Les Mensonges De L'esprit (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
This is the second mystery in this series that I've read, and for some reason this one wasn't quite as interesting as the first one. Takes place a military school for boys in Germany in the early 1900s, where strange things are happening. Boys are dying, and no one can figure out why the boy whose death started the investigation has died. There is a lot of bullying taking place in this school, and the headmaster appears to be in on it. He's named Eichmann, and in the postscript Tallis tells us that this is a deliberate reference to the Nazi Eichmann. Once again the relationship between the detective and the doctor is well-portrayed, and the two of them need to put their heads together to figure out what has been going on in the school.Again some historical people figure in this story - Freud, Nietzsche, and more. The key to the entire plot is Nietzsche's "Superman". But if I tell you any more I'll ruin the book for you. Just pick it up at the library and make your way through. You'll enjoy the trip. Equal parts stuffy and scandalous, Tallis' turn-of-the-century Vienna mysteries are always amusing and thought-provoking. The brilliant, yet insufferable, Max Liebermann is a wonderful character, and detective Oskar Reinhardt is the perfect Watson to Liebermann's Holmes. This novel is full of little gimmicks, some successful (the bleak military school), some not as successful (I hate the use of Freud as a character), but overall a pleasant reading experience.
What do You think about Les Mensonges De L'esprit (2008)?
Excellent - didn't realise this was part of a series - will definitely read more
—bigchic
Excellent mystery set in turn of the century Vienna.
—mel
