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Liberated: A Novel of Germany, 1945 by Steve Anderson takes place during the German occupation after World War II. Mr. Anderson was a Fulbright Fellow in Munich, Germany and his research prompted the writing of this book.

Captain Harry Kaspar is posted in a Bavarian town named Heimgau. However, instead of him being in command he finds a Major Membre already there.

Soon Harry discovers that the Major and others are running a ring to fake artwork, and might have committed a horrific murder. Together with Katarina, a German actress, Harry defies the odds and fights back.

I really enjoyed the author’s previous book, and bought this book (and the next) as well. I have noticed his first book, The Losing Role, is well researched and well written.

Liberated by Steve Anderson has a lot going for it. The history is fascinating, the story is intriguing, the author touches on subjects which are not talked about much such as the prejudice towards patriotic German-Americans and more. I enjoyed reading about Captain Kaspar’s inexperience and naïveté, coming into an occupied land still crawling with Nazis, Nazi sympathizers, as well as displaced persons just trying to survive.

The book, however, did not work for me as much as the previous book did. The romance with Katarina seemed force, and Harry’s attempt to halt corruption, under the shadow of genocide seemed out of place.

I appreciated the effort to show how war can corrupt even the best of us, whole communities in fact. Maybe the author tried to put too much into one book, but I found myself, at some points, just reading to finish.

I enjoyed reading about Katarina’s journey. A famous singer and actress, she found herself working propaganda for the Reich and is now associated with them to her dismay. She spends her time helping victims of the war regardless of who they are, or where they came from.

As I previously mentioned, the research Mr. Anderson did is fantastic, and that alone worth reading the book. I already have the next book in the series and will certainly read it soon. ( )

In a story reminiscent of "The Monument Men," Steve Anderson used research that he performed on a Fulbright Graduate Research Fellowship in Munich from 1993-94.

It tells of actions in Munich, Germany in 1945. Capt.Harry Kaspar, U.S.Army, is appointed military leader of Heimgau, a Bavarian town. Upon arriving at his assignment and with plans of the good he would be doing, he finds three men on the road, recently killed. Upon entering the town, he meets Maj.Robertson Membre who is also assigned as MG (Military Governor). Since Membre's orders come from Frankfort, it's a higher command and they take preference.

As a consolation, Member assigned Kaspar as Public Safety, he is to be the acting police chief.

The story details the power of the conqueror, Germany is defeated and the to the victor belongs the spoils.

Harry goes about his work and finds a good German man, Herr Winkl, a former policeman, to be his assistant. With all the good intentions, Harry is stymied by Membre and a Col. Spanner who has his own plan.

We see the corruption and the few who want to do something about it. It is interesting to see some of the activities at the end of the war such as the prisoners and soldiers coming home and wanting their old homes. It is also to see the few Jewish survivors who have so little but deserve more.

The bulk of the novel tells of Harry and his attempt to prevent the small town from turning to a corrupt area and criminals such as the man, Jenke, a convict, turned S.A. thug appointed to a new position of authority.

There is a romantic side as Harry meets Katrina who is well described and someone the reader will want to succeed with what she has in mind for herself and a number of Jewish friends.

There is a great deal to be considered in the story such as corruption, greed and how war can effect various people and communities. ( )