The Hangman's Daughter AND MORE!!!

All I can say is WOW!  This was an awesome read.  I didn't want to put it down ... ever.  It incorporates love, murder, mystery, and even who-dun-it.  My wife even got mad at me saying, "Will you put that thing down and empty the dishwasher."  Obviously I emptied the dishwasher.

This book is based int he 1650's in Bavaria.  It is set in the village of Schongau, and describes the time period beautifully.  It tells of the town hangman, Jakob Kuisl and his daughter Magdelena, along with Simon Fronwieser the young town physician's son.  Well, Magdelena is branded and relegated to a life of shame only because she happens to be the hangman's daughter.  The thing is that she ans Simon care for each other deeply and even talk about running away and living by begging, just so they can be together.

As I've said in my other posts, I hate giving away a book's plot ... but, just say that some children are murdered, and pleasant Schongau midwife is accused of witchcraft and is thrown in the keep.  The keep is where prisoners are kept during trials and questioning and torturing (which is the responsibility of the hangman).  This is where the compassion of Jakob is exhibited.  Typically the hangman is seen as the devil himself, but Jakob actually cares for people and loves his town.  He and Simon do everything in their power to prove the innocence of Martha the midwife.  The turn into super-sleuth's and become early detectives and do it pretty well.

Anyway, again ... AWESOME read.  In a couple of points it drags a bit, but Mr. Potzsch make up for it with his imagination and character development.  It'll make you think about history and how far we have come.
Rating: 4.5/5

My next read is an oldie.  I'm going to try to read all 14 books in the Wizard of Oz series by L. Frank Baum.  We had a family movie night this week and watched the classic 1939 movie with Judy Garland.  My five year old daughter loved it.  In our town we actually have a Wizard of Oz Gift Shop and Museum.  Every year there is a Wizard of Oz festival, where there are look-alike contests and general fun.  I have never even been to it, but I have a feeling that this year we're going to need to go.  I'm actually kinda looking forward to it.

Until next time ... read on!