What do you think?
Rate this book
Karin Müller #6
The Stasi Game
East Germany, 1982 - A man's body is found buried in concrete at a building site in Dresden's new Gorbitz estate. When People's Police homicide captain Karin Müller arrives at the scene, she discovers that all of the body's identifiable features have been removed - including its fingertips.
The deeper Müller digs, the more the Stasi begin to hamper her investigations. She soon realises that this crime is just one part of a clandestine battle between two secret services - the Stasi of East Germany and Britain's MI6 - to control the truth behind one of the deadliest events of World War II.
The Stasi Game brilliantly fictionalises the true story of how Britain's wartime leaders justified the fire-bombing of German city of Dresden, which many have since condemned as a war crime.
The deeper Müller digs, the more the Stasi begin to hamper her investigations. She soon realises that this crime is just one part of a clandestine battle between two secret services - the Stasi of East Germany and Britain's MI6 - to control the truth behind one of the deadliest events of World War II.
The Stasi Game brilliantly fictionalises the true story of how Britain's wartime leaders justified the fire-bombing of German city of Dresden, which many have since condemned as a war crime.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
82 people are currently reading
226 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
November 15, 2020
The Stasi Game is the sixth instalment in the Karin Müller series, set in East Germany during the Cold War. It's March 1982 and it has now been 3 years since the escapade that disgraced both Müller, Hauptmann in the East German Volkspolizei, and her assistant, deputy, Oberlautnant Werner Tilsner, who she's a little wary of after uncovering his past as part of Hitler Youth. Their job now entails helping out short-staffed local police forces and it isn't long before they are dispatched to Dresden to investigate the murder of a man discovered encased in concrete at the site of a half-finished apartment block in the NeuGorbitz district of the city. While there she notices several people overlooking the goings-on and realises they are agents of the Ministry for State Security, better known as the Stasi, but why are they so interested in the case? The much-feared Stasi appear to be being uncharacteristically helpful and Karin can't stop herself from wondering why they care so much about one man.
Meanwhile, we step back in time to the 1930s and are introduced to Lotti Rolf and 12 year old British boy Arnold Southwick from Hull, who met when Arnold and his family were on holiday in pre-war Dresden. They keep in touch as pen pals as both Hull and Dresden are bombed. Can this be related to Concrete Man? This is a compulsive, riveting and well researched finale of an incredible fact meets fiction series and I am genuinely sad but at least it goes out on a high. The story touches on the controversial firebombing of Dresden by the Allies in February 1945 which killed and maimed at least 25,000 people and destroyed 1,600 acres of the city and its infrastructure. The firebombing has been called a war crime but no one has been held accountable for it. It's a well woven story that pitches the Stasi against MI6 and has enough suspense and danger running throughout that it's difficult to put it down. A fantastic and engrossing conclusion to a superb series. Highly recommended.
Meanwhile, we step back in time to the 1930s and are introduced to Lotti Rolf and 12 year old British boy Arnold Southwick from Hull, who met when Arnold and his family were on holiday in pre-war Dresden. They keep in touch as pen pals as both Hull and Dresden are bombed. Can this be related to Concrete Man? This is a compulsive, riveting and well researched finale of an incredible fact meets fiction series and I am genuinely sad but at least it goes out on a high. The story touches on the controversial firebombing of Dresden by the Allies in February 1945 which killed and maimed at least 25,000 people and destroyed 1,600 acres of the city and its infrastructure. The firebombing has been called a war crime but no one has been held accountable for it. It's a well woven story that pitches the Stasi against MI6 and has enough suspense and danger running throughout that it's difficult to put it down. A fantastic and engrossing conclusion to a superb series. Highly recommended.
December 1, 2022
Karin Muller’s career has taken a downturn and with her together with her team’s latest assignment to investigate a murder in Dresden it seems to have reached rock bottom. This time however we have a missing British historian and various Stasi officials in direct conflict with each other. Jaeger makes an appearance and Karin becomes concerned for her children. Another complicated novel with various switches that collude to confuse things.
December 8, 2020
An oustanding series.A pity this is the last one.
November 13, 2020
I discovered David Young’s ‘Stasi’ series back in February when I read Stasi Winter, the fifth book featuring Karin Müller of the East German People’s Police. I enjoyed it so much that I made a plan – unfortunately as yet unfulfilled – to go back and read the earlier books ready for the next book in the series. Imagine my dismay therefore to read that The Stasi Game may be the last book in the series. Luckily for those of us who’ve not yet read the whole series, The Stasi Game has been designed as a standalone although there are brief references to events in previous books.
Opening in 1982 and set largely in Dresden, The Stasi Game begins with a dramatic prologue and then transports the reader back to events in the months leading up to it. There are occasional forays further back in time, to the period of the Second World War and a friendship between two young people the full relevance of which will only gradually be revealed. Central to these sections of the book is the still controversial firebombing of Dresden by the Allies in February 1945 which killed thousands and destroyed much of the city. The vivid first-hand account of the raids is one of the standout parts of the book.
From the very start of their investigation into the death of the man they refer to as ‘Concrete Man’, Karin Müller and her team find themselves playing a cat and mouse game with the Ministry of State Security, better known as the Stasi. No prizes for guessing which is the cat and which the mouse. In addition, Müller finds herself coming face to face with an old adversary and begins to wonder if, in fact, she has been set up to fail from the beginning.
As the case progresses, amongst all the twists and turns, some very dirty wartime secrets – as well as more recent ones – are unearthed. The book’s final climatic scenes continue where the prologue left off, leaving the reader to wonder what the future holds for Müller and her colleagues. If this is indeed the end of the series, then The Stasi Game is a lesson in how to go out on a high and leave the reader wanting more.
Opening in 1982 and set largely in Dresden, The Stasi Game begins with a dramatic prologue and then transports the reader back to events in the months leading up to it. There are occasional forays further back in time, to the period of the Second World War and a friendship between two young people the full relevance of which will only gradually be revealed. Central to these sections of the book is the still controversial firebombing of Dresden by the Allies in February 1945 which killed thousands and destroyed much of the city. The vivid first-hand account of the raids is one of the standout parts of the book.
From the very start of their investigation into the death of the man they refer to as ‘Concrete Man’, Karin Müller and her team find themselves playing a cat and mouse game with the Ministry of State Security, better known as the Stasi. No prizes for guessing which is the cat and which the mouse. In addition, Müller finds herself coming face to face with an old adversary and begins to wonder if, in fact, she has been set up to fail from the beginning.
