Mr. Djv Murphy

Bunker Treasures: a Search for the Amber Room Mr. Djv Murphy

This book features a contemporary look at the art world.....and flash backs to the
Nazi era when art was plundered by Hitler's minions in Europe.   The main character, 
a strikingly good looking man in his 50's, a former West Point graduate and athlete, 
becomes the head of an arts foundation created by his Father's estate.   
 
During the reading of his father's will, he learns the entire Wall Street generated fortune
is left to create an arts foundation naming him as President.  The only tangible thing
left to him is a tattered envelope containing a map with a Nazi insignia, Hitler's
signature and pages torn from his father's WW II war time diary.  
Later as the main character begins to hire staff for the foundation, he meets the 
daughter of a former  East German Stasi agent, a most attractive woman in her late
30's.  After she is hired as his personal assistant and using the Nazi map, they begin the
search  which leads them to long lost treasures from the war. Their journey take
them to a small  village on the border of Germany and Austria plus trips to St.
Petersburg, Russia; Vienna, Austria; Savannah, GA.; Washington D. C. and other
destinations. Central to the theme is the possible discovery of the whereabouts of the
"Amber Room"  which was stolen by Hitler during World War II after the invasion
of St. Petersburg.   
 
The "Amber Room" has never been found [true]...... but the lead character in 
"Bunker Treasures" has information which will lead him on a dangerous search 
for it as well as other works of art stolen by Hitler.  Unfortunately both Interpol and the 
Russian government also want the information.    Although main the character is under 
suspicion of dealing in stolen art work, he cooperates with Interpol in a sting operation
hoping to lure the mysterious criminal element out of hiding.  But in the interisomeone 
is also trying to assassinate him.
 
The opening scene is set just before dawn in the late winter of 1945 on the
German/Austrian Border. Only the sound of a steam powered train is heard as it comes
to a stop with screeching brakes in darkness of night and light snow falling.  An excited 
German male voice is heard over the din of the train's noise. He shouts in German "Bewegung schnell, entladen jene Frachtwaggons.... der Feind ist kommende... Bewegung, Bewegung, Bewegung, schneller" [English subtitles:  Move quickly, unload those box cars.....the enemy is coming.......move, move, move.....faster"! ]
 
On the horizon flashes of light can be seen as the morning dawn
begins.  Exploding mortar shells light up the darkness in the woods which are faintly
seen in the background.  A platoon of soldiers, broken off from the main 103rd Infantry 
Division of the U. S. Army, happens upon this scene which eventually leads to
dramatic discovery.  What happens next is both terrifying and  shocking.........and kept
secret for more than 60 years after the war ends with Hitler's suicide.