Blood Sacrifice

I requested an electronic review copy of Blood Sacrifice because it caught my attention in not-always-comfortable ways. Caught my attention: an historical mystery set in occupied Poland and parts of the Warsaw Ghetto. Made me uncomfortable: an historical mystery set in occupied Poland and parts of the Warsaw Ghetto. When is such writing an act of respect? When is it an act of exploitation? The title plays off an antisemitic trope. But, the author has done his research and is trying to bring to life a moment in history that many have heard of, but that few know about in any detail: the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.

Our detective in this case is Jan Kalisz, a non-Jewish pole who is active in the resistance, has connections in the Warsaw Ghetto, show more and is working as a police investigator for the occupying Nazi forces. His life is a juggling act that requires a faith in others that seems as if it would be impossible under the circumstances. Kalisz has mixed relationships with those in the German forces he works with. Some—like Salisz' supervising partner in the investigation the book focuses on—diligently investigate specific crimes with care, but still manage to avoid acknowledging ongoing Nazi genocide. Others hate Kalisz simply because he is Polish and are looking for any way to undercut him. His "handler" in the Polish resistance changes over time, but always presents him/herself by the same name. Kalisz doesn't know this person's identity, but still has to follow orders without question.

Douglas Jackson works to make those living in the Warsaw Ghetto into palpable, driven characters. Most acknowledge that they expect to die—and, based on that expectation, determine to take out as many Nazis as they can before their own end arrives. Kalisz faces constant pressure to provide more weapons to the Ghetto resistance, connecting with "high-end mobsters," those living rich lives that depend upon unscrupulous business dealings.

The mystery into the killing of a Nazi officer is less important to the plot than the day-to-day decisions Kalisz makes. The real mysteries are will he survive? and how successful will the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising be? If this approach to one of recent history's ugliest chapters interests you, I think you'll find Blood Sacrifice solid reading that creates fictional characters while relating real-world truths.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGally; the opinions are my own. show less

The Warsaw Ghetto is close to extinction. The Jewish population are aware that the Nazis will raze their homes and transport them to the death camps. However a small number are determined to go down fighting. For Kalisz, a case involving the supposed suicide of a German officer leads him to the heart of the Ghetto. There he is persuaded to supply the Resistance with weapons and also asked to look into the disappearance of some children. As the date of the expulsion grows closer, Kalisz finds himself trapped on the wrong side of the fence.
I did enjoy the first in this series of books and this is equally as good. I really like the details about the Warsaw Ghetto which have been meticulously researched. The crime almost seems like a show more secondary thing to this but is also well thought out. The desperation and cruelty of these times cuts through everything. show less

My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
This is the second book in this excellent series and while there are some references to the first book this book could be read as a standalone story, but my advice read book one first. Well written and researched atmospheric descriptive with superb characterisation throughout. This is storytelling at its best.
Completely and utterly recommended.

WARNING : Spoiler alert. The scenes in the sewers are gruesome at times but full of suspense and tension so much so that at times I found myself holding my breath.

A new investigation for Jan Kalisz of the Warsaw Kripo

Investigator Jan Kalisz is a detective with the Warsaw Krupp. He continues his investigative life under deep cover, as a Nazi collaborator, whilst really an agent for the Armia Krajowa, the Home Army, Poland’s major resistance force. He has to be careful yet daring.
The tale centers around the final days of the Ghetto of Warsaw. The end is coming. The last Jews in the Ghetto are being rounded up and sent to places like Treblinka.
Kalisz has been investigating the murder of Axel Weiss, an accountant, the golden boy of the Gestapo. Weiss had been looking into Nazis who were feathering their own nest. The puzzling thing is Weiss has three identities.
Following that up puts Kalisz at odds show more with Kriminalassistent Hofle who before the war was a detective in Munich. Now he’s with the Krupp, when not moonlighting as an enforcer with the soldiers rounding up the Jewish residents of Warsaw and the Ghetto.
This story has us wandering around Warsaw, crawling down holes and through sewers as Kalisz’s investigation continues even as he is near to unraveling. Stark and hard hitting.
So many heroic people, so many deaths.

A Canelo ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher. show less