 2014 for his debut novel Stasi Child – and now writes full-time in his garden shed. In his spare time, he’s a keen supporter of Hull City AFC.
Stasi Child is the first of three books in the Oberleutnant Karin Müller series – set in 1970s communist East Germany – bought by the UK arm of Swedish publisher Bonnier by former Quercus CEO Mark Smith. It reached the top 5 bestsellers on Amazon Kindle, was number one bestseller in Amazon’s Historical Fiction chart, and has been optioned for TV by Euston Films (Minder, The Sweeney etc). Translation rights have so far been sold to France.
David was a student on the inaugural Crime Thriller MA at City University – winning the course prize in 2014 for his debut novel Stasi Child – and now writes full-time in his garden shed. In his spare time, he’s a keen supporter of Hull City AFC.
Stasi Child is the first of three books in the Oberleutnant Karin Müller series – set in 1970s communist East Germany – bought by the UK arm of Swedish publisher Bonnier by former Quercus CEO Mark Smith. It reached the top 5 bestsellers on Amazon Kindle, was number one bestseller in Amazon’s Historical Fiction chart, and has been optioned for TV by Euston Films (Minder, The Sweeney etc). Translation rights have so far been sold to France.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
February 7, 2017
This is a bleak, intense and well researched novel set in 1975 East Germany. It captures that particular period of time in an authentic manner and what it must have been like to live in that country. Halle-Neustadt is a new town built outside Berlin, and it is a prestigious place as far as the government is concerned. It has been planned to levels of details that seem unimaginable, such as what constitutes acceptable behaviour from its citizens. It is to be the blueprint for other planned towns and nothing but nothing is to taint its reputation. Detective Karin Muller is the Oberleutnant in the Kripo, and has been moved from the murder squad.
Karin and her team are to look into the missing Salzmann newborn twins who have disappeared from the hospital. This entails her going to Halle-Neustadt and finding she is under heavy surveillance from the Stasi. They insist on a below the radar investigation with tight restrictions and refuse to allow meaningful questions to be asked. However, this does not prevent the team from digging deeper and negotiating their way through the political barriers. They discover that there is much more to the case than missing children. This is a story of twists and connections to the past,
You get a real feel for the time and place in East Germany. It is an atmospheric, claustrophobic and gripping read imbued with the country's history, repressive culture, architecture, political machinations and paranoia. There is an air of menace in the role that the Stasi play and the consequent lack of trust that people have. Karin's traumatic backstory, personal issues and the developments in her personal life make her a compelling central character. A highly recommended read. Thanks to Bonnier Zaffre for an ARC.
Karin and her team are to look into the missing Salzmann newborn twins who have disappeared from the hospital. This entails her going to Halle-Neustadt and finding she is under heavy surveillance from the Stasi. They insist on a below the radar investigation with tight restrictions and refuse to allow meaningful questions to be asked. However, this does not prevent the team from digging deeper and negotiating their way through the political barriers. They discover that there is much more to the case than missing children. This is a story of twists and connections to the past,
You get a real feel for the time and place in East Germany. It is an atmospheric, claustrophobic and gripping read imbued with the country's history, repressive culture, architecture, political machinations and paranoia. There is an air of menace in the role that the Stasi play and the consequent lack of trust that people have. Karin's traumatic backstory, personal issues and the developments in her personal life make her a compelling central character. A highly recommended read. Thanks to Bonnier Zaffre for an ARC.
February 26, 2018
3.5 muy cerca del 4.
Después de leer el primer libro me quedé con muchas ganas de leer el segundo y, aunque este me ha gustado, me ha faltado algo. ¿El qué? Ni idea.
Después de leer el primer libro me quedé con muchas ganas de leer el segundo y, aunque este me ha gustado, me ha faltado algo. ¿El qué? Ni idea.
December 31, 2016
I thought this second novel would be the one in which David Young really impressed me, but it wasn't to be. If anything, I think Stasi Child was the better book.
Once again, the nightmare of Stasi control and manipulation is done well but the plot is more than a little silly. I'm putting the rest under a spoiler tag so don't look at it if you want to read this book.
This was it for me. Despite really liking the setting, the rest is just too much to take. I'm out.
ARC via Netgalley.
Once again, the nightmare of Stasi control and manipulation is done well but the plot is more than a little silly. I'm putting the rest under a spoiler tag so don't look at it if you want to read this book.
This was it for me. Despite really liking the setting, the rest is just too much to take. I'm out.
ARC via Netgalley.
October 25, 2023
Surprisingly for me I managed to find book 2 in a series after reading book 1. The first book Stasi Child introduced Oberleutnant Karin Mueller of the Kriminalpolizei murder squad. Set in East Germany in the mid-70’s. It’s a bleak period for sure.
Whilst I loved the first book I was not so enamoured with this one. The plot lines regarding missing babies and Karin’s history I felt were contrived and stretched even my imagination. This was a shame as the characters and atmosphere of this time period are well drawn and felt.
Whilst I loved the first book I was not so enamoured with this one. The plot lines regarding missing babies and Karin’s history I felt were contrived and stretched even my imagination. This was a shame as the characters and atmosphere of this time period are well drawn and felt.
December 18, 2019
A strong second novel which although has a returning set of characters can be read out of sequence. Even as a standalone novel, however, I am certain if you enjoy this book as much as I did you will be getting Stasi Child to read as soon as possible.
There is something about this period that adds a layer of menace to the intrigue and lowers the room temperature as you read into the book.
The protagonist is a young female detective, head of a murder squad in East Berlin. In book she managed to upset the secret police side of the system, the Stasi. She works for the people's police arm.
The Stasi want to shut down an investigation into abducted babies in Halle-Neustadt a model new community in their republic to minimise fear and panic which in turn could undermine the State.
They pick upon Karin, her reputation damaged as mentioned in book one to lead the case being part of an outside team doomed to fail in the Stasi's eyes.
Resented by the local police force and watched by the Stasi they have limited powers and resources to launch any proper investigation.
But slowly Karin brings people on-side and seems to be making some headway in the case. However not without threats to her life and career.
The move away from home and her recent relationship breakdown also gets her thinking about her own upbringing.
That some of the things in her own past have to be confronted in her present work and her own experiences as a Mother are challenged by similarities in the crimes being committed all adds to the tension.
The actual location with nameless streets and clear evil in this portrayal of the perfect society is beautifully explored.
I like the tension in Karin to want to love socialism and life in the DDR.
I loved the scene on the train when Karin tries to re-establish her authority over the investigation and realises she has been lied to and worse.
A clever plotted crime mystery packed with thrills and unexpected twists.
As a great detective Karin seems slow to recognise her own upbringing for what it was when the reader can so easily guess and later she is oblivious to why her personal health is compromised.
These are minor events into the wider weaving of this novel that dovetails brilliantly into an tapestry of continuos threads.
There is something about this period that adds a layer of menace to the intrigue and lowers the room temperature as you read into the book.
The protagonist is a young female detective, head of a murder squad in East Berlin. In book she managed to upset the secret police side of the system, the Stasi. She works for the people's police arm.
The Stasi want to shut down an investigation into abducted babies in Halle-Neustadt a model new community in their republic to minimise fear and panic which in turn could undermine the State.
They pick upon Karin, her reputation damaged as mentioned in book one to lead the case being part of an outside team doomed to fail in the Stasi's eyes.
Resented by the local police force and watched by the Stasi they have limited powers and resources to launch any proper investigation.
But slowly Karin brings people on-side and seems to be making some headway in the case. However not without threats to her life and career.
The move away from home and her recent relationship breakdown also gets her thinking about her own upbringing.
That some of the things in her own past have to be confronted in her present work and her own experiences as a Mother are challenged by similarities in the crimes being committed all adds to the tension.
The actual location with nameless streets and clear evil in this portrayal of the perfect society is beautifully explored.
I like the tension in Karin to want to love socialism and life in the DDR.
I loved the scene on the train when Karin tries to re-establish her authority over the investigation and realises she has been lied to and worse.
A clever plotted crime mystery packed with thrills and unexpected twists.
As a great detective Karin seems slow to recognise her own upbringing for what it was when the reader can so easily guess and later she is oblivious to why her personal health is compromised.
These are minor events into the wider weaving of this novel that dovetails brilliantly into an tapestry of continuos threads.
January 19, 2017
This is the second book featuring Karin Muller, after the excellent “Stasi Child.” We meet up with Muller again in East Berlin, 1975; a few months after the events in the first novel. Having turned down a job in State Security, Muller finds herself divorced and side lined at work. No longer working in the murder squad, her career seems to have hit something of a dead end. However, she is then approached about a difficult, and sensitive, case in the new town of Halle-Neustadt.
