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
"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.
Synopsis
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.
Synopsis
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.
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.