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nancesea's review against another edition
4.0
A timely story of xenophobia and mob rule
Another excellent volume in this series. This story highlights the current battle over refugees and immigrants and tries to impart the lessons of history to help us see we are all the same. Oh - and there is of course a great mystery or two.
Another excellent volume in this series. This story highlights the current battle over refugees and immigrants and tries to impart the lessons of history to help us see we are all the same. Oh - and there is of course a great mystery or two.
lbhavkillo's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite Hangman's Daughter book-- felt like there was too much happening, but I did like the hangman's personal journey.
tamara1976's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
dragonlibrary84's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
smithological_stories's review
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
pastor_bgl's review
4.0
I love this series!
This particular installment kept me guessing through the entire book. Just as I thought I had something figured out there would be another twist. I can't wait for the next one!
This particular installment kept me guessing through the entire book. Just as I thought I had something figured out there would be another twist. I can't wait for the next one!
lucija428's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I'm a big fan of the Hangman's daughter series. After reading the Warewolf of Bamberg, which I loved, I thought no other book from the series would top that. But I possibly enjoyed the Play of Death even more. I'm just amazed by Pötzsch, he outdid himself once again.
latida94's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I just love the Kuisl family so much.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, and Murder
vorpalblad's review
5.0
Potzsch does it again. A return to form after the somewhat disappointing Werewolf entry in the Hangman's Daughter series. A few years have passed and Jakob is finding solace in drink while his daughter Barbara dreams of being able to escape her label as a hangman's daughter.
Jakob and his son-in-law wind up up the valley in Oberammergau investigating the death by crucifixion of the lead actor in the passion play that the town is performing ahead of schedule, in order to make money for the town coffers.
Potzsch does a terrific job with the mystery but the historical pieces are woven in deftly and make for a believable set of circumstance. The towns along the Ammer River no longer see the trade traffic they used to. And a primarily feudal agrarian society is giving way to a middle class of artisans, physicians, and self-made traders. To say more would give the plot away.
The author also takes on the growing xenophobia of our time, offering in his afterword a warning on the prior outcome of the cry "the valley is full."
Jakob and his son-in-law wind up up the valley in Oberammergau investigating the death by crucifixion of the lead actor in the passion play that the town is performing ahead of schedule, in order to make money for the town coffers.
Potzsch does a terrific job with the mystery but the historical pieces are woven in deftly and make for a believable set of circumstance. The towns along the Ammer River no longer see the trade traffic they used to. And a primarily feudal agrarian society is giving way to a middle class of artisans, physicians, and self-made traders. To say more would give the plot away.
The author also takes on the growing xenophobia of our time, offering in his afterword a warning on the prior outcome of the cry "the valley is full."
radbear76's review against another edition
3.0
An OK mystery that's used as an allegory for Germany's current immigration debate. The same repetitive emphasis on the status of the characters that's in the preceding books in the series.