A Widows Story: A Serial Killer Story

Taking a murder thriller and setting it in the middle of total chaos was brilliant, something I haven't seen since perhaps Len Deighton's "SS-GB", and it's historical part was reminiscent o I think living in the Czech Republic for many years and understanding this strange attempt to straddle surving repeated conquest versus fighting for your country helped me understand the internal struggles going on here, and the opportunity to kick people when they're down in a show of "bravery" is universal.

Taking a murder thriller and setting it in the middle of total chaos was brilliant, something I haven't seen since perhaps Len Deighton's "SS-GB", and it's historical part was reminiscent of Caleb Carr's "The Alienist. Jun 08, Jenny rated it it was ok. I have to admit, I finally gave up on this after a long slog. I enjoyed the first half and looked forward to the dramatic capture of the serial killer. The depiction of Prague during the Nazi occupation was interesting, especially considering the first hand knowledge of the author.

Kohout got overly fond of his story and refused to reach a conclusion. He was really telling two stories, a history of Czechoslovakia under the Nazis and a police procedural. He was not successful at doing bo I have to admit, I finally gave up on this after a long slog. He was not successful at doing both; perhaps too much historical detail.

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I wanted to see what happened to Buback the German Gestapo with a wavering allegiance and Morava the young Czech detective. Eventually, I just got bored. Aug 28, Lynn Weber rated it liked it Shelves: A German Gestapo agent is assigned to help a young Czech policeman work on a serial-killer case, and in the course of the investigation the two break through their political barriers and become friendly.

In the end their ability to relate to each other personally provides them both with a safety net during the difficult transition as the Nazis prepare to retreat.

I particularly enjoyed the reminder of how very difficult things were, even in the process of liberation. Buen libro, como novela negra, es la menos "negra" que he leido, pero engancha igual. La trama esta bien, te mantiene en vilo. Pero los mas sobresaliente de la novelas son los temas relacionadas con el fin de la guerra, a destacar los siguientes. Feb 15, Sherrie rated it it was ok. It was overdue at the library and I just could not muster the enthusiasm to finish it. I had better books to read.

Carol Baxter, Black Widow: The True Story of Australia’s First Female Serial Killer

Not that this isn't a good one, but I did had to kind of make myself read it. May 06, Celeste rated it it was ok. The Germans are afraid that the Czechs will take their anger out on them personally for the crimes of the Reich. The Czechs are afraid that they will bear the brunt of the German wrath if they try to organize and nationalize. The whole thing plays out against a plotline of a murdering psychopath as the police try to catch him. Suspenseful at first, slow and boring in the end. Jul 28, Jeremy Hornik rated it it was amazing Shelves: It's sort of like "Red Dragon", if "Red Dragon" were set in a city occupied by increasingly lame-duck Nazis, everything has deep political implications, and the main characters were two civil detectives, a Czech and a German, who just want to get their jobs done.

The last half of the book, set in the five days of the Prague uprising, kept me up reading until after midnight. Jul 19, Janellyn51 rated it really liked it. I liked this book a lot. I liked most of the characters Grete kind of bugged me It was a good story, suspenseful I like Jan a lot, not just because my name is Jan I think the book is interesting mostly because of the man who wrote it. Nov 29, Esperanza rated it liked it. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Loved the evocation of Prague; I lived there for a time and enjoyed that the author so vividly mapped the city with streets, neighborhoods, and landmarks.

I do get the charge that is gained by setting the murder mystery during nazi occupation, however, I felt that the political passages could be rather slow and found myself skimming here and there. I liked the relationship between Buback and Jan. The novel is indeed sad and dark; not a romanticized tale for sure, with unexpected deaths.

Aug 23, Sam Reaves rated it really liked it. A serial killer is on the loose in occupied Prague late in World War II, and a young Czech detective is teamed with a Gestapo officer to reel him in. The German is beginning to think he's on the wrong side; the Czech just wants to survive the war so he and his sweetheart can have a family The looming collapse of the Third Reich complicates everything.

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Blood and intrigue in a complicated thriller. Apr 17, Julie rated it it was amazing. The writing is superb, and the plot twists and turns until the very last page. The book is an excellent mystery novel, as well as an excellent commentary on human nature. Kohout takes his tale beyond that of your standard whodunnit and raises issues of complicity, loss and what actions we take to survive in times of social turmoil. Mar 29, Estibaliz79 rated it really liked it. Spectacular novel, with an exquisite detective story but an even more complex and ambitious recreation of the grimness of the years Prague was occupied by the Nazis.

It reads like a page-turner, but it triggers an entire reflection on the issue of occupation. Mar 13, Aprados10 rated it really liked it. The typical book of murders, but far more than it. A book that can gather the most tipical taste of the juvenile readers with a interesting and deep reflexion about the nearer european history.

Perfect for a high school. Jul 08, Adrienne rated it it was amazing. It's been so long since I could read for pleasure that I forgot what it was like to stay up late because I couldn't wait until the next night to see how it ended. It's rather gory and does NOT have a fairy tale ending, but I was thoroughly entertained. Feb 18, Anne rated it it was ok Shelves: Jan 24, Gigi rated it really liked it Shelves: Translated from the Czech.

Sep 11, Julie rated it really liked it. I found it an interesting read from a historical point of view, but it can be a bit heavy at times.

Henri Désiré Landru - Wikipedia

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Pavel Kohout is a Czech and Austrian novelist, playwright, and poet.

He was a member of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, a Prague Spring exponent and dissident in the s until he was expelled to Austria. He was a founding member of the Charter 77 movement. Books by Pavel Kohout.

Black Widow

Trivia About The Widow Killer. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Landru stood trial on 11 counts of murder in November He was convicted on all counts, sentenced to death, and guillotined three months later in Versailles. This has been interpreted as a confession. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. For other uses of "Landru", see Landru disambiguation. This article needs additional citations for verification.

Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. January Learn how and when to remove this template message. Jeanne-Marie Cuchet last seen January Mme. Anne-Marie Pascal 5 April Mme. Les Assassins , pp. Retrieved 20 October — via chroniclingamerica. Archived from the original on 15 December Retrieved 20 October Retrieved from " https: Views Read Edit View history.

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