Here’s a random list of 35 European crime novels I love.
There are gaps (not all European countries are represented), but these are the ones particularly close to my heart because they’ve opened my mind and brought me joy.
Jakob Arjouni, Happy Birthday, Turk! (trans. from German by Anselm Hollo, Melville House, 2011 [1987])
Pieke Biermann, Violetta (trans. from German by Ines Rieder and Jill Hannum, Serpent’s Tail, 1996 [1991])
Ioanna Bourazopoulou, What Lot’s Wife Saw (trans. from Greek by Yiannis Panas, Black & White Publishing, 2013 [2007])
Roberto Costantini, The Deliverance of Evil (trans. from Italian by N.S. Thompson, Quercus, 2013 [2011])
Jan Costin Wagner, Silence (set in Finland; trans. from German by Anthea Bell, Harvill Secker, 2010 [2007])
Didier Daeninckx, Murder in Memoriam (trans. from French by Liz Heron, Serpent’s Tail, 1991 [1984]; republished by Melville House in 2012)
Friedrich Dürrenmatt, The Pledge (Swiss crime novel; trans. from German by Joel Agee, University of Chicago Press, 2006 [1958])
Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose (trans. from Italian by William Weaver, Vintage, 2004 [1980])
Hans Fallada, Alone in Berlin (trans. from German by Michael Hofmann, Penguin, 2009 [1947])
Eugenio Fuentes, At Close Quarters (trans. from Spanish by Martin Schifino, Arcadia, 2009 [2007])
Friedrich Glauser, In Matto’s Realm (Swiss crime novel; trans. from German by Mike Mitchell, Bitter Lemon Press, 2006 [1936])
Petra Hammesfahr, The Sinner (trans. from German by John Brownjohn, Bitter Lemon Press, 2007 [1999])
Kati Hiekkapelto, The Defenceless (trans. from Finnish by David Hackston, Orenda Books, 2015 [2014])
Paulus Hochgatterer, The Sweetness of Life (Austrian crime novel; trans. from German by Jamie Bulloch, MacLehose, 2012 [2006])
Peter Høeg, Miss Smilla’s Feeling for Snow (trans. from Danish by Felicity David, Vintage, 2014 [1992])
Jean-Claude Izzo, Total Chaos (trans. from French by Howard Curtis, Europa Editions, 2005 [1995])
Hans Hellmut Kirst, The Night of the Generals (trans. from German by J. Maxwell Brownjohn, Cassell, 2002 [1962])
Stieg Larsson, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (trans. from Swedish by Reg Keeland, MacLehose Press, 2008 [2005])
Carlo Lucarelli, Carte Blanche (trans. from Italian by Michael Reynolds, Europa Editions, 2006 [1990])
Henning Mankell, The Dogs of Riga (trans. from Swedish by Laurie Taylor, Vintage, 2012 [1992])
Dominique Manotti, Affairs of State (trans. from French by Ros Schwarz and Amanda Hopkinson, Arcadia Books, 2009 [2001])
Petros Markaris, Che Committed Suicide (trans. from Greek by David Connolly, Arcadia Books, 2009)
Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, Buenos Aires Quintet (trans. from Spanish by Nick Calstor, Serpent’s Tail, 2005)
Harry Mulisch, The Assault (trans. from Dutch by Clare Nicolas White, Random House, 1985 [1982])
Håkan Nesser, Bjorkman’s Point (trans. from Swedish by Laurie Thompson, Pan, 2007 [1994])
Ingrid Noll, The Pharmacist (trans. from German by Ian Mitchell, HarperCollins, 1999 [1994])
Lief G.W. Persson, Linda, as in the Linda Murder (trans. from Swedish by Neil Smith, Vintage, 2013)
Dolores Redondo, The Invisible Guardian (trans. from Spanish by Isabelle Kaufeler, HarperCollins, 2015 [2013])
Georges Simenon, Pietr the Latvian (Belgian crime novel, trans from French by David Bellos, Penguin, 2013 [1930])
Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö, The Laughing Policeman (trans. from Swedish by Alan Blair, Harper Perennial, 2007 [1968])
Josef Skvorecky, The Mournful Demeanour of Lieutenant Boruvka (trans. from Czech by Rosemary Kavan, Kaca Polackova and George Theiner, Norton, 1991 [1966])
Olivier Truc, Forty Days without Shadow (set in Lapland; trans. from French by Louise Rogers LaLaurie, Trapdoor, 2014)
Antti Tuomainen, The Healer (trans. from Finnish by Lola Rogers, Harvill Secker, 2013 [2010])
Simon Urban, Plan D (trans. from German by Katy Derbyshire, Harvill Secker, 2013 [2011])
Fred Vargas, Have Mercy on us All (trans. from French by David Bellos, Vintage, 2004 [2001])
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As many of you will know, the UK voted to leave the European Union via a national referendum on 23rd June, with 52% voting ‘leave’ and 48% ‘remain’ (overall turnout of 72%). This isn’t a political blog, but given the seismic nature of what’s happened, here’s a brief personal comment.
