Not just a crime story, this unveils the nasty underbelly of Nazi high society in 1935 in Munich. The aristocratic English youth came and revelled in the rarified Aryan pleasure driven culture, ignoring the racism, bigotry and violence that were underneath it all. Even the death of one of their own is covered up by orders of the Nazi elite. Inspector Wolff is not a Nazi, but as a highly respected detective determined to find the real truth, he finds obstacles and resistance to his mission at all levels. Full of suspense, you can feel the tension that must have been daily life at the time, well written characters and a satisfying conclusion made for a great read.

As usual in my reviews, I will not simply rehash the publisher's blurb...instead I recommend that you read this for yourself!

I've read several books (the "Tom Wilde" novels) by Rory Clements, and have enjoyed them all, so I was delighted to be invited to read his latest book.

This novel is set in 1930s Germany, and features a new main character - Sebastian Wolff. He's an interesting character - unconventional in some ways (which leads him into trouble almost straight away!), but having to toe the line in others in order to stay on the right side of the Nazi regime.

There is a good cast of supporting characters - Wolff's uncle, aka "The Pig" is an interesting cove to say the least! Hans Winter - a sidekick forced on Wolff by his superiors - is an unpleasant creature who reports back on Wolff's activities. A real-life character - the renowned socialite Miss Unity Mitford - also appears in the novel, and lives up to her reputation.

The plot was well thought out, with a few red herrings to throw us off the scent. The novel includes aspects of occultism, and the real-life Thule Society (members included Rudolf Hess) plays a part in the action.

Really enjoyed reading this, and look forward to more in what I hope will be a series.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

A gripping standalone novel perhaps unlike anything fans of this author would expect but demonstrating a grasp of historical events and how to weave a story between the established

Stepping outside the novel it tells of a changing Germany under the increasing influence and state control of the Nazi party and the personality of Adolf Hitler. A time when the older generation seem left behind due to their association with defeat and economic failure. While the younger generation are joining youth movements and adore the cult of Hitler and his government.

Inside the novel we find how these factors affect a patriotic German and his family and the consequences of not appearing to be a party member. At a time where opposition is quashed by disappearance and failed justice. Where the criminal police are subservient to the Gestapo and the SS holds sway over the political landscape as enforcers and role models.

The detective here is Sebastian Wolff a decent man, a war hero but haunted by his time on the Western Front. Recognised as the best and most competent murder squad leader and investigator only to be saddled with a suspicious death of a foreign student with political overtones. A no win scenario, as the higher authorities want a speedy resolution and a suitable scapegoat for the crime.

I found the whole story compelling and engrossing. Demanding of my attention and draining emotionally as I placed myself within the novel and wondered how I would behave when divergence from the party line or criticism of the Nazi hierarchy could lead to denouncement and a one way ticket to a concentration camp.

Wolff is favoured by a rich relative and has the advantage of his police badge but he leads a charmed life during his investigation when others favour a rush to judgement and execution of a suspect who happens to be a Jew.

In the shadow of the Holocaust this is a difficult read sometimes. But equally sinister and at the heart of the story are traditional Germanic values, some ancient values touching on mysticism under the banner of the Thule society.

Intriguing with heart stopping moments. The contrast between the extremes of National Socialism against more liberal thinking nationals from America and England makes for a unique time in history. Seen among the foreign students, the girls use of lipstick and have emotional desires beyond the good looking SS boys. The locations are another bonus and with political significance; Munich was at this time a special place, elements of which drive the story.

This novel will surely cement the author as a master historical story teller, able to carry suspense and threat throughout his writing. Totally riveting page turner which shows the dangers of totalitarian regimes and a state-led personality cult. I breathed a sigh of relief at the end that I live in a democracy.

Yet another excellent story from Rory Clements. Set in pre war Munich with Hitler in power the author paints a picture of life under the rule of the Nazi party. A young English aristocratic girl is murdered and the case needs to be solved quickly. Seb a murder detective is assigned to the case along with a police sergeant from the political police. A suspect is given to them by Unity Mitford the English friend of Hitler and is subsequently tried and executed but Seb remains unconvinced and continues to investigate putting himself in danger.
The atmosphere and politics are well portrayed and the story moves along at a good pace. Aver good historical murder mystery from a first class author.

