Silesian Station

March 3, 2008
In Downing's quiet sequel to Zoo Station
, set mostly in Berlin in 1939, British journalist John Russell gets involved in multiple intrigues while working as an amateur spy for the intelligence services of assorted major powers. When Miriam Rosenfeld, a young Jewish woman dispatched from provincial Silesia by her Uncle Thomas, who's Russell's ex-brother-in-law, fails to arrive in Berlin, Thomas asks Russell to help find her. Meanwhile, the Nazis blackmail Russell into passing disinformation to the Soviets by arresting his actress girlfriend, Effi Koenen; he agrees to spy for the Americans in order to get a U.S. passport; and he offers to spy for the Russians if they'll help him leave Europe when the time comes. While these various narrative threads, in particular Rosenfeld's disappearance, do generate suspense, thriller fans should be prepared for a dearth of exciting action scenes. Full of period detail, this novel effectively captures life in the police state of Berlin on the brink of war.

March 1, 2008
John Russells life is complicated. The half-English, half-American journalist, who lives in Berlin, has a son from a German ex-wife and is dating a German film actress. His work is made difficult by Germanys imminent invasion of Polandbut thats not the half of it. Although he is an amateur at espionage, circumstances force him to become a spy for the Americans, the Germans, and the Russians. And he has taken a personal interest in the case of a Jewish country girl whos gone missing in the big city, too. Three-fourths espionage novel, one-fourth mystery, Downings sequel to Zoo Station (2007) vividly evokes Europe before World War II, both the larger political picture and the routines of daily life under dictatorship. His research showssometimes the details slow the storytelling (so many railway timetables, so many landmarks)and the characters arent quite as interesting as they could be. The story eventually picks up steam, though, and while Downing isnt the best of this breed, he is a solid recommendation to readers who have finished their Fursts.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)