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The Salzburg Executioner
"In a world where algorithms rule, who takes the blame for the lives they destroy?"
Brilliant technologist James Wohlmuth helped create the algorithms that shape what millions see, think, and believe on social media. But when his wife, Sara, takes her own life after being drawn into the darkest corners of the digital maze, James is left shattered—and questioning the very foundation of his life's work. Sent on a forced sabbatical to Salzburg, Austria, he stumbles upon the haunting legacy of an 18th-century executioner, whose meticulous diary helped dismantle a brutal system of public torture and death.
Written by a former technology CEO with twenty years of experience in social media and data algorithms, The Salzburg Executioner is a chilling and timely exploration of the unseen forces driving human behavior. Driven by loss, guilt, and a desperate need for redemption, James creates a modern “Executioner’s Diary” to expose how social media algorithms isolate, exploit, and devastate lives—all in the name of profit. But as he spirals further into obsession, the line between exposing the truth and causing more harm begins to blur, setting off a chain of events that shatters lives and reveals the horrifying cost of unchecked technology.
Set against the stark beauty of Salzburg and weaving past and present into a gripping narrative, The Salzburg Executioner is more than a psychological thriller. It’s a powerful story of love, guilt, and the human cost of technological progress—one that challenges readers to confront the invisible algorithms shaping their lives.
For readers who crave morally complex characters, deeply introspective narratives, and thrillers that ask hard questions, The Salzburg Executioner is a provocative tale that lingers long after the last page.
Brilliant technologist James Wohlmuth helped create the algorithms that shape what millions see, think, and believe on social media. But when his wife, Sara, takes her own life after being drawn into the darkest corners of the digital maze, James is left shattered—and questioning the very foundation of his life's work. Sent on a forced sabbatical to Salzburg, Austria, he stumbles upon the haunting legacy of an 18th-century executioner, whose meticulous diary helped dismantle a brutal system of public torture and death.
Written by a former technology CEO with twenty years of experience in social media and data algorithms, The Salzburg Executioner is a chilling and timely exploration of the unseen forces driving human behavior. Driven by loss, guilt, and a desperate need for redemption, James creates a modern “Executioner’s Diary” to expose how social media algorithms isolate, exploit, and devastate lives—all in the name of profit. But as he spirals further into obsession, the line between exposing the truth and causing more harm begins to blur, setting off a chain of events that shatters lives and reveals the horrifying cost of unchecked technology.
Set against the stark beauty of Salzburg and weaving past and present into a gripping narrative, The Salzburg Executioner is more than a psychological thriller. It’s a powerful story of love, guilt, and the human cost of technological progress—one that challenges readers to confront the invisible algorithms shaping their lives.
For readers who crave morally complex characters, deeply introspective narratives, and thrillers that ask hard questions, The Salzburg Executioner is a provocative tale that lingers long after the last page.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 11, 2024
7 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Fatzinger
1 book1 followerL.A. Fatzinger is an American novelist based in Salzburg, Austria.
Raised in Littleton, Colorado, Fatzinger spent much of his youth immersed in books and newspapers. Before embarking on his literary career, he had a successful background in the technology industry, working as an investor, entrepreneur, and CEO.
His debut novel, “The Salzburg Executioner,” is a literary psychological thriller, published by CopertinaPezzi in December 2024. The book has garnered attention for its critical exploration of manipulative algorithms and “engineered-addiction,” drawing from Fatzinger’s two decades of experience as an entrepreneur in the fields of social media, big data, and artificial intelligence.
Fatzinger’s literary style has been described as lyrical and introspective. He blends vivid imagery with an emotional undercurrent, inviting the reader into a deeply personal and reflective space. His writing often captures the interplay between the external world and the internal, creating a sense of place that is both physical and psychological.
“When writing, I try to examine not only what is seen or felt, but also what is left unsaid; what lies just around the corner of the human condition,” Fatzinger says.
As it relates to the transition from entrepreneur to storytelling, he adds, “I’m drawn to fiction when thinking about complex issues, and I think many people are headed in a similar direction. Fiction allows me to examine a topic through the lens of humanity, rather than manipulated statistics or questionably-sourced “facts.” The deluge of data has caused a collective, and I think detrimental, glazing over of our attention. Great stories pass through the murk; they endure.”
In addition to his novel, Fatzinger is an essayist, observer, and technology skeptic. His work often draws from his unique perspective as an American living in Austria, blending his technology expertise with his passion for storytelling, design, and the old-world. Fatzinger’s literary journey showcases a unique shift from the world of business and technology to the realm of fiction, where he attempts to craft narratives that reflect a reader’s desire to better understand contemporary themes and societal challenges.
L.A. has been featured in Inc. Magazine, Forbes, PR Week, Seattle Business Journal, Denver Business Journal, The Seattle Times, and other publications.
Raised in Littleton, Colorado, Fatzinger spent much of his youth immersed in books and newspapers. Before embarking on his literary career, he had a successful background in the technology industry, working as an investor, entrepreneur, and CEO.
His debut novel, “The Salzburg Executioner,” is a literary psychological thriller, published by CopertinaPezzi in December 2024. The book has garnered attention for its critical exploration of manipulative algorithms and “engineered-addiction,” drawing from Fatzinger’s two decades of experience as an entrepreneur in the fields of social media, big data, and artificial intelligence.
Fatzinger’s literary style has been described as lyrical and introspective. He blends vivid imagery with an emotional undercurrent, inviting the reader into a deeply personal and reflective space. His writing often captures the interplay between the external world and the internal, creating a sense of place that is both physical and psychological.
“When writing, I try to examine not only what is seen or felt, but also what is left unsaid; what lies just around the corner of the human condition,” Fatzinger says.
As it relates to the transition from entrepreneur to storytelling, he adds, “I’m drawn to fiction when thinking about complex issues, and I think many people are headed in a similar direction. Fiction allows me to examine a topic through the lens of humanity, rather than manipulated statistics or questionably-sourced “facts.” The deluge of data has caused a collective, and I think detrimental, glazing over of our attention. Great stories pass through the murk; they endure.”
In addition to his novel, Fatzinger is an essayist, observer, and technology skeptic. His work often draws from his unique perspective as an American living in Austria, blending his technology expertise with his passion for storytelling, design, and the old-world. Fatzinger’s literary journey showcases a unique shift from the world of business and technology to the realm of fiction, where he attempts to craft narratives that reflect a reader’s desire to better understand contemporary themes and societal challenges.
L.A. has been featured in Inc. Magazine, Forbes, PR Week, Seattle Business Journal, Denver Business Journal, The Seattle Times, and other publications.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 31, 2024
Full disclosure: I know the author. Fuller disclosure: I'm proud to know the author after reading this book. Leigh is a former tech company executive, and he poses important questions about the impact of technology and social media. These are familiar questions, but this book poses them in a unique way. This is a thought-provoking story, told with pacing and detail. It's a modern novel about lessons of history applied to the future.
December 19, 2024
Riveting
Growing up in the digital game, the depth of details about what may be possible combined with the historical nuances associated between generations of people made the hairs on my neck stand up. A great first novel L.A.
Growing up in the digital game, the depth of details about what may be possible combined with the historical nuances associated between generations of people made the hairs on my neck stand up. A great first novel L.A.
July 7, 2025
EXCELLENT!! An intriguing tale woven together beautifully. Taking historical events combined with modern digital algorithms, LA Fatzinger has created a tale to influence and impact everyone.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews