Detective Inspector Oskar Reinhardt finds that young women are being slain in an unnerving—and ingenious—manner, with a small, almost undetectable, hat pin. For Dr. Max Liebermann, the killer is unique in the annals of psychopathology, one who murders in the midst of consensual love. Is the culprit a patient, one who swears he has a double, a shadow figure that is far more forward (in fact, indecent) with women? As danger mounts, Liebermann must find the answer while struggling with his own forbidden desire for a female patient.
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"Viennese decadence on full display, beginning with an eerie murder using a hatpin, continues and involves a gritty subplot ranging from pornographic drawings to Secessionist fashion design. This is almost as well-plotted as Fatal Lies, but is not quite as involving. The Zentralfriedhof (main cemetery) in Vienna is actually larger than the entire Innere Stadt, and this fact is used in the novel to support the Viennese obsession with sex and death. So far, this is the eerie-est of Tallis's series, featuring a murderer whose attenuated humanity is profoundly disturbing and another whose motives are more understandable. The Freudian milieu thickens, as does Inspector Rheinhardt's waistline -- he is CONSTANTLY eating pastries in this book. And unfortunately, they sound delicious. Gotta go have something to eat..."
— Sara (4 out of 5 stars)
" I'm baffled this was the next book and Max was engaged to Amelia in the book before this! What do I think about this? He is in love, that's for sure. The crimes are solved by Max and Rheinhardt, with Max taking the lead. "
— Kenneth, 2/17/2014" This series just gets better and better. This outing focuses on turn-of-the-century Vienna's preoccupation with sex and death. Multiple homicides, a patient's pathology and cameo appearances by Freud and Mahler mingle seamlessly with art, music, architecture and pastries foreshadowing the tragic century to come. "
— Carolyn, 2/15/2014" Fun easy summer beach read! Plus plenty of German phrases to keep me happy "
— Caitlin, 2/4/2014" Well, I love this series because Tallis has interesting characters and creates a fascinating view of Vienna. The atmosphere is rich with music, desserts, Austrian politics, pre-WWII anti-semitism, Freud and early psychoanalysis. This particular book is a little weak in the mystery plot, but still compelling enough due to the use of analysis/dream theory to solve the cases. Definitely worth a read...but start at the beginning of the series! "
— Rachelle, 1/15/2014" Great read. Looking forward to reading more of this series. "
— John, 1/9/2014" More atmosphere than mystery, but I'm hooked on Vienna "
— Prakash, 1/6/2014" Sex and death and music and psychoanalysis (from Freud's lips even!) in fin-de-sicle Vienna. Not for the squeamish, as the villain likes the have orgasm in the moment he kills his victims "
— Kathyred, 1/3/2014" I like this series of a psychiatrist and policeman in turn of century Vienna. history of the time period enhance the stories "
— Barbara, 1/1/2014" Fifth in the series of Max Liebermann mysteries: if you enjoy this series, you'll like this book. Sigmund Freud makes a cameo appearance. "
— Norma, 12/10/2013" The opening chapters have captured my interest. "
— Jenny, 12/10/2013" Although liked the book, I don't think it was as strong as some of Tallis' earlier works. Max and Osker keep growing has characters. Hopefully the next will be an improvement. "
— Mary, 11/20/2013F. R . Tallis is a writer and clinical psychologist. He has received or been nominated for numerous awards, including the New London Writers’ Award, the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger, the Elle Prix de Letrice, the CWA Historical Dagger Award, and two Edgar Awards.
Robert Fass is a veteran actor and twice winner of the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. He has earned multiple Earphones Awards and been named in AudioFile magazine’s list of the year’s best narrations for six years.