Street Corner Shadows: Fina Plank Chases the "Cuckoo" in "Devil's Dance"
Ursula Poznanski seeks the performance of "Dance of the Devil"
By Thomas Badtke
A serial killer is gripping Vienna, the city of coffee, charm, and the Habsburgs. The elderly are the victims, each about 80 years old. Investigator Plank, a seasoned detective, knows too well who is behind these heinous acts. The "Cuckoo" has reemerged from the shadows.
Fina Plank, the lone woman of the three Vienna homicide commissions, stands out like a feather in a flock of swans. Short, compact, and a tad disheveled, she's the polar opposite of the stereotypes that define her profession. Her annoying first name is only the beginning; her colleagues got used to her long ago. Among her friends are colleagues like Achmed, Manfred, and even Georg from the "Trace Readers." Yet, there are always a few assholes like Oliver, who will not hesitate to mock her at every opportunity. But Fina can more than hold her own, and thanks to a hint from Georg, she's got her ace card, stored neatly for when she needs it most.
Life's hard enough with an uncooperative, rebellious sister who's been squatting on Fina's small apartment rent-free, dreaming of becoming a social media influencer. Work and making money are out of the question, it seems. Work, those novels piled up on her coffee table, are Fina's sanctuary.
Centenarians
An 80-year-old man is brutally murdered, just 100 meters from where an old man was killed a week ago. The perpetrator seems to be quickly apprehended, the infamous pimp who was seen getting into the victim's car. Both are missing, having fled abroad. But it's not the last murder of an elderly man. Two more victims are soon added to the list, as well as a 75-year-old ex-minister. At first glance, the victims appear to have nothing in common except for their age.
Fina has a different perspective. She's been working on a hunch for months, noticing inconsistencies in earlier murder cases that seem to indicate the suspect swapped victims. Behind it all, Fina suspects, lies the "Cuckoo." He's been operating in secret, but now it seems the "Cuckoo" is seeking the spotlight of public attention.
Dance with the Devil
"Devil's Dance" is the latest thriller installment in Ursula Poznanski's "Mordgruppen" series, following "Stille blutet" and "Böses Licht." The book follows Fina Plank as she delves into the rotting remains of a place long burnt to the ground, seeking answers to a chilling mystery. Will Fina be able to outmaneuver the "Cuckoo" in time to save herself and the city she loves from a serial killer's wrath? Or will this be the end of Fina's story?
In true Poznanski fashion, "Devil's Dance" combines precisely-crafted suspense with humor and strong, relatable characters. Readers will become engrossed in the eccentricities and camaraderie of Fina's team while rooting for the little powerhouse as she navigates the treacherous world of the "Cuckoo." You can pick up "Devil's Dance" at amazon.de and join in on the action today!
Community policy should be put in place to ensure the safety of the elderly, especially in light of the ongoing serial killings targeting centenarians in Vienna. Employment policy, considering Fina Plank's unique work-life balance with her role as a detective and personal responsibilities, could also be reevaluated to accommodate similar situations in the future. In her free time, Fina enjoys reading books like "Devil's Dance" by Ursula Poznanski, which offers a blend of suspense, humor, and strong characters, promising an engaging entertainment experience.