I was one of the 48% who voted to remain and, as a British European and languages lecturer, I’m heartbroken at the result. As a nation, we’ve probably caused ourselves irreparable economic and political damage. We’ve also become a more divided and less tolerant place. Every aspect of our future is now uncertain, and the younger generation, who voted overwhelmingly to remain, will have to bear the consequences of the ‘Brexit’ for decades to come. It’s a monumental, catastrophic mistake that could well lead to the break up of the UK and destabilize Europe.
Those of you in Europe looking on in disbelief, please know that 48% of us did not wish to leave the EU. Many of us regard ourselves as European and are horrified by what’s happened. We don’t yet know how, but we will try to find our way back to you. And if you’re a European living in the UK, please know that millions of us appreciate you for your contribution to British society and the cultural enrichment you bring.
Surreal: some UK papers on my kitchen table this morning
Mrs. Peabody Investigates 
What a powerful statement, Mrs. P.! I don’t feel it’s appropriate to comment, not being European, much less UK. But I will say that I wish for peace and positive steps forward, whatever ‘forward’ ends up being. Thinking of you, and much appreciating the novels you’ve suggested. Of those I’ve read, you’ve med an outstanding selection.
Thanks, Margot xxx Hope you find some other good ones in there…
Well said, I wish I could have put it as eloquently.
Thanks.
I am utterly bewildered by the vote results in the UK, and beginning to be quite alarmed by the jaw-dropping things going on in US politics too. Perhaps we really will end up in hell in a handcart. Fortunately, I do know considerate moderate kind generous educated thoughtful and moderate people, you certainly among them. And with this list of books to read, hell will be easier to endure and maybe of shorter duration too. Thanks Mrs P.
We could see that it was going to be close, but it’s still a shock. The Leave voters appear to have been made up of a variety of ‘types’: older affluent people dreaming of empire and the good old days / working-class people whose economic despair was channelled very effectively into scapegoating EU immigrants / protest voters who wanted to stick a finger up at ‘the man’ and who didn’t think they would win (a fair number of whom have already expressed regret) / socialists who view Europe as a capitalist villain, and right-wingers who view Europe as meddling with British sovereignty and a hotbed of Muslim extremism. A heady brew…
America can learn some lessons from us, I think. The appeal of the Leave campaign was emotional rather than rational and its leaders did not hesitate to lie or to trot out empty promises. These need to be scrupulously called out by the media and politicians. Leave has now already rowed back on key promises (e.g. that the mythical £350m weekly EU membership fee would be given straight to our National Health Service). If I were a Leave voter, I’d actually be pretty angry by now – they have been lied to and duped.
Compiling the list of European crime provided a bit of solace. We can always lock ourselves away with plentiful stocks of Eurocrime, British tea and Spanish wine x
Brexit aside – a balanced and thoughtful list of novels, many of which i hope to talk about at the European crime fiction talks I’m doing at the Brtish Library from next Tuesday. K.Hall’s Crime Fiction in German to be referenced, of course.
Thanks, Barry. Hope the talks go really well x
I couldn’t agree more with your statement…thank you for your clarity of thought and sensible position….there are many books on this list I haven’t tried yet….I look forward to them…
You’re welcome. Look forward to discussing some of them in due course x
I couldn’t agree with your closing statement more. As one of the 48% too, I greeted the announcement very early on Friday morning with a twin feeling of anger and sadness. Every fibre of my being was incensed that this result was reached by ignorance, intolerance and misinformation. I love the diversity of our country and the security, comradeship and strength provided by our relationship with our fellow Europeans. I now fear the worst.
Totally agree, Raven – very well put. Feeling lots of anger and sadness too.
