This is a historical fiction mystery set in 1660 Germany. The executioner Jakob Kuisl and his mission to save the midwife Martha from a crime that she did not commit. Children are dying with witch’s symbol etched on their back. They blamed the midwife for being a witch and had her arrested and to...
I actually bumped the first book in this series up to four stars in relation to this one. I liked it a little more.The mysteries themselves are good/keep you guessing/second guessing at times, but it can get a bit bogged down at times with all the historical things and setting the tone of the ti...
"The Beggar King" was a great read, because the story connects real places and real historical events with the story even though it is a fictional novel. The plot became so much more real. I've read the reviews saying that the series get's repetitive, but I really hope that isn't the case, becaus...
I have been enjoying the Hangman's Daughter series, but this one seemed a bit long. I thought the story arc was on it's way to wrapping up, and then saw I was only about 50% through the book. There was a lot going on in this book, so there was more to keep up with than usual. However, I got a sec...
Enjoyable historical fiction mystery. Good read. I figured out most of the clues before I reached the end.
I enjoyed the language and setting of the scene. The story felt a bit predictable halfway through, but that didn't detract from the vividness of the setting for me. I love that this was based on real people in the author's family, and that he can so convincingly conjure this town as if he had l...
Not as good as the first and it was too predicable. Entertaining but a little bit like watching a Hollywood adventure flick...Nothing special.
I enjoy the Kuisl's 17th century adventures in Bavaria- the first in the series really seemed too gruesome to me but, deciding to give Poetzch work another try, the 2nd novel really captivated me with its history and superb storytelling. This 3rd book in the series didn't disappoint either. It...
A sprawling, enthralling tale. He consistently delivers a complex dark mystery at the end of the Dark Ages.I like it.
I have read the other Hangman's Daughter books and did not enjoy this as much. Phrasing was troublesome, the who-done-it solved too quickly and some portions of the story didn't fit. For example, when they burst into the Knacker's home looking for the Hangman the daughter denies he is in town, ye...
I enjoyed this book but don't know that I need to seek out any other books in the Hangman's series. If you've read the Hangman's Daughter you will know exactly what to expect from this book. There were a few new spins but in general, not enough to make me want to go further with these character...
This was a very interesting book about a culture that I have not had the pleasure of hearing too much about. I thought it was interesting that the author kind of poked fun a little bit about people who wanted to buy Dan Brown mysteries, when his story was of a similar nature. This work was defini...
Just before he's brutally tortured and murdered an elderly gent hides a secret diary in an antiquarian used bookstore in Munich. The bookstore is owned by Steven Lukas, a young man who just wants to lead a quiet life among his tomes. Before long the old gent's niece, Sara Lengfeld, shows up. She ...
A good read. The background is well-researched and fascinating, but as far-fetched as the Hangman's Daughter series sometimes seemed, this one stretched the bounds of credulity. Nevertheless, it gets into wonderful details about Ludwig's life and times, and many of the questions and mystery's t...
THE MORNING OF SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 1666, AD. JAKOB KUISL CAUGHT the men in the zimmerstadl warehouse not far from the river. They were about a dozen young punks, pimply, broad-shouldered, and practically bursting with strength and cockiness. The hangman recognized two or three carpenter’s journeymen...
Clouds drifted like gigantic, ghostly sheets through the treetops, where the moisture gathered on the red and yellow leaves and came trickling down. Jakob Kuisl’s boots splashed through the leaves and made a gurgling sound as they sank ankle deep into the moss and decaying foliage. This time, he’...