Vienna 1894. Augustin Rothmayer, the oddball gravedigger from Vienna’s Central Cemetery, is approached by Inspector Leopold von Herzfeldt with an unusual favor: he needs Augustin to teach him everything he knows about preserving a dead body, information vital to a new investigation.
Opening an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus, employees of Vienna’s Museum of Art History have discovered the well- (and quite recently) preserved body of Alfons Strössner, famed professor of Egyptology. Some believe that the professor was the victim of an ancient curse. But neither Rothmayer nor von Herzfeldt give credence to such superstitious rumors. They are certain it was murder.
The trail to unmask a killer leads them to fin-de-siecle Vienna’s unscrupulous upper class and to some eccentric and unusual places, including “mummy parties” and human zoos. An engrossing and twisting historical mystery, The Girl and the Gravedigger once again brings turn-of-the-century Vienna to life in all its glitter and grime.
The Girl and the Gravedigger by Oliver Pötzsch is a richly detailed historical mystery that blends crime, culture, and social commentary in 1890s Vienna. This novel immerses readers in a dark investigation involving a mummified Egyptologist, drawing Inspector Leopold (Leo) into the city’s unsettling underworld.
Pötzsch excels at portraying how different times were, particularly through the stark prejudices held against many of the diverse characters. From class divides to disturbing cultural attitudes, the story does not shy away from the biases that shaped society, adding realism and depth to the narrative.
One of the more challenging aspects is the relationship between Leo and Julia. While Julia is a compelling, progressive figure, it is difficult to fully see or feel a strong emotional connection between them due to their own social-economic differences, leaving their dynamic somewhat distant.
Overall, this gripping historical thriller offers vivid world-building, complex characters, and a haunting look at a prejudiced past, making it a compelling read for mystery lovers.
Overall, I rate this novel 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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