Meet the Characters
Max's and his Berlin Kriminalpolizei colleagues
Maximilian Siegfried BECKER (Max) Kriminalhauptkommisar - (Det Chf Insp)
Born 5 June 1918 the only child of Wilhelm and Elsa Becker. In 1936, aged 18 he joined, with his best friend Matty (learn his fate in the first novel - Angel Avenger) - The 3rd Panzer Regiment. He fought throughout the war as a tank commander, ending as a company commander of a heavy Panzer unit, with the rank of Hauptman (Capt.) A tank ace, with more than 100 credited kills, he was wounded five times and highly decorated.
After the war, he was taken prisoner by the Americans, but was transferred to the British where he assited in hunting down a key Nazi war criminal (stories explored in future Becker books). Soon after he was freed and immediately sought out a nurse, Anna Fischer, he had met and fallen in love with back in 1941. They got married; he joined the police, and they settled in Hannover. In 1952 he , and his family moved to Berlin after he was head-hunted by former friend and Panzer comrade, August Dehler, head of the Berlin Kripos Murder Squad (KD1). His twins - Heike and Markus were born 3 Oct 1947.
Max is a family man, a team player and loves his kids. A good leader and detective. He suffers from the trauma he experienced during the war and the guilt of having fought for a criminal regime (topics that are explored further in the Becker stories).
He loves motorbikes, favourite colour is pink (panzer colour), a good sense of humour, apolitical and not religious, non-smoker, likes beer.
Tobias Wolfgang KLEIN (Tobi) - Kriminaloberkommisar - (Det Insp)
Born 1922, Tobi to his friends and colleagues. At the outbreak of war, he joined 216th Infantry Division - initially, a machine gunner, his courage and tactical prowess soon got him noticed, and he rose through the ranks. He trained as a marksman (the Wehrmacht did not like the term 'Sniper') and played an important role for his regiment on the Eastern Front. He was very successful but his war was very hard, and he witnessed some terrible atrocities carried out by the advancing Russian army. He was wounded several times and awarded the Knights Cross. At the end of the war, he was stuck in Hungary, but managed to walk back to Austria, finally surrendering to the Americans. By this time he had hidden all trace of his role as a sniper, and after a brief period of incarceration was released. He met Max at police college where they became firm friends. When Max went to Berlin in 1952, he asked Tobi to join him.
He is married to Else, and they have two children, Charlotte (Lotte) born 1950 and Martin born 1952. Tobi loves music, motorbikes and is a keen carpenter.
Tim Wickenden
novelist
Angel Avenger
A Max Becker Thriller
A nation scarred by violence. Ugly signs of a serial killer. Is this homicide detective chasing a villain… or a victim vigilante?
Germany, 1960. Max Becker is haunted by his past. Once a Nazi soldier, the Berlin investigator works himself to the bone to make amends and bring his country some redemption. So when tortured and naked male bodies show up along with cryptic messages, he’s determined to hunt down a cold-blooded criminal as the body count rises.
Driven to expose the truth when he discovers links to Russian soldiers responsible for unspeakable war crimes, Max fights a growing sympathy for the disturbed murderer. And now close to making an arrest, he’s at risk of his emotions rejecting duty in favour of a dangerous choice.
Can he find the delicate balance between ensuring justice and permitting understandable vengeance?
Angel Avenger is the dark first book in the Max Becker historical crime thriller series. If you like edge-of-your-seat suspense, morally gray characters, and seamlessly accurate settings, then you’ll love Tim Wickenden’s hypnotic page-turner.
Buy Angel Avenger and enter the mind of a killer today! today!
‘Angel Avenger: A Max Becker Thriller is hypnotic, a well-crafted story with great characters… A pure delight for fans of crime thrillers.’
Divine Zape – Readers’ Favorite – 5 stars
'Wickenden writes with a lightness of touch, and the telling little details of time and place add hugely to the atmosphere and originality of this book. Highly recommended.'
Sara MacDonald - author of Another Life and A Kingdom by the Sea
'I found this book to be really gripping and moving on many levels.'
Lovereading.co.uk - An Indie Book We love award
Wow! That covers my reaction to this book, on just about every different front, definitely making it my best read of 2019, which is when I opened this Pandora’s box of emotions.
Yvonne - Fiction Books
'In creating a killer who you feel for, the dark and atmospheric events are superbly crafted in a taut and tense book with an emotional and brooding plot.'
AlexJ Books
More reviews on Goodreads
Girl Hunter
A Max Becker Thriller - Novelette
A nation scarred by echoes of war. A devious serial killer who has slain nine girls. There are scant clues, and the killer seemingly unstoppable, until forced into a terrifying choice…
Germany, 1960. Max Becker is haunted by his past. Once a Nazi soldier, the Berlin investigator works tirelessly to make amends and bring his country some recovery. For months he’s hunted an elusive deviant, who hounds Max’s life.
After Max makes a breakthrough, the killer calls, taunting him. Now more personal than ever, to two begin a dance of death. But after another girl is slaughtered, Max fears he may never bring the Girl Hunter to justice.
When all seems lost, the killer makes an uncharacteristic mistake allowing the battle-hardened detective to pounce, setting a deadly trap…
At stake is the life of Max’s daughter!
Girl Hunter is a punchy, brooding historical crime thriller, introducing Kommissar Max Becker. If you like edge-of-your-seat suspense, morally grey characters and seamlessly accurate settings, then you’ll love Tim Wickenden’s exhilarating page-turner.
Buy Girl Hunter, and join the hunt today…
'This is such an exciting novel that I don’t know what Tim Wickenden may do as a sequel, but I’m going to be there to read it. So should you.' Dan Santos—author of Letters from Blitz, and Insurrection: Appalachian Command
'Girl Hunter is an atmospheric thriller filled with suspense. The story will keep the reader at his/her toes and every detail inside is essential to the story.' Christine Vasou - Publisher
'A short but terrifying story that gives you a chilling glimpse into the twisted mind of a deranged serial killer.' Helen—Amazon, UK review
'If you are looking for a novelette that will grip your attention, Girl Hunter: A Max Becker Thriller is it!' Obi—Amazon, UK review
'This author is one of the best that I have had the privilege of checking out in a long time. I loved the ending, the way it made you want to find out what happened to the last victim in the end. I can't wait to read more from this author.' Deborah—Amazon, US review
More reviews on Goodreads