Synopses & Reviews
Most honourable Procurator Stiffeniis,
You talents have been brought to Our attention by a gentleman of eminence, who believes that you alone are capable of resolving a situation which holds Our beloved Ko nigsberg in a grip of terror. All Our faith and consideration are due to the notable personage who suggested your name, and that same faith and consideration now resides in you. We have no reason to doubt that you will accept this Royal Commission, and act accordingly with all haste. The fate of the city lies in your hands.
--King Frederick Wilhelm III
It has been years since Immanuel Kant' s landmark philosophical work, Critique of Pure Reason, brought him fame throughout Europe and made him Ko nigsberg' s best-known citizen. Now, rumors have begun to surface of a new work by this aging but still acute mind. Yet unlike his earlier work, this book will not examine the mind of the average man, but the mind of the serial killer.
Hanno Stiffeniis, a young magistrate, has been called to Ko nigsberg to assist in the investigation of an enigmatic string of murders. Is it part of a plot formed by Napoleon' s spies to undermine the Prussian king or the work of a solitary, unknown killer? The case would seem unsolvable, were it not for the assistance and unmatched intellect of his mentor, Immanuel Kant. Together Stiffeniis and the elderly, eccentric philosopher must track down the killer who has the city of Ko nigsberg by the throat.
Hugely atmospheric, entertaining, and intelligent, Critique ofCriminal Reason marks the outstanding debut of a new name in historical fiction.
Review
“One of those literary thrillers that come along every year or two to provide both intellectual and visceral pleasures for readers who neither move their lips nor fear weighty concepts.” ---The Washington Post
“Readers who seek substance along with thrills in their mystery reading will enjoy The Critique of Criminal Reason.” ---Houston Chronicle
“Admirers of quality intellectual ?ction should embrace this book, with its pitch-perfect period detail and psychologically complex protagonist.”---Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Synopsis
An International Bestseller and Playboy Best Book of 2006
It has been years since Immanuel Kant's landmark philosophical work, Critique of Pure Reason, brought him fame throughout Europe and made him Konigsberg's best-known citizen. Now, rumors have begun to surface of a new work by this aging but still acute mind. Yet unlike his earlier work, this book will not examine the mind of the average man, but the mind of the serial killer.
Detective Hanno Stiffeniis has been called to the city to find the culprit in an enigmatic string of murders. Are they part of a plot formed by Napoleon's spies to undermine the Prussian king, or the work of a solitary killer? The case would seem unsolvable, were it not for the assistance and unmatched intellect of his mentor, Immanuel Kant. Together the young detective and the elderly, eccentric philosopher must track down the killer who has the city by the throat.
Atmospheric, entertaining, and intelligent, this acclaimed novel is sophisticated, page-turning crime at its best.
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Synopsis
An International Bestseller and Playboy Best Book of 2006
It has been years since Immanuel Kants landmark philosophical work, Critique of Pure Reason, brought him fame throughout Europe and made him Königsbergs best-known citizen. Now, rumors have begun to surface of a new work by this aging but still acute mind. Yet unlike his earlier work, this book will not examine the mind of the average man, but the mind of the serial killer.
Detective Hanno Stiffeniis has been called to the city to find the culprit in an enigmatic string of murders. Are they part of a plot formed by Napoleons spies to undermine the Prussian king, or the work of a solitary killer? The case would seem unsolvable, were it not for the assistance and unmatched intellect of his mentor, Immanuel Kant. Together the young detective and the elderly, eccentric philosopher must track down the killer who has the city by the throat.
Atmospheric, entertaining, and intelligent, this acclaimed novel is sophisticated, page-turning crime at its best.
Synopsis
“Sherlock Holmes himself would struggle to keep up with the master sleuth Gregorio brings to life.” ---Booklist (starred review)
About the Author
Michael Gregorio is the pen name of Michael G. Jacob and Daniela De Gregorio. She teaches philosophy, he teaches English. They live in Spoleto, Italy. Michael Gregorio was awarded the Umbria del Cuore prize in 2007.