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Episode notes

It’s December 1939 in Berlin; a rigidly enforced blackout plunges the city into darkness every night and allows crime to thrive. Author Simon Scarrow’s novel Blackout follows Criminal Inspector Horst Schenke as he’s under pressure to solve a murder.

Simon joins Richard and Judy to explain why blackouts were imposed, how hedonistic Weimar culture was a casualty of the new Nazi regime, and why he chose to write Schenke as a man who was not a Nazi sympathiser. Plus, Simon explains why he feels it’s healthy for us to challenge accepted historical narratives.

Simply head online to whsmith.co.uk to browse the Autumn Book Club collection, and use the code BOOKCLUB10 for a 10% discount.