The Empty Mirror

by J. Sydney Jones

Book Overview

The summer of 1898 finds Austria terrorized by a killer who the press calls "Vienna's Jack the Ripper." Four bodies have already been found, but when the painter Gustav Klimt's female model becomes the fifth victim, the police finger him as the culprit. The artist has already scandalized Viennese society with his erotically charged modern paintings. Who better to take the blame for the crimes that have plagued the city? This is, however, far from...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312383894
• ISBN13: 9780312383893
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Length: 310 Pages
• Weight: 1.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.9" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

SUPERB HISTORICAL FICTION

WELL WRITTEN,HISTORICALLY ACCURATE MAKING IT QUITE THE FASCINATING READ. CERTAINLY YOU KNOW GOING IN THE ACCUSED CANNOT BE THE GUILTY PARTY ,HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT DETRACT FROM THE WHODUNNIT ASPECT. WITH THE SETTINGS,THE MAIN CHARATERS BROUGHT WELL TO LIFE AND THE SURPRISES ALONG THE WAY(MARK TWAIN?!) THIS WILL OCCUPY A PLACE ON YOUR BOOKSHELF,TO BE SHARED WITH FRIENDS AND ENJOYED AGAIN YEARS LATER.

Excellent historial crime thriller . . . .

At the start of Jones's historical thriller, set in Vienna in 1898, a young woman is murdered and her body deposited in the Prater amusement park - with her nose cut off and other signs that make her death part of a series of killings. The key characters are brought into the story and the action starts to build in a measured pace that really pulls you in. Jones incorporates both real and fictional characters to build a very realistic and detailed story. Gustav Klimt and criminologist Hanns Gross are actual persons, but the lawyer Karl Werthen is fictional. Gross and Werthen talk and behave very much like Holmes and Watson, so if you like the Sherlock Holmes stories, you will really like this one. At first this book starts like a serial-killer novel: Who is the madman, and why is he cutting off people's noses? Then it becomes a political thriller as Jones brings mixes in real history using Emperor Franz Josef and his strange family as key parts of the story. In researching Jones, I found that he had lived in Vienna and many of his details show real knowledge of the city and surrounds. Jones adds details that are his own inventions, but keeps bringing in real historical figures like Krafft-Ebing and Freud to build the story. The story moves along at a good pace and keeps you interested throughout, using the political passions and bizarre occurrences of the era as key parts of the story. I won't tell too much of the story as I don't want to ruin it for you, but this one is both a good read and educational (without seeming to be.) It is hard to put down once you immerse yourself in 1898 Vienna . . . the shock of jumping back to the present tells you how well it is written.

Jack the Ripper meets Mayerling and Sissy

Turn of century Vienna, a serial killer prowling the streets, Klimt, the artist, Theodor Herzl, the founder of Zionism; even Freud are involved in this mystery. What more would you want? The novel is actually almost two novels in one. The first part is about a serial killer, and our two heroes', the lawyer Werthen and his friend the criminalist inspector Gross, efforts to catch him and at the same time free Klimt from undeserved prison. The action moves fast and furiously to the revelation of the killer. All is, apparently said and done, but of course it isn't. Part two starts out more slowly, sedately even, until the empress Elisabeth, also known as Sissy is murdered. Things take a dark turn as our two stalwarts' investigations take them to Geneva, and back to Vienna to uncover a plot that may shake the very foundations of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The day to day lives of Vienna at the turn of the century as well as the city itself are charmingly depicted but do not subtract from the action. A must read for mystery novel fans, readers of historical fiction and even Vienna lovers.

terrific investigative tale

In the 1890s several inexplicable violent murders rock Vienna. As Austrians watch in fascinating fear, the police suspect artist Gustav Klimt as the culprit predominantly based on the fifth victim Liesel Landtauer who was his model, but lack solid evidence to convict him although they raided his studio. Concerned that he could become the fall guy if police Inspektor Meindl fails to nail the brutal serial killer soon, he asks his friend lawyer Karl Werthen for help. Karl wants to assist Gustav, but also accepts he is out of his element at this point with the need of an investigative expert to take charge. As Klimt is proven right when the police arrest him on inadequate evidence, Werthen asks criminologist Dr. Hanns Gross to help him uncover the identity of "Vienna's Jack the Ripper." He agrees and with Werthen at his side, Gross begins to follow clues that lead to all segments of Venetian society even as a sixth homicide frees Klimt who has the perfect alibi. However as the killer watches their progress and even sends taunting mail to authorities, influential members of high society want their inquiry stopped while the police continue to focus on Klimt as their end game. Using real persona in key roles (including Klimt the artist who had the Malkovich movie made of him two years ago and the founder of criminology Gross), J Sydney Jones anchors time and place giving this terrific investigative tale a major historical feel to the story line. Plausible cameos enhance the feel of being in Vienna in the 1890s. The serial killer investigation filled with twists hooks the audience. Historical and late Victorian mystery fans will both relish this excellent whodunit. Harriet Klausner

Excellent novel

As a writer and extensive reader of historical fiction, I am all too aware of the dangers of the genre. Balancing history, truth, suspense, a credible plot and believable characters, both real and fictional, can feel like juggling chain saws: one false slip and you've sawed off your own arm. Jones, in this novel of the murders and intrigues of Vienna, circa 1898, comes out with a smile on his face and all limbs intact. I thought it was fascinating, a suspenseful trip through a world I knew very little about. The fictional characters are original and interesting and the breadth of the cast of real characters who make it onto the page is astounding. Mark Twain in Vienna? Who knew? Anyone who reads mystery/historical fiction will appreciate a copy. This sort of performance isn't easy, folks. Trust me. Allen Appel