If you like: murder * whodunits * historical fiction
The Hangman’s Daughter
is a story of alleged witchcraft, murder, and execution. We follow
Jakob Kuisl, the town executioner, as he attempts to find a killer
before he is forced to torture and murder the local midwife who has been
wrongly accused. He works with a young physician, who is also his
daughter’s suitor, to investigate despite the superstitions of the
townsfolk. Time is of the essence as the two attempt to locate missing
children and solve the crime before it is too late.
Superstition plays a powerful role in The Hangman’s Daughter.
As a member of an established line of executioners, Kuisl draws out the
superstitious nature of the townsfolk. They respect his abilities and
capabilities, but are hesitant to get too close to him. This both helps
and hurts him during his investigation. The fear allows him to push the
limits of what a normal man could get away with, but it also prevents
people from coming to him with information. Superstition also leads to a
fervor in the town over witchcraft. Though no one wants to repeat the
horrors during the witch burnings of the prior generation, the first signs of the unknown terrify
the people into acting irrationally. Rather than finding the true
criminal, it is much easier to blame one “witch" and execute her before
the fear leads to mass hysteria. Fear of the devastation does not
outweigh the fear of witchcraft.
Perceptions and appearances are also a key part of The Hangman’s Daughter.
Many of the burghers in town are much more worried about their profits
and their own position than the lives of the general people. What does
it matter if an orphan is killed or an innocent woman is murdered – as
long as one's wealth and position are maintained life goes on. Many who
are hoping to profit from this opportunity would rather come by a
guilder in any way they can, even if they know what they are doing is
wrong or a lie. The rhetoric used in the town to gain favor for the
political motives is not unlike the present day political climate. How
you say something is much more important than the substance that is
behind it. Fearing the others – those who might not maintain the same
outlook and practices you do – will always lead people to act in the most
baseless ways.
If you just saw your neighbor go flying on her broom, read The Hangman’s Daughter.
Pötzsch, Oliver. The Hangman's Daughter. New York: AmazonCrossing, 2010. Kindle Edition.
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