Halle-Neustadt is a new town in East Germany – designed as a worker’s paradise and about to be shown off to visiting dignitary Fidel Castro. The town is a confusing place, with no street names, but Muller knows that she needs to get local law enforcement on side if she is to succeed in her task. Two newborn babies have been abducted from a local hospital and, from the start, Muller finds that her investigation is hampered by the Stasi. They block her carrying out door to door searches or, in fact, doing anything which will publicise the crime and cause any embarrassment to the authorities.
This is an interesting novel, with a good sense of history and of East Germany during those times. However, a lot of the storyline in this book actually delves into the past and, specifically, to Muller’s past. She is a woman who, despite being sent on a case near her family home, feels unwilling to return to a place where she never really felt comfortable. However, in this novel we get more of her back story and this runs alongside the investigation of the crime.
The author manages to keep all the different threads of the book together, but only just, and sometimes it stretches incredulity just a little too far, with too many links between the characters and what feels like a (very) rushed romantic storyline for Muller herself. Still, an interesting crime novel, a good sense of time and place and Muller herself is a sympathetic character that I really like. As such, I am sure I will read on. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
Halle-Neustadt is a new town in East Germany – designed as a worker’s paradise and about to be shown off to visiting dignitary Fidel Castro. The town is a confusing place, with no street names, but Muller knows that she needs to get local law enforcement on side if she is to succeed in her task. Two newborn babies have been abducted from a local hospital and, from the start, Muller finds that her investigation is hampered by the Stasi. They block her carrying out door to door searches or, in fact, doing anything which will publicise the crime and cause any embarrassment to the authorities.
This is an interesting novel, with a good sense of history and of East Germany during those times. However, a lot of the storyline in this book actually delves into the past and, specifically, to Muller’s past. She is a woman who, despite being sent on a case near her family home, feels unwilling to return to a place where she never really felt comfortable. However, in this novel we get more of her back story and this runs alongside the investigation of the crime.
The author manages to keep all the different threads of the book together, but only just, and sometimes it stretches incredulity just a little too far, with too many links between the characters and what feels like a (very) rushed romantic storyline for Muller herself. Still, an interesting crime novel, a good sense of time and place and Muller herself is a sympathetic character that I really like. As such, I am sure I will read on. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
January 5, 2017
Detective Karen Müller is dying of boredom. After her last case with the homicide division of Kripo, she turned down a job with the Stasi (secret police) & was “rewarded” with a transfer to petty crimes. So when she’s asked to look into the disappearance of newborn twins, she accepts but with reservations. She’ll have to travel to Halle-Neustadt, a newly built town outside of East Berlin. And she’ll be under the watchful eye of the Stasi.
It ’s 1975 & Halle-Neustadt is the pride & joy of the DDR’s socialist government. It’s a model town where every detail was carefully selected from the layout of nameless streets to acceptable behaviour for its chosen citizens. Plans are in the works for other towns based on the prototype & nothing can be allowed to tarnish its image. So when the Salzmann twins are snatched from the hospital, the Stasi quickly steps in & puts a lid on the investigation. Karen arrives to head up the case in name only & is soon frustrated by their smothering restrictions. How do you investigate when you’re not allowed to ask questions?
In alternating chapters, we meet Franziska & her husband Hansi. Their story begins in 1965 while they await the birth of a long wanted child. As we gradually follow their lives to the present day, it soon becomes clear there’s something odd about their relationship & each chapter is creepier than the last.
Karen & her team get creative about gathering information & the case soon snowballs to encompass much, much more than just missing babies. As the plot lines play out, you are always aware of the time & place of the setting. Descriptions of identical concrete buildings, waiting lists & the grim reality of every day provide constant reminders of life under communist rule. You can feel the pervasive fear of a people encouraged to inform on their neighbour or face the consequences. It’s almost dystopian & provides a sinister undercurrent running through the background of the story.
Karen is a complex & sympathetic character. We get to know her through childhood memories & recent history. Some of these have ties to the present & the investigation becomes both deadly & personal. And while she manages to solve some aspects of the case, it comes at a huge cost. Echoes from her time in Halle-Neustadt & big changes in her private life will follow her back to East Berlin & no doubt set the stage for book #3 of this tense, atmospheric series.
It ’s 1975 & Halle-Neustadt is the pride & joy of the DDR’s socialist government. It’s a model town where every detail was carefully selected from the layout of nameless streets to acceptable behaviour for its chosen citizens. Plans are in the works for other towns based on the prototype & nothing can be allowed to tarnish its image. So when the Salzmann twins are snatched from the hospital, the Stasi quickly steps in & puts a lid on the investigation. Karen arrives to head up the case in name only & is soon frustrated by their smothering restrictions. How do you investigate when you’re not allowed to ask questions?
In alternating chapters, we meet Franziska & her husband Hansi. Their story begins in 1965 while they await the birth of a long wanted child. As we gradually follow their lives to the present day, it soon becomes clear there’s something odd about their relationship & each chapter is creepier than the last.
Karen & her team get creative about gathering information & the case soon snowballs to encompass much, much more than just missing babies. As the plot lines play out, you are always aware of the time & place of the setting. Descriptions of identical concrete buildings, waiting lists & the grim reality of every day provide constant reminders of life under communist rule. You can feel the pervasive fear of a people encouraged to inform on their neighbour or face the consequences. It’s almost dystopian & provides a sinister undercurrent running through the background of the story.
Karen is a complex & sympathetic character. We get to know her through childhood memories & recent history. Some of these have ties to the present & the investigation becomes both deadly & personal. And while she manages to solve some aspects of the case, it comes at a huge cost. Echoes from her time in Halle-Neustadt & big changes in her private life will follow her back to East Berlin & no doubt set the stage for book #3 of this tense, atmospheric series.
January 27, 2018
Pretty ridiculous plot - all of the 'coincidences' involving the lead detective's personal life. Only thing that saves it is an unusual setting. The first book really was promising but not sure I'll follow up with the next in series.
November 23, 2022
I must admit the story was a bit all over the place. We learn more about Karin’s past. But let me just say her superhero effort of the chase at the end was a tad unbelievable. Karin’s private life is on display and it’s complicated.
The veneer of all is rosy in our new world order even the Stasi displace people, stymie investigations, drag people off for small infractions is however entirely believable.
The veneer of all is rosy in our new world order even the Stasi displace people, stymie investigations, drag people off for small infractions is however entirely believable.
October 5, 2019
3,5/5 αστεράκια.
«Ο λύκος της Στάζι» τιτλοφορείται το δεύτερο βιβλίο του συγγραφέα David Young, που σηματοδοτεί την επιστροφή της υπολοχαγού της Αστυνομίας του Λαού, Κάριν Μίλερ, στην ενεργό δράση.
Βρισκόμαστε στην Ανατολική Γερμανία, το 1975. Έχουν περάσει λίγοι μήνες από τα γεγονότα του προηγούμενου βιβλίου· η Κάριν Μίλερ έχει μεταφερθεί από το τμήμα ανθρωποκτονιών στο εγκληματολογικό, όπου ασχολείται με μικροϋποθέσεις, ενώ ο συνεργάτης της, ο Βέρνερ Τίλσνερ, νοσηλεύεται ακόμη στο νοσοκομείο. Η Κάριν νιώθει ότι βρίσκεται σε ένα μεταίχμιο όσον αφορά τη ζωή και την καριέρα της, αναρωτώμενη αν θα πρέπει να αποδεχτεί τη νέα κατάσταση ή να εγκαταλείψει τη δουλειά της.
Τότε προκύπτει μια υπόθεση στη νεοσύστατη πόλη-πρότυπο Χάλε-Νόιστατ. Δύο δίδυμα βρέφη εξαφανίζονται και η Μίλερ καλείται να αναλάβει την υπόθεση. Το περίεργο είναι πως, για κάποιο λόγο, η έρευνα πρέπει να διεξαχθεί όσο το δυνατόν πιο διακριτικά – χωρίς ανακρίσεις, ανακοινώσεις και επιτόπια έρευνα από σπίτι σε σπίτι. Επίσημα, πρέπει να γίνει έτσι ώστε να μην ξεσπάσουν ταραχές και προκληθεί ανησυχία στους κατοίκους. Η Μίλερ όμως σκέφτεται πως υπάρχει και κάποιος άλλος λόγος για την τόση μυστικότητα.