As the case progresses, amongst all the twists and turns, some very dirty wartime secrets – as well as more recent ones – are unearthed. The book’s final climatic scenes continue where the prologue left off, leaving the reader to wonder what the future holds for Müller and her colleagues. If this is indeed the end of the series, then The Stasi Game is a lesson in how to go out on a high and leave the reader wanting more.
June 27, 2021
This book is listed as the last book in the Stasi series but the author hinted he might write one more.
I certainly hope so.
Karin Muller has worked as a policewoman for many years in East Berlin. She works for the criminal police and not the secret police, aka the Stasi, but there is a very fine line between the two. Recently, Muller and her team have been assigned some politically sensitive cases, not to work united with the Stasi but to be the scapegoats when or if the case goes wrong. Muller as well as members of her team were demoted in rank after their last case and this current case seems an excuse to fire, disband, or worse, imprison her and her team. An excellent edition to the series and I hope there will be one more.
I certainly hope so.
Karin Muller has worked as a policewoman for many years in East Berlin. She works for the criminal police and not the secret police, aka the Stasi, but there is a very fine line between the two. Recently, Muller and her team have been assigned some politically sensitive cases, not to work united with the Stasi but to be the scapegoats when or if the case goes wrong. Muller as well as members of her team were demoted in rank after their last case and this current case seems an excuse to fire, disband, or worse, imprison her and her team. An excellent edition to the series and I hope there will be one more.
October 9, 2025
Very good. Moving from the present in 1982 Dresden during a murder inquiry where the Stasi are keeping a very close watch, and switching back to events during WW2, to tie it all together in the end, made for a cracking historical crime thriller that was both moving and chilling, highlighting life for the People's Police in the GDR, with a believable plot and believable characters.
July 19, 2024
The Stasi Game and another ‘dip’ back into the darker days of the GDR and the political expediency exercised by the “Secret Police”.
David Young has once more captured the uncertainty and frustrations of a police officer in the People’s Police force. As we follow Karin Müller and her small team in this riveting and disturbing thriller series. Generally speaking they have as little freedom as the rest of the East German population and never stray from the observation and control of the Ministry for Security - The Stasi.
Karin’s own career seems to be over in terms of authority and scope to conduct investigations. She has few allies left supporting her and watching her team’s back, indeed she seems to be a detective in a name only.
Although The Stasi have been all over the case her team are sent to Dresden to give the illusion of a murder investigation being resolved. In actual fact this is indeed window dressing and slight of hand. The Stasi want nothing of the actual truth revealed just the motions gone through masking their concerns and involvement.
It has ever been the case in all Karin’s work. But what marks her out is a tenacity to find the truth and follow up even the most obscure leads uncovered.
However, beyond the usual manipulation of her working brief she has a sense that the overseeing powers want her to fail sufficiently with blame such that her career is over.
Again the author has expanded facts and research into these times to fashion with great imagination a historical thriller. The use of saturation bombing during World War II and the reprisals by the Allies in cities like Dresden is key to this novel. These factors of using the political fallout in Western Europe the rise of the wall and influence of state control makes this quite a unique series of detective novels. Overlaying fact with a fiction that reflects the experiences of the German people and the rise of East Germany yet avoiding many of the clichés of early spy fiction.
Indeed Karin is an interesting protagonist. A loyal socialist, a believer in the principles of the state despite her own experiences and crooked hand dealt by those above her.
Her uncertainty and confusion have previously infringed upon her work but never left her renouncing her core values. She is therefore a great character for readers to get behind and her setback and endangerment leaves those following her story distressed and desperate she overcomes. So the pages of the book come alive in Karin’s presence and the words depicting her actions and work to solve this murder investigation seem to contain a latent energy like the buzz around some power lines.
Her motivation is clear and focused even when others seek to confuse, thwart and undermine her investigation. As a by-stander and witness to her betrayal you want to save her which propels you through the pages in equal measure of fear and uncertainty.
I liked the author’s care and support to new readers to his books. His introduction and Author’s note will help those coming fresh to this series. I think these are a remarkable collection of books with a strong female lead whose biggest disadvantage is having employers who want to suppress or modify the truth. This parallels her inner struggles with a regime that has noticeable benefits, given her a career but saps her integrity and sense of justice.
If this is the final adventure for her then I can report that despite all efforts to the contrary she has remained true to her self, and, as the author, David Young has remained faithful to his many readers.
David Young has once more captured the uncertainty and frustrations of a police officer in the People’s Police force. As we follow Karin Müller and her small team in this riveting and disturbing thriller series. Generally speaking they have as little freedom as the rest of the East German population and never stray from the observation and control of the Ministry for Security - The Stasi.
Karin’s own career seems to be over in terms of authority and scope to conduct investigations. She has few allies left supporting her and watching her team’s back, indeed she seems to be a detective in a name only.
Although The Stasi have been all over the case her team are sent to Dresden to give the illusion of a murder investigation being resolved. In actual fact this is indeed window dressing and slight of hand. The Stasi want nothing of the actual truth revealed just the motions gone through masking their concerns and involvement.
It has ever been the case in all Karin’s work. But what marks her out is a tenacity to find the truth and follow up even the most obscure leads uncovered.
However, beyond the usual manipulation of her working brief she has a sense that the overseeing powers want her to fail sufficiently with blame such that her career is over.
Again the author has expanded facts and research into these times to fashion with great imagination a historical thriller. The use of saturation bombing during World War II and the reprisals by the Allies in cities like Dresden is key to this novel. These factors of using the political fallout in Western Europe the rise of the wall and influence of state control makes this quite a unique series of detective novels. Overlaying fact with a fiction that reflects the experiences of the German people and the rise of East Germany yet avoiding many of the clichés of early spy fiction.
Indeed Karin is an interesting protagonist. A loyal socialist, a believer in the principles of the state despite her own experiences and crooked hand dealt by those above her.
Her uncertainty and confusion have previously infringed upon her work but never left her renouncing her core values. She is therefore a great character for readers to get behind and her setback and endangerment leaves those following her story distressed and desperate she overcomes. So the pages of the book come alive in Karin’s presence and the words depicting her actions and work to solve this murder investigation seem to contain a latent energy like the buzz around some power lines.
Her motivation is clear and focused even when others seek to confuse, thwart and undermine her investigation. As a by-stander and witness to her betrayal you want to save her which propels you through the pages in equal measure of fear and uncertainty.
