Title: The Council of Twelve
Author: Oliver Potzsch
First published July 14, 2017
496 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781328508317 (ISBN10: 1328508315)
Rating: 4.44
Overview
In Oliver Potzsch’s latest addition to The Hangman’s Daughter series, Hangman Jakob Kuisl and his family are summoned to Munich for a meeting with the notorious Council of Twelve, the leaders of the empire’s hangmen’s guild. However, they soon discover a dark and sinister plot unfolding behind the scenes.
Young women have been turning up dead and the townsfolk of Munich are convinced that the hangmen’s guild has called upon the devil. With no suspects and the future of all hangmen in Germany at stake, Kuisl must team up with his daughter Magdalena, son-in-law Simon, and a group of eccentric hangmen to solve the mystery and catch the killer before it’s too late.
The Council of Twelve is a chilling mystery that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Editoral Review
In “The Council of Twelve,” Oliver Potzsch offers readers a thrilling mystery set in medieval Bavaria. Potzsch, a bestselling German author and descendant of a Bavarian dynasty of executioners, has already captivated readers through his Hangmans Daughter series.
However, this standalone novel distinguishes itself with its intricate plot and complex characters. Set in the 1670s, the book centers around Johann Lechner, a town clerk in the small village of Schongau.
When a mysterious nun arrives in town, asking for Lechners assistance in finding a stolen relic, he becomes embroiled in a web of corruption and secrecy that reaches all the way to the Council of Twelve, the highest governing body in the Holy Roman Empire. Alongside the enigmatic nun, Lechner must unravel a plot that threatens to upend the entire region.
Potzschs experience as a historian is evident throughout the book, which brims with meticulous attention to detail. The author vividly portrays the harsh realities of life in medieval Bavaria, from the superstitions that govern daily life to the threat of the Plague.
He weaves in real historical figures, such as the infamous Countess Bathory, who has a cameo in the novel. Potzsch’s writing, translated by Lisa Reinhardt, is evocative and lyrical.
The narrative is well-paced, with high stakes that keep the reader on edge throughout. The author’s use of multiple perspectives allows for a richness of character, particularly in the case of Lechner, whose internal struggle with his own conscience lends a depth of emotional resonance to the book.
Despite its strengths, “The Council of Twelve” does suffer from a somewhat convoluted plot that may be challenging to follow at times. This can leave readers feeling slightly disconnected from the story, particularly during the sections that revolve around the Council of Twelve’s internal politics.
Nevertheless, the book is a rich and rewarding read for those interested in historical fiction or suspenseful thrillers. Potzsch has crafted a gripping mystery that, despite its medieval setting, feels timely in its exploration of corruption, greed, and the dangerous allure of power.
Fans of Ken Follett’s “The Pillars of the Earth” or Umberto Eco’s “The Name of the Rose” will undoubtedly enjoy this novel. Overall, “The Council of Twelve” is a triumph of historical fiction, melding an engrossing narrative with a keen sense of history and a deep understanding of human nature.
While it may not be the easiest read, it is certainly an enjoyable one, and well worth the effort. The Washington Post gives “The Council of Twelve” a solid four out of five stars.
