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A Man Without Breath

fast-paced historical thriller from a global bestselling author

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A Man Without Breath

By: Philip Kerr
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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About this listen

 'One of the greatest anti-heroes ever written' LEE CHILD

Berlin, March 1943. The mood in Germany is bleak after their stunning defeat at Stalingrad. Private Investigator Bernie Gunther is at work in the German War Crimes Bureau - weary, cynical but well aware of the value of truth in a world where that's now a rarity.

When human remains are found deep in the Katyn Forest, Bernie is sent to investigate. Rumour has it that this mass grave is full of Polish officers murdered by the Russians. For Josef Goebbels, proof of Russian involvement is sure to destroy the Western Alliance, giving Germany a chance to reverse its devastating losses. But supposing the truth is far more damaging to the German cause?

It's Bernie Gunther's job to give Goebbels what he needs. But when there's nothing left for Gunther to lose, the compulsion to speak the truth becomes ever stronger...

(P) 2022 Quercus Editions Ltd©2013 Thynker Ltd Crime Fiction Historical International Mystery & Crime Mystery Thriller & Suspense Fiction Russia Suspense

Critic reviews

One of the greatest anti-heroes ever written
Richly layered . . . reliably remarkable on every level
A compelling, elegantly constructed thriller
Kerr leads us through the facts of history and the vagaries of human nature
Bitterly, darkly funny
Humour seems like an affirmation of the human spirit in a world in which inhumanity holds sway, and makes Kerr's brilliant novels all the more affecting
One of the greatest master story-tellers in English
The real pleasure in these books is in Kerr's total mastery of the world he's created
[Kerr's] Raymond Chandleresque mysteries about a cynical Berlin cop reluctantly working for the Nazis are his masterpiece
Kerr's novels are modern classics
A detailed and nuanced portrait of Nazi Germany
Kerr is at the top of his game with his Hitler-era Berlin detective, Bernie Gunther
The good detective trying to do his best within a corrupt regime [. . .] but it can safely be said that few writers have tackled the theme with the rigour of Philip Kerr
One of the most memorable and original characters
All stars
Most relevant
no complaints , i had to listen to the story once more ,simply to compare the narrators . keeble is an excellent voice . but my own favourite jeff harding lends a certain seediness & undercurrent that gives the whole performance a certain laconic realisism to the volume . with either man the story is still strong enjoyable & memorable

jeff harding

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Covers the notorious Katyn Forest massacre. Superb narration throughout and gripping story. I’ve read or listened to all the Philip Kerr Gunther books, and this is probably the best one.

May just be the best Gunther

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Jonathan Keeble is a once again a tour de force in his narration of Beenie Gunther.
very much enjoying the series which constantly entertains

still loving the series

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Bernie Gunther has become one of my favourite characters. So many qualities that fly in the face of the regime he reluctantly serves. Great stuff.

Terrific books.

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Another master piece of story telling. Weaving through real historical events. Can't wait for the next entailment.

Superb from start to finish

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