I liked the author’s care and support to new readers to his books. His introduction and Author’s note will help those coming fresh to this series. I think these are a remarkable collection of books with a strong female lead whose biggest disadvantage is having employers who want to suppress or modify the truth. This parallels her inner struggles with a regime that has noticeable benefits, given her a career but saps her integrity and sense of justice.
If this is the final adventure for her then I can report that despite all efforts to the contrary she has remained true to her self, and, as the author, David Young has remained faithful to his many readers.
October 10, 2020
Thanks to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
David Young's Karin Müller series of books deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the legendary Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther novels. Reader's of Kerr's richly contextualised crime novels, that span the tumultuous years of the Weimar Republic, Nazi Germany and the years beyond, will understand that great historical crime fiction is an alchemic blend of meticulous research, a compelling plot and an instinctive feel for a particular historical era. These are the hallmarks that make a complete novel of this sub-genre of crime fiction and something which Young has in common with Kerr. Kerr has sadly passed, but Young is a worthy compatriot - even heir apparent - to the legendary author. So, it is with some sadness that we learn 'The Stasi Game' could be the last in the Karin Müller series. This book, set in the 1980s, sees us hurtling toward the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the collapse of its communist satellite states and the reunification of Germany. But, before we mourn the end of this enthralling series, let's enjoy one final outing with Karin and her comrades in the totalitarian world of East Germany. We pick up where we left the last book. Karin has been demoted and is now part of a floating murder squad. The mysterious case of a murdered man found buried in newly laid concrete brings Müller and co. to Dresden. A challenging case is made even more complex by its political overtones. Students of this era will know that distinctions between ordinary, everyday crime and political crime were arbitrary in both socialist and fascist states. Which of course brings us to the all pervading tentacles of the Secret Police - the Stasi. Solving the case will entail Karin walking the perilous tightrope which separates political expediency from her instinctive pursuit of the truth. The two do not necessary cohere in East Germany, so what will Karin do? Well, I think you can guess, and the truth, as Karin eventually discovers, is even darker than she imagined. 'The Stasi Game' is proof-positive that David Young is at the top of his game. Historical crime fiction at its classy best.
David Young's Karin Müller series of books deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the legendary Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther novels. Reader's of Kerr's richly contextualised crime novels, that span the tumultuous years of the Weimar Republic, Nazi Germany and the years beyond, will understand that great historical crime fiction is an alchemic blend of meticulous research, a compelling plot and an instinctive feel for a particular historical era. These are the hallmarks that make a complete novel of this sub-genre of crime fiction and something which Young has in common with Kerr. Kerr has sadly passed, but Young is a worthy compatriot - even heir apparent - to the legendary author. So, it is with some sadness that we learn 'The Stasi Game' could be the last in the Karin Müller series. This book, set in the 1980s, sees us hurtling toward the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the collapse of its communist satellite states and the reunification of Germany. But, before we mourn the end of this enthralling series, let's enjoy one final outing with Karin and her comrades in the totalitarian world of East Germany. We pick up where we left the last book. Karin has been demoted and is now part of a floating murder squad. The mysterious case of a murdered man found buried in newly laid concrete brings Müller and co. to Dresden. A challenging case is made even more complex by its political overtones. Students of this era will know that distinctions between ordinary, everyday crime and political crime were arbitrary in both socialist and fascist states. Which of course brings us to the all pervading tentacles of the Secret Police - the Stasi. Solving the case will entail Karin walking the perilous tightrope which separates political expediency from her instinctive pursuit of the truth. The two do not necessary cohere in East Germany, so what will Karin do? Well, I think you can guess, and the truth, as Karin eventually discovers, is even darker than she imagined. 'The Stasi Game' is proof-positive that David Young is at the top of his game. Historical crime fiction at its classy best.
October 30, 2020
Firstly thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for the ARC of Stasi Game by David Young. I love the Karin Muller series, to the point where I have been ranting and raving about the series on Twitter / Readers First.
Dresden, East Germany, 1980 (its been a year or two since the events of Stasi Winter for Karin Muller and Werner Tilsner) and a man's body is found buried in concrete at a building site in the new town district. Muller is called to the scene and finds the body has some unidentifiable features that will make the investigation all that more difficult.
Muller finds she is up against her foes in the Ministry of the State officials - Stasi officers in the local office and Stasi officer Jager is back to interrupt Muller and her team.
We are introduced to Lotti Rolf and Arnold Southwick as we are dragged back to the 1930's as the two teenagers meet at a holiday camp whilst Arnold is visting with his family from the UK. Lotti is immediately besotted with Arnold - a young teenage love before Arnold and his family cut their holiday short and return back to Hull in the United Kingdom.
Arnold & Lotti begin a penpal relationship from the UK/Germany as the war rages throughout Germany & UK with bombings in Arnold's and Lotti's home towns. Lotti and Arnold become emotionally and physically scarred by the effects of the war and how it shapes their future.
Muller, now faced with the task of teaming up with Tilsner again - even though she doesnt fully trust him after uncovering the truths about his involvement as a Hitler youth few years back.
Karin and the team battle through the political minefield that the Stasi have set up for her to try and solve the case of the body found in the cement,.
I thoroughly enjoyed Stasi Game - the surroundings, the characters involved and the case itself set up the story for a worthwhile conclusion and hopefully not the end of the series.
Dresden, East Germany, 1980 (its been a year or two since the events of Stasi Winter for Karin Muller and Werner Tilsner) and a man's body is found buried in concrete at a building site in the new town district. Muller is called to the scene and finds the body has some unidentifiable features that will make the investigation all that more difficult.
Muller finds she is up against her foes in the Ministry of the State officials - Stasi officers in the local office and Stasi officer Jager is back to interrupt Muller and her team.
We are introduced to Lotti Rolf and Arnold Southwick as we are dragged back to the 1930's as the two teenagers meet at a holiday camp whilst Arnold is visting with his family from the UK. Lotti is immediately besotted with Arnold - a young teenage love before Arnold and his family cut their holiday short and return back to Hull in the United Kingdom.
Arnold & Lotti begin a penpal relationship from the UK/Germany as the war rages throughout Germany & UK with bombings in Arnold's and Lotti's home towns. Lotti and Arnold become emotionally and physically scarred by the effects of the war and how it shapes their future.
Muller, now faced with the task of teaming up with Tilsner again - even though she doesnt fully trust him after uncovering the truths about his involvement as a Hitler youth few years back.
Karin and the team battle through the political minefield that the Stasi have set up for her to try and solve the case of the body found in the cement,.
