The Captain embarks wholeheartedly on the path to discover the motive behind the murder - and the actual murderer - as a way to escape the unhappiness and despair he feels in his own life. He is haunted by his dreams - of his actions performed while doing his duty; torn between being proud to be German and a love of his country, with the utter harshness and brutality of what was expected of him as a soldier. The nightmares he experiences at having killed innocent people as an officer, have created a hollowness within him. This he attempts to dull with alcohol. His regrets and hopelessness persistently push him towards the brink, to end his life.
The case gives the Captain a reason to continue with his life. His memories of his beloved wife who died and how he should have dealt with his own son, Friedrich's hostile behaviour, constantly torment him. Friedrich had began to uphold and admire the beliefs’ and doctrines of Hitler. Reinhardt’s determined focus to uncover the mystery surrounding the killings and solve the case, brings him back from the depths of despair and gives his life purpose.
The Captain discovers during his investigations that there is more to the murders than meets the eye. The case is a complex scenario of military, political, and personal agendas, manipulated by powerful forces. The victims themselves are not as they appear and certainly not as innocent as was first believed. Having met the murdered woman previously, the Captain had a preconceived idea of her heroic character. Yet the revelations he uncovers, illuminates a different side to her - extremely brilliant and treacherous - than anyone imagined.
The Man from Berlin is an enthralling and captivating read and in spite of all the mystery and secret maneuvers, it flows smoothly. It is superbly written and the intrigue created by the case and Captain Reinhardt's pursuit of the truth, encourages the reader to actively participate in the "who done it!" The military detail sets the scene, while the depiction of how the prisoners and people of war-torn Yugoslavia were treated, compels one to feel horrified and saddened at the lack of humanity one is faced with in times of war.The bias against the prisoners, simply on the basis of their faith or heritage, is astounding.
