THE HONOR OF PETER KRAMER

by Augusto Ferrera ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 1987

A brave S.S. general, a mentally unstable US President, Martin Bormann alive in Mexico, and a Jackal-like assassin are only a few of the goodies Ferrera crams into his first novel. But he binds these thriller morsels mostly with the thin gel of contrivance, so they finally hang suspended like tasty chunks of fruit in a tepid jello. The busyness begins as US diplomat Peter Kramer, about to finalize a firm Mid-east peace, reflects on his secret past. In a long flashback stuffed with intriguing glimpses of WW II Germany, the author reveals that Kramer actually was born von Bergdorf, and rose to be an S.S. general whose compassion and honor compelled him to sabotage the Nazi killing of Jews--and to agree to Martin Bormann's plan to sell Jews their freedom, banking the profits in Switzerland. After the war, von Bergdorf fled to America, claiming Swiss ancestry and the Kramer name, and used the Bormann moneys to bankroll Israel. Back to the present: Kramer notes that US President Jensen is acting erratically. (Unknown to him, Jensen is cracking up from guilt over a WW II tragedy.) Kramer is then summoned to Israel, whose Prime Minister reveals his recognition of him as the S.S. general who once saved his life. On the P.M.'s advice, Kramer confesses all to Jensen, who threatens to fire him--thus jeopardizing the peace talks. But (it's here that the author begins to toss in the kitchen sink) a global cabal of financiers learns of Jensen's plan and sends ""Joseph,"" an assassin, to rub him out. Many pages later, just as ""Joseph"" aims his rifle at Jensen, a crazed American Nazi beats him to the draw and sets in motion an ending at once tragic and hopeful. A tattered, crazy-quilt first novel; but Ferrera writes brightly in patches, and so may do better next time around.

Pub Date: May 1, 1987

ISBN: 0595089062

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dodd, Mead

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1987

Categories: FICTION