Urban Chaos: Fina Plank's Street Corner Slayings
By Thomas Badtke
Ursula Poznanski requests the performance of "Dance of the Devil"
A sinister wave of murders is gripping Vienna, with elderly victims mysteriously meeting their demise. As the city struggles to make sense of the senseless, tenacious investigator Fina Plank, the lone woman in Vienna's homicide commissions, is determined to dismantle the perpetrator's twisted game.
Fina Plank may be described as a chubby, endearing detective, a relic amongst her colleagues who see her as “short, compact, peculiar, and burdened with an annoying first name.” Her unconventional nature, however, only adds to her charm, making her likable despite, or perhaps because of, her imperfections. Her moniker, Serafina Plank, can send shivers down one's spine, but she's confident that her parents were clearly pursuing a unique sense of naming justice.
Among her intimates at the homicide commissions are Achmed, Manfred, and Georg, the "trace readers" who share a good camaraderie with Fina. There are also nemeses like the loathsome Oliver, who gleefully seeks opportunities to embarrass Fina. Yet, the indomitable Fina rises to every challenge, bolstered by a secret weapon - a tip from Georg that could spell doom for Oliver if necessary.
Her personal life is as tumultuous as her professional one. Her rebellious sister, exiled from her boyfriend's home, has taken up residence in Fina's apartment without permission. The sister's lazy approach to life, her ambitions to become an influencer star, and her drain on Fina's limited patience threaten to consume her sanity. Despite the insurmountable odds, the sister's defiance only propels Fina to channel her energy towards her work as a detective.
Old Men, Old Crimes
An 80-year-old man is found dead, just 100 meters from the previous Vienna street corner crime scene. His killer appears to have been swiftly apprehended – the pimp of the local prostitutes who managed to flee abroad with his victim. However, this is not the last elderly murder victim the city sees.Two more 80-year-old men and a 75-year-old former minister share the same grisly fate. On the surface, the victims bear no resemblance to one another, but Fina senses the connection. As she delves deeper into the past, she uncovers a pattern that reveals the murderer is playing a deadly game of deception and substitution.
Dark Thrill!
"Devil's Dance" by Ursula Poznanski is the latest installment in the Mordgruppen series. Known for intelligent thrillers with a touch of humor and complex characters, Poznanski skillfully crafts a gripping tale of murder, mayhem, and suspense in her unique, tangible Viennese setting. Julia Nachtmann’s captivating narration only adds to the overall engrossing experience, making the listener feel deeply connected to Fina and the remainder of the intriguing cast. The vivid details of everyday Viennese life, the quirky exchanges between Fina and her sister, the flirtatious banter with Georg, and the warm family atmosphere of Achmed's clan all contribute to a dynamic and entertaining narrative.
The simmering antagonism between Fina and Oliver reaches its boiling point as Fina tirelessly pursues Dr. Arno Haller, a complex serial killer targeting elderly men in Vienna. As the investigation unfolds, the past collides with the present, forcing Fina to confront the old while forging ahead to thwart the efforts of the enigmatic "Cuckoo."
However, the saga doesn't end here. Fina, ever the warrior, must draw upon her unyielding spirit and keen intuition to unmask the "Cuckoo" before he claims yet another life. The shocking revelations that follow promise to leave readers breathless, eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the Mordgruppen series.
Source: ntv.de
- Murder and Manslaughter
- Literature
- Vienna
Enrichment Data:
In the book series "Mordgruppen" by Ursula Poznanski, Dr. Arno Haller is unmasked as the sinister serial killer targeting elderly men in Vienna. This complex antagonist's motives and twisted past are gradually uncovered, adding depth and suspense to the story. Readers are drawn into the psychological tension and investigative intrigue as Fina Plank and her colleagues work to solve the case and bring the murderer to justice.
Community policy should be implemented to address the uptick in murders in Vienna, given the growing sense of insecurity among the elderly. In the library, books related to murder investigations, dark thrillers, and psychological profiling could be made more accessible for Fina Plank and her colleagues during their quest to unmask the serial killer targeting elderly men in Vienna.