Με την ελπίδα ότι αυτή η υπόθεση θα της επιτρέψει να γυρίσει στην παλιά της θέση, η Μίλερ παραβλέπει τη δυσαρέσκειά της για το γεγονός ότι θα πρέπει εκ νέου να συνεργαστεί με τη Στάζι και μεταβαίνει στη Χάλε-Νόιστατ, όπου γνωρίζει τους -προσωρινούς- συνεργάτες της. Όσο όμως η έρευνα προχωράει, τόσο αντιλαμβάνεται πως η νέα πόλη κρύβει πολλά μυστικά. Και όσο περισσότερα στοιχεία έρχονται στο φως, τόσο τα πράγματα περιπλέκονται και η ομάδα φτάνει συνεχώς σε αδιέξοδο. Η Μίλερ προσπαθεί να βρει τη λύση σ’ αυτόν τον περίεργο γρίφο, ενώ οι σχέσεις της με τους ανθρώπους της Στάζι, που θέλουν να έχουν τον απόλυτο έλεγχο της υπόθεσης αλλά ελέγχουν και την κάθε της κίνηση, βρίσκονται διαρκώς σε τεντωμένο σκοινί…
Το κεντρικό μοτίβο του κόσμου που έχει πλάσει ο David Young ως φόντο για τις ιστορίες του δεν αλλάζει και πολύ. Βρισκόμαστε και πάλι στην κομμουνιστική Ανατολική Γερμανία, όπου ο τρόπος ζωής, σκέψης και συμπεριφοράς φαντάζει τόσο ανοίκειος στα δικά μας μάτια. Οι άνθρωποι αποκαλούν ο ένας τον άλλον «σύντροφε» και παραμένουν τυφλά πιστοί στο Κόμμα και στις προσταγές του. Οτιδήποτε ξένο θεωρείται πρόκληση και κάθε πολυτελές αντικείμενο είναι είτε απαγορευμένο είτε δακτυλοδεικτούμενο, ως επίδειξη μεγαλομανίας. Ουσιαστικά, το κράτος κρατά τους πολίτες αιχμάλωτους της ιδεολογίας του, κάνοντάς τους πλύση εγκεφάλου σχετικά με την απόλυτη υπακοή σε αυτό και απορρίπτοντας κάθε έκφραση ελεύθερης σκέψης ή πράξης.
Μέσα σε αυτά τα πλαίσια, λοιπόν, λειτουργούν και η Αστυνομία του Λαού, η Κρίπο και οι υπόλοιπες υπηρεσίες που εκπροσωπούν τον νόμο. Και αν οι εκπρόσωποί της καλούνται να επιβάλλουν την τάξη και να πολεμούν κάθε έγκλημα και μορφή απείθειας, πάντα υπάρχουν και οι εξαιρέσεις. Αυτό ανακαλύπτει η Μίλερ και η ομάδα της, με όχι και τόσο ευχάριστο τρόπο. Θα έρθουν στιγμές που θα βρεθούν μπροστά σε διλήμματα και θα προβληματιστούν σχετικά με την εντιμότητα και τη διαφάνεια της υπηρεσίας τους, των ανωτέρων τους και του ίδιου ακόμα του κράτους.
Η Κάριν Μίλερ καταφέρνει ξανά να ξεχωρίσει – μια γυναίκα μέσα σε έναν ανδροκρατούμενο κόσμο και σε ένα επάγγελμα που καλείται συνεχώς να αποδείξει ότι αξίζει τον βαθμό της. Ενώ βάζει όλη της την ενέργεια στην υπόθεση, θεωρώντας την ως προσωπικό της στοίχημα, ταυτόχρονα καλείται να αντιμετωπίσει και τα νέα δεδομένα στην προσωπική της ζωή: τη μετακίνηση σε μια άγνωστη πόλη, τη συνεργασία της με ανθρώπους που την αμφισβητούν και θα πρέπει να κερδίσει την εμπιστοσύνη τους, την αποδοχή του οριστικού χωρισμού με τον σύζυγό της, τον δισταγμό της στην προοπτική ενός νέου δεσμού, τις μνήμες του παρελθόντος που τη στοιχειώνουν ακόμη, και τόσα άλλα… Ο συγγραφέας κατορθώνει να διατηρήσει τις ισορροπίες, έτσι ώστε τόσο η επαγγελματική όσο και η προσωπική ζωή της ηρωίδας του να εξελίσσονται συνεχώς.
Παρόλο που σε καμία περίπτωση το δεύτερο βιβλίο του Young δεν είναι τόσο συναρπαστικό όσο το πρώτο, σίγουρα αυτός έχει καταφέρει να πλάσει μια ιστορία με πολλές και διαφορετικές πτυχές, που διατηρεί το αναγνωστικό ενδιαφέρον. Άλλωστε, κάθε αστυνομική πλοκή που περιλαμβάνει εξαφάνιση ή θάνατο μικρών παιδιών είναι αυτό που αποκαλούμε «πιασάρικη». Ειδικά όταν σ’ αυτήν υπάρχει αρκετή ίντριγκα και συνεχείς εξελίξεις, όπως συμβαίνει εδώ. Αυτό όμως που δεν έχει καταφέρει εδώ ο συγγραφέας είναι να διατηρήσει το στοιχείο της ανατροπής και της έκπληξης, αφού τα γεγονότα γίνονται αντιληπτά από τον αναγνώστη προτού καν συμβούν. Όλα (ή σχεδόν όλα) είναι υπερβολικά φανερά ή εύκολα να τα μαντέψει κανείς. Δεν ξέρω αν μπορώ να το αποδώσω σε αδυναμία/απροσεξία του συγγραφέα αυτό ή αν απλά δεν τον ένοιαζε και ήθελε να εστιάσει μόνο στην εξέλιξη της πλοκής. Όμως είναι σίγουρα κάτι που αφαιρεί από την ένταση και τη δραματικότητα της αφήγησης, αφού σχεδόν την κάθε ανατροπή ο αναγνώστης την έχει ήδη μαντέψει.
Όμως και να ’χει, ο «Λύκος της Στάζι» αποτελεί μια καλόπιστη συγγραφική απόπειρα και ένα καλογραμμένο βιβλίο, που εκτός από μια αστυνομική υπόθεση προς επίλυση περιλαμβάνει και πολλές ιστορικές αναφορές για τη γενική κατάσταση που επικρατούσε στην Ανατολική Γερμανία, ζωντανεύοντας εκείνη την εποχή με τρόπο αναμφίβολα γλαφυρό και αριστοτεχνικό.
Η κριτική για το βιβλίο και στο site "Book City" και τον παρακάτω σύνδεσμο: Ο λύκος της Στάζι
«Ο λύκος της Στάζι» τιτλοφορείται το δεύτερο βιβλίο του συγγραφέα David Young, που σηματοδοτεί την επιστροφή της υπολοχαγού της Αστυνομίας του Λαού, Κάριν Μίλερ, στην ενεργό δράση.
Βρισκόμαστε στην Ανατολική Γερμανία, το 1975. Έχουν περάσει λίγοι μήνες από τα γεγονότα του προηγούμενου βιβλίου· η Κάριν Μίλερ έχει μεταφερθεί από το τμήμα ανθρωποκτονιών στο εγκληματολογικό, όπου ασχολείται με μικροϋποθέσεις, ενώ ο συνεργάτης της, ο Βέρνερ Τίλσνερ, νοσηλεύεται ακόμη στο νοσοκομείο. Η Κάριν νιώθει ότι βρίσκεται σε ένα μεταίχμιο όσον αφορά τη ζωή και την καριέρα της, αναρωτώμενη αν θα πρέπει να αποδεχτεί τη νέα κατάσταση ή να εγκαταλείψει τη δουλειά της.
Τότε προκύπτει μια υπόθεση στη νεοσύστατη πόλη-πρότυπο Χάλε-Νόιστατ. Δύο δίδυμα βρέφη εξαφανίζονται και η Μίλερ καλείται να αναλάβει την υπόθεση. Το περίεργο είναι πως, για κάποιο λόγο, η έρευνα πρέπει να διεξαχθεί όσο το δυνατόν πιο διακριτικά – χωρίς ανακρίσεις, ανακοινώσεις και επιτόπια έρευνα από σπίτι σε σπίτι. Επίσημα, πρέπει να γίνει έτσι ώστε να μην ξεσπάσουν ταραχές και προκληθεί ανησυχία στους κατοίκους. Η Μίλερ όμως σκέφτεται πως υπάρχει και κάποιος άλλος λόγος για την τόση μυστικότητα.
Με την ελπίδα ότι αυτή η υπόθεση θα της επιτρέψει να γυρίσει στην παλιά της θέση, η Μίλερ παραβλέπει τη δυσαρέσκειά της για το γεγονός ότι θα πρέπει εκ νέου να συνεργαστεί με τη Στάζι και μεταβαίνει στη Χάλε-Νόιστατ, όπου γνωρίζει τους -προσωρινούς- συνεργάτες της. Όσο όμως η έρευνα προχωράει, τόσο αντιλαμβάνεται πως η νέα πόλη κρύβει πολλά μυστικά. Και όσο περισσότερα στοιχεία έρχονται στο φως, τόσο τα πράγματα περιπλέκονται και η ομάδα φτάνει συνεχώς σε αδιέξοδο. Η Μίλερ προσπαθεί να βρει τη λύση σ’ αυτόν τον περίεργο γρίφο, ενώ οι σχέσεις της με τους ανθρώπους της Στάζι, που θέλουν να έχουν τον απόλυτο έλεγχο της υπόθεσης αλλά ελέγχουν και την κάθε της κίνηση, βρίσκονται διαρκώς σε τεντωμένο σκοινί…
Το κεντρικό μοτίβο του κόσμου που έχει πλάσει ο David Young ως φόντο για τις ιστορίες του δεν αλλάζει και πολύ. Βρισκόμαστε και πάλι στην κομμουνιστική Ανατολική Γερμανία, όπου ο τρόπος ζωής, σκέψης και συμπεριφοράς φαντάζει τόσο ανοίκειος στα δικά μας μάτια. Οι άνθρωποι αποκαλούν ο ένας τον άλλον «σύντροφε» και παραμένουν τυφλά πιστοί στο Κόμμα και στις προσταγές του. Οτιδήποτε ξένο θεωρείται πρόκληση και κάθε πολυτελές αντικείμενο είναι είτε απαγορευμένο είτε δακτυλοδεικτούμενο, ως επίδειξη μεγαλομανίας. Ουσιαστικά, το κράτος κρατά τους πολίτες αιχμάλωτους της ιδεολογίας του, κάνοντάς τους πλύση εγκεφάλου σχετικά με την απόλυτη υπακοή σε αυτό και απορρίπτοντας κάθε έκφραση ελεύθερης σκέψης ή πράξης.
Μέσα σε αυτά τα πλαίσια, λοιπόν, λειτουργούν και η Αστυνομία του Λαού, η Κρίπο και οι υπόλοιπες υπηρεσίες που εκπροσωπούν τον νόμο. Και αν οι εκπρόσωποί της καλούνται να επιβάλλουν την τάξη και να πολεμούν κάθε έγκλημα και μορφή απείθειας, πάντα υπάρχουν και οι εξαιρέσεις. Αυτό ανακαλύπτει η Μίλερ και η ομάδα της, με όχι και τόσο ευχάριστο τρόπο. Θα έρθουν στιγμές που θα βρεθούν μπροστά σε διλήμματα και θα προβληματιστούν σχετικά με την εντιμότητα και τη διαφάνεια της υπηρεσίας τους, των ανωτέρων τους και του ίδιου ακόμα του κράτους.
Η Κάριν Μίλερ καταφέρνει ξανά να ξεχωρίσει – μια γυναίκα μέσα σε έναν ανδροκρατούμενο κόσμο και σε ένα επάγγελμα που καλείται συνεχώς να αποδείξει ότι αξίζει τον βαθμό της. Ενώ βάζει όλη της την ενέργεια στην υπόθεση, θεωρώντας την ως προσωπικό της στοίχημα, ταυτόχρονα καλείται να αντιμετωπίσει και τα νέα δεδομένα στην προσωπική της ζωή: τη μετακίνηση σε μια άγνωστη πόλη, τη συνεργασία της με ανθρώπους που την αμφισβητούν και θα πρέπει να κερδίσει την εμπιστοσύνη τους, την αποδοχή του οριστικού χωρισμού με τον σύζυγό της, τον δισταγμό της στην προοπτική ενός νέου δεσμού, τις μνήμες του παρελθόντος που τη στοιχειώνουν ακόμη, και τόσα άλλα… Ο συγγραφέας κατορθώνει να διατηρήσει τις ισορροπίες, έτσι ώστε τόσο η επαγγελματική όσο και η προσωπική ζωή της ηρωίδας του να εξελίσσονται συνεχώς.
Παρόλο που σε καμία περίπτωση το δεύτερο βιβλίο του Young δεν είναι τόσο συναρπαστικό όσο το πρώτο, σίγουρα αυτός έχει καταφέρει να πλάσει μια ιστορία με πολλές και διαφορετικές πτυχές, που διατηρεί το αναγνωστικό ενδιαφέρον. Άλλωστε, κάθε αστυνομική πλοκή που περιλαμβάνει εξαφάνιση ή θάνατο μικρών παιδιών είναι αυτό που αποκαλούμε «πιασάρικη». Ειδικά όταν σ’ αυτήν υπάρχει αρκετή ίντριγκα και συνεχείς εξελίξεις, όπως συμβαίνει εδώ. Αυτό όμως που δεν έχει καταφέρει εδώ ο συγγραφέας είναι να διατηρήσει το στοιχείο της ανατροπής και της έκπληξης, αφού τα γεγονότα γίνονται αντιληπτά από τον αναγνώστη προτού καν συμβούν. Όλα (ή σχεδόν όλα) είναι υπερβολικά φανερά ή εύκολα να τα μαντέψει κανείς. Δεν ξέρω αν μπορώ να το αποδώσω σε αδυναμία/απροσεξία του συγγραφέα αυτό ή αν απλά δεν τον ένοιαζε και ήθελε να εστιάσει μόνο στην εξέλιξη της πλοκής. Όμως είναι σίγουρα κάτι που αφαιρεί από την ένταση και τη δραματικότητα της αφήγησης, αφού σχεδόν την κάθε ανατροπή ο αναγνώστης την έχει ήδη μαντέψει.
Όμως και να ’χει, ο «Λύκος της Στάζι» αποτελεί μια καλόπιστη συγγραφική απόπειρα και ένα καλογραμμένο βιβλίο, που εκτός από μια αστυνομική υπόθεση προς επίλυση περιλαμβάνει και πολλές ιστορικές αναφορές για τη γενική κατάσταση που επικρατούσε στην Ανατολική Γερμανία, ζωντανεύοντας εκείνη την εποχή με τρόπο αναμφίβολα γλαφυρό και αριστοτεχνικό.
Η κριτική για το βιβλίο και στο site "Book City" και τον παρακάτω σύνδεσμο: Ο λύκος της Στάζι
February 5, 2017
3.5 stars
Stasi Wolf is book #2 in the Karin Muller series. What I love about this series is the unique setting of East Berlin Germany during 1975, 1976 when the Stasi (State Security of the Republic aka secret police) are in full control. Karin Muller works for the Kripo which is essentially the police department but the Stasi are never far away.
Oberleutnant Muller is assigned a case in the new city of Halle-Neustadt, a shiny example of a workers city where everyone has a new apartment and all the facilities needed. The case involves abducted twins but Muller and her team need to tread carefully as the Stasi does not want any stain of crime with the new city. Certainly nothing that would make the citizens living there wary. And, Muller and her team are aware of a large Stasi headquarters in the city which is forbidden to their investigation.
I love this series and look forward to new installments. Karin Muller is a great protagonist but East Berlin during this time plays a huge role for me. In book #2, more information about Karin Muller and her team are revealed and there is important facts given to move the series ahead. But, (there had to be one) what I did not like about this novel was the author’s use of two timelines, one storyline takes place in 1965 and the other is current, 1975. While many authors use this style, I did not enjoy the way these timelines were merged. I found it to be a bit confusing at time and I also thought the ending was a bit drawn out. In my opinion, some scenes could have been revealed earlier.
Overall, an entertaining read and definitely one to read if following the series. I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and Zaffre for an honest review.
Stasi Wolf is book #2 in the Karin Muller series. What I love about this series is the unique setting of East Berlin Germany during 1975, 1976 when the Stasi (State Security of the Republic aka secret police) are in full control. Karin Muller works for the Kripo which is essentially the police department but the Stasi are never far away.
Oberleutnant Muller is assigned a case in the new city of Halle-Neustadt, a shiny example of a workers city where everyone has a new apartment and all the facilities needed. The case involves abducted twins but Muller and her team need to tread carefully as the Stasi does not want any stain of crime with the new city. Certainly nothing that would make the citizens living there wary. And, Muller and her team are aware of a large Stasi headquarters in the city which is forbidden to their investigation.
