The Hangman's Daughter

A Hangman's Daughter Tale, Book 1

By: Oliver Pötzsch, Lee Chadeayne - translator

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 12 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Germany, 1660: 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 the 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.

A brilliantly detailed, fast-paced historical thriller, The Hangman’s Daughter is the first novel from German television screenwriter Oliver Pötzsch, a descendent of the Kuisls, a famous Bavarian executioner clan.

©2011 Oliver Pötzsch, Lee Chadeayne (translation) (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

First audible....

great story, interesting characters, felt the atmosphere or the era. captivating from the very beginning of the book, I'm hooked!

Great concept, average execution

There are interesting bits about the work of seventeenth-century executioners. These sections are well written. The fictional elements are less successful. Cliche and flat writing abound. Gardner's performance, as always, good.

Too long for my taste

It was a good story that took too long to get through. Needed editing down.

Too simplistic

Probably meant for a much younger audience. The storyline was really too simplistic bordering on juvenile.

A Journey With The Past

I loved this book! Not only that but I hope the series never ends. The characters are so real the author could be describing past family members. (If you listen to the author notes at the end, you will learn this is, if fact, true.) Can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Historical spellbinder

I am a sucker for historical novels. Having traveled in Europe extensively I am always interested in the historical aspects. This book marries the historical aspects of the society and the myths and superstitions that were so prevalent at the time. It is also a very intriguing "who done it". You will not feel like your time has been wasted to listen to this book.

Everything I like in a book

This book had everything for me: history, a gripping mystery, and fascinating characters. It might be a little extreme for some as far as the descriptions of torture and death, but I didn't mind. The narrator, Grover Gardner is my absolute favorite on audible and I actually found this book because he performed. I own most of the books he narrates and I think his voice improves the experience for me every time.

Enjoyable

I liked the historical information about the hangman and his family. I did find myself having a brief Scooby Doo moment but overall a very enjoyable book.

Excellent Tale

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I was between books and was looking for something that would be mildly entertaining. I noticed that these series of books had really gotten good reviews, so I thought, what the heck, I'll give it a try.

This story held my interest throughout the book and whenever I had to stop, I somewhat impatiently waited to have time to pick it up again. The story weaves in and out without losing the reader and the characters are fully developed. The story comes to a satisfactory end, not one that leaves you hanging.

As soon as I finished, I bought the next in the series. If you purchase this book/audiobook, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

PS: Grover Gardner is an excellent narrator, as usual.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Most definitely kept me on the edge. Peril lies at every turn.

Which character – as performed by Grover Gardner – was your favorite?

They are all performed superbly. Simon was my favorite character, but that is mainly due to the author's development of the character.

Wish I'd read the book!

This was a great book, very engaging, but the narrator was just awful! Lacking any inflection, he rattled on in a monotone, even when describing some really harrowing bits of the story. Still well worth a listen, I wish I'd read the book, since I think I would have given this a 5-star rating. The narrator almost killed it for me.