Berlin Noir trilogy by Philip Kerr (1989-1991)
This trilogy, of March Violets, The Pale Criminal and A German Requiem, is a superb introduction to Berlin detective Bernie Gunther, who narrates the cruel and corrupt world of pre-war Nazi Germany. Kerr’s world-weary protagonist is always droll and occasionally wickedly funny, providing some light-hearted relief from his bleak surroundings.
'The Innocent' by Ian McEwan (1990)
Berlin’s rainy streets is also the setting for this romantic thriller about a Post Office engineer hired by the Americans to tap the phones of Soviet High Command. Naïve Englishman Leonard Marnham, 25, is exposed to the complex world of post-war Germany, a first romance and a murder. Everyone cries when they read this book, or so I told myself.
'The Hanging Garden' by Ian Rankin (1998)
This is the Edinburgh that the tourist board does not want visitors to see – the seedy underbelly rather than the picturesque spires. It’s not the best Inspector Rebus novel, but I read it before starting university in the city. As with all the best crime thrillers, it’s also an insightful social commentary, written as Scotland prepared for its first devolved government in nearly 300 years.
'American Tabloid' by James Ellroy (1995)
Curtis Hanson's adaption of LA Confidential made Ellroy a household name. But no filmmaker has brought American Tabloid to the big screen, probably because it's so complicated. Ellroy mixes fact with fiction in this tale of treachery and murder in JFK-era politics, over three-interweaving narratives. The sequel to The Cold Six Thousand also delivers.
'The Power of the Dog' by Don Winslow (2005)
A decade before dramas like Narcos, Winslow published his history-meets-fiction epic, from six years’ research into Mexico’s drug wars. DEA agent Art Keller pursues drug lord Adán Barrera over four decades, in a fascinating insight into the narco-economy that law enforcement agencies have failed to disrupt. Ten years on, the story ends in The Cartel (2015).
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Read more:
My favourite reads: Mustafa Alrawi
My favourite reads: Liz Cookman
My favourite reads: Andy Scott
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Mountain%20Boy
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How to tell if your child is being bullied at school
Sudden change in behaviour or displays higher levels of stress or anxiety
Shows signs of depression or isolation
Ability to sleep well diminishes
Academic performance begins to deteriorate
Changes in eating habits
Struggles to concentrate
Refuses to go to school
Behaviour changes and is aggressive towards siblings
Begins to use language they do not normally use
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Breaking News: The Remaking of Journalism and Why It Matters Now
Alan Rushbridger, Canongate
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Enterprise-grade%20security%20and%20privacy%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Unlimited%20higher-speed%20GPT-4%20access%20with%20no%20caps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Longer%20context%20windows%20for%20processing%20longer%20inputs%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Advanced%20data%20analysis%20capabilities%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Customisation%20options%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Shareable%20chat%20templates%20that%20companies%20can%20use%20to%20collaborate%20and%20build%20common%20workflows%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Analytics%20dashboard%20for%20usage%20insights%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Free%20credits%20to%20use%20OpenAI%20APIs%20to%20extend%20OpenAI%20into%20a%20fully-custom%20solution%20for%20enterprises%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.