I love this series and look forward to new installments. Karin Muller is a great protagonist but East Berlin during this time plays a huge role for me. In book #2, more information about Karin Muller and her team are revealed and there is important facts given to move the series ahead. But, (there had to be one) what I did not like about this novel was the author’s use of two timelines, one storyline takes place in 1965 and the other is current, 1975. While many authors use this style, I did not enjoy the way these timelines were merged. I found it to be a bit confusing at time and I also thought the ending was a bit drawn out. In my opinion, some scenes could have been revealed earlier.
Overall, an entertaining read and definitely one to read if following the series. I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and Zaffre for an honest review.
February 9, 2017
Loved this again from David Young. The setting is brilliantly described as is the era. And the thriller/mystery element wasn't bad either (for wasn't bad read really good)
Full review to follow.
NO REALLY. I promise. ABSOLUTELY.
It will not take me another year to write a review
(David if you are reading this don't forget that blog post)
Full review to follow.
NO REALLY. I promise. ABSOLUTELY.
It will not take me another year to write a review
(David if you are reading this don't forget that blog post)
July 29, 2019
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Over two years ago. Don't judge.
I really enjoyed this second volume in the Oberleutnant Karin Muller series. Sure, it was farfetched and I had to stretch my believability factor quite a bit, but it was a summer read, and it sure was exciting.
Soviet Russia and it's Eastern Bloc nations fascinate me, and I'm not sure why. I'll eat up just about anything to do with the Soviet Union, from spy thrillers to nonfiction to police procedurals like this one. The politics in this era are confusing and nearly unbelievable in its complexity, and that's part of the draw. Having to solve a murder and kidnapping in an area in which the Stasi are forbidding certain necessary investigative actions to take place make this a conundrum of a puzzle, and it's one that that goes back several decades.
The more personal side of the plot with Ms. Muller touched me, too. I won't spoil that part of the plot, but I'm in the midst of doing what she did at the end of the book. I'm hoping that it turns out as well for me as it did for her.
Definitely going to continue this series!
I really enjoyed this second volume in the Oberleutnant Karin Muller series. Sure, it was farfetched and I had to stretch my believability factor quite a bit, but it was a summer read, and it sure was exciting.
Soviet Russia and it's Eastern Bloc nations fascinate me, and I'm not sure why. I'll eat up just about anything to do with the Soviet Union, from spy thrillers to nonfiction to police procedurals like this one. The politics in this era are confusing and nearly unbelievable in its complexity, and that's part of the draw. Having to solve a murder and kidnapping in an area in which the Stasi are forbidding certain necessary investigative actions to take place make this a conundrum of a puzzle, and it's one that that goes back several decades.
The more personal side of the plot with Ms. Muller touched me, too. I won't spoil that part of the plot, but I'm in the midst of doing what she did at the end of the book. I'm hoping that it turns out as well for me as it did for her.
Definitely going to continue this series!
January 3, 2017
Full review to follow shortly. A brilliant read.
November 27, 2018
קארין מולר, הבלשית המזרח־גרמנית, מתאוששת מאירועי הספר הקודם ונקראת לחקירת חטיפתם של תאומים בעיר לדוגמה האלה-נוישטאדט. וגם הפעם השטאזי מעורב עמוק בחקירה.
רומן מתח היסטורי נחמד. האווירה ההיסטורית פחות טובה מהספר הקודם וגם עלילת המתח פחות מעניינת.
רומן מתח היסטורי נחמד. האווירה ההיסטורית פחות טובה מהספר הקודם וגם עלילת המתח פחות מעניינת.
March 24, 2017
Enjoyed the setting of the book in the old East Germany but found the plot confusing (lots of movement to and fro in the timeline) and the plot too implausible by far
September 19, 2019
Δείτε επίσης και στο Chill and read
Λίγο μετά την ιστορία του βιβλίου «Το παιδί της Στάζι» τοποθετείται η ιστορία του βιβλίου «Ο λύκος της Στάζι». Η Κάριν Μίλερ, έχοντας αρνηθεί την πρόταση της Στάζι και του Γιέγκερ να δουλέψει μαζί του, έχει μετατεθεί στο εγκληματολογικό. Της λείπει πολύ το ανθρωποκτονιών, το τμήμα της. Της λείπει και ο βοηθός της ο Τιλσνερ που αυτόν τον καιρό βρίσκεται στο νοσοκομείο αναρρώνοντας από τον πυροβολισμό που είχε δεχθεί στην προηγούμενη υπόθεση. Η Μίλερ βαριέται πολύ τη νέα της δουλειά -απλά, μικρά καθημερινά εγκλήματα χωρίς την ένταση των υποθέσεων που χειριζόταν μέχρι πρόσφατα.
Από το τέλμα έρχεται να τη βγάλει μια υπόθεση στη Χάλε-Νόιστατ, που έχει να κάνει με την εξαφάνιση δύο μωρών από το νοσοκομείο της πόλης όπου νοσηλεύονταν. Τα δίδυμα είχαν γεννηθεί πρόσφατα και η ευτυχία των γονιών τους έμελλε να σκιαστεί από την εξαφάνισή τους. Η Μίλερ καλείται να αναλάβει την έρευνα, γεγονός που αποτελεί μεγάλη ανακούφιση για την ίδια, καθώς έχει να ασχοληθεί με μια υπόθεση που θα εκμεταλλευτεί πλήρως τις ικανότητές της. Παράλληλα όμως πρέπει και πάλι να δουλεύει υπό την εποπτεία της Στάζι, γεγονός που επισκιάζει τη χαρά της. Στην προηγούμενη υπόθεση δεν είχε όλο τον έλεγχο και ξέρει ότι ούτε τώρα θα τον έχει. Αλλά δεν μπορεί να μην ακολουθήσει τις οδηγίες του υπουργείου. Αν το κάνει μπορεί να μην ξαναγυρίσει ποτέ στην παλιά της δουλειά.
Η Χάλε-Νόιστατ είναι μια πόλη πρότυπο. Χτισμένη με πανομοιότυπα απρόσωπα κτήρια, χωρίς ονόματα δρόμων και με ανθρώπους που ζουν το όνειρο της σοσιαλιστικής χώρας που θέλει να περάσει η ανατολική Γερμανία ακολουθώντας τις γραμμές του κόμματος. Τίποτα δεν πρέπει να επισκιάσει τη φήμη της πόλης, τίποτα δεν πρέπει να μαθευτεί και να αναστατώσει τους κατοίκους. Όλα πρέπει να κυλήσουν ομαλά και ήσυχα. Αυτό είναι που ζητάει η Στάζι και αυτό είναι που δυσκολεύει την έρευνα ακόμα περισσότερο. Η ομάδα της Μίλερ, εκτός από το να αποδεχθεί μια γυναίκα σε θέση εξουσίας, έχει ακόμα να βρει το μαγικό τρόπο να προχωρήσει στην έρευνα, χωρίς να παραβεί τους κανόνες της Στάζι, που όμως την αποτρέπουν να ακολουθήσει τα πιο αποτελεσματικά μονοπάτια για γρήγορα αποτελέσματα.
Η κομμουνιστική Ανατολική Γερμανία και ο τρόπος ζωής στη χώρα το 1975 είναι μάλλον άγνωστος σε πολλούς και φαντάζει δυστοπικός ίσως στη νέα γενιά. Δυστυχώς για τους κατοίκους αυτής της χώρας, ήταν κάποτε πραγματικότητα και είναι για πολλές ακόμα χώρες στον κόσμο. Δεν είναι όμως διαφορετικός από αυτόν που γνωρίσαμε στο προηγούμενο βιβλίο του Young, «Το παιδί της Στάζι». Απλά τον καταλαβαίνουμε λίγο καλύτερα με την περιγραφή της πόλης πρότυπο. Ο Δυτικός τρόπος ζωής δεν είναι ο καλύτερος, αλλά διαφθείρει τους πολίτες με τις πολυτέλειες που προσφέρει. Η γραμμή του κόμματος είναι η καλύτερη τακτική και δείχνει πόσο καλός είναι ο πολίτης. Φυσικά και υπάρχουν διεφθαρμένοι άνθρωποι σε θέση ισχύος, οι οποίοι μπορεί να μην ακολουθούν πλήρως τη γραμμή του κόμματος, όμως η ισχύ τους είναι πολύ μεγάλη για να αντιμετωπίσουν κάποια συνέπεια.
