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.

Wonderful concept - just Ok writing

The idea that the town's executioner should be more worried about justice than the burghers is a great premise. The story moves along, but the repetition in the prose is off-putting. Character development is slow and that's not always bad - but in this case, some of the major characters are still incomplete at the end of the book. Hints are given, but clarity would be nice. I found it strange that the reformation was totally ignored.

Medieval Mystery

First, if you don't want to hear graphic descriptions of torture and life in the mid-1600s then you might want to avoid this book. The local midwife has been accused of witchcraft and tossed in prison. Back in those days people were tortured until they got a confession so there are several descriptive torture scenes. The townspeople believe in witchcraft and devils (this story takes place 70 years after the witch trials where about 60 women were accused of witchcraft and killed) and see signs of it in the most innocent of things and hysteria starts to rise and demands are made for the midwife/witch to be killed. Mob mentality arises and has to be subdued.

As I said earlier, the book gets very graphic in descriptions of the hangman's trade and also other atrocities committed by the mercenaries of the time and also the treatment of women and children.

The title is a little misleading in that even though the hangman does have a daughter and she plays a small role, the majority of the book is centered around the hangman and the university-educated son of the local doctor trying to figure out who is responsible for the murders and destruction of property since they believe in the midwife's innocence.

This book reminded me a little of Speaks the Nightbird by Robert McCammon which centered around a witch trial in 1699. If you enjoyed that book you would probably enjoy this one as well.

A great read.

I bought the first book on a fluke and loved every minute. Since then, I've listened to the whole series, and passionately awaiting the next issue.

Much Better Than Anticipated!

This was an awesome story and much better than I expected. I loved how this story takes the character of a hangman, and reinvents him into not only a likable character but one who is gruff, but also has a caring side. While he has to do his job to ensure the "witch" confesses, he's also secretly trying to prove her innocence along with this daughter, and her friend. Great story!

Stopped listening after 16 chapters

Would you try another book from Oliver Pötzsch and Lee Chadeayne (translator) and/or Grover Gardner?

I would listen to Grover Gardner, I had no issues with the narration. I don't believe I would select the author again. It looks like the author's focus follows these characters. It just wasn't for me.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I enjoyed the historical era and old culture but my least favorite part was how removed all the characters were (from emotion). No doubt there were several basic missions in play but none of the characters seemed emotionally connected. I'd say it was much like a means to an end for each of them.

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

I didn't connect with any character and there were an abundance to select from. As the story was being told, I felt there was an effort to introduce every single townsperson. It was a character overload issue for me.

Do you think The Hangman's Daughter needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I didn't finish the book so I can't say.

Any additional comments?

I have trouble turning away from a book, wanting to know the ending. Usually, for me, the longer the book the better. I gave this one about 5 hours (16 chapters) to draw me in and I believe it was just starting to get interesting. Unfortunately, I couldn't imagine holding out for the ending with another 8 hours left.

great historical journey

What did you love best about The Hangman's Daughter?

the constant excitement of the story line and the presentation

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Hangman's Daughter?

the believability of the characters

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was just anxious for the story and the characters to continue

Any additional comments?

a fun read

I love this book!

This story is amazing. I read the book years ago then bought it on Audible. The narrator is wonderful so I bought the entire series. This author brings the characters to life. You'll fall in love with the Kuisel family.

Hocus-pocus is real in the uneducated mind

The Hangman’s Daughter was not exactly what I was expecting although I really didn’t have any expectations based on anything other than the title. The book ventured in the 1600s post European Witch trials to the superstitions and fantasy of witches in the aftermath. From the view of a hangman, the book moved between reality and fantasy in such away that it blend well with the story. Hysteria and the logical mind played a large roll in weaving the plot into a believable scenario that played out to the end. It introduced Walpurgis, the May Festival and other ancient Celts traditions that lend way to the myths and legends hidden in the old forlorn that helped enhance a story that started off slowly but picked up as it developed. It at times was difficult to tell if the devil was real or only distinguishable through gossip and paranoia. Nightshade, hemlock, magic save and mystical creature of the night make hocus-pocus real in the uneducated mind. Worth reading.

Grisly yet Gripping

There were times when the dialogue was so gruesome that it was difficult to stomach. On the other hand I love authenticity in historical novels and this one embraced the superstition, gross ignorance, base cruelty and hard life of Renaissance Bavarian in graphic details. Good story, well told but I don't think my wife will ever want to hear the sequels! I may have to listen on my own.

Hangmen are people too

Why is it that every book now seems to be about somebody who happens to have a daughter? Anyway, this is one of those typical Mideval mysteries in the spirit of Cadfael only instead of a monk, the detective is a hangman. This hangman has his compassionate side. He also seems to be intellectually overqualified for his job title, but this is a family business. There are the typical church ideologues, self-serving municipal functionaries and herbal remedies and poisons though the apothecary plot elements are handled by a young doctor instead of being a hobby of the protagonist. Historical series (Aubrey/Maturin or Poldark for example) always have to include a doctor. Well somebody has to sew up the wounded or discover the tincture of murder. It's not a bad story, it's just that I've read its kind so often before and the characters feel inserted into a formulaic plot like Lego pieces.