A follow up book to “Blood Sacrifice”which I have also read. This one carries on with the story of Jan Kalisz, Warsaw detective and secret member of the resistance.
In this novel, Kalisz is investigating the murder of a SS black marketeer who has several identities, one of them leading Kalisz into the Warsaw Ghetto where he is able to help his friend Isaac with more arms for the Jewish resistance.
As if the ghetto dwellers don’t have enough to worry about there is a serial killer stalking young orphans and Kalisz is asked to find him by one of the resistance fighters.
The author describes the atmosphere of wartime Warsaw very well, the fear and violence is very pronounced and makes for a thrilling and edge of your seat read.
The irony of investigating murders in a society dedicated to murder of innocents is not lost on the reader.
The book is cleverly plotted and compelling to read leaving me wanting more which is always a good sign. Definitely a five star read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

This series just keeps getting better.

"Blood Sacrifice", the second book in the Warsaw Quartet, opens in early 1943, some three years after the events of "Blood Roses". Life for Jan Kalisz, Kripo investigator and secret Resistance agent hasn't got any easier, as the Nazi occupation of Poland continues. His double life, and his unwillingness to share his secret with his family or colleagues, is causing ill-feeling. When the body of a Gestapo officer is found, apparently the victim of a suicide, Kalisz is assigned the case, which suddenly becomes much more complex, when he discovers the man had three identities.

And so Kalisz and his partner are thrust into a situation where they are surrounded by enemies. And his work becomes even more complicated when children start disappearing, and the hunt for the culprit draws them deeper into the Warsaw ghetto, where a mysterious figure known as the Golem stalks the streets.

In fact much of the story centres on the Ghetto area of Warsaw - where Jews were kept in atrocious conditions, and regularly subject to purges and mass killings. As in his previous book, the author paints a dark, stark and fearful picture of the area, including details of how people survived and the resistance managed to make their stand. Kalisz promises to supply them with weapons, but is hindered by his ability to procure them and get them past the German guards. There are some chilling scenes when Kalisz confronts the Nazi occupiers, or more often, is forced to stand by and witness the atrocities, unable to help. He is forced to work with Gestapo, with gangsters, and the resistance, all the time watching his back, unable to fully trust anyone.

Like the previous book, this is a combination thriller and police-procedural story, which moves along at a brisk pace, and features some exceptional set scenes between Kalisz and others. Oh, and the ending? Let's just say, book three can't come quick enough for me.

This book will appeal to fans of the previous story, and those of Chris Lloyd, Simon Scarrow and Luke McCallin. Heartily recommended.

this was a strong sequel in the Warsaw Quartet series, it uses the thriller elements that I was looking for and enjoyed from the concept. The overall feel worked with the setting and I was never bored when reading this. The characters had that concept that I was looking for and had a element that worked for the story. Douglas Jackson has a strong writing style and can't wait for more.

This was so suspenseful! The intense tension has been gripping me from the beginning, only increasing toward the conclusion of the novel! Brilliant characterization making the criminal investigation, the horrific setting of the ghetto very real and vivid. This novel is not only a police procedure: it is intimately embedded in the history of Warsaw and its ghetto. Some facts about the inside organisation were extremely interesting.... A great read!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

Amazing follow up to the first in this quartet. If you havent read the first it might be a good idea so you under the main characters.
Very well written and although fiction it does give a feel for how bad the war was in Poland.
I cant wait for the third instalment.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review

Wow this book was intense! Not only do the Jewish people in the ghetto have to deal with the Nazis they are also facing the prospect that there is a serial killer/cannibal roaming the ghetto. This is a very dark time in history and it’s described and written very well. I enjoy WWII thrillers and this didn’t disappoint. It really had me gripped and I found it hard to put down. This is the first Douglas Jackson book I have read and it won’t be the last. Very much looking forward to exploring more from this author. Highly recommend it’s a great read for the historical thriller fans.