Fast paced fascinating murder mystery set during 1940's!

Pinot Noir: A World War II Novel by Mads Molnar III      

****

The Nazis have invaded France and are picking over the spoils. An Alsace winemaker has poisoned twelve of his fabulous Pinot noir wines and gifted them to the Nazi commander, Colonel Riffel,  as his cellar is being raided. Riffel in turn gifts them to high ranking officers with whom he wants to curry favor, Generalleutnant Troy Bastick.

Bastic. Bastic then gives a bottle to eleven other elite officers.

After a fatal death, Mads Molnar, a German psychologist-turned detective, is requested (well that's the polite word for it) by the Gestapo to recover the bottles.

Meanwile Mads is trying to gain his exit papers to Sweden. However the Arrow Cross—Hungary’s fascist party, wants him dead. Mads agrees to roundup the bottles for Riffel  in return for a pardon and an exit visit. 

Hot on his trail is Wolfram Bastick, son of the Generalleutnant, a brutal German detective who is bent on vengeance. The action sweeps from Hungary to France and Berlin.

I found the plot fascinating. Twelve bottles, each with its own story. The character of Mads Molnar reminds  somewhat of Bernie Gunther, although an altogether different proposition. I enjoyed this German noir thriller . My impression of Mads is a hard nosed, laconic investigator with a heart, whom Humphrey Bogart could easily play. The action fairly leaps of the page, convincing and intriguing!

An ATS Press ARC via NetGalley