Munich Wolf by Rory Clements

Munich in 1935 is a magnet to young British aristocrats. It is also the heartland of fascism. To some, especially Unity Mitford, who is always to be seen at Herr Hitler’s side, this presents no conflict, but, to others, these are dangerous times and Germany is no longer the welcoming country it once was. Likewise, the local elite grow increasingly unhappy with the loose morals of their glamorous visitors. When a young British woman is murdered, Hitler himself takes a close interest. He doesn’t want to alienate Britain. Not yet. And so the investigation must be seen to be above board. Detective Sebastian Wolff is called in to lead the case. But Wolff is no friend to Nazism and so first he must be warned – a night in Dachau will do the trick.

I am such a fan of Rory Clements thrillers, both those set in Tudor England and, in recent years, the Tom Wilde spy series covering the 1930s and 1940s. That series seems to have reached a natural end with World War II over and it was good to see a new novel, a standalone, which goes back to a time and place I’m especially interested in, Germany in the mid 1930s. Instead of American Tom Wilde we have German Sebastian Wolff but there are similarities between the two, not least that both are outsiders in their homeland and have a mighty enemy to oppose. Munich Wolf is also just as clever and exciting as anything that’s gone before.

I loved the picture of Munich society that the author unveils, with its underlying tension of aggression and terror, if you don’t fit. Parts of this novel are genuinely terrifying and harrowing, as the blinkers are pulled down over the eyes of Munich’s elite. Usually, by themselves. Wolff has seen the horror at first hand. He also has a son, a young Nazi, who hates him and an assistant who couldn’t be more Nazi if he tried and is a dangerous imbecile to cross. But these relationships develop through the novel as Wolff must seek a serial killer, from whom nobody is safe.

I thoroughly enjoyed Munich Wolf. Rory Clements is one of my favourite authors, a writer whose books I read as soon as I can. This is a particularly strong period for him and I can’t help but hope there is more to come from these dark and fascinating years.

A dark and twisted detective story set in the origins of hitlers Munich. I would love to read more of this story

Clements is an established and successful writer who, in this book, piles on the atmosphere in bucket loads....the setting is Germany between the wars and you are thrown into a world where literally anything Hitler and his cohorts say is true....even if it isn't...including murder!! The tale moves apace, introduces solid characters which all elicit definite feelings of empathy/hatred in the reader. Just requires no effort to read books such as this...master storytelling!

7.5/10

I enjoyed Rory Clements other series with protagonist Tom Wilde set in the WW2 era Cambridge, so when I saw a new book in a similar time period but set in Nazi Germany I couldn't resist giving it a try.

Seb Wolff is the protagonist for this outing, I'm assuming soon to be series, as the lead investigator into a murder mystery surrounded by Nazi's, foreign politics, and the occasional trips to Dachau concentration camp. Clements paints a good picture of the period and Seb Wolff not being so keen on his leaders of the country even though his son is a staunch advocate and a member of the Hitler Youth.

Clements weaves the story of the murder mystery with the political intricacies well with plenty going on and not knowing who or what is to blame for the spate of murders. I liked the development of the characters over the story but the main win for me was the atmosphere. I would definitely be looking at more from the author, whether it be this series or Tom Wilde's.

Well written and kept me gripped throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed this story which mixes history with crime, set in Germany between the two world wars. The main character is interesting and enigmatic - a German police detective who you find yourself rooting for throughout the story. Would definitely recommend!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for this ARC.

It's a gripping, dark and twisty book that mixes history and thriller featuring a solid and complex MC.
An excellent novel featuring a strong and frightening background.
Well done, well written.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I really liked our main character Wolff from the outset, he has a determination to discover the truth and really wants to make sure that he uncovers it despite the political issues that may come from it.

The book is set in Munich and during the time of Hitlers reign and is interesting to see that some of our characters are not fully behind him whilst others are hardcore supporters / followers.

I liked the writing style of this book and think the author had the balance between the historical part and then the crime part just right.

A young Englishwoman has been killed in a brutal and ritualistic way and Munich policeman Wolf has been put in charge of the case. He is shocked to find that his partner will be the SS Officer who only recently placed him in Dachau on trumped up charges. With the SS looking to discredit him, Wolf's family connections are the only thing keeping him on the streets. However when a man is wrongly convicted and executed for the crime, Wolf realises that to find the truth he will have to confront those at the heart of the Nazi Party.
I do really like Clements' writing as he manages to interweave great historical and political knowledge with a cracking plot and this is no exception. Staying with the theme of the rise of the Third Reich, he switches to Munich during the mid-1930s to create what is essentially a police procedural but one with a wonderfully evocative and troubling setting. This is a master thriller writer at the top of his game.