I thoroughly enjoyed Stasi Game - the surroundings, the characters involved and the case itself set up the story for a worthwhile conclusion and hopefully not the end of the series.
November 29, 2020
Thank you to the publishers, Zaffre Books, for sending me a copy of this to read!
3.5 stars.
Historical Fiction has a way of pulling you in to another time period entirely, Young managed to transport me to several different locations across different time periods within this novel, something I rather enjoyed. His ability to create a scene around you as you read was commendable, as was the rich detail of the main character, Karin Müller.
The plot was mostly fast-paced and a page-turner, however with the frequent time jumps and short chapters, I found myself wishing that we stuck with a certain character or event a little longer. There was a disconnect for the first half of the book that made me feel as if we weren't getting to know any of the characters in detail, it was a lot of jumping back and forth in quick succession. Thankfully, the second half of the book felt more interlinked, the pieces of the puzzle were starting to connect and as a reader, it was exciting to see how everything lined up.
Overall, it read well and kept me entertained whilst I was reading. For fans of Historical Fiction, particularly espionage and secret service Historical Fiction, I recommend this one!
3.5 stars.
Historical Fiction has a way of pulling you in to another time period entirely, Young managed to transport me to several different locations across different time periods within this novel, something I rather enjoyed. His ability to create a scene around you as you read was commendable, as was the rich detail of the main character, Karin Müller.
The plot was mostly fast-paced and a page-turner, however with the frequent time jumps and short chapters, I found myself wishing that we stuck with a certain character or event a little longer. There was a disconnect for the first half of the book that made me feel as if we weren't getting to know any of the characters in detail, it was a lot of jumping back and forth in quick succession. Thankfully, the second half of the book felt more interlinked, the pieces of the puzzle were starting to connect and as a reader, it was exciting to see how everything lined up.
Overall, it read well and kept me entertained whilst I was reading. For fans of Historical Fiction, particularly espionage and secret service Historical Fiction, I recommend this one!
October 29, 2020
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in return for an honest review.
Yet another compelling and intriguing continuation of the life and career of Karin Mueller and her struggles to uncover the truth behind murders of citizens of the DDR while she is constantly thwarted by the Stasi. The whole series has been awesome and I do hope that David Young will add further books to the series in spite of claiming otherwise.
I cannot recommend this highly enough.
Yet another compelling and intriguing continuation of the life and career of Karin Mueller and her struggles to uncover the truth behind murders of citizens of the DDR while she is constantly thwarted by the Stasi. The whole series has been awesome and I do hope that David Young will add further books to the series in spite of claiming otherwise.
I cannot recommend this highly enough.
August 2, 2022
A body buried in concrete in Dresden is People’s Police Captain Karin Muller latest case. But in East Germany you’re never too far away from the Stasi and Karin starts to realise this case has historical significance, the race is on to find out the truth.
His is the first book of the series I’ve read and it’s an intriguing mix of crime and spy story. It’s clear Karin is frustrated at the constant interference and suspicion caused by the Stasi, but even then it seems she’s still loyal to the cause of East Germany and the West is seen as evil. A really enjoyable novel.
His is the first book of the series I’ve read and it’s an intriguing mix of crime and spy story. It’s clear Karin is frustrated at the constant interference and suspicion caused by the Stasi, but even then it seems she’s still loyal to the cause of East Germany and the West is seen as evil. A really enjoyable novel.
January 13, 2023
What looks to be the last in the Karin Miller series of East German police novels was a wild ride from start to finish. A really enjoyable way to end the series.
May 12, 2021
Very good finale to the series "if" as the author says, is the final novel.
February 5, 2021
The Stasi Game is David Young's sixth (and final) Karin Müller mystery and is one of his best, if not the best.
At the heart of the story is the Dresden bombing by US and RAF planes in February 1945 which reduced that beautiful city to rubble. This was part of the Second World War which the Allies will not wish to remember fondly. The sub-plot, if you like, is the performance enhancing doping of young children in GDR's state sports schools. This disgraceful cheating was by no means confined to the GDR but, judging by results, they seemed to be better at it than most.
Karin has to solve the murder of a man found buried in concrete while being misled at all tines by different factions of the Stasi.
The plot is quite complex but the very satisfactory wrap-up ensures that the reader's patience is rewarded. Despite doing many things well, the GDR does come across as a cold, corrupt inhospitable place in the author's novels and many citizens live in a permanent state of mistrust of their neighbours, friends and family because of the invasive nature of the Stasi. There's a kind of good cop/bad cop theme running through the narrative which at times lends further confusion to Karen's efforts to solve the mystery.
The end is both satisfactory and exciting. A splendidly readable series.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press.
At the heart of the story is the Dresden bombing by US and RAF planes in February 1945 which reduced that beautiful city to rubble. This was part of the Second World War which the Allies will not wish to remember fondly. The sub-plot, if you like, is the performance enhancing doping of young children in GDR's state sports schools. This disgraceful cheating was by no means confined to the GDR but, judging by results, they seemed to be better at it than most.
Karin has to solve the murder of a man found buried in concrete while being misled at all tines by different factions of the Stasi.
The plot is quite complex but the very satisfactory wrap-up ensures that the reader's patience is rewarded. Despite doing many things well, the GDR does come across as a cold, corrupt inhospitable place in the author's novels and many citizens live in a permanent state of mistrust of their neighbours, friends and family because of the invasive nature of the Stasi. There's a kind of good cop/bad cop theme running through the narrative which at times lends further confusion to Karen's efforts to solve the mystery.
The end is both satisfactory and exciting. A splendidly readable series.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press.
June 12, 2021
Not convinced by the story.....as in the last book I read in this series (Stasi 77) I found the characters lacked integrity and their situations in the story unbelievable. The first 2 novels in the series were more chilling and atmospheric but as the series continued the stories did not hang together in a believable way and the characters, including Karin Muller, were poorly realised. The story lines and endings became more predicable as with `The Stasi Game` the reader `knows` how it will end from fairly early on in the book.
July 30, 2021
A really disappointing final chapter of the Karin Müller series - it's as if the author has got bored of her and wanted to quickly tie up loose ends before moving on to something else.
November 25, 2020
I am delighted to find that Young's latest excursion to Communist East Germany is a genuinely thrilling tale of espionage, in which readers are treated to an intriguing story that gradually winds you in so tightly you almost forget to breathe at the very height of the suspense. (Can they? Will they? Did they?)