Ο συγγραφέας αποδίδει με μεγάλη ευκρίνεια την αντιμετώπιση μιας γυναίκας σε τόσο ισχυρή θέση σε μια ανδροκρατούμενη κοινωνία. Θυμίζει και πάλι το περιστατικό στη σχολή της Αστυνομίας και τι κόστισε αυτό στην ηρωίδα και το συνδέει με την τωρινή υπόθεση, οπότε και βάζει ένα παραπάνω συστατικό αγωνίας και περιέργειας στο πως ακριβώς συνδέονται όλα αυτά και που θα οδηγήσουν. Παράλληλα δίνει και την πλευρά της γυναίκας στη θέση αυτή. Πως νιώθει η ίδια στη θέση που βρίσκεται και πως δέχεται τον τρόπο που την αντιμετωπίζουν οι γύρω της, υφιστάμενοι και προϊστάμενοι. Βλέπουμε επίσης και την εξέλιξη της Μίλερ στην προσωπική της ζωή. Πως αντιμετωπίζει τις αλλαγές, πως σκέφτεται αλλά και την ηθική κάτω από την οποία λειτουργεί.
Ενδιαφέρον, πολυδιάστατο και με σημαντικό αριθμό ιστορικών στοιχείων, το δεύτερο βιβλίο με ηρωίδα την Κάριν Μίλερ είναι ένα βιβλίο που αξίζει να διαβαστεί.
Λίγο μετά την ιστορία του βιβλίου «Το παιδί της Στάζι» τοποθετείται η ιστορία του βιβλίου «Ο λύκος της Στάζι». Η Κάριν Μίλερ, έχοντας αρνηθεί την πρόταση της Στάζι και του Γιέγκερ να δουλέψει μαζί του, έχει μετατεθεί στο εγκληματολογικό. Της λείπει πολύ το ανθρωποκτονιών, το τμήμα της. Της λείπει και ο βοηθός της ο Τιλσνερ που αυτόν τον καιρό βρίσκεται στο νοσοκομείο αναρρώνοντας από τον πυροβολισμό που είχε δεχθεί στην προηγούμενη υπόθεση. Η Μίλερ βαριέται πολύ τη νέα της δουλειά -απλά, μικρά καθημερινά εγκλήματα χωρίς την ένταση των υποθέσεων που χειριζόταν μέχρι πρόσφατα.
Από το τέλμα έρχεται να τη βγάλει μια υπόθεση στη Χάλε-Νόιστατ, που έχει να κάνει με την εξαφάνιση δύο μωρών από το νοσοκομείο της πόλης όπου νοσηλεύονταν. Τα δίδυμα είχαν γεννηθεί πρόσφατα και η ευτυχία των γονιών τους έμελλε να σκιαστεί από την εξαφάνισή τους. Η Μίλερ καλείται να αναλάβει την έρευνα, γεγονός που αποτελεί μεγάλη ανακούφιση για την ίδια, καθώς έχει να ασχοληθεί με μια υπόθεση που θα εκμεταλλευτεί πλήρως τις ικανότητές της. Παράλληλα όμως πρέπει και πάλι να δουλεύει υπό την εποπτεία της Στάζι, γεγονός που επισκιάζει τη χαρά της. Στην προηγούμενη υπόθεση δεν είχε όλο τον έλεγχο και ξέρει ότι ούτε τώρα θα τον έχει. Αλλά δεν μπορεί να μην ακολουθήσει τις οδηγίες του υπουργείου. Αν το κάνει μπορεί να μην ξαναγυρίσει ποτέ στην παλιά της δουλειά.
Η Χάλε-Νόιστατ είναι μια πόλη πρότυπο. Χτισμένη με πανομοιότυπα απρόσωπα κτήρια, χωρίς ονόματα δρόμων και με ανθρώπους που ζουν το όνειρο της σοσιαλιστικής χώρας που θέλει να περάσει η ανατολική Γερμανία ακολουθώντας τις γραμμές του κόμματος. Τίποτα δεν πρέπει να επισκιάσει τη φήμη της πόλης, τίποτα δεν πρέπει να μαθευτεί και να αναστατώσει τους κατοίκους. Όλα πρέπει να κυλήσουν ομαλά και ήσυχα. Αυτό είναι που ζητάει η Στάζι και αυτό είναι που δυσκολεύει την έρευνα ακόμα περισσότερο. Η ομάδα της Μίλερ, εκτός από το να αποδεχθεί μια γυναίκα σε θέση εξουσίας, έχει ακόμα να βρει το μαγικό τρόπο να προχωρήσει στην έρευνα, χωρίς να παραβεί τους κανόνες της Στάζι, που όμως την αποτρέπουν να ακολουθήσει τα πιο αποτελεσματικά μονοπάτια για γρήγορα αποτελέσματα.
Η κομμουνιστική Ανατολική Γερμανία και ο τρόπος ζωής στη χώρα το 1975 είναι μάλλον άγνωστος σε πολλούς και φαντάζει δυστοπικός ίσως στη νέα γενιά. Δυστυχώς για τους κατοίκους αυτής της χώρας, ήταν κάποτε πραγματικότητα και είναι για πολλές ακόμα χώρες στον κόσμο. Δεν είναι όμως διαφορετικός από αυτόν που γνωρίσαμε στο προηγούμενο βιβλίο του Young, «Το παιδί της Στάζι». Απλά τον καταλαβαίνουμε λίγο καλύτερα με την περιγραφή της πόλης πρότυπο. Ο Δυτικός τρόπος ζωής δεν είναι ο καλύτερος, αλλά διαφθείρει τους πολίτες με τις πολυτέλειες που προσφέρει. Η γραμμή του κόμματος είναι η καλύτερη τακτική και δείχνει πόσο καλός είναι ο πολίτης. Φυσικά και υπάρχουν διεφθαρμένοι άνθρωποι σε θέση ισχύος, οι οποίοι μπορεί να μην ακολουθούν πλήρως τη γραμμή του κόμματος, όμως η ισχύ τους είναι πολύ μεγάλη για να αντιμετωπίσουν κάποια συνέπεια.
Ο συγγραφέας αποδίδει με μεγάλη ευκρίνεια την αντιμετώπιση μιας γυναίκας σε τόσο ισχυρή θέση σε μια ανδροκρατούμενη κοινωνία. Θυμίζει και πάλι το περιστατικό στη σχολή της Αστυνομίας και τι κόστισε αυτό στην ηρωίδα και το συνδέει με την τωρινή υπόθεση, οπότε και βάζει ένα παραπάνω συστατικό αγωνίας και περιέργειας στο πως ακριβώς συνδέονται όλα αυτά και που θα οδηγήσουν. Παράλληλα δίνει και την πλευρά της γυναίκας στη θέση αυτή. Πως νιώθει η ίδια στη θέση που βρίσκεται και πως δέχεται τον τρόπο που την αντιμετωπίζουν οι γύρω της, υφιστάμενοι και προϊστάμενοι. Βλέπουμε επίσης και την εξέλιξη της Μίλερ στην προσωπική της ζωή. Πως αντιμετωπίζει τις αλλαγές, πως σκέφτεται αλλά και την ηθική κάτω από την οποία λειτουργεί.
Ενδιαφέρον, πολυδιάστατο και με σημαντικό αριθμό ιστορικών στοιχείων, το δεύτερο βιβλίο με ηρωίδα την Κάριν Μίλερ είναι ένα βιβλίο που αξίζει να διαβαστεί.
July 3, 2017
Many aspects of this were very impressive - the 1970s East German setting and the oppressive atmosphere associated with this was very well done, and the characters (esp. the central key protagonists) were described and made very real. Comparisons with Robert Harris 'Archangel' and Tom Rob Smith's Leo Demidov series are understandable, and I also thought there were elements of some of the Nordic crime I've read too.
The problem was the plot. The central storyline was good, but something about the flipping backwards and forwards in time, something about the way the disparate strands were brought together, something about how the crimes were solved, something about how confused it left me - I didn't end up that impressed. I think perhaps because of all the Stasi interference in normal police 'Kripo' investigations, in the end it felt like the central police detective didn't actually *do* anything to solve the crime, the baddies just f*cked up and got their comeuppance in the end.
The problem was the plot. The central storyline was good, but something about the flipping backwards and forwards in time, something about the way the disparate strands were brought together, something about how the crimes were solved, something about how confused it left me - I didn't end up that impressed. I think perhaps because of all the Stasi interference in normal police 'Kripo' investigations, in the end it felt like the central police detective didn't actually *do* anything to solve the crime, the baddies just f*cked up and got their comeuppance in the end.
February 10, 2017
For all my reviews, visit Clues and Reviews
www.cluesandreviews.wordpress.com
Stasi Wolf, the second novel in the Karin Muller series by David Young, follows Oberleutnant Karin Muller on a new case. Set in 1975 communist Germany, she must determine the identity of a child snatcher when a pair of infant twins goes missing.
I am a fan of historical fiction so when I found this historical thriller, I knew I needed to pick it up! Equal parts police procedural and mystery; this fast paced journey had me on the edge of my seat.
