The Hangman's Daughter

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.

I didn't know too much about this book before I started it, and I probably should've researched it a little more thoroughly. I like historical fiction a lot, and while crime thrillers aren't my favorite type of books, I don't dislike them. But I really struggled to finish this book.

Despite the English title, the hangman is the main character here, and he is an unbelievably tough guy. I understand some people like that in a hero, and I used to seek out books like that too, but it just isn't my thing anymore. I would not say he's one-dimensional or even totally sympathetic. One of the things I do like about the book is that most of the major characters are a bit morally grey. He's just overpowered.

The plot is pretty good; it kept me guessing, and some of the revelations really surprised me, even near the end. The hangman's daughter, Magdalena, is important and has some point-of-view sections, but her suitor Zimon is much more central to the plot. He isn't a tough guy type of character at all, which does help to balance out the narrative, but he comes across as kind of whiny, compared to the hangman. Magdalena's in peril several times (threatened with rape), and I know it's a common plot device in thrillers that things are serious because female characters are in danger. But it's a little irritating to read, especially since I'm not really used to this genre.

I also feel like this translation needed one more pass by an editor who was a native English speaker. The phrasing is so often awkward that it took me out of the story.

It's interesting that the author wrote about his ancestors, and overall, I'm glad I read this book. I learned a lot about the function of hangmen, as well as doctors and midwives, in this time and place. It would make a good movie or TV show. I can understand why it's such a popular book, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to readers who have slightly different tastes than my own.

While I really enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down during the last half, I didn't enjoy the fact that its time-period allowed for the driving force of the story. The ignorance of the town council throughout the entirety of the book is frustrating. Without it, however, the idea of witches killing children with their spells and alchemy would be a completely unneeded plot point, and that's what drew me to this book in the first place. I didn't get what I wanted from that aspect of the plot, but what I did get was an intriguing true-to-life character in Jakob Kuisl, a relatable forward-thinking doctor in Simon, and the spunky, defiant and strong-willed Magdalena.

I wish there was a bit more of the fantastical, but because of the strong characters, I will gladly read The Dark Monk (the second book in the series).

I spent my entire day at the Maryland Renaissance Festival yesterday. (And man, do my feet hurt!) But it was an absolute blast; we watched the three sirens of “Sirena” sing some haunting melodies (and “steal” my husband's soul and eat it as part of their act!), watched a couple of hilarious comedy shows (Fight School slayed me) and watched the final round of jousting. Did you know jousting is Maryland's official sport? How cool is that?

On the way to the fair I finished The Hangman's Daughter. The Hangman's Daughter was originally written in German by Oliver Pötzsch, but my version was translated to English by Lee Chadeayne. I didn't realize until I read the “About the Author” followed by “About the Translator” that it wasn't written originally in English! It flowed exceptionally well. The story revolves around the mysterious deaths of three children, the midwife the town wants to pin it on, and a mystery surrounding the sabotage of the leper house being built just outside the walls of the town. The Hangman is actually one of the most sympathetic characters in the story, which I found unique. Usually the executioner/torturer is painted as evil. Along with his daughter and the town doctor's son, an accomplished doctor himself, they attempt to solve the mystery of who's killing children before the town can convict and sentence the midwife.

I REALLY enjoyed this book, and I will probably try to track down other English translations of this author's work. I don't read too many mysteries (though I do have a few more in the queue at the moment) but this book really swept me up and carried me along for the ride. It's set in 17th century Bavaria, 70 years after the last witch craze. Jakob Kuisl is the town's Hangman, and, as it turns out, one of the author's ancestors! The author apparently wrote the novel as a way of connecting with his roots; he is descended from the Kuisls, who were Hangmen for generations.

You can find all my reviews at Goddess in the Stacks.

a well-researched, but in no way plodding, crime story set in Early Modern Bavaria, shortly after the end of the 30 Years' War. Paced well, interesting characters. The translation was quite good–a few moments where I heard the German original seeping through (as in multiple uses of the same English word in a sentence where the original likely had two or three different German words for similar concepts)
I will likely try to get the next one in the original, though, and add it to my escapist summer reading list.

Short Review: A historical mystery about the author's own ancestors from 17th century Germany. The mystery part wasn't bad. I am not the best judge of mysteries. I really don't like figuring out what is happening, I like it to unfold. I am a thriller/suspense fan, not really a mystery fan. The historical fiction part of the book bugged me. Because I don't know anything about 17th century Germany and this felt too much like a bad history reenactment with the main characters wearing watches. (Good guys were more modern and forward thinking, bad guys were superstitious and against change.) Not a bad beach read.

my full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/hangmans-daughter/

Repetitive. Dull. No characters I cared about.

I have only read a couple of mystery books but this one is just amazing and very well done. I loved every plot twist and turn. The characters all felt real and each one had a different personality and made the story feel more real. My favorite character of course had to be the hangman himself, just a bad-ass guy overall.
My opinion is if you like historical books and mystery, then this is the perfect book for you! The pacing is very well done as it starts out fast then when it gets into the main plot slows down to give you excellent detail throughout the story.

Defiantly recommend this to anyone!