Synopses & Reviews
The summer of 1898 finds Austria terrorized by a killer whom the press calls “Viennas Jack the Ripper.” When the painter Gustav Klimts female model becomes the fifth victim, the police finger him as the culprit. Dr. Hanns Gross, the renowned father of criminology, agrees to assist Klimt's lawyer, Karl Werthen, in investigating the murders. Together, Gross and Werthen must not only clear Klimts name but also follow the trail of a killer that will lead them in the most surprising of directions.
Written by an acclaimed expert on Vienna and its history, The Empty Mirror introduces a new series of stunning historical mysteries that reveals the culture and curiosities of this fascinating fin de siècle metropolis.
Review
*STARRED REVIEW* Set in Vienna in 1898, Jones's absorbing whodunit succeeds both as a mystery and as a fascinating portrait of a traditional society in ferment. When artist Gustav Klimt becomes a suspect in a series of bizarre murders, he turns for help to his lawyer friend, Karl Werthen, who joins forces with real-life pioneering criminologist Hanns Gross. Werthen and Gross follow a trail that leads through all strata of Viennese society and threatens to put them at odds with no(Publishers Weekly, Nov 10 2008 )
Review
*STARRED REVIEW* Set in Vienna in 1898, Jones's absorbing whodunit succeeds both as a mystery and as a fascinating portrait of a traditional society in ferment. When artist Gustav Klimt becomes a suspect in a series of bizarre murders, he turns for help to his lawyer friend, Karl Werthen, who joins forces with real-life pioneering criminologist Hanns Gross. Werthen and Gross follow a trail that leads through all strata of Viennese society and threatens to put them at odds with not only a trained killer but powerful members of the ruling class. Jones skillfully incorporates into his narrative many of the notable figures who lived in Vienna at the time. Some, like Klimt and sexologist Richard Freiherr von Krafft-Ebing, play important roles, while others, like Zionist founder Theodor Herzl and visiting American author Mark Twain, make brief but highly appropriate appearances. Jones (Time of the Wolf) delivers a meaty historical that bodes well for further adventures. (Jan.)
Publishers Weekly
Review
"A colorful story that neatly combines fact and fiction.”
--The Washington Post
"Jones . . . deftly melds fact with fiction in a novel that will appeal to mystery aficionados as well as history buffs.”
--Richmond Times-Dispatch“Jones's absorbing whodunit succeeds both as a mystery and as a fascinating portrait of a traditional society in ferment. ... Jones delivers a meaty historical that bodes well for further adventures.” --Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Jones novel boasts well-fleshed characters, a good sense of place, and solid plotting—all signs of series potential. This one bears watching.” --Booklist
“What Sir Arthur Conan Doyle did for Victorian London and Caleb Carr did for old New York, Sydney Jones does for historic Vienna. The Empty Mirror is a new classic mystery for discerning readers."
--Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of the Queen Elizabeth I mystery series
“An intriguing, dark novel woven around historical facts and figures, set in the lush, breathing labyrinth of Klimts Vienna.”
--Noah Charney, author of The Art Thief
“A rollicking roller-coaster ride through Viennas Prater Park complete with mysterious murders, a carload of famous names, and a pair of detectives who know enough about Viennese pastries to make your mouth water. History and fiction cleverly combined by a master storyteller.”
--Michael Gregorio, author of Critique of Criminal Reason
Review
"A colorful story that neatly combines fact and fiction.”
--The Washington Post
"Jones . . . deftly melds fact with fiction in a novel that will appeal to mystery aficionados as well as history buffs.”
--Richmond Times-Dispatch“Jones's absorbing whodunit succeeds both as a mystery and as a fascinating portrait of a traditional society in ferment. ... Jones delivers a meaty historical that bodes well for further adventures.” --Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Jones novel boasts well-fleshed characters, a good sense of place, and solid plotting—all signs of series potential. This one bears watching.” --Booklist
“What Sir Arthur Conan Doyle did for Victorian London and Caleb Carr did for old New York, Sydney Jones does for historic Vienna. The Empty Mirror is a new classic mystery for discerning readers."
--Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of the Queen Elizabeth I mystery series
“An intriguing, dark novel woven around historical facts and figures, set in the lush, breathing labyrinth of Klimts Vienna.”
--Noah Charney, author of The Art Thief
“A rollicking roller-coaster ride through Viennas Prater Park complete with mysterious murders, a carload of famous names, and a pair of detectives who know enough about Viennese pastries to make your mouth water. History and fiction cleverly combined by a master storyteller.”
--Michael Gregorio, author of Critique of Criminal Reason
Synopsis
With an unmatched knowledge of Vienna's history, culture, and politics, Jones introduces a gripping new mystery series set in a cosmopolitan city at the height of its artistic and social importance.
About the Author
J. Sydney Jones is the author of twelve books, including the nonfiction Hitler in Vienna, 1907--1913, the guides Viennawalks and Vienna Inside-Out, and the suspense novel Time of the Wolf. In 1968 he was a student in Vienna and later returned to live there for almost two decades. He currently lives near Santa Cruz, California.