I did not read the first book in the series (Stasi Child) but I did not struggle with reading this one as a standalone; Young is able to create a plot that is easy to follow and provides enough backstory that I had no issue connecting to Karin Muller. I, in fact, really enjoyed this character. I am always a fan of a strong, female protagonist and Muller does not disappoint. Complex and smart, Muller is a “no funny business” kind of character and watching her as she resists and evades the Stasi was truly entertaining.
Young does a suburb job at creating a snapshot of this repressive culture during this time period. The paranoia, the propaganda and the fear, Stasi Wolf has an ominous tone from the first page.
The narration of this novel was one of the most intriguing parts of Stasi Wolf. The novel is told in sections alternating between the third person narration following Karin Muller as she investigates and a first person narration of an unnamed, young woman. There are also sections of narrations that bring us back through time to Karin’s childhood; I loved these sections!
I did struggle a bit with the timeline of the plot; there are quite a few moments where the narration goes back in time. These are clearly labeled in the chapter title but it didn’t feel like there was any particular flow; instead, it felt jagged (for example, a chapter could go back 2 months and then the next chapter goes back 8 months) and I was left feeling confused. I feel like I would have enjoyed this more if the flashbacks would have been linear.
Nonetheless, I will be going back to read the first book in this series and will be anxiously awaiting the next installment. Fans of historical fiction will love this novel; however, if the past is not your thing, then you will probably want to skip it.
THANKS TO THE PUBLISHER, THE AUTHOR AND NETGALLEY FOR A DIGITAL COPY OF THIS NOVEL; IT WAS MY PLEASURE TO PROVIDE AN HONEST REVIEW.
www.cluesandreviews.wordpress.com
Stasi Wolf, the second novel in the Karin Muller series by David Young, follows Oberleutnant Karin Muller on a new case. Set in 1975 communist Germany, she must determine the identity of a child snatcher when a pair of infant twins goes missing.
I am a fan of historical fiction so when I found this historical thriller, I knew I needed to pick it up! Equal parts police procedural and mystery; this fast paced journey had me on the edge of my seat.
I did not read the first book in the series (Stasi Child) but I did not struggle with reading this one as a standalone; Young is able to create a plot that is easy to follow and provides enough backstory that I had no issue connecting to Karin Muller. I, in fact, really enjoyed this character. I am always a fan of a strong, female protagonist and Muller does not disappoint. Complex and smart, Muller is a “no funny business” kind of character and watching her as she resists and evades the Stasi was truly entertaining.
Young does a suburb job at creating a snapshot of this repressive culture during this time period. The paranoia, the propaganda and the fear, Stasi Wolf has an ominous tone from the first page.
The narration of this novel was one of the most intriguing parts of Stasi Wolf. The novel is told in sections alternating between the third person narration following Karin Muller as she investigates and a first person narration of an unnamed, young woman. There are also sections of narrations that bring us back through time to Karin’s childhood; I loved these sections!
I did struggle a bit with the timeline of the plot; there are quite a few moments where the narration goes back in time. These are clearly labeled in the chapter title but it didn’t feel like there was any particular flow; instead, it felt jagged (for example, a chapter could go back 2 months and then the next chapter goes back 8 months) and I was left feeling confused. I feel like I would have enjoyed this more if the flashbacks would have been linear.
Nonetheless, I will be going back to read the first book in this series and will be anxiously awaiting the next installment. Fans of historical fiction will love this novel; however, if the past is not your thing, then you will probably want to skip it.
THANKS TO THE PUBLISHER, THE AUTHOR AND NETGALLEY FOR A DIGITAL COPY OF THIS NOVEL; IT WAS MY PLEASURE TO PROVIDE AN HONEST REVIEW.
April 26, 2017
Wha hap'nd? David Young writes a promising cold war thriller, with a unique personal touch, then blows the sequel to smitherinenes. Absurd plot. Crazy coincidences. A forced parallel between the mystery and the personal life of the protagonist--which, btw, seemed obvious in both instances from the beginning.
With any luck, this is sophomore jinx, and Young will fire back with something more like Stasi Child. Because Stasi Wolf is a huge disappointment.
With any luck, this is sophomore jinx, and Young will fire back with something more like Stasi Child. Because Stasi Wolf is a huge disappointment.
February 25, 2017
David young as surpassed my expectations in this novel a main protagonist that is unique and incredibly interesting Davids writing makes you feel you are in the environments and time of the seventies a master of his craft can not wait for more
April 12, 2020
With her career having stalled after she turned down an invitation to work for the Stasi, experienced detective Karin Müller is finally given a chance to get back on the murder squad - albeit somewhere other than in Berlin. A pair of newborn twins were abducted from the hospital in Halle-Neustadt, with one of the babies turning up dead soon after. Hindered by Stasi interference, Karin tries her utmost to find the missing infant alive while simultaneously dealing with revelations from her own past.
Having now read the first three books in the series, I can definitely say this one was the weakest. Mostly I guess I liked this one less because I have absolutely no interest in babies and pregnancies, but also because I already knew all the oh-so-surprising twists about Karin's personal life that are tossed at the reader in this one with a few too many coincidences to be believable.
Having now read the first three books in the series, I can definitely say this one was the weakest. Mostly I guess I liked this one less because I have absolutely no interest in babies and pregnancies, but also because I already knew all the oh-so-surprising twists about Karin's personal life that are tossed at the reader in this one with a few too many coincidences to be believable.
February 5, 2022
Κατά πολύ κατώτερο των προσδοκιών.
Το πρώτο βιβλίο της σειράς με ηρωίδα την Κάριν Μίλλερ "Το παιδί της Στάζι" ήταν πραγματικά πολύ ωραίο και ξεφευγάτο από τα συνηθισμένα, ίσως λόγω του ιστορικού του πλαισίου, αυτό της Ανατολικής Γερμανίας.
Επόμενο ήταν να περιμένω με ενδιαφέρον τη συνέχεια της σειράς αλλά δυστυχώς με απογοήτευσε.
Στράβωσα είναι η αλήθεια και από την αρχή με τα "δύο δίδυμα" και τα "δύο δίδυμα" ...
Δύο είναι τα δίδυμα από καταβολής σύλληψης.
Δεν υπάρχουν μέχρι στιγμής τρία δίδυμα, ένα δίδυμο ή τέσσερα δίδυμα ...
Τέλος πάντων, η ιστορία ήταν πολύ μέτρια, αν και στο ίδιο ενδιαφέρον ιστορικό πλαίσιο.
Το πρώτο βιβλίο της σειράς με ηρωίδα την Κάριν Μίλλερ "Το παιδί της Στάζι" ήταν πραγματικά πολύ ωραίο και ξεφευγάτο από τα συνηθισμένα, ίσως λόγω του ιστορικού του πλαισίου, αυτό της Ανατολικής Γερμανίας.
Επόμενο ήταν να περιμένω με ενδιαφέρον τη συνέχεια της σειράς αλλά δυστυχώς με απογοήτευσε.
Στράβωσα είναι η αλήθεια και από την αρχή με τα "δύο δίδυμα" και τα "δύο δίδυμα" ...
Δύο είναι τα δίδυμα από καταβολής σύλληψης.
Δεν υπάρχουν μέχρι στιγμής τρία δίδυμα, ένα δίδυμο ή τέσσερα δίδυμα ...
Τέλος πάντων, η ιστορία ήταν πολύ μέτρια, αν και στο ίδιο ενδιαφέρον ιστορικό πλαίσιο.
March 16, 2017
Episode 2 of an excellent and unusually located police procedural set in the former East Germany.
Another outing for criminal investigator Oberleutnant Karin Muller, this time away from her hometown of Berlin to a difficult, and sensitive case in the politically sensitive new town of Halle-Neustadt.
Two newborn babies have been abducted from a local hospital, however Muller finds that her investigative options are limited by the Stasi in an effort to reduce any embarrassment to the authorities.
David Young knows East Germany well. There’s some great details that would appear insignificant to many not familiar with the period or the politics. As a result the book portrays a fascinating landscape where David Young’s research captures well the feel (and the smell!) of 1970’s East Germany.
It’s also a great crime novel with a richly detailed and complex female lead and I’m very much looking forward to the further adventures of Karin.
If you like police procedurals, strong female characters, along with an Orwellian landscape then I recommend this.
Another outing for criminal investigator Oberleutnant Karin Muller, this time away from her hometown of Berlin to a difficult, and sensitive case in the politically sensitive new town of Halle-Neustadt.
Two newborn babies have been abducted from a local hospital, however Muller finds that her investigative options are limited by the Stasi in an effort to reduce any embarrassment to the authorities.
