Black Cross by Greg Iles (***)

I didn't realize it, but this was another abridged version. It really wasn't bad though. And the narrator was the actor Jay O. Sanders and he did great accents (Scottish, Brittish, German), though he did mispronounce the German name Sabine (I knew a German girl named Sabine once, so that's how I know). It's the story of a secret mission during World War II. I was drawn in because I have always been interested in World War II. I have never been a big history person or been interested in any war stuff, but I have always felt a sadness at the brutality and violence of the concentration camps. One of my favorite movies is Schindler's List. I am always appalled and angry that no one stepped in sooner to save the people that were being tortured and killed. Which makes me stop and think when I show disgust for wars or "military action" in places like Bosnia or Iraq. They are trying to save people from the same inhumanity that Hitler displayed. But, I digress.

There was one of those things that when it gets dropped into a story, you just groan. You liked it all the way up to that, then they ruin it for you. The American has an affair with a German girl. It's not just that he cheated on his wife. It's also the stupidity of worrying about sex and at time like that. There are people being brutalized at a nearby camp, they are in hiding and fear for their lives, and are hours away from an attack on this camp, but, hey, why shouldn't they be feeling a little frisky, right? Dumb, dumb, dumb. So, what's the excuse--we might die tomorrow, so lets have one last pleasurable night? I'm sorry, I don't think I'd be in the mood when just down the road, children are being used as medical testing subjects! Please!

Anyways, the other thing that surprised me a little was that the person telling this story was a Rabbi and I was sure that he had been there when all of this happened, but nothing to that effect was ever said. I wonder if there is more in the unabridged version. Also, I thought maybe the German woman would have had the American's kid and the narrator would meet a half-brother or sister, but that didn't happen either. But, all in all, it was a good book and really held my attention.