The Pale House

Gregor Reinhardt, Book 2

By: Luke McCallin

Narrated by: John Lee

German intelligence officer Captain Gregor Reinhardt has just been reassigned to the Feldjaegerkorps - a new branch of the military police with far-reaching powers. His position separates him from the friends and allies he has made in the last two years. And he needs them now more than ever. While retreating through Yugoslavia with the rest of the army, Reinhardt witnesses a massacre of civilians by the dreaded Ustaše - only to discover that there is more to the incident than anyone believes. When five mutilated bodies turn up, Reinhardt knows that the stakes are growing more important - and more dangerous. As his investigation begins to draw the attention of those in power, Reinhardt's friends and associates are made to suffer. But as he desperately tries to uncover the truth, his own past with the Ustaše threatens his efforts. Because when it comes to death and betrayal, some people have long memories. And they remember Reinhardt all too well.

©2014 Luke McCallin (P)2014 Tantor

In the footsteps of Alan Furst & Philip Kerr

If you could sum up The Pale House in three words, what would they be?

Luke McCallin's second Reinhardt book is better than the first, The Man from Berlin. I'm a big fan of Alan Furst's and Philip Kerr's writing, McCallin is more Kerr than Furst. The narrator works pretty well for the material.

Have you listened to any of John Lee’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

A new star among historical novelists?

Mr Luke McCallin has given a new life to the Nazi historical novel genre (predictable and badly ageing). The Pale House will hook you with its in-your-face realism and challenging intrigue. Unsettling dark details are often but unceremoniously flashed throughout the narrative until the reader becomes used to it, giving the story a haunting "noir" atmosphere. Gregor Reinhardt follows confusing leads into a murder investigation as the camera follows him through what quickly evolves into a living, monstrous character in istelf : Sarajevo, 1945.

Contrary to what I've read elsewhere, I do not think it is necessary to read The Man from Berlin before this sequel. The writing is much more confident, the mood more cristallized and the understanding much more deeper than before. This painting of Sarajevo in 1945 is a beautiful work of art for people with an appreciative sense of the unique and the genial.

I must admit I was deeply impressed with The Pale House. 4 stars well deserved (5 stars are reserved for Classics on my own personal scale!).

I must give five stars to Mr. John Lee, who somehow managed to narrate The Pale House with the distinctively German feel and Prussian formality this English-language text commands. What a tour-de-force!

fizzled out, so not a keeper

this started out woonderfully well, and the narration was brilliant. but it wore itself out as it went on. too bad had promise

John Lee great. story not equal to #1

John Lee great as usual . Story line not equal to # 1
Absent epilogue, the specific criminal activity exposed is obscrue, to even, a discriminating listener.

Excellent picture of the Balkans during Nazi occup

Explains a lot of what we saw when the fuse hit the powder keg in the 90's in Sarajevo. Excellent human portraits.