David Young knows East Germany well. There’s some great details that would appear insignificant to many not familiar with the period or the politics. As a result the book portrays a fascinating landscape where David Young’s research captures well the feel (and the smell!) of 1970’s East Germany.
It’s also a great crime novel with a richly detailed and complex female lead and I’m very much looking forward to the further adventures of Karin.
If you like police procedurals, strong female characters, along with an Orwellian landscape then I recommend this.
January 28, 2018
Hmm.... I would have loved this to have been a better read - the time and setting, what was hidden behind the Wall for all those decades - I got that with Muller #1 - but nowhere near as much with this one. The dialogue sometimes tripped and tumbled quite badly at times - I almost grimaced - and the glimpse behind the Curtain revealing..... well not that much.... the backdrop almost too grey and monotone to provide enough colour to the story.
And yes.... the weaving of circumstances and plot - well that really took a tortuous tumble towards the end. I can stretch my imagination and my belief.... but only so far. I will give this series another turn about - and hope that it settles on what it wants to be - what it could be.
And yes.... the weaving of circumstances and plot - well that really took a tortuous tumble towards the end. I can stretch my imagination and my belief.... but only so far. I will give this series another turn about - and hope that it settles on what it wants to be - what it could be.
August 20, 2017
Where do I begin? I gave Stasi Child 5 brilliant stars and for me, this book was even better. So here we are, 5 stars again!
I absolutely love David Young's ability to construct a setting so immersed in the history of its time within which the undertone carries a pretty decent thriller - for what it's worth.
Babies are going missing and Karin and her team cannot ask any questions. The investigation begins in secrecy. The Ministry for State Security (The Stasi) are trying to keep the peace, as it were, to pacify the people of communist East Germany. Or is there a bigger reason as to why Karin and her team cannot carry out an investigation that may betray the public's faith in their propaganda contolled society?
A brilliant read, with a plot that kept me riveted from the beginning. It got my heart racing and my mind ticking about all the possibilities as to who was behind the disappearances.
A great historical thriller.
Well worth a read.
I absolutely love David Young's ability to construct a setting so immersed in the history of its time within which the undertone carries a pretty decent thriller - for what it's worth.
Babies are going missing and Karin and her team cannot ask any questions. The investigation begins in secrecy. The Ministry for State Security (The Stasi) are trying to keep the peace, as it were, to pacify the people of communist East Germany. Or is there a bigger reason as to why Karin and her team cannot carry out an investigation that may betray the public's faith in their propaganda contolled society?
A brilliant read, with a plot that kept me riveted from the beginning. It got my heart racing and my mind ticking about all the possibilities as to who was behind the disappearances.
A great historical thriller.
Well worth a read.
April 30, 2017
I gave 5 stars to the first book in this series, Stasi Child, which I recall finding hard to put down at the time.
Stasi Wolf was also "unputdownable" but not nearly as good as its predecessor. The plot verged on the ridiculous, unfortunately. There were far too many coincidences to make it appear credible.
I'm giving this one 3.5 stars but rounding it up to 4 as it was still one that I was reluctant to put down. Silly plot aside, it was nevertheless a good story. Karin Müller has grown on me, the time and setting (the former GDR in the 1970s) are interesting and make for a different kind of thriller. I'll also be looking out for book 3 when it comes out in 2018.
Stasi Wolf was also "unputdownable" but not nearly as good as its predecessor. The plot verged on the ridiculous, unfortunately. There were far too many coincidences to make it appear credible.
I'm giving this one 3.5 stars but rounding it up to 4 as it was still one that I was reluctant to put down. Silly plot aside, it was nevertheless a good story. Karin Müller has grown on me, the time and setting (the former GDR in the 1970s) are interesting and make for a different kind of thriller. I'll also be looking out for book 3 when it comes out in 2018.
January 4, 2022
Another thoroughly enjoyable book by David Young.
March 5, 2017
Stretches credulity past breaking point.
The plot is set in the 70s before the fall of the Berlin wall and the reunification of Germany. Karin Mueller is used to heading up an East German CID murder team but is being punished for past misdemeanours. When an opportunity is offered to her to leave her dull job she decides to accept, even though she is well aware it might be a poisoned chalice.
Karin is despatched from Berlin to Halle-Neustadt to investigate the abduction of infant twins from the local intense-care unit. She discovers that her involvement has been specifically requested by a member of the Stasi, the secret police. It seems strange therefore that the same Stasi officer prevents her from doing her job by placing obstacles in her path. How does she investigate the crime when there are no clues and several routes to find any have been denied her?
When reading a science-fiction or fantasy story I will suspend belief and accept what happens during the narrative without question. When reading a crime thriller, I fully expect the facts to be logical and to stand up to scrutiny and a sensible approach be taken towards the plot. Unfortunately, the parallels between our investigating officer and the facts as they unfold just can’t be accepted. Coincidences happen but surely not to this degree. Even her childhood friend turns up!
The constant jumping around of the dateline made reading disjointed and frustrating and added little to the reader’s understanding – in fact it did more to confuse and obfuscate. Additionally, the first third of the novel was ponderous. It had very little action and was like wading through treacle. The tedious, constant reference to officers’ rank on addressing each other may have been strictly correct but resulted in a turgid narrative. However, this may have been preferable to the ridiculous sequences in the final third of the plot. Examples cannot be given as they would be spoilers but they will be obvious to anyone completing the novel.
Reference to the author’s debut novel “Stasi Child” is made in the book’s foreword where Mr Young states that he feels that this, second in the series, can be read as a stand-alone story. Whilst this is true I did feel left out and missing something because of the constant references to Karin’s past in the first part of the story.
It is often said that an artist’s first album is often by far the best – the reason being that he has had years to develop the subject matter. The second album is often poor in comparison as all the best ideas have been used in the first……..and so it might be in this case. I have not read “Stasi Child” but after this experience I probably shall not take the opportunity. Earlier reviews of this title seem to fall into two camps and, like Marmite, what suits one reader does not suit another. Whilst “Stasi Wolf” did nothing for me it was clearly well liked by others so my advice is not to dismiss it out of hand but to ensure that “Stasi Child” is read first.
mr zorg
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of this book to review.
The plot is set in the 70s before the fall of the Berlin wall and the reunification of Germany. Karin Mueller is used to heading up an East German CID murder team but is being punished for past misdemeanours. When an opportunity is offered to her to leave her dull job she decides to accept, even though she is well aware it might be a poisoned chalice.
Karin is despatched from Berlin to Halle-Neustadt to investigate the abduction of infant twins from the local intense-care unit. She discovers that her involvement has been specifically requested by a member of the Stasi, the secret police. It seems strange therefore that the same Stasi officer prevents her from doing her job by placing obstacles in her path. How does she investigate the crime when there are no clues and several routes to find any have been denied her?
When reading a science-fiction or fantasy story I will suspend belief and accept what happens during the narrative without question. When reading a crime thriller, I fully expect the facts to be logical and to stand up to scrutiny and a sensible approach be taken towards the plot. Unfortunately, the parallels between our investigating officer and the facts as they unfold just can’t be accepted. Coincidences happen but surely not to this degree. Even her childhood friend turns up!
The constant jumping around of the dateline made reading disjointed and frustrating and added little to the reader’s understanding – in fact it did more to confuse and obfuscate. Additionally, the first third of the novel was ponderous. It had very little action and was like wading through treacle. The tedious, constant reference to officers’ rank on addressing each other may have been strictly correct but resulted in a turgid narrative. However, this may have been preferable to the ridiculous sequences in the final third of the plot. Examples cannot be given as they would be spoilers but they will be obvious to anyone completing the novel.
Reference to the author’s debut novel “Stasi Child” is made in the book’s foreword where Mr Young states that he feels that this, second in the series, can be read as a stand-alone story. Whilst this is true I did feel left out and missing something because of the constant references to Karin’s past in the first part of the story.
It is often said that an artist’s first album is often by far the best – the reason being that he has had years to develop the subject matter. The second album is often poor in comparison as all the best ideas have been used in the first……..and so it might be in this case. I have not read “Stasi Child” but after this experience I probably shall not take the opportunity. Earlier reviews of this title seem to fall into two camps and, like Marmite, what suits one reader does not suit another. Whilst “Stasi Wolf” did nothing for me it was clearly well liked by others so my advice is not to dismiss it out of hand but to ensure that “Stasi Child” is read first.
mr zorg
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of this book to review.
October 2, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The first in the series was a good read this even better. I grew fond of the lead character during my time with her. The sense of place for Ha-Neu and Oberhof was immersing. Really looking forward to the third instalment.
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