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A Room Full of Night
Perfect for fans of Robert Harris’s Munich and The Fatherland
Stag Maguire, a burnt-out journalist hardly able to prop himself up in the wake of tragedy, agrees to help a friend move. They find an urgent message—HELP ME—written on a piece of silk tacked behind a long-forgotten portrait. The message from an address in Berlin is urgent; though it had to have been written pre-World War II. Curious, Stag and his friend begin to research the address and whomever might have written the message. They trace the address to an apartment, a sealed time capsule that has not been lived in since 1942. And from one phone call to that apartment, the men unleash a nefarious plot and brutal security forces long thought vanquished. Events begin to cascade without mercy, and Stag—a broken man from the Midwest—finds himself pitted against a vestige of the Third Reich with powerful forces ensuring the propagation of Heydrich’s infamous SD—Nazi’s intelligence agency—in today’s world. Will ordinary-man Stag Maguire prevail in his lone stand against evil?
Stag Maguire, a burnt-out journalist hardly able to prop himself up in the wake of tragedy, agrees to help a friend move. They find an urgent message—HELP ME—written on a piece of silk tacked behind a long-forgotten portrait. The message from an address in Berlin is urgent; though it had to have been written pre-World War II. Curious, Stag and his friend begin to research the address and whomever might have written the message. They trace the address to an apartment, a sealed time capsule that has not been lived in since 1942. And from one phone call to that apartment, the men unleash a nefarious plot and brutal security forces long thought vanquished. Events begin to cascade without mercy, and Stag—a broken man from the Midwest—finds himself pitted against a vestige of the Third Reich with powerful forces ensuring the propagation of Heydrich’s infamous SD—Nazi’s intelligence agency—in today’s world. Will ordinary-man Stag Maguire prevail in his lone stand against evil?
320 pages, Audiobook
First published March 5, 2019
43 people are currently reading
528 people want to read
About the author
T.R. Kenneth
1 book15 followersTR Kenneth has long been focused on the Nazi regime and Reinhard Heydrich in particular who was a main architect of the Holocaust. In A ROOM FULL OF NIGHT, the author takes the reader from modern flyover America to deep inside the darkest reaches of the Third Reich. Traveling from Berlin to Switzerland, to the beaches of Bali, everyman hero, Stag Maguire, is forced to confront the shadowed corners of human infamy. In this chilling contemporary thriller, A ROOM FULL OF NIGHT proves the past is inextricably linked with the present, and the insistent whisper all around is merely the truth inside us all.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 12, 2019
I think this is a simple case of mismatch between reader & book. I’m always willing to take a leap of faith when reading fiction but there has to be a core of believability to the plot. Much of the success of our MC depended on timely coincidence & lucky breaks & in the end I just couldn’t suspend my disbelief that far. Perhaps if the characters were more fleshed out or the author injected some black humour I would have been able to close one eye & enjoy the ride.
That said, the historical aspect was fascinating & well researched which added a chilling edge to the story. It also serves up a warning about the consequences of forgetting the past that resonates in today’s world. Readers who are not too fussed about credibility & enjoy straight up action driven plots will find much to enjoy here.
That said, the historical aspect was fascinating & well researched which added a chilling edge to the story. It also serves up a warning about the consequences of forgetting the past that resonates in today’s world. Readers who are not too fussed about credibility & enjoy straight up action driven plots will find much to enjoy here.
April 9, 2019
This doesn't cipher as a parallel to Munich or any other Robert Harris work of any era. That they could be aligned in any sense is delusional.
The writing and conversations in particular are jumpy. And to my ear are not at all as people speak.
But the plotting is what was the most egregious in degree. It's beyond my ability to describe the revisionist interpretations and biography features. Altogether other than in the most horrendous human or moral sensibilities- it's an alternative world superman Heydrich described?
Honestly, the WWII or Nazi related pap in current print flies beyond any possible conceptions for ridiculous intersect or convoluted historical past reality aftermaths. For me this book was nearly a one star. Don't believe the trailer information on this one. This isn't reality of life or circumstance in any location or universe.
The writing and conversations in particular are jumpy. And to my ear are not at all as people speak.
But the plotting is what was the most egregious in degree. It's beyond my ability to describe the revisionist interpretations and biography features. Altogether other than in the most horrendous human or moral sensibilities- it's an alternative world superman Heydrich described?
Honestly, the WWII or Nazi related pap in current print flies beyond any possible conceptions for ridiculous intersect or convoluted historical past reality aftermaths. For me this book was nearly a one star. Don't believe the trailer information on this one. This isn't reality of life or circumstance in any location or universe.
