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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
This series is kinda fun. They are historical fiction mysteries set in a time and place that is interesting and not necessarily hugely used. I like the social hierarchy within the town and I think that does lend a lot to the narrative. I think Jakob does come off like a superhero at times and the women characters can be somewhat stereotypical. The character of Simon is entertaining and I enjoy the medical discussions in the books. I will continue with the series because it is enjoyable and different. "The Dark Monk" was entertaining and while dealing with the topic du jour of the Templars, it was still fun.
A very interesting tale. It's the story of an educated hangman in 16th century Bavaria who moonlights as a detective. What makes it interesting is that the author comes from generations of hangmen from that period. It was an interesting peek into history with a decent story thrown in.
Crazy religious zealots strike again
Not as good as the first but still enjoy the multidimensional hangman and historical setting for this secret society/murder mystery.
Not as good as the first but still enjoy the multidimensional hangman and historical setting for this secret society/murder mystery.
I really enjoyed this second book in the series, in some ways more than the first. It had a good myserty and focused on that more than some of the outlying characters. A good read!
So this novel was another fun romp with our favorite dandy-medicus, Simon Fronweisser, and the Kuisl clan. The premise is that a lost Templar treasure has been buried in the Schongau area. There are more shady characters in this book than you can shake a stick at. Who's a 'good guy' and who's a 'bad guy' and who is just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Schongau will never be the same with packs of bandits and dark monks roaming its peaceful forests - throw in a massive 'fever' outbreak and you've got pandemonium. As a nice 'extra', the author gives us a brief 'tour' of the highlighted places in the novel at the end of the book - so he actually explains that the place really existed, what it was known for or used for at the time the novel takes place and what it is now and where you can go to see it - a true travelogue for the book - maybe I'll have to pin some of these locations for my next trip to Germany.
While I really liked this novel, it wasn't as great as the first - there was just so much going on - like he was trying to 'up' the suspense by adding in lots of red herrings and intrigue but I think a few less storylines might have been better. That being said, I'm glad that I read it and am looking forward to picking up book 3. Now the big decision is to continue this series or take a brief break and catch up on GoT book 4? both options are excellent choices!
While I really liked this novel, it wasn't as great as the first - there was just so much going on - like he was trying to 'up' the suspense by adding in lots of red herrings and intrigue but I think a few less storylines might have been better. That being said, I'm glad that I read it and am looking forward to picking up book 3. Now the big decision is to continue this series or take a brief break and catch up on GoT book 4? both options are excellent choices!
Set in Germany in the 1600's, the sequel to The Hangman's Daughter once again exposes the ignorance and superstition of the middle ages. The same characters have assembled: the enlightened Hangman, his precocious and headstrong daughter, Magdelena and the medicus of Schongau.
The focus of this adventure is religion, rather than medicine, and the plot can sometimes strain credibility, as the trio tries to solve a riddle, a murder and stop a gang of highway robbers, but in the end, it all comes together nicely and once again the author has written historical fiction that illuminates life in Bavaria.
The focus of this adventure is religion, rather than medicine, and the plot can sometimes strain credibility, as the trio tries to solve a riddle, a murder and stop a gang of highway robbers, but in the end, it all comes together nicely and once again the author has written historical fiction that illuminates life in Bavaria.
This is the second in the Hangman's Daughter series, and I did enjoy it, but had some problems. I thought there was too much allusion to the first book, which bores those who have read it and isn't necessary for new readers taking the novel independently. Also, the story's second act features some interactions that abruptly end (which might emerge again in book three, but could have had a better conclusion in this one). Also, sometimes, I felt it was formulaic to the first book. But, overall, it was interesting and well researched. It is a fresh approach to the Templar shadow over Christendom, and the characters develop further by experiences. Worth a read for slightly passive but engaging story-telling.
Very similar to the first book but still entertaining. I found the church/Templar theme to be interesting.
It was good but I enjoyed the first Hangman's Daughter book much better. There were parts of this story that seemed to drag, but still loved the characters and have pre-ordered the third book to come out.
I devoured “The Hangman’s Daughter” over a couple of days during a week off, and I had to get the second book of this series almost as soon as I finished the first one. Oliver Potzsch historical murder mysteries are absolute catnip to me, and the second book of this series is just as fun as the first!
The priest of a quiet village dies of poisoning, leaving a strange and cryptic clue behind in his last moment. Jakob Kuisl, the Schongau hangman, tries to figure out what the priest meant for people to find out, aided by his daughter, her suitor and the priest’s sister. As they realize that they may be after a fabled Knights Templar treasure, they also realize that they are not the only ones looking for it, and that the others in pursuit of this treasure are leaving a trail of bodies behind.
Those books are difficult to summarize further without giving anything away, and the plot twists are simply too much fun to spoil. This book might bring to mind a certain mediocre best-seller about following weird cryptic clues leading to a treasure, but believe me, this is infinitely better written and more interesting! I am amazed with how fascinated we still are with the Templars and all the rumors surrounding the organization. I made a special detour the first time I went to Paris to visit the spot where Jacques de Molay was executed, so yeah, give me all the Templar stories, thank you!
Potzsch continues to use the character of Magdalena as the center of his stories, and she definitely becomes more active in his installment, though that also means she gets into a lot of trouble. She is stubborn, smart but also much too impulsive and emotional, and I enjoyed her character development as a strong but flawed woman trying to find a place for herself in a society that doesn’t accommodate people like her well.
These are super fun, historical page-turners, and I had to read the third one very soon after I wrapped this one up. Consider me hooked!
The priest of a quiet village dies of poisoning, leaving a strange and cryptic clue behind in his last moment. Jakob Kuisl, the Schongau hangman, tries to figure out what the priest meant for people to find out, aided by his daughter, her suitor and the priest’s sister. As they realize that they may be after a fabled Knights Templar treasure, they also realize that they are not the only ones looking for it, and that the others in pursuit of this treasure are leaving a trail of bodies behind.
Those books are difficult to summarize further without giving anything away, and the plot twists are simply too much fun to spoil. This book might bring to mind a certain mediocre best-seller about following weird cryptic clues leading to a treasure, but believe me, this is infinitely better written and more interesting! I am amazed with how fascinated we still are with the Templars and all the rumors surrounding the organization. I made a special detour the first time I went to Paris to visit the spot where Jacques de Molay was executed, so yeah, give me all the Templar stories, thank you!
Potzsch continues to use the character of Magdalena as the center of his stories, and she definitely becomes more active in his installment, though that also means she gets into a lot of trouble. She is stubborn, smart but also much too impulsive and emotional, and I enjoyed her character development as a strong but flawed woman trying to find a place for herself in a society that doesn’t accommodate people like her well.
These are super fun, historical page-turners, and I had to read the third one very soon after I wrapped this one up. Consider me hooked!