Title: The Constant Man by Peter Steiner
Willi Geismeier Series Book Two
Publisher: Severn House
Genre: Historical, Mystery
Length: 221 pages
Book Rating: B
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
Former Munich police detective Willi Geismeier is drawn out of hiding to find a deranged serial killer.
Former Munch detective Willi Geismeier is a wanted man. He sacrificed his career and put his life on the line by exposing a high-ranking Nazi official as a murderer, and is now in hiding in a cabin deep in the Bavarian forest.
But when his friend, Lola, is savagely attacked, Willi returns to Munich in disguise and under a new identity – Karl Juncker – determined to find the perpetrator. Meanwhile, the discovery of the body of a woman in the River Isar leads Willi’s old colleague and friend, Detective Hans Bergemann, to uncover similar disturbing murders stretching back years. A serial killer who preys on young women is running loose on Munich’s streets. Could they be responsible for the attack on Lola, and can Willi catch a deranged murderer before the Gestapo catches him?
Review:
The Constant Man by Peter Steiner is a historical mystery that takes place in Nazi Germany. Although this latest release is the second installment in the Willi Geismeier series, it be read as a standalone.
Willi Geismeier is no longer a detective and he is in hiding from the SS, Gestapo and his former colleagues. But when he hears his childhood friend Lola Zeff has been attacked, he is willing to risk everything to find the person who harmed her. With the assistance of his friend and former partner, Detective Hans Bergemann, Willi returns to Munich under an assumed name. Although he tries to remain under the radar, Willi cannot stop himself from investigating the murders of several young women who appear to have killed by the same person.
Willi manages to live a mainly low-key life while he and Lola become reacquainted. He also befriends a neighbor who keeps him apprised of the goings on around his apartment. Willi finds a new occupation to keep him busy until new evidence provides him with a viable lead in finding the killer. But his past collides with his present before the murderer is brought to justice.
Factual information about Nazi Germany is incorporated with Willi’s hunt for the killer. The Gestapo and Stormtroopers are taking action against Jews and perceived political enemies. Hitler is working towards finalizing his invasion plans of nearby countries. He is also building up the German army to an incredible number of soldiers which break the Treaty of Versailles.
The Constant Man is an intriguing mystery with an interesting cast of characters. Despite a bit of a slow start, the story quickly picks up speed. The investigation into the serial killings is sometimes eclipsed by the historical information about Nazi Germany. However, these details are quite fascinating especially in context with real world events today. With a stunning twist and a daring escape, Peter Steiner brings this clever historical mystery to a very satisfying conclusion.