May 12, 2019
It’s incredibly readable! The text flows fast, it simply rolls under your eyes. I don’t read a lot of books that don’t dwell on events, but just move on instead, so I enjoyed the quickness and the rhythm of the book. What’s more, it just draws you in. Bigger and bigger hidden meanings and possible consequences come round, and you’re grappling to be able to follow the story.
It’s kind of a conspiracy theory book, and it’s a very interesting one. What if the denazification didn’t quite go through as well as it was thought to? What if the secret core organizations of SS still persist, in small covert groups, biding their time and playing people as puppets in the dark? It’s a truly terrifying thing to imagine. To think that all it takes for monsters to save themselves is money. Profits, and a lot of profits, at that. What if it’s actually true in the real world as well? That’s what this book is about.
I’m not one of those people who like watching WWII documentaries – and again, that’s because I’m sensitive as hell – they’re just too sad. And yet, I found the historical detail about the dark deeds of the nazis to be presented in a very interesting way in this book. They are dispensed in small bites, and explained patiently, so you will pick it up even if you don’t really know much about history. It might even be more interesting the less you know! At the same time, its not told in too much detail, which is good for a sensitive reader like me. Yeah, there will be death, of course, and some quite horrid cruelty, but it’s not graphic – it’s just mentioned. it makes it easier to read.
Another thing I liked about this book is the vibe. It’s kind of got this hopeless, angry, but righteous vibe. You are aware of the fact that things will probably not end well for the main character, but you long to punish this vermin that’s also at least partially responsible for killing so many people out of pure hatred, or, even worse – pure cold calculation. You just end up championing the cause of the main character, gone rogue.
What’s more, it being a historical thriller, there’s the whole aspect of two stories being told at once. Even though we only get tiny glimpses into the life of a Jewish spy in the bedroom of one of the most evil men in Nazi history, her story is sad and poignant, and her effort to save what she can is heartbreaking. It makes you think – even if you know this particular story is fictional, you can’t not consider how many such stories might have actually happened in reality. How many women hid in the bedrooms of men they secretly hated, only because they hoped they could save at least a few hundred lives? I’m sure there were lots of these women who remain absolutely forgotten in history purely because of the nature of their secret work.
This was definitely worth a read. I don’t read many thrillers so I wondered if I’d enjoy it – but I did! The conspiracy theory was fine, the romance might have felt a little manufactured, but it wasn’t intrusive either. All in all, an alright slow-burn thriller.
Triggers:
It might be triggering, but it's not graphic. Of course, this is a book about nazis, so naturally the holocaust will be talked about. But several chapters also deal with cancer and chidren's cancer is mentioned. One of the characters suffers PTSD because of
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest opinion. Receiving the book for free does not affect my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
It’s kind of a conspiracy theory book, and it’s a very interesting one. What if the denazification didn’t quite go through as well as it was thought to? What if the secret core organizations of SS still persist, in small covert groups, biding their time and playing people as puppets in the dark? It’s a truly terrifying thing to imagine. To think that all it takes for monsters to save themselves is money. Profits, and a lot of profits, at that. What if it’s actually true in the real world as well? That’s what this book is about.
I’m not one of those people who like watching WWII documentaries – and again, that’s because I’m sensitive as hell – they’re just too sad. And yet, I found the historical detail about the dark deeds of the nazis to be presented in a very interesting way in this book. They are dispensed in small bites, and explained patiently, so you will pick it up even if you don’t really know much about history. It might even be more interesting the less you know! At the same time, its not told in too much detail, which is good for a sensitive reader like me. Yeah, there will be death, of course, and some quite horrid cruelty, but it’s not graphic – it’s just mentioned. it makes it easier to read.
Another thing I liked about this book is the vibe. It’s kind of got this hopeless, angry, but righteous vibe. You are aware of the fact that things will probably not end well for the main character, but you long to punish this vermin that’s also at least partially responsible for killing so many people out of pure hatred, or, even worse – pure cold calculation. You just end up championing the cause of the main character, gone rogue.
What’s more, it being a historical thriller, there’s the whole aspect of two stories being told at once. Even though we only get tiny glimpses into the life of a Jewish spy in the bedroom of one of the most evil men in Nazi history, her story is sad and poignant, and her effort to save what she can is heartbreaking. It makes you think – even if you know this particular story is fictional, you can’t not consider how many such stories might have actually happened in reality. How many women hid in the bedrooms of men they secretly hated, only because they hoped they could save at least a few hundred lives? I’m sure there were lots of these women who remain absolutely forgotten in history purely because of the nature of their secret work.