This is a fast moving story based in Germany between the two wars. Hitler and his cronies are already beginning to influence the lives of the German people. The mystic arts were also being practised, leading to the death of several young English women. A very compelling story with a great German police detective..

A most interesting story of the rise of Nazi Germany after WW1 as admired by many in England. Supported by the German establishment and the brain washed young so that any outright or supposed opposition is ruthlessly eliminated. An honest DI has to solve a murder with political implications where a wrong move could cause his demise. When he persists in his investigations even when a convenient scapegoat to the regime is arrested and executed and how he survives provides an insight to how Nazi Germany was established.

Haven’t enjoyed some of Rory Clements more recent WW2 novels but thoroughly enjoyed this, set in 1930s Munich.

Inspector Wolff is not a member of the Party and so has his sceptics. However when a young English woman is found murdered it falls to him to investigate what had happened to her.

Hugely enjoyable thriller.

When Detective Sebastian Wolff is told to investigate the murder of a young British girl, he quickly discovers that the truth is less important that finding a solution. With the Fuhrer taking a personal interest, and Nazi antisemitism rising rapidly, he’s forced to make an arrest, even though he knows the man is innocent. Can Wolff prove who the real killers are?

Having enjoyed Rory Clements’ Tom Wilde series of Second World War novels, I was intrigued to see whether Munich Wolf would be as good. I quickly discovered that yes, it was. The description of how Germany gradually falls under the spell of Nazism, and the behaviour towards Jewish people is uncomfortable to read, knowing what is to come in the following years, but it is written in such a way that it’s compelling. Wolff’s relationship with the secret police officer Sergeant Hans Winter is delightful as the pair gradually mellow into working together.

A dark tale, well written and entertaining from the start. Definitely worth reading.

Wow! This was a complete rollercoaster of a read from start to finish!
Our main character, Sebastian Wolfe is a detective with the Munich police, but the world is changing as the Nazis are showing their strength and poking their noses into anything that might affect how they are viewed by the world. This makes investigating crimes v difficult - especially when the biggest criminals are the Nazis lThe authors knowledge and depth of research carried out by its author referencing some of the key beliefs of the Nazis re racial purity, the Gods, runes and early german beliefs making it all the more fascinating.
Seb Wolfe is tasked with tracking down the killer of a young British female visitor to Munich but it soon becomes clear that this is not a simple case........although the authorities are determined to convict a young Jewish man and condemn him to death as soon as possible.
Wolfe is soon led into danger and conflict, coming up against the highest echelons of the Nazi party in his determination to solve this heinous crime and it soon becomes apparent that this crime is bigger than it first appears.
I love Rory Clements books and this one does not disappoint. The plot twists and turns as you follow the trail left by the murderer. I love the historic detail of life in Munich during the late 1930s as the Nazi stranglehold on society tightens its grip.
A highly recommended and thoroughly enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more of Seb Wolfe's exploits!

I love a historical fiction book and this one combined it with a criminal element too. I really enjoyed reading this and I cannot wait to check out more by this author. There was a shock to me almost immediately and drew me in. I loved “Herr Wolff” and his opinions, ways and general manner. Following him through the tumultuous task of solving a murder case seemingly being watched by many was interesting. I am so glad I picked up this book!

📱E-Book Review📱

Munich Wolf
Rory Clements

🌟🌟🌟🌟

In this new stand-alone crime thriller, set in a 1930's Munich, we meet Detective Sebastian Wolff who we see stuck trying to solve a murder whilst trying to avoid getting too close to the Nazi movement.

I've read so many crime thriller series' recently that it was refreshing to read a novel in this genre which was intended as a standalone.

I loved this mix of genres, not one I've read much of before.
Being told from the 'other side' of the Nazi story, I found this really interesting as we saw the complications and conflicts growing between the general police and those linked with the political crimes, SS and Hitler youth.

Seb was a great main character who remained determined to stay true to himself and solve the case as best he could, even with the troubles mounting on all sides - including resistance from his own son - and the futility of trying to serve justice in a time when actions were so skewed!

This was a really great read - albeit dark - with some interesting characters.
Although I loved that this was a standalone, I would not be averse to reading more books with Seb.
I look forward to seeing where this leads.

Set in pre-world war two Nazi Germany this book follows the main character Inspector Wolff who tries to get to the truth of murders whilst trying to stay on the right side of the regime.

I really liked the character of Inspector Wolff and I found myself willing him to be ok and wanting him to win against the regime.

This book is ideal for anyone that enjoys reading about Nazi Germany and likes a good thriller.