-- What's it about? --
East Germany, 1982. A man's body is found encased in concrete on a building site near Dresden. When Muller arrives to investigate she is disturbed to note his arm is reaching out of the concrete; how is it possible that this wasn't reported sooner? Or perhaps it was reported, but not to the Volkspolizei...
As a People's Police officer, Muller is used to having her investigations compromised, limited and commandeered by the Stasi, East Germany's Secret Police, so when a local Stasi officer informs her that his officers will maintain a 'watching brief', she is frustrated but resigned to being tailed, getting told off and having her investigation tampered with.
What does surprise her is becoming a pawn between two secret services - the East German Stasi and Britain's M16 - both organisations who are ready to kill to ensure their version of truth is the only version people hear...
-- What's it like? --
Deeply absorbing. Genuinely thrilling. This may be Young's best novel to date. I loved the storyline, which was slightly unusual for this series in that it involved actual espionage of a sort, rather than more typical Stasi repression and secret keeping, though there's plenty of that to.
As always, Muller finds herself in increasingly hot water as the story develops, though I suppose I should say icy water, as this is a series and a book set in a relentlessly chilly - as well as chilling - atmosphere. Indeed, this seems to be the main purpose behind Muller's appointment, not to solve the case she is given, but to place her in danger. After all, this is a detective in disgrace, an investigator who was originally promoted to be clueless but who persists in seeking to unearth the truth.
The characterisation here is superb, from Young's creation of the Hitler-loving, manipulative Lotti, to the increasingly side-lined Stasi agent, Jager, who is horrified to see his power slipping away from him, to the inherently honest detective Muller, who truly believes in the Communist ideal and, brilliantly, ascribes touchingly unwarranted attributes to several other characters as she bravely thrusts herself into danger once again.
-- Writing historical fiction --
I've always felt that the best historical fiction does two things really well: integrates fascinating historical detail within a genuinely interesting story, and leaves you with a strong desire to learn more about some of the featured events or characters. Young achieves the first seamlessly and I have spent much of today reading up on the Dresden fire-bombing.
As is the case with all Young's Stasi novels, he has selected a few particularly significant elements from the history of East German Communist state and the Second World War to explore, and has achieved this in a nuanced way, filtering the past through various perspectives, forcing us to wonder what it might have been like to live and work in the DDR, avoiding simplistic moral judgements. In a word: fabulous. (The book, not living in the DDR!)
-- Final thoughts --
Although I've considered this novel very much in the context of the Stasi series narrative arc, this works very well as a standalone. Unlike Young's previous novel, 'Stasi Winter', which referred strongly to preceding novels, 'The Stasi Game' stands by itself as an interesting case, with a challenging investigation (how can you be sure any evidence you possess is accurate when it's all been filtered through the Stasi?) and an incredibly gripping denouement. If this does turn out to be the final novel in the series, it's a superb finale, with a perfect epilogue.
Thanks to Bonnier Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
-- What's it about? --
East Germany, 1982. A man's body is found encased in concrete on a building site near Dresden. When Muller arrives to investigate she is disturbed to note his arm is reaching out of the concrete; how is it possible that this wasn't reported sooner? Or perhaps it was reported, but not to the Volkspolizei...
As a People's Police officer, Muller is used to having her investigations compromised, limited and commandeered by the Stasi, East Germany's Secret Police, so when a local Stasi officer informs her that his officers will maintain a 'watching brief', she is frustrated but resigned to being tailed, getting told off and having her investigation tampered with.
What does surprise her is becoming a pawn between two secret services - the East German Stasi and Britain's M16 - both organisations who are ready to kill to ensure their version of truth is the only version people hear...
-- What's it like? --
Deeply absorbing. Genuinely thrilling. This may be Young's best novel to date. I loved the storyline, which was slightly unusual for this series in that it involved actual espionage of a sort, rather than more typical Stasi repression and secret keeping, though there's plenty of that to.
As always, Muller finds herself in increasingly hot water as the story develops, though I suppose I should say icy water, as this is a series and a book set in a relentlessly chilly - as well as chilling - atmosphere. Indeed, this seems to be the main purpose behind Muller's appointment, not to solve the case she is given, but to place her in danger. After all, this is a detective in disgrace, an investigator who was originally promoted to be clueless but who persists in seeking to unearth the truth.
The characterisation here is superb, from Young's creation of the Hitler-loving, manipulative Lotti, to the increasingly side-lined Stasi agent, Jager, who is horrified to see his power slipping away from him, to the inherently honest detective Muller, who truly believes in the Communist ideal and, brilliantly, ascribes touchingly unwarranted attributes to several other characters as she bravely thrusts herself into danger once again.
-- Writing historical fiction --
I've always felt that the best historical fiction does two things really well: integrates fascinating historical detail within a genuinely interesting story, and leaves you with a strong desire to learn more about some of the featured events or characters. Young achieves the first seamlessly and I have spent much of today reading up on the Dresden fire-bombing.
As is the case with all Young's Stasi novels, he has selected a few particularly significant elements from the history of East German Communist state and the Second World War to explore, and has achieved this in a nuanced way, filtering the past through various perspectives, forcing us to wonder what it might have been like to live and work in the DDR, avoiding simplistic moral judgements. In a word: fabulous. (The book, not living in the DDR!)
-- Final thoughts --
Although I've considered this novel very much in the context of the Stasi series narrative arc, this works very well as a standalone. Unlike Young's previous novel, 'Stasi Winter', which referred strongly to preceding novels, 'The Stasi Game' stands by itself as an interesting case, with a challenging investigation (how can you be sure any evidence you possess is accurate when it's all been filtered through the Stasi?) and an incredibly gripping denouement. If this does turn out to be the final novel in the series, it's a superb finale, with a perfect epilogue.
Thanks to Bonnier Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK for an advance copy of The Stasi Game, the sixth novel to feature police detective Karin Müller of the Berlin Kripo.
It’s 1982 and Karin and her assistant, Werner Tilsner are still in disgrace after the events of 3 years ago and have become a team sent to help out local forces that are short staffed. They are sent to Dresden to investigate the murder of a man found encased in concrete. It quickly becomes apparent that the Stasi is controlling the case and that there is much more at stake than one murder.
I was hooked by the intro to the novel which suggests that Karin has walked into a Stasi trap but offers no resolution. The novel then flashes back to the start of the investigation and follows a linear timeline from there. It intersperses the investigation with the story of two characters who met as children and have recently reconnected in Dresden. How these two play into the investigation is part of the puzzle.
I liked the cat and mouse aspects to the novel with Karin and Tilsner being pulled this way and that by official Stasi policy and officers with their own agenda, although it was difficult to see clearly what exactly was going on, probably much like life in general in the DDR. I also like the sense of dread and tension that pervades this series as there could be real personal, not just professional, repercussions for getting in the way of the Stasi. The problem with this is that, due to their secrecy and convoluted priorities, you have no idea if you are crossing them until they tell you. I think the novel is well plotted, keeping many aspects of the motive well concealed and covering some serious historical events that readers may not be aware of. None of this, however, was enough to hold my attention and I found myself dipping in and out and putting it down in favour of other things. The ever changing point of view and timeline and the general fuzziness of events did not absorb me.
There is a definite sense of change in the air in this novel. Karin, Tilsner and Stasi Colonel Jäger all seem dispirited, by their professional demotions and also a growing disillusionment with the system they live under. I know that the Wall didn’t come down until 1989 but I assume that this is the author portraying the start of the general dissatisfaction that led to it. This is also shown in other small acts of disobedience and protest.
I have rated this novel at 4* as it has an interesting plot and setting, good writing and an exciting finish. Personally I didn’t like the format but it probably won’t bother most readers.
It’s 1982 and Karin and her assistant, Werner Tilsner are still in disgrace after the events of 3 years ago and have become a team sent to help out local forces that are short staffed. They are sent to Dresden to investigate the murder of a man found encased in concrete. It quickly becomes apparent that the Stasi is controlling the case and that there is much more at stake than one murder.
I was hooked by the intro to the novel which suggests that Karin has walked into a Stasi trap but offers no resolution. The novel then flashes back to the start of the investigation and follows a linear timeline from there. It intersperses the investigation with the story of two characters who met as children and have recently reconnected in Dresden. How these two play into the investigation is part of the puzzle.
I liked the cat and mouse aspects to the novel with Karin and Tilsner being pulled this way and that by official Stasi policy and officers with their own agenda, although it was difficult to see clearly what exactly was going on, probably much like life in general in the DDR. I also like the sense of dread and tension that pervades this series as there could be real personal, not just professional, repercussions for getting in the way of the Stasi. The problem with this is that, due to their secrecy and convoluted priorities, you have no idea if you are crossing them until they tell you. I think the novel is well plotted, keeping many aspects of the motive well concealed and covering some serious historical events that readers may not be aware of. None of this, however, was enough to hold my attention and I found myself dipping in and out and putting it down in favour of other things. The ever changing point of view and timeline and the general fuzziness of events did not absorb me.
There is a definite sense of change in the air in this novel. Karin, Tilsner and Stasi Colonel Jäger all seem dispirited, by their professional demotions and also a growing disillusionment with the system they live under. I know that the Wall didn’t come down until 1989 but I assume that this is the author portraying the start of the general dissatisfaction that led to it. This is also shown in other small acts of disobedience and protest.
I have rated this novel at 4* as it has an interesting plot and setting, good writing and an exciting finish. Personally I didn’t like the format but it probably won’t bother most readers.
November 23, 2020
‘The Stasi Game’ is the sixth, and allegedly the last, book in the series featuring Karin Muller. I have read and adored every single book in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Stasi Game’ but more about that in a bit.
‘The Stasi Game’ really appealed to me because the story takes place in a country that I love (Germany), some of the language used gives me the excuse to use my German degree (which I haven’t used since the day I graduated) by saying the words out loud and it involves a period of history which fascinates me and I don’t really know that much about- that of post war Germany, when the country was literally split in two. I went to Berlin with my Sixth Form History group not that long after reunification and even though a few years had passed, the differences between East and West Berlin were still really evident. Anyway sorry about my burblings about Germany and back to the review I do go.
I was drawn into this story from the moment I caught a glimpse of the cover of ‘The Stasi Game’ and the story within the book’s covers sealed the deal as it were. I knew that I was going to be in for one hell of a fantastic read and then some. I was spot on too. I started reading the book in the morning and I had it finished by late afternoon. The story was that good that I just couldn’t put the book down for fear of missing something and I had a need to know what happened. For me, ‘The Stasi Game’ really was an unputdownable, page turner of a read. I hope that this isn’t the last we see of Karin Muller or of East Germany- hint hint.
‘The Stasi Game’ is superbly written but then I have thought that to be true of the whole series. The fact that David Young is so passionate about East Germany and the fact that he has done lots of careful research into the Stasi etc helps the overall story seem that bit more authentic. I literally felt as though I had borrowed the Tardis from Dr. Who and travelled back in time to 1980s East Germany. I love the way in which David Young weaves historical fact into the story and makes you look at things in another light. That’s how I felt at any rate. For me, ‘The Stasi Game’ was a tightly plotted, tense, atmospheric and dramatic page turner of a read that gripped me from start to finish and had me on the edge of my seat throughout.
In short I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Stasi Game’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of David’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
‘The Stasi Game’ really appealed to me because the story takes place in a country that I love (Germany), some of the language used gives me the excuse to use my German degree (which I haven’t used since the day I graduated) by saying the words out loud and it involves a period of history which fascinates me and I don’t really know that much about- that of post war Germany, when the country was literally split in two. I went to Berlin with my Sixth Form History group not that long after reunification and even though a few years had passed, the differences between East and West Berlin were still really evident. Anyway sorry about my burblings about Germany and back to the review I do go.
I was drawn into this story from the moment I caught a glimpse of the cover of ‘The Stasi Game’ and the story within the book’s covers sealed the deal as it were. I knew that I was going to be in for one hell of a fantastic read and then some. I was spot on too. I started reading the book in the morning and I had it finished by late afternoon. The story was that good that I just couldn’t put the book down for fear of missing something and I had a need to know what happened. For me, ‘The Stasi Game’ really was an unputdownable, page turner of a read. I hope that this isn’t the last we see of Karin Muller or of East Germany- hint hint.
‘The Stasi Game’ is superbly written but then I have thought that to be true of the whole series. The fact that David Young is so passionate about East Germany and the fact that he has done lots of careful research into the Stasi etc helps the overall story seem that bit more authentic. I literally felt as though I had borrowed the Tardis from Dr. Who and travelled back in time to 1980s East Germany. I love the way in which David Young weaves historical fact into the story and makes you look at things in another light. That’s how I felt at any rate. For me, ‘The Stasi Game’ was a tightly plotted, tense, atmospheric and dramatic page turner of a read that gripped me from start to finish and had me on the edge of my seat throughout.