This was definitely worth a read. I don’t read many thrillers so I wondered if I’d enjoy it – but I did! The conspiracy theory was fine, the romance might have felt a little manufactured, but it wasn’t intrusive either. All in all, an alright slow-burn thriller.
Triggers:
It might be triggering, but it's not graphic. Of course, this is a book about nazis, so naturally the holocaust will be talked about. But several chapters also deal with cancer and chidren's cancer is mentioned. One of the characters suffers PTSD because of
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest opinion. Receiving the book for free does not affect my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
June 1, 2019
I generally enjoy books about Nazis, but this is a "thriller"- so that rules this book out for me I guess. I did read it quickly so it wasn't too painful to get through the 337-page hardback from my library.
We start in small-town Wisconsin in a failed old family bar that is the cause of heavy regret. [That is the first hint that the road ahead will be bumpy, because we all know that German beer taverns in Wisconsin have no problem surviving.] As the two old friends join in a goodbye to the place by order of police they tear a portrait off the wall as a keepsake. Since this is a thriller, of course this portrait holds Nazi secrets that must be pursued!
The author's favorite four-letter word starts with "f." Every now and then there is some more successful writing, but just peeks of it. From the start of the book there is no solidifying of the characters and pretty much everything that happens is simply not to be believed. Let's see. You find a note that says "Help me" from waaay back in 1940's with a key to apartment in Berlin; your friend, the former owner of the bar, is shot with poison and dies of heart attack; you head for the airport and fly to Berlin to pursue this because you are what? Crazy? A crazy journalist? Of course you crack all kinds of codes and try to save the world from a hidden bomb?
I recommend Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther series as a more satisfying reading experience.
May 16, 2019
Excellent first novel. Moves along quickly, even though lots of detail.
May 11, 2019
Very interesting. I enjoyed reading this book so much. Interesting plot. I could barely put it down. Loved the characters. Hope to read more of TR Kenneth.
August 10, 2019
Excellent thriller all the way to the final chapter.
March 8, 2025
2.5 but mostly because it just wasn't my jam.
May 24, 2019
I don't usually write book reviews but after reading this I knew I had to give my compliments to the author. I was blessed to have picked up a copy of A Room Full of Night from a friend. From start to finish. the storyline was absolutely riveting! I've always been a huge fan of thrillers and this one definitely did not let me down.
April 15, 2019
The book opens with a scene where Stag Maguire, a burnt-out journalist with PTSD, is going to his friend’s bar to meet him. His friends family had owned this bar for a couple of generations, and now it is going out of business. The friend, Harry, has not only lost his business but also his wife, so he is not doing well. Before they leave the bar one last time, Harry decides that he wants to take a portrait off the wall as a memento, as it has been there his whole life. When they go to remove it, a piece of parachute silk like a World War II pilot would carry falls out. There's writing on it in German. Stag knows some German, and it appears to be an address and the words *help me*, among others.
Both Stag and Harry now have questions about what the silk means and the portrait. The family has always just called the portrait *Our Reini*. After doing a little restoration of the portrait—during which time a key is found in the portrait—Stag realizes that it's a representation of Reinhold Heydrich, chief of the Gestapo and the SD, which was the Nazi security/intelligence agency. As they start to investigate, they soon find themselves wrapped up an intrigue that finds Harry murdered by an assassin. Stag knows he's in danger, but he's a man with nothing to lose, so he decides to get to the bottom of this mystery that killed his friend. This takes him to the address in Germany that was on the silk, and the game is afoot.
This book is rich in detail about both the present and the past. Clearly, the author has a deep knowledge of Nazism and the Holocaust. The book sucks you in, first reading about two apparent losers who make this strange find. And then it heats up as soon as Harry gets killed. Who would kill over a World War II painting and a bit of parachute silk? Who wanted help? What are the mysteries to be found at apartment 12A? I love how Stag just took off and embraced the dangers of slipping into 12A so he could try to figure out why knowledge of it would make someone kill his friend. He ends up going to various parts of the globe, as he finds out more and more about the vestiges of Nazi Germany that still exist today.
If you enjoy page-turning thrillers that harken back to Nazi times, you might enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Read my other reviews at https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com.
Both Stag and Harry now have questions about what the silk means and the portrait. The family has always just called the portrait *Our Reini*. After doing a little restoration of the portrait—during which time a key is found in the portrait—Stag realizes that it's a representation of Reinhold Heydrich, chief of the Gestapo and the SD, which was the Nazi security/intelligence agency. As they start to investigate, they soon find themselves wrapped up an intrigue that finds Harry murdered by an assassin. Stag knows he's in danger, but he's a man with nothing to lose, so he decides to get to the bottom of this mystery that killed his friend. This takes him to the address in Germany that was on the silk, and the game is afoot.
