Vienna Blood: A Max Liebermann Mystery, Paperback

Contributor(s):

• Author: Frank Tallis

The second in the Dr. Max Liebermann series, literature's first psychoanalytic detective.

In the grip of a Siberian winter in 1902, a serial killer in Vienna embarks upon a bizarre campaign of murder. Vicious mutilation, a penchant for arcane symbols, and a seemingly random choice of victim are his most distinctive peculiarities. Detective Inspector Oskar Rheinhardt summons a young disciple of Freud - his friend Dr. Max Liebermann -- to assist him with the case. The investigation draws them into the sphere of Vienna's secret societies -- a murky underworld of German literary scholars, race theorists, and scientists inspired by the new evolutionary theories coming out of England. At first, the killer's mind seems impenetrable -- his behaviour and cryptic clues impervious to psychoanalytic interpretation; however, gradually, it becomes apparent that an extraordinary and shocking rationale underlies his actions. . . .

Against this backdrop of mystery and terror, Liebermann struggles with his own demons. The treatment of a patient suffering from paranoia erotica (a delusion of love) and his own fascination with the enigmatic Englishwoman Amelia Lydgate raises doubts concerning the propriety of his imminent marriage. To resolve the dilemma, he must entertain the unthinkable -- risking opprobrium and accusations of cowardice.
 
Review citations

• Publishers Weekly / Best Of The Best/Highly Recommended - pg. 41 - 11/19/2007
• Publishers Weekly / Exceptional Presentation - pg. 41 - 11/19/2007
• Publishers Weekly / Book Of Special Distinction - pg. 41 - 11/19/2007
• Publishers Weekly / Top 15 Book Of The Year - pg. 41 - 11/19/2007
• Publishers Weekly / Highly Recommended - pg. 41 - 11/19/2007
• Booklist / Best Of The Best/Highly Recommended - pg. 23 - 11/15/2007
• Booklist / Exceptional Presentation - pg. 23 - 11/15/2007
• Booklist / Book Of Special Distinction - pg. 23 - 11/15/2007
• Booklist / Top 15 Book Of The Year - pg. 23 - 11/15/2007
• Booklist / Highly Recommended - pg. 23 - 11/15/2007
• Kirkus Reviews / Best Of The Best/Highly Recommended - pg. 1222 - 12/01/2007
• Kirkus Reviews / Exceptional Presentation - pg. 1222 - 12/01/2007
• Kirkus Reviews / Book Of Special Distinction - pg. 1222 - 12/01/2007
• Kirkus Reviews / Top 15 Book Of The Year - pg. 1222 - 12/01/2007
• Kirkus Reviews / Highly Recommended - pg. 1222 - 12/01/2007
• Entertainment Weekly - pg. 73 - 01/11/2008
• New York Times Book Review - pg. 24 - 01/13/2008
• Kirkus Best Books - pg. 12 - 02/15/2008
• New York Times Book Review - pg. 62 - 12/07/2008