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In the Shadow of the Wall: A Cold War crime thriller (Peter Ritter thriller series Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Richard Wake (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,614 ratings
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Why would one man risk everything to help a mere acquaintance escape from East Germany? Peter Ritter thought the Berlin Wall would stand for three months, tops. He thought the impracticalities of dividing such a big city would cause it to crumble of its own weight. If not that he thought the Americans would never tolerate such a division. But three months turned into six, and six months turned into ten, and the wall was only growing bigger and more fortified by the day. Ritter was a detective on the East Berlin murder squad. He had obtained advanced warning about the wall being built and could have escaped along with his best friend, but he chose not to leave for any number of reasons. Most days, he had no regrets. He received a promotion at work, and his career was moving along well. His love life was active if not particularly serious. His lifestyle was among the best in the country — and if he had to do the occasional off-the-books favor for a member of the Central Committee who happened to be his ex-father-in-law, it was worth the trade-off. So why risk it all to assist a man he knew only from questioning him in prison regarding an old case? The question will haunt Ritter as his good deed turns into a life-or-death situation, not only for the man he helps but for Ritter himself. “In the Shadow of the Wall” is the second book in the Peter Ritter thriller series, written by Richard Wake, the author of the popular Alex Kovacs thriller series set during World War II. If you like the world inhabited by Philip Kerr’s Bernie Gunther or the characters created by Alan Furst, a place and time of unfathomable evil where the biggest questions sometimes are forced upon the most ordinary of people, I hope you’ll give “In the Shadow of the Wall” a try!
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  1. Book 2 of 2
    Peter Ritter thriller series
  2. Print length
    250 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    December 17, 2020
  6. File size
    495 KB
  7. Page Flip
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  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08QZYFCGJ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (December 17, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 17, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 495 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 250 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B08QT7732F
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,614 ratings

About the author

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Richard Wake

Richard Wake

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Richard Wake's first career was as a newspaper reporter, columnist, and editor. Writing fiction was always an aspiration, especially historical fiction set in Europe during the inter-war period, and now it has become a reality. The Alex Kovacs books comprise the first of several planned series that will take place during those turbulent times. The Peter Ritter books are set in East Germany as the Berlin Wall is being constructed.

Richard loves hearing from readers, so please don't hesitate to contact him by email at info@richardwake.com.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
1,614 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2023
Verified Purchase
Richard Wake’s Peter Ritter thriller/detective series is outstanding. Well developed characters and storyline with plausible scenarios. The twist of having an East German (during the Cold War days) murder detective as the central character is unique and allows for some different situations than most detective stories.
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P Hess
4.0 out of 5 stars Good story
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2023
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Story was worth the read. Enjoyed the second in this series and hope for a third soon. Good narrative with a few twists
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utahpenguine
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating new series
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2024
Verified Purchase
Enjoyed both books in this new detective series set in East Berlin when the wall went up. Peter Ritter is a complex person reflecting the complex times of 1961 Berlin. Seeing it happen from a Eastern perspective was mesmerizing!
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A Heard
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read..
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
He does a great job of making the main character likable and struggling with the circumstances he finds himself in. You want to think the people who had these jobs under Communism felt this way. I have read a lot of historical fiction and this author does a great job!
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Citywoman33
5.0 out of 5 stars East Berlin
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
The description of life before and during the completion of the Berlin Wall in the Peter Ritter series are fascinating. Characters are well drawn and the several plots of each book are well thought out and involving. I would read more in this series if it continues.
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PJ jenkins
3.0 out of 5 stars Actually have this as a 4...
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2021
Verified Purchase
... but the system wouldn't allow me to give higher than a 3? Anyways, better than the first book. Great protagonist, clever story. I must say though, the amount of typos are hard to believe - did anyone edit this? All considered - a great read - highly recommend...
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dennis barron
5.0 out of 5 stars In the Shadow of the Wall. Richard Wake
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2020
Verified Purchase
The Wall that separates East and West Berlin has not been up for long. All the traitors left. Traitors? Peter Ritter is an Easy Berlin homicide detective. He's the youngest in his unit and like a lot of people he has connections. His ex father in law. In the current political environment every
little bit helps. He is working a homicide case involving the murder, decapitation of a man. Some of the people questioned about the victims past contradict each other. The suspects motives? Was the victim an easy target? Jostling this case with a request from his ex father in law who is politically very strong and helpful to Peter is another learning experience in life. Everything is a learning experience in survival under the current political climate. Detective Ritter has a strong moral compass, and he will do what he needs to do to survive. An excellent read!! Enjoyed immensely!!
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Avedon if only
4.0 out of 5 stars red & noire
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2023
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Not Stendhal’s title, but a breezy noire none the less, located in East Berlin in the times of Stasi and the early days of the wall. The fast-moving and witty writing distracts from the cunning twists and complex plot lines that the author weaves so well - a really good story and a great leading man, I look forward to more of these Peter Ritter books.
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Top reviews from other countries

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Shadows Indeed
Reviewed in Canada on May 15, 2023
Verified Purchase
Another riveting story from Richard Wake. In this book, he’s has some pretty tough choices to make, partly because they put him in danger, and partly because others are in danger as well. The situation is complicated. Enjoy reading another episode in the adventures of Peter Ritter, 1961, East Berlin.
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Mrs E Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 11, 2022
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Great book and great story. I love the style of the writing, very original. All Richard’s books keep you engrossed. Would love them to see them turned into a tv series.
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larry mutter
5.0 out of 5 stars Great series
Reviewed in Canada on January 26, 2022
Verified Purchase
Great story and dialogue.Looking for forward to more.
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MR T.
4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely recommend
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 12, 2022
Verified Purchase
I have read the Peter Ritter books after the Alex Kovacs series. I enjoy the new perspectives of East Germany and the Wall. The narrative is engaging and flows well; the plot is rigorously planned and makex for a 'good read'. Some interesting characters too: Peter himself comes across as affable self-deprecating. Definitely recommend and look forward to the next one.
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tom meszaros
3.0 out of 5 stars “The Sequel better than The Original”
Reviewed in Australia on June 9, 2023
Verified Purchase
Why the Peter Ritter series are referred to as “thrillers” is beyond me. Wake has created an ambitious yet unconventional East German detective who displays contradictory ethics that are often driven more by self preservation than altruism. Set in the 1960’s Cold War era, Wake has further developed his principle characters, while maintaining a convincing period piece.
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