This book is rich in detail about both the present and the past. Clearly, the author has a deep knowledge of Nazism and the Holocaust. The book sucks you in, first reading about two apparent losers who make this strange find. And then it heats up as soon as Harry gets killed. Who would kill over a World War II painting and a bit of parachute silk? Who wanted help? What are the mysteries to be found at apartment 12A? I love how Stag just took off and embraced the dangers of slipping into 12A so he could try to figure out why knowledge of it would make someone kill his friend. He ends up going to various parts of the globe, as he finds out more and more about the vestiges of Nazi Germany that still exist today.
If you enjoy page-turning thrillers that harken back to Nazi times, you might enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Read my other reviews at https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com.
April 9, 2019
3.5 stars
This was entertaining. A basic spy thriller but the main character isn't a spy and the World Ending Danger (my term) is nothing new. It did take a bit to get into, the beginning is so slow but it's fast paced enough once you get in about 80-90 pages in that it gets entertaining. If you want a cheesy spy thriller that doesn't try too hard but has some good history explanations in it then this book is for you.
This was entertaining. A basic spy thriller but the main character isn't a spy and the World Ending Danger (my term) is nothing new. It did take a bit to get into, the beginning is so slow but it's fast paced enough once you get in about 80-90 pages in that it gets entertaining. If you want a cheesy spy thriller that doesn't try too hard but has some good history explanations in it then this book is for you.
April 10, 2019
WOW! I loved “A Room Full of Night”. You won’t be disappointed!
WOW! I loved this novel! I couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t wait to see what happened, but I didn’t want it to either!!
The twists and turns had me hanging on every word trying to figure out what could possibly be next.
I admit my knowledge of this era is limited. I couldn’t tell the difference between truth and fiction!
And I loved it that way!
WOW! I loved this novel! I couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t wait to see what happened, but I didn’t want it to either!!
The twists and turns had me hanging on every word trying to figure out what could possibly be next.
I admit my knowledge of this era is limited. I couldn’t tell the difference between truth and fiction!
And I loved it that way!
July 16, 2020
*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.*
3 stars.
A thriller based on one of the main characters orchestrating concentration camps and other ideas in the SS to achieve The third Reich.
I was initially invested in the story. However, the narrator was flat from beginning to end and, after the first part, did not vary their tone much, which meant prosody did not catch your attention.
Regarding the story, I found it interesting, but too long. 61 chapters and 9 hours in what could have been, for my taste, about 40. Many of the events taking place did not make much sense to me, such as cocaine being introduced into the story or not much happening at the end with the story the main character was supposed to have brought into light.
I think finding Himmler's portrait, which was supposed to have belonged to a family for several generations and a brief message hidden in it was forced just to justify the investigation to come.
To conclude, even though I enjoyed the general idea and some connections made along the story, I believe there are many aspects to be improved.
3 stars.
A thriller based on one of the main characters orchestrating concentration camps and other ideas in the SS to achieve The third Reich.
I was initially invested in the story. However, the narrator was flat from beginning to end and, after the first part, did not vary their tone much, which meant prosody did not catch your attention.
Regarding the story, I found it interesting, but too long. 61 chapters and 9 hours in what could have been, for my taste, about 40. Many of the events taking place did not make much sense to me, such as cocaine being introduced into the story or not much happening at the end with the story the main character was supposed to have brought into light.
I think finding Himmler's portrait, which was supposed to have belonged to a family for several generations and a brief message hidden in it was forced just to justify the investigation to come.
To conclude, even though I enjoyed the general idea and some connections made along the story, I believe there are many aspects to be improved.
April 11, 2020
This is a very intriguing audiobook. Weaves fact and fiction together into one blended roller coaster ride of a story. I can honestly say that this could be turned into a great movie one day. The characters of this book are definitely flawed but you never know who you should and should not be rooting for. Once all the plot lines come together the ending is very very satisfying. The author does a great job of moving back-and-forth through time from the 1940s to present day. They do this through letters and journal entries. This was my first audiobook by this narrator and he did a great job. His pacing and timing adds tension to those Key moments throughout the book. He offers us many different accents and does male as well as female voices very nicely. I really enjoyed this book. I received a free copy of this audiobook from audiobook boom in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of this book.
