Turnstone Press, 2021
By Wayne Arthurson
This book is a bit of a change of pace for L, as she usually doesn’t read “whodunit” murder mysteries. Having said that, I do think L enjoyed this book because she got quite involved in the story… to the point where she almost ignored me! Luckily this is not a terribly long novel at just under 300 pages, so I eventually did get my belly rubs and ear scratches as per normal. Dishonour in Camp 133 is the second book in the Sergeant Neumann mystery series by Canadian author Wayne Arthurson. L has read the first book in the series, The Traitors of Camp 133, but she said it isn’t necessary to have read the first novel to enjoy this one.
Dishonour in Camp 133 takes place in a Canadian prison of war camp outside of Lethbridge, Alberta. Its prisoners are 12,000 German soldiers captured during the desert offensive in WWII. The novel’s main character is Sergeant August Neumann, a decorated German war hero and grizzled veteran of both World Wars and head of the Civil Security of Camp 133. When a dead chef is found with a knife embedded in his back, it is up to Sergeant Neumann and his two assistants to figure out who the murderer is. Things get complicated when Neumann discovers that the murdered chef was involved in a black-market smuggling operation involving captured German officers and Canadian guards.
L found it interesting to read a war mystery novel written from a German perspective and thought that the author did a good job conveying the perceived mindsets of German prisoners of war. Most were regular German citizens who answered the call to fight for their homeland and wanted the war to end so they could return to their homes and families.
L’s verdict: An interesting read but somewhat lacking in plot twists that make for a real 5-paw-rated-page-turner-whodunit-murder-mystery novel.
Bingley’s verdict: I think I would have made a great sidekick for Sergeant Neumann--my nose can track down anything and I always find where the good treats are hidden! But he did a pretty good job of solving the mystery without my help.
Rating: 3/5
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