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The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver…
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The Hangman's Daughter (edition 2011)

by Oliver Pötzsch, Lee Chadeayne (Translator)

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2,8471744,947 (3.63)142
Germany, 1659: When a dying boy is pulled from the river with a mark crudely tattooed on his shoulder, hangman Jakob Kuisl is called upon to investigate whether witchcraft is at play in his small Bavarian town. Whispers and dark memories of witch trials and the women burned at stake just seventy years earlier still haunt the streets of Schongau. When more children disappear and an orphan boy is found dead, marked by the same tattoo, the mounting hysteria threatens to erupt into chaos. Before the unrest forces him to torture and execute the very woman who aided in the birth of his children, Jakob must unravel the truth. With the help of his clever daughter, Magdelena, and Simon, the university-educated son of the town's physician, Jakob discovers that a devil is indeed loose in Schongau. But it may be too late to prevent bloodshed.… (more)
Member:TheAmateur
Title:The Hangman's Daughter
Authors:Oliver Pötzsch
Other authors:Lee Chadeayne (Translator)
Info:Mariner Books (2011), Edition: Rep Rei, Paperback, 448 pages
Collections:Your library
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The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch

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» See also 142 mentions

English (171)  Spanish (1)  German (1)  Japanese (1)  All languages (174)
Showing 1-5 of 171 (next | show all)
A mystery set in 17th c. Bavaria -
A young boy’s corpse is discovered with a mark drawn on his body and the local midwife is quickly arrested on charges of witchcraft. The hangman, Jakob Kuisl (who also serves as an instrument of the interrogation as a torturer) believes the woman to be innocent but unless she confesses, a full-blown witch hunt in which many more women will be accused and executed will commence. Soon, two more children’s bodies are found and the pressure to convict the midwife increases even as a darker conspiracy starts to emerge.
The author has written this historical fiction based on the real-life figure of his forefather and incorporated family folklore, extensive research and his own imagination in creating a vivid if somewhat unsavory picture of life in a small town in present day Germany. The main protagonist is the executioner with a progressive town doctor and the eponymous hangman’s daughter playing secondary and tertiary roles respectively (which makes the title of the book seem odd). There are a few repetitive points made (e.g. the consequences of a full blown witch hunt) and overall the story comes across as rather prosaic (Author‘s writing style? Translator?) but an interesting look at a corner of the world rarely if ever depicted in fiction. ( )
  Tanya-dogearedcopy | Feb 18, 2024 |
In 1659 Bavaria children are being killed, found with a mysterious sign on their bodies. Could the local midwife also be a witch?

It took me a long time to get through this as I found myself unable to concentrate on it for more than few pages at time. I will probably continue with the series but not for now. ( )
  Robertgreaves | Jan 25, 2024 |
I loved this book (I read the Kindle version). Interesting historical detail of Schongau (Germany), and well-drawn sympathetic characters. I'm requesting my relatives send me the other books by Poetzsch from Europe (since they are not available here in the US). ( )
  decaturmamaof2 | Nov 22, 2023 |
Absolutely gripped for 3/4 of the story, but the ending left me dissatisfied. Also, I don't understand why it's called "The Hangman's Daughter" when she doesn't do anything except serve as sexual interest to other characters. So 4 stars is a little high, really more like 3.5, but a galloping plot really counts for a lot with me. Also, I like the postscript where the author recounts his connection to this tale. ( )
  blueskygreentrees | Jul 30, 2023 |
While I liked the historical fiction aspects of this mystery, the mystery itself was only okay. I figured out who was behind the killings by halfway through. I also thought that the novel would have been improved by some trimming - the story could have been told (and in my opinion improved) in 100-150 pages less.

I also was annoyed with the clerk Lechner repeatedly claiming that if only the midwife would confess to being a witch and let them kill her, everything would go back to being fine. Only an idiot or an ignorant superstitious person could believe that. Lechner is supposed to be clever and yet he repeats this idea even at the end when the truth is known. I could perhaps buy that argument for a single murder but that is clearly not the case here, especially after the second boy is found murdered and then a girl disappears.. So that character didn't seem believable to me.

On the plus side, I thought that the hangman Kuisl and his friend the physician's son Simon were very well done and I liked the way the various practices of healing were shown. The misogynistic view of midwives was a bit upsetting even though it was probably historically accurate. ( )
  leslie.98 | Jun 27, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 171 (next | show all)
"The shocking motivations from unlikely players provide for a twist that will leave readers admiring this complex tale from a talented new voice."
added by bookfitz | editPublishers Weekly (May 16, 2011)
 

» Add other authors (2 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Oliver Pötzschprimary authorall editionscalculated
Chadeayne, LeeTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Corley, M. S.Illustratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Gardner, GroverNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Marić, SabineTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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To the memory of Fritz Kuisl

For Niklas and Lily

at the other end of the line
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October 12 was a good day for a killing.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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Germany, 1659: When a dying boy is pulled from the river with a mark crudely tattooed on his shoulder, hangman Jakob Kuisl is called upon to investigate whether witchcraft is at play in his small Bavarian town. Whispers and dark memories of witch trials and the women burned at stake just seventy years earlier still haunt the streets of Schongau. When more children disappear and an orphan boy is found dead, marked by the same tattoo, the mounting hysteria threatens to erupt into chaos. Before the unrest forces him to torture and execute the very woman who aided in the birth of his children, Jakob must unravel the truth. With the help of his clever daughter, Magdelena, and Simon, the university-educated son of the town's physician, Jakob discovers that a devil is indeed loose in Schongau. But it may be too late to prevent bloodshed.

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Hangman Jakob Kuisl is called upon to investigate when a dying boy is pulled from the river in 1659 with a mark crudely tattooed on his shoulder, and with rumors of witchcraft fueling a mounting hysteria in the small Bavarian town of Schongau, Kuisl rushes to find the culprit before he is forced to execute the very woman who aided in the birth of his children.
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