June 18, 2020
Ok.... Lots of language
I was pretty intrigued by the summary but ultimately the story fell flat for me. There was a lot of bad language, for me this always comes off lazy which proved to be correct further into the story. I found the history side really interesting and some of the best parts of the story but then dialogue didn't always feel very natural and the overly coincidental or lucky moments just felt like too much. Then it got very political by bringing Donald Trump in as a bad guy... it was just overly obvious. This is geared for adults primarily due to language and writing style. The narrator did a decent job although at times went a bit monotone and some of his accents were a bit off.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I was pretty intrigued by the summary but ultimately the story fell flat for me. There was a lot of bad language, for me this always comes off lazy which proved to be correct further into the story. I found the history side really interesting and some of the best parts of the story but then dialogue didn't always feel very natural and the overly coincidental or lucky moments just felt like too much. Then it got very political by bringing Donald Trump in as a bad guy... it was just overly obvious. This is geared for adults primarily due to language and writing style. The narrator did a decent job although at times went a bit monotone and some of his accents were a bit off.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
April 26, 2020
Harry and Stag find some confusing items as Harry walks away from his family's bar before the foreclosure sale. What transpires after their discovery shakes the pair out of their respective doldrums.
The plot is well thought out. The layers of complications encountered by the characters is staggering. To my reading, there were no loose ends at the conclusion.
The author takes the main character's weaknesses and shapes a person that you want to cheer throughout his adventures. I excuse the fact that he seems to accomplish more than his abilities would allow. As his past is slowly revealed, the reader respects his intelligence and savvy; and believes he is capable of extraordinary things.
Definitely put this author on your Want to Read list!
The plot is well thought out. The layers of complications encountered by the characters is staggering. To my reading, there were no loose ends at the conclusion.
The author takes the main character's weaknesses and shapes a person that you want to cheer throughout his adventures. I excuse the fact that he seems to accomplish more than his abilities would allow. As his past is slowly revealed, the reader respects his intelligence and savvy; and believes he is capable of extraordinary things.
Definitely put this author on your Want to Read list!
May 22, 2019
I wasn't sure what to expect when I won this book in the goodreads giveaway. It sounded really interesting and it was. It held my attention and anytime I had to put it down I couldn't wait to get back to the story. THe plot is super interesting of a couple of everyday joes finding a secret message behind a portrait. What happens from then on is a roller coaster thrill ride taking the reader to Berlin in search of Nazi secrets. There is a lot of detail past and present that makes this book so enjoyable. I loved Isobel's diary entries and got lost in wondering what her letters were referring too. It is definitely one to pick up and get lost in.
May 16, 2019
Very good historical novel plot and main character needs polishing
Great premise and supremely evil figure to build a plot around. The main character Stag seems to go from Wisconsin lush to Jason Bourne in an instant. Some of the lesser characters are card board cut outs. Great premise and what if.
Great premise and supremely evil figure to build a plot around. The main character Stag seems to go from Wisconsin lush to Jason Bourne in an instant. Some of the lesser characters are card board cut outs. Great premise and what if.
May 16, 2019
This book really wasn't my cup of tea. I'm generally very enthusiastic about anything historical or in reference to the Holocaust but this story really left me feeling, well, a little bored. One night I even fell asleep only three pages from the end. Not a very grabbing ending I'd say.
September 17, 2025
The goodreads book summary is quite detailed and gives a good picture of what this book is about. Although I am kind of over reading books about WWII, this one takes a completely unique angle. It was very readable and very engaging.
May 10, 2019
3.5 rounded up to four stars. Characterization wasn't great but if you like something plot-driven and don't care that characters are introduced just so they can be killed, it's not bad.
May 30, 2019
Fast paced intrigue
Loved the hero in this book, flawed and human and extremely clever. The writing was superb and the story fascinating. Highly recommend.
Loved the hero in this book, flawed and human and extremely clever. The writing was superb and the story fascinating. Highly recommend.
July 3, 2019
A man in Wisconsin finds a mysterious cloth in a picture that leads him to Berlin and mysteries left behind by Hitler and his cruel associates.
November 9, 2020
This was pretty good.
November 18, 2025
Attempts to be a strong historical nonfiction? Didn’t feel very strong.
November 11, 2019
Love the premise of this book. Spy vs. detective vs. history vs. thriller. Can't decide which one it's going to be. But it is very well done with strong characters, plot twists and a history of World War II that not everyone knows. Very well done. Some of the "thriller" scenes were a little overdone, but the plot stands up even if it is somewhat predictable. Nice job.
July 3, 2021
Ok, I put off writing this review for way too long so details are hazy. I definitely remember that there's a guy that owns a bar which he's in danger of losing due to financial reasons. In this bar there's a painting of a man and he's never really been sure why it was there or who it was but when he discovers the identity of the man, his life will never be the same. The search for more information will lead him to a locked, secret room in Berlin where nothing has changed since WWII and the discovery of an evil plan that just might still be carried out.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews