Reviews for Trader Wooly and the Ghost in the Colonel's Jeep

The average rating for Trader Wooly and the Ghost in the Colonel's Jeep based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2019-04-15 00:00:00 Michael Malecka There are three detectives that I've grown fond of: Donna Leon's Guido Brunetti is the most well adjusted of the three. He's a family man, loves his wife and kids, tries to make it home for dinner, treats people well, and solves the horrendous cases he's given. Dotore Brunetti is Italian. Arkady Renko, Martin Cruz Smith's creation, is at the other end of the spectrum. Reviled by his comrades, unsuccessful at most relationships, constantly battling the system, he barely survives from case to case - physically or spiritually - but, he does make it through. Renko, Russian through and through, has grit to spare. Now, even deeper in the murky pools of detective fiction is Herr Nikolai Hoffner, brought to life by author Jonathan Rabb, and inhabiting the ultra-noir city of Berlin at the end of the Weimar Republic and the ascendance of National Socialism. Herr Hoffner comes to life in "Rosa," a convoluted tale of serial murder, and then reappears in "Shadow and Light." Hoffner is a mess. I can't tell you all the reasons why because I'd have to reveal much too much. Trust me, he's a mess. His marriage is wrecked, his kids hate him, he drinks and smokes way too much, he consorts with criminals - it looks like the bottom is on its way up to meet him. He's a hell of a lot of fun to follow around. "Light and Shadow: A Novel," is a step above "Rosa," in milieu, plotting, and atmosphere. We learn a bit about the German film industry, the invention of sound for cinema, and the continuing rise of the Nazi Party, all while investigating a murder clumsily staged as a suicide. We also get to meet a number of famous people. The Hoffner novels have been called alternative history, and they are that. Mr. Rabb is very clever with the "what if" portions of both books, more importantly he immerses us in a world that is vivid, exciting, and plausible. One small criticism: I read an advanced copy of the book, so I'm hoping that before it gets to press some eagle-eyed editor removes some clumsy, and contemporary Americanisms from the dialogue. I just don't think Berliners started sentences with that oddly inflected "Hello..." that's become so popular; or said things like, "I'm trying to help you here..." Four Bright Stars, and can't wait `til the next one.

Review # 2 was written on 2020-02-26 00:00:00 Cuyler Nez This is the second adventure - after the excellent Rosa - of Berlin police detective Nikolai Hoffner. It is now 1927 and our hero is called in to investigate the apparent suicide of a movie executive at the renowned Ufa studios and needless to say, Herr Hoffner smells a rat. Before it's all said and done, Nikolai - and the reader - get a glimpse inside the burgeoning movie industry - particularly the evolution from silent movies to "talkies" - the Berlin underworld - and it's seamy - and the Nazi Party - including Joseph Goebbels. Our hero also falls in love and reconnects with his two sons - both now young men. The unfolding mystery is Chandler-esque in its complexity and geopolitical in its ramifications. Herr Hoffner is described elsewhere as an anti-hero - which I think is too strong a label. Suffice it to say he is no knight in shining armor - jaded, cynical, pessimistic and haunted, and well aware of his faults/shortcomings. In short a fascinating protagonist. This is an excellent historical novel/mystery with a great feel for time and place - Weimar Germany - a cast of well-developed characters including Hoffner's love interest, his sons and a crime boss Nikolai teams up with to name just a few - as well as Fritz Lang, his wife and a young Peter Lorre. Not a quick read, but an engaging one nonetheless, noir at its best. Highly recommended.