The Good German

Description

Jake Geismar cut his teeth as a foreign correspondent in pre-war Berlin. When he returns in 1945 to cover the Potsdam conference he finds the city unrecognisable - streets have vanished beneath the rubble, familiar landmarks truncated by high explosive. But amongst the ruins Berliners survive, including some he knew and, miraculously, his lost love, Lena. However, in the same way she refused to leave with him before the war, Lena won't join him now without finding her husband and Emil has disappeared from the safe care of the Americans who, turning a blind eye to his links with Hitler, want his expertise as a rocket designer for themselves. Trawling through the shambles of the city, through the illegal night clubs and the thriving black market, Jake discovers that the twilight war of intrigue between west and east has already begun and that he could quite easily be one of its first casualties. This superb novel from the author of Leaving Berlin is now rightly considered a modern classic.

Promotion info

* Consumer competition to win 5 trips to Berlin (Flights plus 3 nights accommodation) * National press broadsheet campaign including advertising in the Scottish and Irish press * Review coverage anticipated across the national press * Extensive reading copy mailing * Submitted for trade promotions

Reviews

'Magnificent' Minette Walters 'Kanon writes for grown-ups, not for day-dreamers. That's why he is so good.' Allan Massie, The Scotsman 'That rare thing - a thriller to stimulate heart and mind.' Mail 'A phenomenal third novel ... a fantastic read.'

Author description

Joe Kanon was a publisher for many years, but turned poacher by becoming a novelist with his first, bestselling thriller LOS ALAMOS, which was awarded the Edgar for the best first novel of 1997.