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Death Waltz in Vienna
From one of America's finest historical novelists, author also of 'Cassandra, The Most Beautiful of Priam's A Tale of Troy' Death Waltz in Vienna is a novel of both suspense and romance set in the capital of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire in the years prior to World War I. Army captain Ernst von Falkenburg has just one week to clear himself of charges of treason that will otherwise cost him his life. During this time a romance develops with a beautiful woman who not merely provides him with indispensable assistance – at the risk of her life – but who shows him for the first time that he is capable of love. The action moves across the whole panorama of early 20th century Vienna, taking the reader through elegant salons and low dives, Vienna’s most fashionable brothel and the imperial palace, and climaxes in a duel to the death and an epilogue set in Vienna’s Central Cemetery. THOMAS OCHILTREE (pronounced OH-kul-tree) was born in New York City but grew up in London and studied in the U.S. (Harvard Class of 1970). He is a retired Foreign Service Officer who served in many countries during his 22 years as a U.S. diplomat. Fluent in German, he has long been fascinated with the last years of the Austro-Hungarian Empire --- with its glittering capital Vienna --- the background against which his novel DEATH WALTZ IN VIENNA is set. In addition to devoting himself to his various literary interests, he works part time on line as a translator, translating documents from German, French, Italian and Spanish into English. He does not have a Facebook or Twitter account, but would be glad to receive or respond to any reader comments on his novel at Ochiltreeth@yahoo.com. This was his first novel. A second novel, CASSANDRA, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF PRIAM'S DAUGHTERS : A TALE OF TROY, was published in October 2013.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 14, 2013
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267 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 22, 2015
Set in late 1800's Vienna, this book offers a look at cultural and social attitudes as well as the issues leading to the eventual dismantlement of the vast Austro-Hungarian Empire. Old traditions are adhered to, honor is everything, and when an army captain is unable to pay his debts, the only honorable way out is to shoot himself.
An impoverished captain from an aristocratic family is framed and given a week to prove his innocence or kill himself. Captain Von Falkenburg wants to live, he's just fallen in love, and he determines to find out who set him up and why. He hasn't a clue, but he follows a string of minor hunches. His hunt takes him into both the rich and the seamy sides of Vienna. Best scenes--a grim view of Franz-Joseph in his waning years, an emperor who worked sixteen hours a day to rule his motley people, and who struggled to arrest the approaching demise of his empire. The final two scenes, high stakes baccarat and a duel, had me racing through the pages. However, Von Falkenburg is a cold and distant character. While I shared his urgency to solve the mystery and absolve himself from blame, I never felt a gripping concern for his fate, whether he lived or died.
An impoverished captain from an aristocratic family is framed and given a week to prove his innocence or kill himself. Captain Von Falkenburg wants to live, he's just fallen in love, and he determines to find out who set him up and why. He hasn't a clue, but he follows a string of minor hunches. His hunt takes him into both the rich and the seamy sides of Vienna. Best scenes--a grim view of Franz-Joseph in his waning years, an emperor who worked sixteen hours a day to rule his motley people, and who struggled to arrest the approaching demise of his empire. The final two scenes, high stakes baccarat and a duel, had me racing through the pages. However, Von Falkenburg is a cold and distant character. While I shared his urgency to solve the mystery and absolve himself from blame, I never felt a gripping concern for his fate, whether he lived or died.
November 26, 2014
A brilliant recreation of the culture of last years of the Austro-Hungarian empire and the code of honor that was to lead to the bloodbath of WWI.
Very well written and cleverly plotted. A pleasure for readers who enjoy novels that bring a vanished world alive.
Very well written and cleverly plotted. A pleasure for readers who enjoy novels that bring a vanished world alive.
December 19, 2014
Pair this title with the Little Book by Seldon Edwards. Great period pieces giving us a glimpse of end of the century Vienna, just before WWI changed everything.
December 22, 2017
Accused of treason, Captain Von Falkenburg has one week to prove his innocence or commit suicide.
February 7, 2018
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
November 6, 2022
Tried reading but it couldn’t capture my attention
April 5, 2015
This novel has an old-fashioned feel that works well for a story set in Vienna in the years before the First World War brought about the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian empire. I read the book recently while on a visit to Vienna, for added atmosphere. Clearly Thomas Ochiltree knows the city and its history intimately, though his knowledge is worn lightly.
The plot is simple enough, and classic: Captain Ernst von Falkenburg has one week to clear his name of charges that will cost him his life should he prove unsuccessful. Somewhat shoe-horned into this tense storyline is the (to me) unlikely and unnecessary romance between Ernst and a beautiful (of course!) wealthy and well-connected young widow who provides solace and assistance to his seemingly doomed attempt to avoid having to shoot himself in adherence to the military code of honour for gentlemen. I will gloss over the awkward sex scenes but don't be put off because there aren't too many and they're not hardcore erotica. I don't know whether Ochiltree's publisher asked him to put them in but they seem out of place in an otherwise traditional adventure yarn. Likewise the eye-rolling wish fulfilment fantasy romance. However, the novel is entertaining light diversion, with a definite sense of time and place. I didn't exactly warm to Ernst but I don't believe you have to like the characters to enjoy reading a book if the story is gripping enough.
The plot is simple enough, and classic: Captain Ernst von Falkenburg has one week to clear his name of charges that will cost him his life should he prove unsuccessful. Somewhat shoe-horned into this tense storyline is the (to me) unlikely and unnecessary romance between Ernst and a beautiful (of course!) wealthy and well-connected young widow who provides solace and assistance to his seemingly doomed attempt to avoid having to shoot himself in adherence to the military code of honour for gentlemen. I will gloss over the awkward sex scenes but don't be put off because there aren't too many and they're not hardcore erotica. I don't know whether Ochiltree's publisher asked him to put them in but they seem out of place in an otherwise traditional adventure yarn. Likewise the eye-rolling wish fulfilment fantasy romance. However, the novel is entertaining light diversion, with a definite sense of time and place. I didn't exactly warm to Ernst but I don't believe you have to like the characters to enjoy reading a book if the story is gripping enough.
June 16, 2014
Much better than I expected. A different reviewer noted "sex scenes" ... there were no descriptions of any sexual acts. I might have given five stars but there were some editing issues. I read for enjoyment but some of the wrong words being used ... drove me batty. I could visualize the focal characters and how they interacted and "mattered" to the storyline. Regardless, this was an enjoyable read and once you get a few chapters in, and understand what is going on for Ernst, well ... the story kept me reading!
October 25, 2014
This book is set shortly before WWI. It is an interesting window into life in Vienna at that time. The rules of honor that the officers of the Austrian-Hungarian army had to follow at that time were very stringent. Any IOU had to be paid within 24 hours or the debtor was expected to commit suicide! Our hero has been accused of spying for Russia on his own army. If he cannot prove that the evidence is false, he must commit suicide to maintain the honor of his family. He has one week to find the proof. He follows the trail through various levels of society in his search.
July 30, 2015
Average. I took a bunch of books on my Kindle for a European river cruise. Vienna was one of our ports. The imperial palace and many places mentioned were familiar. It is a story of someone accusing Capt. von Falkanbert of treason. He tries to clear his name.
February 24, 2014
Ok
Ok
The subject turned out to not interest me. I did read a few pages, but could find no connection with such a cold character.
Ok
The subject turned out to not interest me. I did read a few pages, but could find no connection with such a cold character.
March 22, 2014
No thanks. All the graphic nudity! Written by a man who mistakes sex for romance?
January 14, 2015
This was also a murder mystery. I learned from the era and setting. It was challenging to remember who was who but still enjoyed it.
July 5, 2016
Free on Kindle. Enjoyed it.
March 29, 2014
Started slow but once I got into it I coudn't put down. Worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews