A mixture of Freudian psychiatry, anti-Semitism and mystical religious background provides this latest Max Liebermann mystery with an unusual story. The year is 1903 and the setting, as usual, is Vienna. The blend of racist bigotry and the mysteries of Kabbalah lead not only to solving three murders, but also threatens Liebermann’s professional life.
The first two murder victims are well-known members of a shadowy anti-Semitic group and attention becomes focused on the close-knit Hasidic community, with the theory being that a Golem has arisen to protect the Jewish population. But the third victim is a Jew, dampening the thought. All three victims were killed in a similar manner: their heads were torn off, requiring super-human strength.
Meanwhile, Max has to learn about his ethnic heritage and even travels to Prague, the city of origin of his family, visiting the ancient Jewish cemetery and the old-new synagogue, delving into ancient history and especially the lore about golems. Meanwhile, Max remains under a cloud, facing suspension and even loss of his position at the general hospital, resulting from attacks of anti-Semites for a professional act he committed in the interests of a patient.
The complexity of the tale is carried forth with an intensity surpassing previous efforts [which is saying a lot]. The prose flows with ease, and is supplemented with mouth-watering descriptions of food and beverages, snippets of early psychoanalysis, forensics, eugenics, music and literature. Tallis continues to provide enchanting accounts of Vienna at the turn of the century.
Highly recommended.
Theodore and Gloria Feit must be chained to a computer somewhere. Thanks for all of these great reviews. I’d like to hear more about you both. You are amazing.