And now it’s like watching a car crashing happening in slow motion. What a mess 😦
As a Canadians we were also saddened by the result of the vote. As members of the world community, we all need to be moving forward towards harmony and peace, learning, sharing, embracing differences and each other. A beautifully written piece Mrs P.
An interesting list. Many picks that have been on my TBR for years. Time to prioritize! Any idea as to which ones you would consider for your top 5?
Thanks, icewineanne – absolutely agree. And I can’t tell you how jealous I am of your PM at the moment. I DREAM of Justin Trudeau *sigh*.
A Top 5! I will ponder that one. The problem is that I love them *all* in different ways, so it’s very, very hard to choose. Perhaps just plunge in for now… x
Heart felt comments Mrs P which I agree with. Have been very fed up since the vote, but cheered up to day after receiving an email today from Change.org, it seems there’s at least 14 petitions in London demanding the mayor declare London independent, & join the EU!
While it would be easy to treat it as a joke, reading the comments you realise there are a lot of young professionals who come from all over the UK, & abroad, who now regard it as their home, & are very angry at the outcome, & feel betrayed by my generation, & rightly so.
Also it seems there’s another which demands another referendum, reason being it was to close, & should have required 75% of the population to vote. Also a quote by that moron Farage ‘ if Remain win 52% to 48% it means unfinished business’! Interesting, wonder what he thinks now!
Glad you picked the Costantini, read the 2nd & 3rd one in quick succession, very impressed indeed. Over 1500 pages in 3 books quite an achievement, look forward to his next book.
Hello Brian,
It will be very interesting to see how things develop now. Lots of discussion, but everything very up in the air, especially given that Labour is now imploding as well. What a ridiculous mess. The petitions are a good way of showing people’s strength of feeling, but I can’t see that they will have a direct political effect…
I’ve yet to read Costantini 2 and 3, but have the second on my shelf and some holiday coming up soon. Very good to hear you enjoyed them 🙂
Ach, you know all too well that I feel the same as you. But your European books go some way to opening our minds and help us understand that ‘the other’ is not all that scary, different or other at all.
Absolutely, MarinaSofia – a crucial point and one of the reasons why I love European crime fiction so much. Literature plays such an important role in that respect, and in helping us to think about our society critically (as we in the UK now must do).
Mrs. P – I could not agree more.
As one of the 48% I feel diminished by this result.
But I am determined to remain a citizen of Europe regardless.
Absolutely, Jamie – I’m with you. My European identity is like the writing in a stick of Brighton Rock.
Great post Katharina!
Thanks, Jose Ignacio x
We all in The Netherlands are stunned by #Brexit.
I cannot imagine it will happen here. The Dutch are too much ‘into business’.
It is a very pragmatic nation. We vote with our head and not our heart.
As I said last night….
“Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say good night till it be morrow”.
Voting with your head rather than your heart is good, N@ncy, but I notice that Wilders, one of your right-wing politicians, is now angling for a referendum (as is Marine le Pen in France). Oppose that move with all your might – we speak now from very bitter experience…
Wilders is a thorn in ‘our’ side but resonates with frustrated voters who feel the ‘immigration’ policies in NL are not what they want in this country. This feel like a trend sweeping over Europe ( Austria, Frauke Petry’s AFD party in Germany…) …an ominous cloud.
I think you are right. There is a definite pattern 😦
I am a baby boomer and we are being blamed for the Brexit vote, but I and most intelligent people I know voted to remain. The campaign was a shambles, with arguments for and against based not on facts but on appeals to base instincts, A a Scot living in England I am seriously thinking of returning to my homeland, to support the fight for independence.
Thank you for the list, I have read lots of them, and have ordered three from the library. Scottish and Nordic writers have reinvigorated the crime genre, and I am now looking forward to discovering authors from elsewhere in Europe.
I know not all baby-boomers voted Leave (good on you), but the voting breakdown did show a kind of inverse pyramid, with the majority of the youngest voting to remain, and the oldest voting to leave. Ironic, given that it’s the young who will be dealing with the consequences of Brexit the longest.
The whole thing’s been an omnishambles (as Malcolm Tucker might say). I wouldn’t blame Scotland for going, but hope it doesn’t…
Hope you enjoy the three you’ve ordered from the library. Which ones did you go for?
Forty Days without Shadow, The Healer, and erm, I’ve forgotten the third one!
Look forward to hearing what you think of them 🙂
Terrific post, Mrs. P: and though the situation is so distressing and shocking I love that you’ve lined up a reading program that could open minds and hearts. Reading fiction does improve empathy.
Our recent bloodbath made me suddenly feel quite disinclined to look at book covers with blood spatter on them, but you remind me that reading about people in crisis can actually help us overcome our inclination to seek relief for our concerns in appeals to hate and fear rather than in stories that are both more complex than those political narratives and more hopeful..
Hello, Barbara, and thanks. Time for a bit of soft power…and a way of showing my love for Europe too. I completely agree with you on the point about empathy – reading is so important in that respect, and reading as widely as possible.
Hope. Will hang on to that word x
Great post, and I’m sure a great list – some more to add to my pile.
It’s fascinating and frightening to see what the world is becoming…with fear mongering and pandering to base emotions seeming to win the day not only with this vote but in many political arenas…even my own tiny country’s current federal election campaign is all about fear…both main political parties here outdoing each other in the “if you’re afraid of illegal immigrants vote for us…we’ll stop ’em” stakes. And if you knew what our government does to the poor folk that make it in their leaky boats the world would surely stop speaking to us ever again…it is utterly shameful. Voting is compulsory for us but as one local comedian put it…it’s like being starving and having to choose between two foods you’re allergic to.
I was listening to an American political commentator just this morning who said that there is mountains of evidence that Donald Trump has lied multiple times about his business dealings etc, changes his mind almost daily on big/important issues (such as abortion) but that his supporters simply do not care about those things…even if you sit them down and prove it to them they don’t care. Sigh.
Thank heaven for books in which to escape the madness.
Hello Bernadette, and thanks. It’s simultaneously fascinating and worrying to get your Australian perspective.
There have been quite a few articles over here about the emergence of ‘post-truth politicians’ and ‘post-factual democracies’ – both chilling ideas. We have definitely seen post-truth politicians in action during the Leave campaign and they have been busy rowing back on their promises since the result, or even denying that they made them in the first place (heaping lies upon lies). They are breathtaking in their mendacity and profoundly undemocratic.
I’ve been frustrated that some voters didn’t seem to be interested in finding out the facts (easy enough in our internet age), simply believing what they wanted to hear and voting on the basis of emotion. Perhaps we need proper citizenship classes at school…
Compulsory voting: I like that idea. Might have saved our bacon this time round.
Yes, thank heaven for books x
Reblogged this on Matt Mattila and commented:
I can dig this list.
Thanks very much, Matt.
Morning Mrs P. I’ve read several of the books on your list. The Dogs of Riga, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Laughing Policeman and The Name of the Rose, all of which were excellent. But with Linda, as in the Linda Murder, I all but lost the will to live 😕after about 1/3 of the way through. The same thing happened with another of Lief Persson’s books, Between Summer’s Longing, and Winter’s End. I really did try with both books, but I think it was mainly because the translation was so poor. A lot of reviews said the same thing. But I have a few more on your list, that are also on my list of books TBR (along with goodness knows how many more).
With regards to the EU result, I suppose being Brits we’ll muddle through somehow, like we always do 😐.
Hello Kathy P – Persson seems to be a bit of a Marmite author. I can’t get enough of his novels, but I know that some readers find them hard-going. Always the way with these kinds of subjective lists. Anyhow, on to the next one; life’s too short to spend on a book you’re not enjoying!
As for the EU result, Brits muddling through is what worries me 😉
I suppose muddling through comes from hearing my parents talking about WW2, and how we ‘just had to get on with it’. My father very nearly being interred on the Isle of Man, and being ‘rescued’ by the civil service because of his profession. Being stoical I suppose is what we’ll need to be now! 😕
Yes, much girding of loins required!
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Wonderful explanation of the brexit vote. It is a sad day to see what may be beginnings of fascism world wide. Will we never learn from our history? Thank you for your comments & also thanks for the well thought out posts from your readers. And, many thanks for your great list of books. From a canadian traveling in europe.
Hello, Bett. Couldn’t agree with you more. Understanding history (especially that of the 20th century) is vital for good decision-making and fighting the threat of fascism in the present. The EU and its forerunners were of course established in large measure as a peace project after the defeat of National Socialism in 1945 and have successfully kept our peace for over 70 years. The EU was even awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012! The importance of the EU’s role in this respect did not resonate enough with voters.
Enjoy your travels in Europe x
With you a hundred per cent. No political event has ever upset me more and I think you sum up the causes very well. Thanks for the lovely list – I’ve read quite a few and it’s great to have more suggestions.
Hello Christine – it is very upsetting. I’m particularly livid with Cameron for gambling with the future of generations to come.
Hope you find a measure of solace in reading x
Yes, at least they can’t take all that wonderful literature and art away from us.
Thank you for including the European Crime, I tend toward Nordic Noir and have read most that you have posted. I do want to mention one UK writer Minnette Walters just read The Ice House will go on to read more of her books. Thank you I have so many titles written down.
Hello Sandy – thanks for your comment. I like Minette Walters very much too – I haven’t yet read The Ice House, so thanks for that recommendation. I hope you enjoy some of the Eurocrime on the list.
Very proud to have The Sinner (Petra Hammesfahr) and In Matto’s Realm (Friedrich Glauser) on the list. Sentimental favourites and two of the best books we’ve had the honour to publish. Long live Europe and European literature.
As indeed you should be, Francois. Bitter Lemon Press is an amazing champion of high-quality European crime fiction. We are so grateful that you make it possible for us to read these wonderful novels and open our minds to other cultures and world-views. Thank you!
P.S. I will add in publishers and translators when I have the chance in a couple of days. I wanted to get the post up as soon as possible, so went with a ‘quick’ version…
It’s awful that the Brexit voters won. What does that say? Apparently, young people voted to remain. There is so much racism and xenophobia in all this. Some people are worried about the rise of fascism, certainly the rise of far-right groups in Britain, as elsewhere in Europe.
After all, poor Jo Cox, a Labor Party MP, was killed by a far-rightist xenophobe.
Apparently, after the vote, Muslims and Polish immigrants were being told that they were voted out and asked why they weren’t gone. This vote just emboldened the right-wing anti-immigrant groups and individuals.
This is an awful situation, and we have Trump over here, although he’s now over there trying to shore up allies.
Hi kathyd – well, even though the Leave vote was 52%, the overall turnout was 72%, which effectively means (if my maths is right), that 37% of the British population voted out. That’s not a brilliant mandate for such major and far-reaching change.
The result has emboldened right-wing extremists, who are inciting racial hatred. It’s very worrying and we have to find a way to stamp it out. A strong statement from our PM and/or leading Leave politicians is needed.
Jo Cox’s murder was an absolute tragedy and many regard it (rightly in my view) as an attack on democracy.
Hoping for a ray of sunlight here soon.
Dear Mrs P,
Oh what a to do!
I do sympathize terribly with you and the vast majority of people I know who were/are stayers. I do take a modicum of solace from the fact that a couple of very smart people I know are glad to be out of what they consider to be a very corrupt situation. But that’s two of dozens, so it’s quite limited solace I’m afraid.
I dropped in today to thank you very kindly for the Claudia Pineiro BETTY BOO recommendation – what a cracking read that is! The finale perhaps didn’t quite do it for me, but 96% of it was absolutely popping fresh and quite brilliant, the riffing on publishing and media changes through excellent characters was superb. I shall be digging back catalogue ASAP.
Lovely list up above – not sure if I mentioned that my company distributes the INSPECTOR SONERI TV programmes on DVD here. As a result of this, I met Carlo Lucarelli a few years back, and can report he was a charming chap – as well as being an excellent writer.
We’ll be thinking of you all in England as you say goodbye to lovely Europe, and look forward to the first exports of English olives and oranges.
Cheers,
VC
Thanks, VC 😉
There was an intellectual argument for leaving the EU – I didn’t agree with it, but respected those voting on that basis. But the referendum was hijacked by lots of nasty anti-immigrant sentiment and the results are truly worrying (to say nothing of the economic chaos that we’ve unleashed).
Delighted that you enjoyed Pineiro’s Betty Boo – in addition to the aspects you’ve mentioned, I liked it’s take on mid-life crises and friendships. So looking forward to reading more of her works.
Thanks for the info about Inspector Soneri and lucky you to have met Lucarelli *officially jealous*.
I’d think the murder of Jo Cox, in addition to being an attack on democracy, was an attack on immigrants and multicultural communities. Also, I read that she was going to present a report on far-right nationalism on June 29.
Some tough times are ahead there. It’s terrible that the far-right is growing in Europe and their organizations are cheering on the Brexit, including Marine Le Pen.
But we’ve got Donald Trump to deal with here.
All very worrying…
Thank you for your lovely list, I have read a few, but really need some good stories to escape into at the moment so I’m just looking these all up on our library website to order. Everyone I know is heartbroken and our children are devastated. People I know are digging up their Irish ancestors (not literally I hope) to try and get an Irish passport. Here in Brighton & Hove, we voted overwhelmingly to Remain and there is actually a petition to become a separate state in the EU – a bit like Monaco, but without the sun, glamour and money, wishful thinking but it did make me smile in very sad times.
Hello Sylvia – I hope the list and the reading it inspires brings you some solace (pretty eclectic selection, so hopefully you’ll find something there to your liking).
At the moment, I’d be inclined to understand if Brighton & Hove and other ‘in’ areas declared independence and carved themselves off from the UK. If you manage it, I might be asking if you have a spare bed! Here’s to better times…
I read in the British media that there has been a 500% increase in hate crimes since the Brexit. Also, Ali Karim has made an appeal to all anti-racists to help stop the verbal and physical abuse being perpetrated against immigrants and people of color.
It’s extremely worrying. I saw Ali’s appeal and totally support it. We last saw this kind of hostility back in the 1970s and 1980s, and really thought we had moved on.
Bravo Mrs P for your comments re Brexit. On a more cheerful note, thank you very much for this fabulous list of European crime novels, I always welcome and trust your recommendations, best wishes B.
You’re welcome, Blighty. Reckon everyone will be able to find some goodies in there, though individual taste is always a factor, of course. Hope you enjoy the ones you pick out.
Still feeling very dispirited by the Brexit result, and can barely keep up with all the political developments. Quite a month…!
I’m coming late to the party, Mrs P. But sadly, it seems Brexit was foreshadowed years ago in an episode of ‘Yes, Minister’: https://www.facebook.com/britishcommonwealth2/videos/1125295727510356/ (You’ve got laugh, or else you weep).
Thanks, Angela. One of my favourite series and will definitely have a watch 🙂
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I’m coming even later to the party….think I must have read the booklist and stopped there! The list is great though and gives me lots of ideas. As for Brexit I despair. Saw a Facebook post by Kevin Allen,(Twin Towns brother of Keith) castigating all ‘the old gits’ who voted to leave. So this old git posted for only the 3rd time ever saying that I’d voted to join way back when and to remain in both referenda(?) I believe that Wales ,where you and I are based and which voted to leave, has shot itself in the foot but has yet to feel the pain. And as for the idea that we voted for selfish reasons, not thinking of younger generations…!
Good for you, MRo. And of course some younger people voted ‘out’ (much gnashing of teeth on reading their regrets and how they’d vote differently if they had a second chance *sigh*). It’s not going to be pretty couple of years, especially, as you say, for Wales…
Hope you find some good reading in the list, in any case!
I’m coming even later to this, but in Scotland we seem to have even more of a mess, with us voting to stay (we want more immigrants! We need them!) giving the SNP fuel to demand another referendum on breaking away from the UK – which is the last thing I want. I want to remain part of the UK, because it works. I really was in disbelief at the result, as I thought it wouldn’t even be close. The only benefit, on looking back, is it got rid of the Cameron/Osbourne double act. Time will tell if it’s for the worse, or the better…😿
Yes, a mess whichever way you look at it (although those wanting independence may paradoxically be glad of the momentum the outcome has given them?). If Scotland does leave (and I SO hope it won’t), Cameron’s legacy will be to have destroyed two vitally important unions in a futile attempt to appease Tory right-wingers and UKIP. What an omnishambles.
You’re so right! Because he has no other legacy. Now he’ll go on to make a fortune sitting on boards/doing consultancy work – whatever that is – and making speeches, in other countries, of course.
Sorry for the delay in responding – I’ve been on the road this week. I’m sure you’re right in your predictions for C. Meanwhile, the Three Brexiteers (Fox, Johnson and Davis) seem to be specialising in making contradictory statements… Omnishambles.
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Thank you enormously for adding to my reading list. I agree with your assessment of those I have read – though not quite sure that “Alone in Berlin” brought me joy, exactly. As a fellow 48%er I share your grief.
You’re welcome, Sophie! I know what you mean about ‘Alone in Berlin’ – a pretty harrowing read. But I’d have to include it on any list of key European crime (I still find it astonishing that it was written in 1946, so close to the end of the Nazi regime).
As for the whole EU debacle, on we trudge… I’m no less heartbroken or angry than I was the day of the result 😦