The Kaiser’s Web, Steve Berry, author; Scott Brick, narrator
When the book begins, Cotton Malone and Cassiopeia Witt are escaping from Belarus in a stolen plane. When they are forced to bail out, somewhere over Poland, they only have one parachute. They Miraculously, clinging to each other, they survive with little injury to themselves. This excitement and tension remain throughout the novel holding the reader’s attention.
They do not want to be caught. When the pair emerges from the trees, after hiding their parachute, they are surprised to see Danny Daniels approaching them. How did he know they were there? Daniels, is somewhat of a loose cannon, who prefers his own lifestyle and has no security detail, although he is a former President of the United States. He asks them to do a personal favor for the German Chancellor, nicknamed Oma, Marie Eisenhuth, on their own time, at their own expense. What could be that important, they wonder?
Marie is engaged in a campaign for reelection. She has been Chancellor for 16 years. A man, Theodor Pohl is running against her. When a woman delivers some documents to her, alluding to questions in the background of Pohl, the woman is taken into custody for questioning. During that time, she is murdered in front of President Daniels, who was asked to question her by Oma. What meeting was the murdered courier trying to arrange? What information has she brought with her? Her last words were The Kaiser. What did she mean by that? Who was she referring to?
This is what Witt and Malone are asked to investigate. They are sent to South America to do research into the information in those documents. The investigation turns more dangerous as the people in power are compromised and are actually working for Marie’s enemy. Witt and Malone’s lives are often in danger.
There is a problem with this investigation. Instead of turning up anything incriminating about Pohl, the Chancellor’s opponent, they are discovering that Marie’s past seems very compromised by some financial payments. The investigation leads Witt and Malone into the time of the Holocaust, complete with Hitler and his minions. The day of Hitler’s supposed death is called into question? Who survived that day? Who did not? Familiar names of war criminals will appear, and since the novel is based on Germany’s actual history, with many real facts, the novel often seems very plausible, although very strange, sometimes requiring the reader to suspend disbelief.
Marie’s opponent, Pohl, has laid an elaborate trap for Marie, to defeat her in the election and put himself in power. However, there are others who have learned of his plot and are actively working to defeat him, behind the scenes. He is ruthless and orders the murder of many people. His right-hand man is a ruthless killer. He covers his tracks well. He knows many secrets. His vision for Germany is very different than that of the current Chancellor. While Marie is filled with remorse for her country’s involvement in the murder of so many during The Third Reich, her opponent is supported by many right wing groups that are gaining strength. Pohl has little remorse for the past, other than for its failures and the mistakes of its leadership. He is currently leading in the polls. He appeals to the citizen’s emotions. They think he will make Germany better, but Marie wants to stop him from destroying Germany by returning to policies of the past.
Witt and Malone uncover a web of mystery that will surprise the reader in the end. Who is telling the truth? Who is lying? Who can be trusted? There are so many secrets uncovered. Is someone manipulating everyone like a puppeteer? Although they are supposed to find out information about the opposition to the Chancellor, they seem to be uncovering evidence against Marie. Are they being played? Other questions arise. Did Hitler survive? Did Eva Braun? Did Martin Bormann? No bodies were found in the destroyed bunker. Are there any other survivors of the Holocaust, even left alive, to bear witness? Is there anyone who can help them in their investigation?
The ending was unexpected and disturbing. One would hope that civilization has moved far enough ahead so that all information can be dealt with, without eliminating witnesses and all those involved, even when the involvement concerns the worst aspects of the Holocaust. Is it necessary to wipe out history’s ancestors?
The reader, Scott Brick does a brilliant job, not only defining each character, but also with his accent and tone. He puts just the right amount of emotion and stress into all of his presentations.