Conversations over Twine and Tin

Hangman, Housewife, Soldier, Psycho (part 1)

No, no I’m not talking about “Game of Thrones”; but I might get to those later. No, I wanted to give a glimpse into the first handful of books that I’ve worked through thus far this summer, and as you may have gathered from the title, they were a bit of a mixed bag. These four tomes have been wildly different, and have also varied enormously on my very own personal scale of likeability. SO, since I know you are all breathless to hear my thoughts...here goes!

The Hangman’s Daughter by Oliver Potzsch: I know, I couldn’t pronounce his last name either- but seriously don’t let that stop you!! This is a murder mystery pure and simple. Only not really. It’s actually a murder mystery set in seventeenth century Bavaria, in a little village that has survived its share of hardship. You know, like the bubonic plague, a scourge of ‘witch burnings’ a generation or two back, etc. The town has a very real sense of order and tradition about it, and is held on course by the councilmen who oversee the laws, the merchant/tradesmen who guard the trade (and thereby the livelihood of the villagers), and the Hangman, who carries out the just punishments meted out by those who govern.

As you may gather from the title, our Hangman is the linchpin upon which the story rests. Far from the hulking, axe wielding, belly-baring sycophants who tend to bear the moniker in popular legend, Jakob Kuisl is a quiet, God-fearing man who loves nothing more than tending his family, studying science, and plying his side-trade of medicine man. But suddenly, orphans from the village begin disappearing, and turning up dead. Fingers are pointed at the village midwife who spent time with them, and suddenly, the witch hunts from years ago begin to foment again. In order to save lives, and seek out the truth amidst rumors, superstitions and evils real and imagined, Jakob must work together with the village doctor to find the true culprit, and thus restore peace to their village. I have to say, I have not read a mystery that was this much fun in a long time. Potzsch manages to deal with some very dark themes, and creates a multi-layered scenario, populated by believable, three dimensional characters who are various parts believers in faith, superstitious of evil, truth-seeking, manipulative, and desirous of justice…and that’s just on the town council! Do yourself a favor, and pick this one up.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn: this is one of those books that I grabbed because I was seeing it everywhere. NPR covered it more than a few times, there were excerpts posted, author interviews, and rave reviews. So, having had my interest piqued, I ordered it from the library and sat down to see what the hype was all about. Was it engrossing? Yes. Was it well-written? Yes. Did I like it? Not remotely.

Based on the sudden disappearance of Nick’s lovely wife, Amy, the pages begin to spell out what looks to have been the rise, and pitiable fall of the marriage of a young couple who have it all together. Set in the muggy Mississippi we learn of the slow crumble from the ivory tower experienced by Nick and Amy, and then are brought face to face with Amy’s abrupt erasure. She is simply…gone. Suspicion, of course, immediately falls on Nick (isn’t it always the husband? At least when there is no butler?) who must do his utmost to prove to both the law and the reader that he didn’t do it! But as lie begets lie, we are confounded again and again by damning revelations, false facades, and human error. I’m not gonna lie, there were a few instances where I literally breathed out “idiot” under my breath. And then we get to hear Amy’s side of the story.

And here’s the rotten part; I can’t gripe sufficiently about how I feel without ruining the surprise for you!! And boy oh boy, where there surprises!

So, one might assume that this would be a winner- engrossing story, empathetic characters, tightly wound twists and turns….but I have to say unabashedly that I pretty much hated it. If you decide to try for yourself, I’m sure you’ll see why.