We're in a golden age of flawed antiheroes - men like Walter White, Tony Soprano, Don Draper, and others, whose charisma and appeal is offset by their monstrous sides, ranging from violence to sociopathy to solipsism. So we're in a good era for books like The Hangman's Daughter, whose protagonist is a professional executioner and torturer for a small German town in the 1600's. Jakob Kuisl is a hard man, and an unpopular one, for obvious reasons; the town loves for him to do their dirty work, but they're uneasy with the cruelty and death he's capable of dealing out. And yet, Kuisl is smarter and more thoughtful than he appears, and when children are murdered in the village and marked with what appears to be a witch's sign, Kuisl questions the official story. And as if a child murderer isn't enough, there's the danger of mass witch hunts and hysteria, a rapidly approaching nobleman who could bankrupt the town, and small town politics that could change everything. Author Oliver Pötsch spins an intriguing tale, but one of the best things about The Hangman's Daughter is his command of historical details, which truly bring the era to life in all of its small, satisfying ways. More than that, Pötsch brings his characters to life naturally, letting their foibles and weaknesses show as much as their strengths. (It's worth noting that, according to the postscript, Jakob Kuisl was a real person and an ancestor of Pötsch, which no doubt prompted much of this research and some of the real-life details that pepper the book.) Of course, without a satisfying story, no mystery works; luckily, The Hangman's Daughter is a great yarn, one that's incredibly influenced by its setting without ever resorting to cheap dramatic irony or modern day ideas (mostly, that is; there is a conflict about modern science versus old methods, but that fits into the story nicely and feels natural rather than forced). And through it all, there's Kuisl, a brutal man filled with contradictions: he's merciful and merciless, brutish but brilliant, emotionally raw but ice cold. He's a compelling central figure for the tale, and as a window into a novel and compelling world, he makes for a pretty great ambassador. All in all, The Hangman's Daughter is a satisfying and fun mystery tale, and I'm intrigued to read more of the series at some point. Pötsch has created a fascinating world and a great cast of characters, and I'm curious to see what he does as he continues to explore this world he's brought to life.
- Josh Mauthe
- Josh Mauthe
