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Die Henkerstochter #7
The Council of Twelve
The seventh chilling mystery in The Hangman's Daughter series
The year is 1672. Hangman Jakob Kuisl and his family travel to Munich, the cosmopolitan heart of Bavaria, for a meeting of the prestigious—for dishonorable hangmen, at least—Council of Twelve, the leaders of the empire’s hangmen’s guild. But something dark is happening behind the scenes: in the past weeks, young women have begun turning up dead. At first, the authorities assume they are a rash of suicides, but when Kusil notices that each woman possesses a matching amulet, suspicions arise that someone is murdering these women. With no suspects, the superstitious townsfolk of Munich blame the hangmen’s guild, certain that they have called the devil upon the city. Joined by his daughter Magdalena, son-in-law Simon, the rest of his extended family, and a slew of eccentric hangmen, Kuisl must solve the mystery of who is murdering these girls. If he fails, the consequences could reverberate across the empire, affecting all the hangmen in Germany.
The year is 1672. Hangman Jakob Kuisl and his family travel to Munich, the cosmopolitan heart of Bavaria, for a meeting of the prestigious—for dishonorable hangmen, at least—Council of Twelve, the leaders of the empire’s hangmen’s guild. But something dark is happening behind the scenes: in the past weeks, young women have begun turning up dead. At first, the authorities assume they are a rash of suicides, but when Kusil notices that each woman possesses a matching amulet, suspicions arise that someone is murdering these women. With no suspects, the superstitious townsfolk of Munich blame the hangmen’s guild, certain that they have called the devil upon the city. Joined by his daughter Magdalena, son-in-law Simon, the rest of his extended family, and a slew of eccentric hangmen, Kuisl must solve the mystery of who is murdering these girls. If he fails, the consequences could reverberate across the empire, affecting all the hangmen in Germany.
512 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2017
971 people are currently reading
2596 people want to read
About the author
Oliver Pötzsch
39 books2,190 followersOliver Pötzsch is a German writer and filmmaker. After high school he attended the German School of Journalism in Munich from 1992 to 1997. He then worked for Radio Bavaria. In addition to his professional activities in radio and television, Pötzsch researched his family history. He is a descendant of the Kuisle, from the 16th to the 19th Century a famous dynasty of executioners in Schongau.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 332 reviews
August 30, 2020
So that was it, the saga of the hangman’s daughter from Schondorf in Bavaria, after seven volumes, with a total of 4300 pages. *Sniff*. The author has started a new saga (about Johan Georg, called Faustus) and whether he will ever return to the Kuisl family is more than unlikely. After all, the ending is open in a way, so that a continuation is at least possible.
In the last installment we accompany the whole family with kit and caboodle to Munich, the Bavarian state capital and electoral residence. There the guild meeting of the executioners takes place and Jakob Kuisl was elected among the council of the twelve, which is quite a big deal for him. Another reason for the visit is that the patriarch now finally wants to merry off his youngest daughter. But Barbara being Barbara has completely different plans and also other worries...
Like all books in this series, this volume has a lot to offer that goes beyond the actual crimes and murders. The most important topic with current relevance is probably the question of abortion. Terms like “Pro-Life” and “Pro-Choice” did not exist in the 17th century, of course, but draconian penalties for abortion are stated in the Constitutio Criminalis Carolina unequivocally:
so jemandt eynem weibßbild durch bezwang, essen oder drincken, eyn lebendig kindt abtreibt, wer auch mann oder weib vnfruchtbar macht, so solch übel fürsetzlicher vnd boßhafftiger weiß beschicht, soll der mann mit dem schwert, als eyn todtschläger, vnnd die fraw so sie es auch an jr selbst thette, ertrenckt oder sunst zum todt gestrafft werden.
Fortunately, the death penalty for women who had abortions and men who helped them no longer exists and will not ever again (with the possible exception of sweet home Alabama).
You can only really appreciate this final volume if you also know the other parts, because there are some characters appearing, the who-is-who of the executioners in Bavaria, whom you already got to know at their respective dwelling and place of activity. The names of the executioners in this book are real, by the way, except for the first names, because there were too many Jakobs and Johanns among them, but the biographical details are necessarily fictional.
All in all I had a lot of fun reading this series. The late 17th century from the point of view of a “dishonorable” hangman and his family - that has something, and not just for historians. Pity, it’s over.
________________
Addendum 30.VIII.2020 AD
Yah! I was wrong, and I'm so glad. The saga continues with volume #8: The Curse of the Plague (or something like that, the English version hasn't been published yet). See here for my review.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
In the last installment we accompany the whole family with kit and caboodle to Munich, the Bavarian state capital and electoral residence. There the guild meeting of the executioners takes place and Jakob Kuisl was elected among the council of the twelve, which is quite a big deal for him. Another reason for the visit is that the patriarch now finally wants to merry off his youngest daughter. But Barbara being Barbara has completely different plans and also other worries...
Like all books in this series, this volume has a lot to offer that goes beyond the actual crimes and murders. The most important topic with current relevance is probably the question of abortion. Terms like “Pro-Life” and “Pro-Choice” did not exist in the 17th century, of course, but draconian penalties for abortion are stated in the Constitutio Criminalis Carolina unequivocally:
so jemandt eynem weibßbild durch bezwang, essen oder drincken, eyn lebendig kindt abtreibt, wer auch mann oder weib vnfruchtbar macht, so solch übel fürsetzlicher vnd boßhafftiger weiß beschicht, soll der mann mit dem schwert, als eyn todtschläger, vnnd die fraw so sie es auch an jr selbst thette, ertrenckt oder sunst zum todt gestrafft werden.
Fortunately, the death penalty for women who had abortions and men who helped them no longer exists and will not ever again (with the possible exception of sweet home Alabama).
You can only really appreciate this final volume if you also know the other parts, because there are some characters appearing, the who-is-who of the executioners in Bavaria, whom you already got to know at their respective dwelling and place of activity. The names of the executioners in this book are real, by the way, except for the first names, because there were too many Jakobs and Johanns among them, but the biographical details are necessarily fictional.
All in all I had a lot of fun reading this series. The late 17th century from the point of view of a “dishonorable” hangman and his family - that has something, and not just for historians. Pity, it’s over.
________________
Addendum 30.VIII.2020 AD
Yah! I was wrong, and I'm so glad. The saga continues with volume #8: The Curse of the Plague (or something like that, the English version hasn't been published yet). See here for my review.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
July 20, 2017
Man nimmt ja an, dass hier die Henkerstochter Magdalena im Vordergrund der Geschichten steht - doch bisher war es vor allem ihr Vater, der Henker Jakob Kuisl, der im Mittelpunkt des Geschehens stand. Und ich hab den grüblerischen, wortkargen und zum Jähzorn neigenden Alten wirklich sehr ins Herz geschlossen! Aber er wird alt - mittlerweile ist zählt er schon 60 Jahre und er rückt auch in der Handlung immer mehr in den Hintergrund.
Einerseits etwas schade, andererseits hat Oliver Pötzsch gerade in diesem Band die komplette Familie Kuisl mit einbezogen, was ich wirklich toll fand!
Die Einladung nach München zum Henkertreffen war ja nicht für alle Familienmitglieder ein Grund zur Freude, aber auch an große Hoffnungen gebunden. Natürlich stolpern die Kuisls wieder über einen üblen Mord und es scheint so, als würde ein Serientäter schon seit vielen Jahren sein Unheil treiben. Während die Münchner am liebsten die Henker selbst als Täter sehen würden, machen die sich auf Mördersuche: allen voran Jakob Kuisl, doch dieses Mal beteiligt sich auch der Rest seiner Familie damit und gerät dadurch zusehends in große Gefahr!
Ich fand es großartig dass ich hier viel mehr Einblick auch in alle anderen Figuren erhalten hab, denn die Perspektiven wechseln zwischen den verschiedenen Kuisls und man erlebt eine spannende Jagd auf verschiedenen Ebenen. Nicht so, dass man durcheinander kommen würde, sondern in einem sehr gut durchdachten und komplexen Handlungsaufbau, der sehr viel Spannung gebracht hat!
- Barbara zum Beispiel, seine jüngste Tochter, will der alte Kuisl unbedingt endlich verheiraten. Dabei ahnt er nicht, wie dringend eine baldige Hochzeit tatsächlich ist, denn sie erwartet ein Kind, von dem der Vater auf und davon ist.
- Simon Fronwieser, Arzt und Ehemann seiner Tochter Magdalena, erhofft sich eine Möglichkeit, endlich sein Traktat zu veröffentlichen und sich einen besseren Namen als Arzt zu machen
- Peter, der Sohn von Magdalena, ist ein schlaues Kerlchen und möchte unbedingt eine Chance, auf eine bessere Schule in München zu kommen
Magdalena selbst steht zwischen allen Fronten und versucht ihr bestes, um die Familie zusammen zu halten und alles zu einem guten Ende zu bringen. Dabei lässt sie sich auf ein gefährliches Spiel ein und
Die Handlung spielt ja in München - nicht nur die Heimatstadt des Autors sondern auch meine, und das war natürlich ein ganz besonderes Erlebnis, "meine" Stadt im 17. Jahrhundert sozusagen hautnah zu erleben. Oliver Pötzsch hat wirklich großartig recherchiert und die damalige Zeit mit vielen Details und einem fundierten Hintergrund aufleben zu lassen. Dabei zeigt er das einfache Volk ebenso wie auch die gehobenere Gesellschaft und die große Kluft und den Aberglauben, die damals geherrscht haben.
Eine rundum unterhaltsame, vielseitige und vor allem sehr spannende Geschichte, an der ich absolut nichts auszusetzen habe - ich hoffe sehr, dass Jakob Kuisl noch lange lebt und es noch einige Fortsetzungen Henkersfamilie geben wird!
Das Nachwort beinhaltet wieder einige Erklärungen zu den Personen und den Einzelheiten aus der Region und den Verhältnissen, was ich als Münchnerin besonders toll fand; sogar ein kleiner Stadtführer findet sich im Anhang.
© Aleshanee
Weltenwanderer
Die Henkerstochter Reihe
1 ~ Die Henkerstochter
2 ~ Die Henkerstochter und der schwarze Mönch
3 ~ Die Henkerstochter und der König der Bettler
4 ~ Der Hexer und die Henkerstochter
5 ~ Die Henkerstochter und der Teufel von Bamberg
6 ~ Die Henkerstochter und das Spiel des Todes
7 ~ Die Henkerstochter und der Rat der Zwölf
Einerseits etwas schade, andererseits hat Oliver Pötzsch gerade in diesem Band die komplette Familie Kuisl mit einbezogen, was ich wirklich toll fand!
Die Einladung nach München zum Henkertreffen war ja nicht für alle Familienmitglieder ein Grund zur Freude, aber auch an große Hoffnungen gebunden. Natürlich stolpern die Kuisls wieder über einen üblen Mord und es scheint so, als würde ein Serientäter schon seit vielen Jahren sein Unheil treiben. Während die Münchner am liebsten die Henker selbst als Täter sehen würden, machen die sich auf Mördersuche: allen voran Jakob Kuisl, doch dieses Mal beteiligt sich auch der Rest seiner Familie damit und gerät dadurch zusehends in große Gefahr!
Ich fand es großartig dass ich hier viel mehr Einblick auch in alle anderen Figuren erhalten hab, denn die Perspektiven wechseln zwischen den verschiedenen Kuisls und man erlebt eine spannende Jagd auf verschiedenen Ebenen. Nicht so, dass man durcheinander kommen würde, sondern in einem sehr gut durchdachten und komplexen Handlungsaufbau, der sehr viel Spannung gebracht hat!