In short I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Stasi Game’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of David’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
January 25, 2021
Excellent book and tells the chillingly realistic tale of how the police (criminal) not only had to solve crimes in the East, but had to do so with the Stasi always watching and manipulating them. It seems that Muller the lead detective, is continually thwarted and nudged into doing what the other powers want her to do.
Interlinked is the sad tale of two young people who met during a holiday, she a German, he a boy from Hull, who are to meet again later in life but under very different circumstances. They also both suffered during WW2 with the bombings of Hull and Dresden.
Muller has a murder to solve but also to find out the identify of a man who died a horrible death, hit over the head and then buried in concrete. The Stasi probably know who he is but there is a bigger picture to this death and also with regards to the two friends who meet again.
Typically sinister; trust is impossible.
Muller and her children have even more problems to deal with on top of this job of hers. At their new school, they are being 'programmed' to become the latest East German elite in the sports world and will be plied with drugs to achieve this.
Muller and her little team do all they can to solver the murder, find the identity of the dead man, why they killed him and why the British are involved too as well as rescue her children.
Good read, recommend to all interested in the goings on of East Germany in the 1980s.
Interlinked is the sad tale of two young people who met during a holiday, she a German, he a boy from Hull, who are to meet again later in life but under very different circumstances. They also both suffered during WW2 with the bombings of Hull and Dresden.
Muller has a murder to solve but also to find out the identify of a man who died a horrible death, hit over the head and then buried in concrete. The Stasi probably know who he is but there is a bigger picture to this death and also with regards to the two friends who meet again.
Typically sinister; trust is impossible.
Muller and her children have even more problems to deal with on top of this job of hers. At their new school, they are being 'programmed' to become the latest East German elite in the sports world and will be plied with drugs to achieve this.
Muller and her little team do all they can to solver the murder, find the identity of the dead man, why they killed him and why the British are involved too as well as rescue her children.
Good read, recommend to all interested in the goings on of East Germany in the 1980s.
August 17, 2025
The Stasi Game was an impulse pick that promised a tense, espionage-driven standalone story, even as the last in a series. While it had its moments, the writing often felt overly simplistic, with a jarring lack of the subtlety you’d expect from a novel about the infamous Stasi. Instead of nuanced portrayals of secret surveillance and clandestine maneuvers, the book often drifted into disappointingly shallow, almost childlike imaginings of what spies / secret agents might actually do.
The narrative itself was another stumbling block. Scenes felt disjointed, and different aspects of the story jumped around in ways that made it hard to understand why the various threads were connected at all. By the end, even the explanations offered didn’t fully tie everything together, leaving a sense of incompleteness. There’s a feeling throughout that the story’s potential was never fully realised, with moments of intrigue undermined by clumsy execution.
Overall, the book struggles to balance ambition with execution. It’s readable and has flashes of interest, but for a novel about the world of surveillance and spies, it doesn’t quite capture the tension, cleverness, or depth one might hope for. If your expectations are high - or if you’re familiar with David Young’s previous work as I was - this book may feel underwhelming and slightly unfulfilling, despite the author's assertion that this is a standalone story in its own right.
The narrative itself was another stumbling block. Scenes felt disjointed, and different aspects of the story jumped around in ways that made it hard to understand why the various threads were connected at all. By the end, even the explanations offered didn’t fully tie everything together, leaving a sense of incompleteness. There’s a feeling throughout that the story’s potential was never fully realised, with moments of intrigue undermined by clumsy execution.
Overall, the book struggles to balance ambition with execution. It’s readable and has flashes of interest, but for a novel about the world of surveillance and spies, it doesn’t quite capture the tension, cleverness, or depth one might hope for. If your expectations are high - or if you’re familiar with David Young’s previous work as I was - this book may feel underwhelming and slightly unfulfilling, despite the author's assertion that this is a standalone story in its own right.
July 20, 2025
This is a fine series finale. Young brings to a head the story of East German police detective Karin Muller, who in each episode finds herself working at cross purposes with the Stasi secret police.
She's a loyal socialist but we've seen her skepticism slowly rise about the drab, gray, informer-ridden society she lives in. Caring for her twins as a single mother has become her overriding concern, and here her parental responsibility brings matters to a head.
Her demotion from major to captain cost her the spacious apartment which had allowed her grandmother to live with them and provide childcare. Her own adoptive mother has been looking after them but can't any longer. She hears about a promising boarding school placement and while she doesn't want to send them away just yet, it seems like the best option. She's never home.
In the early 1980s her team addresses a murder case in Dresden. We know the back story here—that of a young English boy vacationing nearby just before the war, and his puppy love romance with a German girl—will somehow tie into the notorious fire bombing of the then-beautiful city near the end of the war.
Young in his afterword leaves himself some wiggle room for writing a sequel. But he wraps up the story sufficiently to let it stand where it is if he never gets back to it.
She's a loyal socialist but we've seen her skepticism slowly rise about the drab, gray, informer-ridden society she lives in. Caring for her twins as a single mother has become her overriding concern, and here her parental responsibility brings matters to a head.
Her demotion from major to captain cost her the spacious apartment which had allowed her grandmother to live with them and provide childcare. Her own adoptive mother has been looking after them but can't any longer. She hears about a promising boarding school placement and while she doesn't want to send them away just yet, it seems like the best option. She's never home.
In the early 1980s her team addresses a murder case in Dresden. We know the back story here—that of a young English boy vacationing nearby just before the war, and his puppy love romance with a German girl—will somehow tie into the notorious fire bombing of the then-beautiful city near the end of the war.
Young in his afterword leaves himself some wiggle room for writing a sequel. But he wraps up the story sufficiently to let it stand where it is if he never gets back to it.
November 23, 2020
Stasi Game is the 6th book in the thrilling series of Historical Crime mystery thriller starring Karin Müller, by Author David Young.
Following the events of the previous book, Müller finds herself demoted and investigating crimes below her usual level. But when a strange crime turns up, a body set in concrete, with just an arm sticking out, Karin and the team are called in.
As ever with the Stasi involved the case isn’t as simple as it could be.
Set in Dresden in the early 80s, this story delves into war world 2 and the Dresden Bombings of the time, a mystery that is deep with intrigue, David Young has crafted a fascinating and quite shocking thriller deeply rooted in Dark history.
This is a compelling, engrossing, cracking mystery thriller, with all of the components that have made this series just how good it is.
A quite brilliant series has reached its possible end, and David Young has brought the finale to a quite fitting end.
One of my all time favourite series of books, Im sadly writing my final review about Karin and the team, but have hope maybe one day Karin will return. If not, I’m happy in the knowledge that David Young has a new project on the way and that there will be more from this extremely knowledgeable and talented author.
Highly Recommended
Following the events of the previous book, Müller finds herself demoted and investigating crimes below her usual level. But when a strange crime turns up, a body set in concrete, with just an arm sticking out, Karin and the team are called in.
As ever with the Stasi involved the case isn’t as simple as it could be.
Set in Dresden in the early 80s, this story delves into war world 2 and the Dresden Bombings of the time, a mystery that is deep with intrigue, David Young has crafted a fascinating and quite shocking thriller deeply rooted in Dark history.
This is a compelling, engrossing, cracking mystery thriller, with all of the components that have made this series just how good it is.
A quite brilliant series has reached its possible end, and David Young has brought the finale to a quite fitting end.
One of my all time favourite series of books, Im sadly writing my final review about Karin and the team, but have hope maybe one day Karin will return. If not, I’m happy in the knowledge that David Young has a new project on the way and that there will be more from this extremely knowledgeable and talented author.
Highly Recommended
July 9, 2025
I’d bought a bundle of 2 of this series. It’s interesting getting to check how the series is working. Two is enough. A similar structure to the previous one, a crime being investigated but interweaved with other chapters that fill in the background of other characters. It disrupts the narrative flow. There are two first person narratives that go back to 1938 and pre-war Germany, while the contemporary starts with the final showdown in March 1982, before going back to the core of the investigation in February 1982 and then goes back to 1981 to fill in some gaps. And I can’t ignore that one of the first person narratives is a cheat. So, it is really all over the place. I didn’t see any benefit to this. It dilutes the tension and raises levels of predictably. Even the crime is rather dull and trivial. The real crime is a MacGuffin. Having said all that, it is easy to read and can be rushed through quickly. It’s a pity, as crime investigations set in East Germany are appealing, but the two of this series that I have read just don’t work for me.
September 29, 2021
Although other readers have said that they are sorry that this is likely to be the final story in the Karin Mueller series, I have to disagree. David Young did a great job of keeping the storyline evolving throughout the series. With this book, I could feel the rising tension as the wheels were starting to come off the Republic. Over all, everything was brought to a satisfactory conclusion. Some things were left unstated...the reader may draw their own conclusion...or not. David clearly took the advice of always leave the audience wanting more.
I did think that David's tendency to remind the reader of details from the earlier books was a bit trite. A reference here and there would be appreciated, but an almost blow-by-blow account was both unnecessary and clumsy.
I can understand how others would like another book to satisfy their curiosity of what happened next. However, I'm happy with how things were left. The series has reached its denouement.
I did think that David's tendency to remind the reader of details from the earlier books was a bit trite. A reference here and there would be appreciated, but an almost blow-by-blow account was both unnecessary and clumsy.
I can understand how others would like another book to satisfy their curiosity of what happened next. However, I'm happy with how things were left. The series has reached its denouement.
December 5, 2020
I have loved this series from the very beginning and Karin Müller is one of my favourite heroines. Of course, it doesn't hurt that I'm fascinated by East Germany in the postwar years. Karin has changed over the years. She still supports the Republic but she knows now better than anyone what the Stasi are capable of. And we've reached the early 80s so time is running out for the regime. This is such a good story, which, like the previous novel, looks back to the dark days of the Second World War and the setting in Dresden is an evocative one. David Young knows his subject well and reading these novels is an immersive experience. There's a good chance, very sadly, that the series ends with The Stasi Game. Its certainly a fine conclusion but I can't help hoping there'll be more. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
February 25, 2021
I was quite sad reading this, knowing that it is the last in the "Stasi" series. I have come to know Muller, Tilsner and even Jager quite well.
After the events three years before, all three have been demoted in their various roles. Karin, Werner and Jonas are now a roving team, going where their expertise is required.
They are called to the discovery of a body in concrete in Dresden. There are no clues as to the who and the why and as usual the Stasi are around and make their presence known.
The investigation has the usual red herrings and redactions, but involves events from February 1945. Some parties want the truth to come out and others don't. Which direction will the team be pulled in?
There are some personal issues involved which could cloud decisions made.
A fitting end to the series, but it would be lovely to see "the next chapter".
After the events three years before, all three have been demoted in their various roles. Karin, Werner and Jonas are now a roving team, going where their expertise is required.
They are called to the discovery of a body in concrete in Dresden. There are no clues as to the who and the why and as usual the Stasi are around and make their presence known.
The investigation has the usual red herrings and redactions, but involves events from February 1945. Some parties want the truth to come out and others don't. Which direction will the team be pulled in?
There are some personal issues involved which could cloud decisions made.
A fitting end to the series, but it would be lovely to see "the next chapter".
June 28, 2022
If this is the last Karin Müller book in the series it is a good one. It is impossible to go into much detail without spoilers but our erstwhile (demoted following the last book) police detective is sent with her team to Dresden in 1982 to solve the murder of a body found partially entombed in concrete. The fact that it is in Dresden not Berlin might lead you to guess where some aspects of the story leads...
Overall a great series of six books, the ending does suggest that this will be the last one, though the author in his notes does suggest maybe not and there is some ambiguity. Hopefully not, there is still seven years until the fall of the anti-fascist barrier and I want to know what happens to Müller and co in those seven years...
ps. the link to David Young's forthcoming series in WW2 Hull made me more interested in that than I thought I would be.
Overall a great series of six books, the ending does suggest that this will be the last one, though the author in his notes does suggest maybe not and there is some ambiguity. Hopefully not, there is still seven years until the fall of the anti-fascist barrier and I want to know what happens to Müller and co in those seven years...
ps. the link to David Young's forthcoming series in WW2 Hull made me more interested in that than I thought I would be.
September 9, 2022
Another series I've read. This is the 6th book about Karin Muller, a detective in the People's Police Force in East Germany before the wall came down. Will it be the last? Possibly......but as this one is set in 1982, and the wall didn't come down until 1989, there is still some scope for further tales. There are unfinished tales for several characters. It's a great series and one I recommend. Start with the first one though, Stasi Child, and read them in order if that takes your fancy. The oppressiveness of the East German regime and the corrupt Stasi secret police force is well presented and reminds me of the bleakness of the Academy award winning film, The Lives of Others. The discussion about the carpet bombing of Dresden as well as other German cities and whether Dresden's destruction should be considered a war crime makes for interesting reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews