The Nazi Hunter

by Alan Elsner

Book Overview

A gripping thriller, The Nazi Hunter mixes fierce partisan Washington politics, the search for ex-Nazi criminals, and a crazed, right-wing militia intent on bringing down the government. Nicknamed... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1559708395
• ISBN13: 9781559708395
• Release Date: June 2007
• Publisher: Arcade Publishing
• Length: 325 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.6" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful read!

I picked this up after having read more than I ever probably should have about the Holocaust. I knew that no one could tell me anything that I didn't already know -- yet I found this book spellbinding. Marek Cain, the Orthodox Jew who works for OSI in the Justice Department, is a quiet, bookish and unfulfilled man in his 30's, whose pulse quickens both over the strange visitor who promises him important documents for an investigation and the attractive young woman who works with him. In the course of the story, he will secure both of them -- and in the process find himself becoming a new and improved version of himself. Here is a solidly-researched story of historical horrors that nonetheless has many sympathetic characters and enough twists to keep you turning pages. I read for most of the night and then lost a full day's work in my rush to finish it. A remarkable novel from a novelist who is sure to become much better known very soon.

Not your usual thriller

This novel is a combination of fact-based historical fiction and thriller with a healthy dose of reality about the nature of political influence. It is served with a twist of music, a touch of romance, and seasoned with a very interesting series of glimpses into the rituals and traditions of Orthodox Judaism. Marek Cain, the main character and voice of the novel, leads us on a gripping journey with many twists and a surprise resolution as he tracks a Nazi war criminal and uncovers much more than he bargained for. I really liked the accessible writing style. A very satisfying read from Mr. Elsner.

A Jewish James Bond?

Simon Wiesenthal, the late, famous real-life Nazi hunter once remarked "I am not a Jewish James Bond..." The hero of Alan Elsner's novel The Nazi Hunter may not be a Jewish 007, but during the course of one investigation, he is forced to use his wits, wisdom and weapons to spectacular effect. Alan Elsner is an award winning journalist with 30 years of experience under his belt. Most of that experience was garnered at that venerable global news service Reuters. For decades Elsner has gone head to head with captains of industry and heads of state in a pressure-cooker, sink-or-swim environment where there are no hacks, no faking it, and deadlines are a rare luxury. The man can write. Elsner's first book, Gates of Injustice (2004), is a compelling exposé of the U.S. prison system: it tells how more than 2 million Americans came to be incarcerated, what it's really like on the inside and how a giant "prison-industrial complex" promotes imprisonment over other solutions. His second book, Guarded by Angels (2005) is the thrilling true story of how three young Polish Jews (his father, uncle and their cousin) survived both Hitler and Stalin. The Nazi Hunter (2007) is a novel and is Elsner's first foray into fiction. It is a page turner, hard to put down, and is among the most auspicious first novels I've read. In his latest book he turns his formidable knowledge and expertise towards a gripping thriller weaving together fierce partisan politics, the search for ex-Nazi war criminals, romance, music and a crazed far-right militia intent on bringing down the government. His protagonist, Marek Cain, a Nazi hunter in the U.S. Justice Department's Office of Special Investigations, may not be a Jewish James Bond. He may prefer red wine (not shaken, not stirred) to martinis. But hey, how many action-adventure heroes keep kosher or suspend investigations for Sabbath observance?

Exciting Book!

This turned out to be a very good book about Nazi hunting efforts by the United States government. The hero of our story is Marek Cain. He works for the Office of Special Investigations a unit within the Justice Dept. A lady named Sophie Reiner visits Cain at his office. She claims to have evidence that would implicate a prominent American as being a Nazi. She claims to have documentation to prove her accusations. She has information concerning the Belzec extermination camp. She leaves and Cain does not hear back from her. He later discovers that she has been killed. They search her apartment and find evidence that popular singer Roberto Delatrucha was a Nazi. Delatrucha has a friendship with Speaker of the House Mitch Conroy. Conroy is trying to cut every department in the Federal Government. Cain begins a worldwide search for evidence on Delatrucha. Cain is also being targeted by American Neo-Nazis because of his activities in the Office of Special Investigations. This turned out to be a very action packed book. This book also has a surprise ending. Be sure to read this book.

The Nazi Hunter

This historical novel is captivating. During the second reading (I seldom read books twice) I couldn't put it down. The characters come to life and the twists and turns of the plot kept me hooked. This book is perfect for anyone who likes thrillers with accurate modern history, a little romance and a very unusual plot.