Street Corner Slayings: Fina Plank Chases the "Cuckoo" in "Devil's Dance"
Ursula Poznanski seeks "Dance of the Devil"
By Thomas Badtke
Vienna is trembling over a series of chilling murders, and the victims have a common denominator - old age. The victims range from 75 to 80 years old, yet Plank, the intrepid investigator, suspects a serial killer is on the prowl. She calls the murderer the "Cuckoo," a name that hints at unpredictable yet deadly moves, much like the cuckoo bird.
Fina Plank doesn't shy away from the nickname. A short, compact powerhouse, her colleagues call her everything from "messed up" to "likable." She's the only female investigator in the three Vienna homicide commissions, a title she hesitates to claim. Her colleagues—friends like Achmed, Manfred, and Georg, the "trace readers"—and foes like Oliver, the constant critic, make up her world. Her sister, an aspiring influencer, adds to her chaotic life, pushing Fina into the grip of her work.
Old Men
One by one, the victims fall, creating pandemonium on Vienna's busy streets. Their ages range from 75 to 80, but their connections are unclear. The city is abuzz with speculation, wondering if the deaths are merely coincidental or the work of a sinister killer. Plank, however, is determined and has a hunch that it's the latter.
Since the "Cuckoo" has resurfaced, its targets seem to have a slight link. Plank sees signs of substitution in earlier cases, a clue that leads her down a treacherous path. The "Cuckoo" appears to be stepping out of the shadows, seeking recognition in the spotlight of public attention, and it seems to have a peculiar fondness for Fina. What that implies, one can only imagine.
Dark Thrill
"Devil's Dance" is Ursula Poznanski's latest installment in the thrilling Fina Plank series. The Austrian author is renowned for her intelligent thrillers that are packed with humor and powerful characters. Her works, both solo and co-written with Arno Strobel, are as engaging as they are captivating, especially the "Mordgruppen" series with Fina Plank at the helm. "Devil's Dance" follows "Stille Blutet" and "Böses Licht," published by Droemer Knaur and Argon.
Listeners, entranced by Julia Nachtmann's spellbinding narration, are immediately drawn into Vienna's mosaic of life. They find themselves in the midst of coffee shops, banter, and the little pleasures that make the city worth loving. They laugh with Fina and her sister, share in Fina's tumultuous romantic life, and enjoy the camaraderie of Achmed's family. The team, while strong, has its fair share of tensions, especially with the macho bully Oliver. As the story unfolds, Fina finds herself taking on the challenge, ready to outmaneuver the "Cuckoo" in its treacherous game.
The journey to catch the "Cuckoo" is filled with surprises, taking Fina deep into her past and forcing her to question her assumptions. The ruins of a once-prosperous place hold secrets that echo through the decades, providing clues to the "Cuckoo's" identity and motives. The chase takes Fina to the edge, putting her strength and professional skills to the test as she battles to outsmart a foe that seems to be always one step ahead.
Will Fina catch the "Cuckoo"? Will Vienna be safe again? That's what you'll discover when you join Fina Plank on her "Devil's Dance" with Ursula Poznanski.
In the vibrant city of Vienna, community members are debating the unity of the victims in the recent series of murders, who range from 75 to 80 years old. Fina Plank, the investigator, is on the hunt for the "Cuckoo" killer, as she suspects a connection between the victims and earlier cases. Simultaneously, Fina is engrossed in Ursula Poznanski's latest book, "Devil's Dance," finding parallels between the novel's plot and her own chase, including the villain's twisted interest in her. As Fina delves deeper into the mystery, she discovers that the solution may be hidden within the pages of "Devil's Dance" and the secrets of the past.