- Barbara zum Beispiel, seine jüngste Tochter, will der alte Kuisl unbedingt endlich verheiraten. Dabei ahnt er nicht, wie dringend eine baldige Hochzeit tatsächlich ist, denn sie erwartet ein Kind, von dem der Vater auf und davon ist.
- Simon Fronwieser, Arzt und Ehemann seiner Tochter Magdalena, erhofft sich eine Möglichkeit, endlich sein Traktat zu veröffentlichen und sich einen besseren Namen als Arzt zu machen
- Peter, der Sohn von Magdalena, ist ein schlaues Kerlchen und möchte unbedingt eine Chance, auf eine bessere Schule in München zu kommen
Magdalena selbst steht zwischen allen Fronten und versucht ihr bestes, um die Familie zusammen zu halten und alles zu einem guten Ende zu bringen. Dabei lässt sie sich auf ein gefährliches Spiel ein und
Die Handlung spielt ja in München - nicht nur die Heimatstadt des Autors sondern auch meine, und das war natürlich ein ganz besonderes Erlebnis, "meine" Stadt im 17. Jahrhundert sozusagen hautnah zu erleben. Oliver Pötzsch hat wirklich großartig recherchiert und die damalige Zeit mit vielen Details und einem fundierten Hintergrund aufleben zu lassen. Dabei zeigt er das einfache Volk ebenso wie auch die gehobenere Gesellschaft und die große Kluft und den Aberglauben, die damals geherrscht haben.
Eine rundum unterhaltsame, vielseitige und vor allem sehr spannende Geschichte, an der ich absolut nichts auszusetzen habe - ich hoffe sehr, dass Jakob Kuisl noch lange lebt und es noch einige Fortsetzungen Henkersfamilie geben wird!
Das Nachwort beinhaltet wieder einige Erklärungen zu den Personen und den Einzelheiten aus der Region und den Verhältnissen, was ich als Münchnerin besonders toll fand; sogar ein kleiner Stadtführer findet sich im Anhang.
© Aleshanee
Weltenwanderer
Die Henkerstochter Reihe
1 ~ Die Henkerstochter
2 ~ Die Henkerstochter und der schwarze Mönch
3 ~ Die Henkerstochter und der König der Bettler
4 ~ Der Hexer und die Henkerstochter
5 ~ Die Henkerstochter und der Teufel von Bamberg
6 ~ Die Henkerstochter und das Spiel des Todes
7 ~ Die Henkerstochter und der Rat der Zwölf
February 13, 2021
I really wasn’t expecting it from the plot description, but this was my favorite book in the series since the first one. The basic plot is that the hangmen’s guild (the eponymous Council of Twelve) is meeting up in Munich and Kuisl’s been invited to join. The family comes along of course, and so we get everyone together when random women start popping up dead. That doesn’t sound too exciting does it? I mean, it’s not boring sounding but it hardly makes you desperate to pick it up. Which is why I’m glad I decided to finish the series (so far) after getting rather tired of it by the last one.
What I like here is that Kuisl’s part of a group. He’s not a lone wolf wandering through sheep – he’s surrounded by his peers and hardly the only one who frightens people. Having a guild meeting of hangmen is a rather interesting idea to see (and such things must have happened) so I’m almost disappointed by the fact it gets disrupted so quickly by the inevitable murders. As I’m quite glad to see, someone with Kuisl’s habit of solving murders is developing a reputation for it (at least among his peers) so naturally when people start seeking to scapegoat the hangmen he’s the man for the job of finding the real killer. It’s a good way of finding him motivation to keep up his work without giving us yet another story where his life or the life of a close family member is on the line.
Speaking of murders, it’s clear we’re dealing with a genuine serial killer this time unlike in previous books. How do I know? Well, they actually use the word serial killer! I found this more than a little odd. That’s a word that came into popular usage during my own lifetime, so it stuck out here like a sore thumb. Is that what they called the perp in the original German text? Or do they have a similar term that wouldn’t seem out of place in 17th century Germany (I thought werewolf was what they called serial killers in premodern Germany)? I dunno. What I do know is that the hunt makes sense, the distractions are well thought out, and the solution is satisfying. And it’s kind of amazing how each of the family members gets given completely different leads to follow in completely different directions. It’s something a reader takes for granted, but it must be enormously difficult to construct a mystery and then deconstruct it slowly and deliberately without giving too many hints away. At least if you care about the crime seeming even vaguely plausible.
We do still get people taking insane risks for no reason. I’m kind of inured of it by this point. This tradition includes the kids this time, but a poor sense of danger is at least a defining aspect of childhood. And the two brothers are developing distinct personalities that make them real characters rather than plot points. At least once, an adult character rushes into danger at reckless speed without informing anyone what they’re doing. Yes of course I’m talking of Simon. He seems to be the most common one to act like an idiot. And that’s the source of my few reservations.
I was wondering in my last review why Pötzsch had sent his characters everywhere in Bavaria except his hometown of Munich. Well here we are! Okay, technically the book’s not set in Munich but its suburb of Au, a town that sounds like it should be a joke: What does a hangman say when he cuts himself with his sword? Au. Being in the suburb means we don’t get that great a feel for Munich, but we do get to see the palace, which sounds nice, and some of the classier places. Simon also gets to meet a famous doctor friend who I’d never heard of so that’s nice.
I was watching the text closely since this book has a different translator (the original one died between books) but it seems the style is rather similar. Either the new translator is a very good mimic or they’re both simply very good at capturing the feel of the original. Truthfully, with few exceptions I would not have guessed that this book was originally written in German.
This was a great book, the best since the first in the series. By book seven most series start to get stale, but Pötzsch is still at the top of his game. And now he’s branching out in new areas with his duology on Faust and various other works. I’m very interested in the next book: The Plague’s Curse (hopefully it gets translated someday) which sounds like it brings the plague and religious strife in (something that’s been curiously absent so far giving the divided confessional background of Germany).
What I like here is that Kuisl’s part of a group. He’s not a lone wolf wandering through sheep – he’s surrounded by his peers and hardly the only one who frightens people. Having a guild meeting of hangmen is a rather interesting idea to see (and such things must have happened) so I’m almost disappointed by the fact it gets disrupted so quickly by the inevitable murders. As I’m quite glad to see, someone with Kuisl’s habit of solving murders is developing a reputation for it (at least among his peers) so naturally when people start seeking to scapegoat the hangmen he’s the man for the job of finding the real killer. It’s a good way of finding him motivation to keep up his work without giving us yet another story where his life or the life of a close family member is on the line.
Speaking of murders, it’s clear we’re dealing with a genuine serial killer this time unlike in previous books. How do I know? Well, they actually use the word serial killer! I found this more than a little odd. That’s a word that came into popular usage during my own lifetime, so it stuck out here like a sore thumb. Is that what they called the perp in the original German text? Or do they have a similar term that wouldn’t seem out of place in 17th century Germany (I thought werewolf was what they called serial killers in premodern Germany)? I dunno. What I do know is that the hunt makes sense, the distractions are well thought out, and the solution is satisfying. And it’s kind of amazing how each of the family members gets given completely different leads to follow in completely different directions. It’s something a reader takes for granted, but it must be enormously difficult to construct a mystery and then deconstruct it slowly and deliberately without giving too many hints away. At least if you care about the crime seeming even vaguely plausible.
We do still get people taking insane risks for no reason. I’m kind of inured of it by this point. This tradition includes the kids this time, but a poor sense of danger is at least a defining aspect of childhood. And the two brothers are developing distinct personalities that make them real characters rather than plot points. At least once, an adult character rushes into danger at reckless speed without informing anyone what they’re doing. Yes of course I’m talking of Simon. He seems to be the most common one to act like an idiot. And that’s the source of my few reservations.
I was wondering in my last review why Pötzsch had sent his characters everywhere in Bavaria except his hometown of Munich. Well here we are! Okay, technically the book’s not set in Munich but its suburb of Au, a town that sounds like it should be a joke: What does a hangman say when he cuts himself with his sword? Au. Being in the suburb means we don’t get that great a feel for Munich, but we do get to see the palace, which sounds nice, and some of the classier places. Simon also gets to meet a famous doctor friend who I’d never heard of so that’s nice.
I was watching the text closely since this book has a different translator (the original one died between books) but it seems the style is rather similar. Either the new translator is a very good mimic or they’re both simply very good at capturing the feel of the original. Truthfully, with few exceptions I would not have guessed that this book was originally written in German.
This was a great book, the best since the first in the series. By book seven most series start to get stale, but Pötzsch is still at the top of his game. And now he’s branching out in new areas with his duology on Faust and various other works. I’m very interested in the next book: The Plague’s Curse (hopefully it gets translated someday) which sounds like it brings the plague and religious strife in (something that’s been curiously absent so far giving the divided confessional background of Germany).
October 25, 2025
Volim ovaj serijal "Krvnikova kći", Olivera Potzcha sigurno mnogi to već i znaju, nije ovo prvi put (sigurno ni zadnji) da ga spominjem.
U njemu se spajaju moju omiljeni žanrovi - povijesni i kriminalistički.
📖
Pročitala sam "Vijeće dvanaestorice", sedmu knjigu iz serijala i mislim da mi je ovo čak jedna od boljih (naravno, riječ je o nijansama).
Ovaj put pratimo obitelj Kuisl koja putuje u Munchen na Vijeće krvnika i onda im se tamo svašta nešto događa, kako to obično i biva s njima.
Znači dobro nam poznati likovi plus novi i nepoznati zločin(c)i!
📖
Za one koji još možda nisu upoznati s ovim serijalom, a vole ovakve stvari, samo napomena: ako se upustite u čitanje, bolje vam je krenuti od prvog dijela, Krvnikova kći, da možete pratiti razvoj odnosa likova. Mada, da posegne za bilo kojom knjigom, ne bi bilo većih problema jer je svaka zaseban slučaj koji riješava krvnik Jakob Kuisl, nerijetko uz pomoć članova svoje obitelji.
Radnja se događa u Bavarskoj, u XVII st. i jako je zanimljivo čitati i o tadašnjem načinu života (običnog puka).
📖
Zanimljivost ovog serijala je i ta što je autor, Oliver Potzsch, i sam potomak roda Kuislovih koji su tristorinjak godina bili najčuvenija dinastija krvnika u Bavarskoj!
U njemu se spajaju moju omiljeni žanrovi - povijesni i kriminalistički.
📖
Pročitala sam "Vijeće dvanaestorice", sedmu knjigu iz serijala i mislim da mi je ovo čak jedna od boljih (naravno, riječ je o nijansama).
Ovaj put pratimo obitelj Kuisl koja putuje u Munchen na Vijeće krvnika i onda im se tamo svašta nešto događa, kako to obično i biva s njima.
Znači dobro nam poznati likovi plus novi i nepoznati zločin(c)i!
📖
Za one koji još možda nisu upoznati s ovim serijalom, a vole ovakve stvari, samo napomena: ako se upustite u čitanje, bolje vam je krenuti od prvog dijela, Krvnikova kći, da možete pratiti razvoj odnosa likova. Mada, da posegne za bilo kojom knjigom, ne bi bilo većih problema jer je svaka zaseban slučaj koji riješava krvnik Jakob Kuisl, nerijetko uz pomoć članova svoje obitelji.
Radnja se događa u Bavarskoj, u XVII st. i jako je zanimljivo čitati i o tadašnjem načinu života (običnog puka).
📖
Zanimljivost ovog serijala je i ta što je autor, Oliver Potzsch, i sam potomak roda Kuislovih koji su tristorinjak godina bili najčuvenija dinastija krvnika u Bavarskoj!
August 2, 2018
I love this series! Set in the 17th century in Germany I am always left wondering who did it. The characters are well thought out and I really care what happens to them. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves historical fiction and mystery.
May 27, 2018
Being the 7th book in the saga I was worried it will not be as good as the previously ones, I was sorely mistaken, is better, Mr Pötzsch never fails to deliver a solid mystery.
This is the story of a serial killer that has been killing for at least 20 years without anyone noticing, no one even bothered to make the connection between the brutal killings until Jakob Kuisl and his family arrived to Munich for the Council of Twelve; his curious mind found these similarities and the story begins. The story revolves around killings, the forged of coins and a prostitution network. I never see the ending coming, the killer was concealed until the very end.
This book opens the door to many possibilities for the saga to be kept alive, a new generation will take over, I’m sure. In fact, more than a half of the members of the Kuisl clan are moving to Munich. I like Peter and Max duet as well as Paul, Peter and the street urchins gang in action.
“During this hour, just before the floodgates opened, the silence was the most profound — and the despair the greatest. It was the best time to hunt”.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many Thanks to AmazonCrossing, Oliver Pötzsch and Netgalley for the opportunity.
This is the story of a serial killer that has been killing for at least 20 years without anyone noticing, no one even bothered to make the connection between the brutal killings until Jakob Kuisl and his family arrived to Munich for the Council of Twelve; his curious mind found these similarities and the story begins. The story revolves around killings, the forged of coins and a prostitution network. I never see the ending coming, the killer was concealed until the very end.
This book opens the door to many possibilities for the saga to be kept alive, a new generation will take over, I’m sure. In fact, more than a half of the members of the Kuisl clan are moving to Munich. I like Peter and Max duet as well as Paul, Peter and the street urchins gang in action.
“During this hour, just before the floodgates opened, the silence was the most profound — and the despair the greatest. It was the best time to hunt”.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many Thanks to AmazonCrossing, Oliver Pötzsch and Netgalley for the opportunity.
June 6, 2018
Consternation in the Hangman's Guild!
The Kuisl family travels to the Munich of 1672. Jakob, has a Hangman's Guild meeting--The Council of Twelve. However as usual nothing is ever simple with the Kuisls. But then that's the norm for the empire's executioners. Needed and yet despised, seen as the lowest of the low by the empire's citizens.
It seems a serial killer is at large murdering young women in a series of bizarre ways. Simon, Magdalena's physician husband has written a treatise on cleanliness and well-being that he's trying to bring to bring to the attention of a famous physician in Munich. Jakob has decided to marry his daughter Barbara to a fellow hangman (against her loud protests!). Magdalena gets caught up in a Bavarian silk factory scandal that takes her into danger, her son Peter meets a prince and Paul makes the acquaintance of a lively gang of street boys.
As murder stalks the streets of Munich, the Hangman's Guild becomes entangled.
A fabulous look at the times, laws and customs of Munich and Bavaria. Well researched and as always with the Hangman's Daughter series, a fascinating and strong read!
A NetGalley ARC
The Kuisl family travels to the Munich of 1672. Jakob, has a Hangman's Guild meeting--The Council of Twelve. However as usual nothing is ever simple with the Kuisls. But then that's the norm for the empire's executioners. Needed and yet despised, seen as the lowest of the low by the empire's citizens.
It seems a serial killer is at large murdering young women in a series of bizarre ways. Simon, Magdalena's physician husband has written a treatise on cleanliness and well-being that he's trying to bring to bring to the attention of a famous physician in Munich. Jakob has decided to marry his daughter Barbara to a fellow hangman (against her loud protests!). Magdalena gets caught up in a Bavarian silk factory scandal that takes her into danger, her son Peter meets a prince and Paul makes the acquaintance of a lively gang of street boys.
As murder stalks the streets of Munich, the Hangman's Guild becomes entangled.
A fabulous look at the times, laws and customs of Munich and Bavaria. Well researched and as always with the Hangman's Daughter series, a fascinating and strong read!
A NetGalley ARC
November 4, 2019
One of the few, if not the only, series I cried to because it having to end. What an amazing read, a series I will have to reread again. I loved every character in the Kuisl family, and also enjoyed seeing the Hangman's character and demeanor in each of his family members, including his grandchildren. This is by far my favorite series and I am so sad this is the last book. :( :( :(
July 11, 2018
I love Jakob Kuisl!
Yes, he's a hangman. And yes, I love him.
I love this series so much. I seriously squeal with joy when I see the newest one announced every year at this time. I'll get the paperback, the kindle version and the audiobook. So yes, I love Jakob Kuisl.
Yes, he's a hangman. And yes, I love him.
I love this series so much. I seriously squeal with joy when I see the newest one announced every year at this time. I'll get the paperback, the kindle version and the audiobook. So yes, I love Jakob Kuisl.
July 9, 2017
Die Gangs von der Au
Im Jahr 1672 wird der Schongauer Henker Jakob Kuisl in den Rat der Zwölf berufen. Dies ist eine Versammlung der zwölf wichtigsten Henker Bayerns. Auf die Reise folgt ihm seine ganze Familie, wann hat man schon einmal die Gelegenheit in die Kurfürstenresidenz zu reisen. Besonders Kuisls jüngere Tochter Barbara ist froh, aus Schongau herauszukommen. Sie ist, nachdem sie gegen ihren Willen genommen wurde, schwanger und weiß nicht, wie sie aus ihrer misslichen Situation herauskommen soll. Der Plan des Vaters, sie zu verheiraten, könnte ihr zupass kommen. Doch eigentlich möchte sie sich ihren Gatten lieber selbst aussuchen. Und wie man es von dem Kuisl beinahe schon erwarten könnte, stolpert er bald nach der Ankunft über die erste Leiche.
In diesem siebten Band um die Schongauer Henkersfamilie Kuisl unternehmen eben jene zum ersten Mal einen Besuch nach München. Jakob Kuisl, ein wenig verstimmt, dass man in nicht früher eingeladen hat, aber auch stolz nun zum Rat der Zwölf zu gehören, spürt so langsam sein Alter. Doch im Grunde ist er immer noch der sanfte allerdings manchmal zum Jähzorn neigende Riese, der eigentlich ein besserer Heiler denn Scharfrichter ist. Seine Tochter Magdalena erhofft sich für ihren feinsinnigen und intelligenten Sohn, dass sie ihn in einer Schule in München unterbringen kann, wo er vielleicht in die Fußstapfen seines Vaters, des Arztes Simon Frohnwieser, treten kann. Und Barbara hofft, sich irgendwie aus ihrer verzwickten Situation herauswinden zu können. Rätselhaft sind jedoch die Todesfälle unter den jungen Frauen, denn schnell stellt sich heraus, dass das Mädchen, welches ertrunken aus dem Auer Bach gezogen wurde, nicht das einzige Opfer war.
Bestens unterhalten schließt man dieses Buch nach fast 700 Seiten kurzweiliger Lektüre. Zurückversetzt in eine Welt, die von Standesdünkeln, unsinnigen Vorschriften und grausamen Strafen viel mehr bestimmt wurde als die Heutige. Die ehrlosen Henker und ihre Familien, die von vielem ausgeschlossen wurden, deren Dienste man dennoch brauchte. Die Adligen und Patrizier, die ein mitunter dekadentes Leben führten und deren Gier kein Ende kannte. Eine ideale Kulisse scheint die Stadt München zu bilden, die die Versammlung der Henker auch nur vor ihren Toren erlaubt. Staunend wandeln die Kuisls durch die Straßen und Gassen, Kirchen, Theater, Paläste - wo hat man das schon in dieser Zusammenballung gesehen. Und das gemeine Volk in engen Vierteln oder in Vororten wie der Au. Die Ränke im Rat, die Familienangelegenheiten der Kuisl sehr spannend und interessant verwoben mit den Morden an den jungen Frauen.
Dieser historische Kriminal- und Familienroman gefällt durch die fein abgestimmt eingeflossene Recherche und seine packende Geschichte.
4,5 Sterne
Im Jahr 1672 wird der Schongauer Henker Jakob Kuisl in den Rat der Zwölf berufen. Dies ist eine Versammlung der zwölf wichtigsten Henker Bayerns. Auf die Reise folgt ihm seine ganze Familie, wann hat man schon einmal die Gelegenheit in die Kurfürstenresidenz zu reisen. Besonders Kuisls jüngere Tochter Barbara ist froh, aus Schongau herauszukommen. Sie ist, nachdem sie gegen ihren Willen genommen wurde, schwanger und weiß nicht, wie sie aus ihrer misslichen Situation herauskommen soll. Der Plan des Vaters, sie zu verheiraten, könnte ihr zupass kommen. Doch eigentlich möchte sie sich ihren Gatten lieber selbst aussuchen. Und wie man es von dem Kuisl beinahe schon erwarten könnte, stolpert er bald nach der Ankunft über die erste Leiche.
In diesem siebten Band um die Schongauer Henkersfamilie Kuisl unternehmen eben jene zum ersten Mal einen Besuch nach München. Jakob Kuisl, ein wenig verstimmt, dass man in nicht früher eingeladen hat, aber auch stolz nun zum Rat der Zwölf zu gehören, spürt so langsam sein Alter. Doch im Grunde ist er immer noch der sanfte allerdings manchmal zum Jähzorn neigende Riese, der eigentlich ein besserer Heiler denn Scharfrichter ist. Seine Tochter Magdalena erhofft sich für ihren feinsinnigen und intelligenten Sohn, dass sie ihn in einer Schule in München unterbringen kann, wo er vielleicht in die Fußstapfen seines Vaters, des Arztes Simon Frohnwieser, treten kann. Und Barbara hofft, sich irgendwie aus ihrer verzwickten Situation herauswinden zu können. Rätselhaft sind jedoch die Todesfälle unter den jungen Frauen, denn schnell stellt sich heraus, dass das Mädchen, welches ertrunken aus dem Auer Bach gezogen wurde, nicht das einzige Opfer war.
Bestens unterhalten schließt man dieses Buch nach fast 700 Seiten kurzweiliger Lektüre. Zurückversetzt in eine Welt, die von Standesdünkeln, unsinnigen Vorschriften und grausamen Strafen viel mehr bestimmt wurde als die Heutige. Die ehrlosen Henker und ihre Familien, die von vielem ausgeschlossen wurden, deren Dienste man dennoch brauchte. Die Adligen und Patrizier, die ein mitunter dekadentes Leben führten und deren Gier kein Ende kannte. Eine ideale Kulisse scheint die Stadt München zu bilden, die die Versammlung der Henker auch nur vor ihren Toren erlaubt. Staunend wandeln die Kuisls durch die Straßen und Gassen, Kirchen, Theater, Paläste - wo hat man das schon in dieser Zusammenballung gesehen. Und das gemeine Volk in engen Vierteln oder in Vororten wie der Au. Die Ränke im Rat, die Familienangelegenheiten der Kuisl sehr spannend und interessant verwoben mit den Morden an den jungen Frauen.
Dieser historische Kriminal- und Familienroman gefällt durch die fein abgestimmt eingeflossene Recherche und seine packende Geschichte.
4,5 Sterne
April 11, 2021
Familie Kuisl begibt sich zu einem Scharfrichtertreffen nach München. Kaum angekommen, haben sie es mit Frauenmorden, Münzfälschern und mit einem entführten Hund zu tun...
Wie immer großartig.
Wie immer großartig.
December 1, 2018
I was drawn to this novel as I was reading "The Faithful Executioner" by Joel Harrington. What I found interesting was that inspiration for this series of novels was drawn from the author's own family history - and that our main character - Jakob Kuisl (1612 - 1695) - was indeed an ancestor!
So to the tale - the seventh in the series, and the first I had read. Jakob and family travel to Munich in 1672 to attend a council of hangmen - the "council of twelve". They are not a welcome addition to the local population being considered outcasts by most other segments of polite medieval society.
A series of murders of young women - all by methods known and used by the profession - leads Jakob and his daughter Magdalena to investigate in the face of growing concerns among his brethren and the townsfolk. The story flows nicely, leading up to the unveiling of the killer and the side stories are closed off.
I had no issues with picking up the threads of the six stories that had preceded this one. My only bug-bear, I though that it needed a little editing as in a new paragraph each time the scene changed - though I am sure this will be dealt with in the final editing stage.
I look forward to reading the series from start to finish.
So to the tale - the seventh in the series, and the first I had read. Jakob and family travel to Munich in 1672 to attend a council of hangmen - the "council of twelve". They are not a welcome addition to the local population being considered outcasts by most other segments of polite medieval society.
A series of murders of young women - all by methods known and used by the profession - leads Jakob and his daughter Magdalena to investigate in the face of growing concerns among his brethren and the townsfolk. The story flows nicely, leading up to the unveiling of the killer and the side stories are closed off.
I had no issues with picking up the threads of the six stories that had preceded this one. My only bug-bear, I though that it needed a little editing as in a new paragraph each time the scene changed - though I am sure this will be dealt with in the final editing stage.
I look forward to reading the series from start to finish.
December 12, 2018
I love this series. When I read a new a Hangman' Daughter book, I feel like I'm visiting old friends. The characters develop and grow throughout the books. The author is a descendant of the Kusisls. They were a well known line of Bavarian executioners. They are his inspiration for the stories. I can't wait for #8 to be published in English.
Read
July 2, 2018Well, that helps me in my decision to give up Kindle Unlimited. The end of my subscription is coming up so I have tried to find something worthwhile to read. Slim pickings. Some years ago I think I liked the first couple books but I am not going to check. It is pretty ridiculous stuff.
June 27, 2018
I loved it! #7 in the series, I think there is another one coming...
August 16, 2018
i saw it coming.
too many odd references to the murderer. still and great story. complex mystery. and good things happen to good people.
too many odd references to the murderer. still and great story. complex mystery. and good things happen to good people.
May 27, 2018
In 1672, the executioners of Bavaria are having a meeting of the Council of Twelve, a prestigious group- well, as prestigious as a hangman can be in a time and place where they are considered dishonorable and tainted. Jakob Kuisl takes his entire family there- his married daughter Magdalena, her physician husband Simon, her three children, and his unmarried daughter Barbara, with the thought of finding her a husband there in Munich. The fact that Barbara is already pregnant, and doesn’t even want to get married, complicates matters. Jakob’s son Georg, apprenticed to a hangman of a different city, is also there. Simon is there in hopes of finding a sponsor for his thesis about preventing infections. These strands weave around and into the mystery, which is that young women are turning up dead, all with a certain medallion and all killed in ways that executioners use on female criminals. Of course, the town’s suspicions turn to the group of hangman in their midst. They fear the despised executioners have unleashed a devil on the town.
As Jakob tries to unravel the mystery before the executioners become the executed by mob, more women are found dead- as is one of the hangmen’s own. How are these women connected? What is the common thread? Meanwhile, Magdalena has become embroiled in another mystery and has gone undercover in a silk mill, from which there may be no escape.
I loved this book. I did not realize when I asked for the book that it was the 7th in a series, but the author made the family relationships clear right away and I was able to jump right in without feeling I was missing anything. Potzsch deftly handles the multiple threads of plot (I haven’t mentioned them all; there are simple too many) and never drops the many balls he’s juggling. He paints a vivid picture of the time and place- all too vivid at times, a lot of things being rather gross and grim back then. From street girls to the royal court, everyone seems to be involved. The story is full of action and the characters all come to life. Five stars.
As Jakob tries to unravel the mystery before the executioners become the executed by mob, more women are found dead- as is one of the hangmen’s own. How are these women connected? What is the common thread? Meanwhile, Magdalena has become embroiled in another mystery and has gone undercover in a silk mill, from which there may be no escape.
I loved this book. I did not realize when I asked for the book that it was the 7th in a series, but the author made the family relationships clear right away and I was able to jump right in without feeling I was missing anything. Potzsch deftly handles the multiple threads of plot (I haven’t mentioned them all; there are simple too many) and never drops the many balls he’s juggling. He paints a vivid picture of the time and place- all too vivid at times, a lot of things being rather gross and grim back then. From street girls to the royal court, everyone seems to be involved. The story is full of action and the characters all come to life. Five stars.
May 15, 2022
4.25 stars
In the late 17th century, the hangmen of Bavaria are gathering just outside Munich for their guild council. They don’t often get to meet because, being the dishonourables that they are, no one wants to host their meetings. On this occasion, they happen to be near Munich as the dead bodies of two young girls are discovered, murdered in various styles of execution from the time. As more bodies are found, the hangmen, of course, are suspected. Jakob Kuisl, his daughter Magdalena, and her doctor husband Simon, try to help figure out what it going on.
Meantime, there is also a group of people distributing counterfeit money, and Simon (whose reputation as a mystery-solver has preceded him) has been asked to find the lost dog of a local “royal” family. Really, this turns out to be the young prince’s dog, who befriends Simon and Magdalena’s son, Peter. And Jakob’s younger daughter, Barbara, is at an age where she should be getting married; although, Magdalena was lucky and found someone above her station, Barbara is likely to have to marry one of the other executioners or their sons.
I really like this series and I feel like it gets better and better. I believe I am now caught up in the series, so it’s hard to say when I will get to the next one (I am assuming there will continue to be more – I hope!). The book switches points of view (though never first-person) quite often, but I like that it gives me the feel of all of these things happening, as different characters go about their business, at the same time. Of course, for suspense, it often cuts to a different character/scene just as something exciting is about to happen or happens.
In the late 17th century, the hangmen of Bavaria are gathering just outside Munich for their guild council. They don’t often get to meet because, being the dishonourables that they are, no one wants to host their meetings. On this occasion, they happen to be near Munich as the dead bodies of two young girls are discovered, murdered in various styles of execution from the time. As more bodies are found, the hangmen, of course, are suspected. Jakob Kuisl, his daughter Magdalena, and her doctor husband Simon, try to help figure out what it going on.
Meantime, there is also a group of people distributing counterfeit money, and Simon (whose reputation as a mystery-solver has preceded him) has been asked to find the lost dog of a local “royal” family. Really, this turns out to be the young prince’s dog, who befriends Simon and Magdalena’s son, Peter. And Jakob’s younger daughter, Barbara, is at an age where she should be getting married; although, Magdalena was lucky and found someone above her station, Barbara is likely to have to marry one of the other executioners or their sons.
I really like this series and I feel like it gets better and better. I believe I am now caught up in the series, so it’s hard to say when I will get to the next one (I am assuming there will continue to be more – I hope!). The book switches points of view (though never first-person) quite often, but I like that it gives me the feel of all of these things happening, as different characters go about their business, at the same time. Of course, for suspense, it often cuts to a different character/scene just as something exciting is about to happen or happens.
January 4, 2020
Ordinarily I don't feel drawn to historical novels. This tale takes place in February, 1672, in and around Munich. From the first word, I was enthralled. The story is lively, never a dull word. We have six point-of-view characters. Six! How can you write a deft tale with six main characters? It must be complex, weighty. Nevertheless Potzsch does it with apparent ease.
Hangmen converge on a town just outside Munich for a conference. They are hardly welcome, especially when several young women are found murdered, execution style. Hangman Jacob Kuisl and his family become involved in solving the crimes, as a means of clearing the hangmen.
Yet as the investigation is afoot, each of the viewpoint characters has their own concerns that will determine the direction their lives take. Add the investigation, and danger meets them at every turn. And there are surprise turns that keep us rooting for each leading character. The danger grows until the risk of murder draws them all together. Very neatly done, with a satisfying outcome for everyone.
The days are cold, the people stuck in professions they were born to, the attitudes of the time based on a struggle to survive, superstitions, or a quest to be entertained. We get a look into a past culture and perhaps see something of ourselves there. And we can be thankful we live in more comfortable times. Here's a worthy read that is a entertaining and enlightening.
Hangmen converge on a town just outside Munich for a conference. They are hardly welcome, especially when several young women are found murdered, execution style. Hangman Jacob Kuisl and his family become involved in solving the crimes, as a means of clearing the hangmen.
Yet as the investigation is afoot, each of the viewpoint characters has their own concerns that will determine the direction their lives take. Add the investigation, and danger meets them at every turn. And there are surprise turns that keep us rooting for each leading character. The danger grows until the risk of murder draws them all together. Very neatly done, with a satisfying outcome for everyone.
The days are cold, the people stuck in professions they were born to, the attitudes of the time based on a struggle to survive, superstitions, or a quest to be entertained. We get a look into a past culture and perhaps see something of ourselves there. And we can be thankful we live in more comfortable times. Here's a worthy read that is a entertaining and enlightening.
June 28, 2020
Band 7 der Reihe hat mir wieder sehr gut gefallen. Gleich 3 Fälle werden hier in mehreren Handlungssträngen durch die Familie Kuisl bearbeitet und gelöst ;)
Von mir gibt es 10/10 Punkte
https://sunsys-blog.blogspot.com/2020...
Von mir gibt es 10/10 Punkte
https://sunsys-blog.blogspot.com/2020...
March 16, 2022
3.5 STARS. Surprisingly the best one of the series. The author has done an excellent job of keeping your interest, aging the characters and moving their lives along with good storytelling. I hope this isn't the last we see of the Hangman and his family.
December 22, 2018
Usually, I love the quirky characters and labyrinth plot of the Hangman's Daughter series but this newest offering had way too many characters and subplots.
September 26, 2021
This is another page turner in the Hangman's Daughter series. The subject matter is relevant today. As they say, history repeats itself.
Want to read
March 25, 2023(Note to self-no review)
November 7, 2025
Kao i uvijek odlično i napeto!
June 30, 2020
A favorite author writes another great story
November 21, 2019
The best of them all. I love this author's style, the tight plots, the unexpected turns, everything. A series I will always hold dear.
June 23, 2019
The best of seven!
This was an amazing experience! The Kuisl clan together again solving more mysteries than they could even imagine. A must read!
This was an amazing experience! The Kuisl clan together again solving more mysteries than they could even imagine. A must read!
July 29, 2020
I finished this book last Monday, so, this review is late. But anyway, The Council of Twelve was, I think, the most fantastic Hangman Book in the series. It was also bittersweet due to it being the last book in the series but it delivered all levels: All the characters ending up truly happy and in their rightful places, putting together a truly unforeseen culprit, keeping all the same fantastic characters while introducing some new faces, and making it the most mysterious, magical, and intriguing ride I’ve come to know....
June 18, 2018
Can't wait for the next installment of the Hangman's Daughter saga.
This series of the Hangman's Daughter Tales is very addictive for audiences that love a good historical fiction read. From the first book in the series the characters become real people. It is easy to devour the entire series without regard to the passing of the time it takes to do so. Eating and sleeping become secondary to the necessity of finding out what happens next in the lives of the Kuisl family and their knack for finding trouble. Read at your own risk and enjoy every minute!
This series of the Hangman's Daughter Tales is very addictive for audiences that love a good historical fiction read. From the first book in the series the characters become real people. It is easy to devour the entire series without regard to the passing of the time it takes to do so. Eating and sleeping become secondary to the necessity of finding out what happens next in the lives of the Kuisl family and their knack for finding trouble. Read at your own risk and enjoy every minute!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 332 reviews