THE FIREHAND FILE - 2026
Weimar-era Berlin, 1921. A city of extremes.
While political violence plagues the streets during the day, a serial killer dubbed "The Skinner" roams the streets at night. Detective Chaim Orlosow suspects The Skinner is a World War I veteran, but he remains untraceable.
Meanwhile, the relationship between a famous Flemish DADA poet and his impetuous girlfriend is on edge. Like thousands of others in Berlin, they live in poverty and are addicted to dangerous street drugs.
In a moment of impulse, Van Ostaijen - the artist - steals a mysterious file from the apartment of the enigmatic spy, Elise Kraiser, and a series of dramatic events is set in motion. Soon, they find themselves on a collision course with a politician who is rapidly gaining influence... Herr Adolf Hitler.
Reviews
(....) The Firehand File is an ambitious historical thriller that drops the reader into the turmoil of Berlin in 1921, where political extremism, poverty, drugs, and violence are beginning to reshape German society. Dark, intelligent and often disturbing, it examines how personal trauma and social instability can become fertile ground for violence, hatred, and extremism. Not a comfortable read, or easy read, but you may find it a rewarding one.t really stood out to me was the atmosphere. The book makes Berlin feel gritty, tense, and unpredictable, and the characters are flawed in a way that feels very human. It's dark at times, but it's also thoughtful about trauma, survival, and how history can shape people in dangerous ways. If you like historical thrillers with a lot of tension, strong atmosphere, and real historical detail, this is a really gripping read.
Renee the book reviewer – five stars – amazon.com
(….)With its rich period detail, morally complex characters, and a chilling exploration of how childhood trauma can be twisted into genocidal ideology, this novel is both a gripping page-turner and a profound meditation on justice, memory, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.
Cleardark – five stars – amazon.com
The Firehand File is a fast-paced thriller with elements of mystery, psychological tension, and rebellion. It's set in 1920's Berlin, in the strained time following WW1 but before WW2. It follows a detective chasing a serial killer, an artist, a spy... The story feels broken, just like the world it's set in. People turn to drugs and crime to help them forget as Hitler's influence waxes. In all, a great read. Highly recommend for anyone who likes historical dramas.
Will- four stars – amazon.com
(...)The Firehand File is an ambitious historical thriller that drops the reader into the turmoil of Berlin in 1921, where political extremism, poverty, drugs, and violence are beginning to reshape German society. Dark, intelligent and often disturbing, it examines how personal trauma and social instability can become fertile ground for violence, hatred, and extremism. Not a comfortable read, or easy read, but you may find it a rewarding one.
June Lorraine - Murderincommon.com
(...)Each character is unique, fully developed, and believable. One of the pitfalls historic fiction writers often fall into is focusing too much on the historic aspect, and not enough on the characters. Van Laerhoven does not make this mistake. He crafts his characters so that we feel their emotions and are invested in their relationships. The key to a great story is the relationships between the characters and feeling what they are feeling, which Van Laerhoven ensures.
