Summary
This historical mystery centers on private enquiries agent Karl Werthen investigating the death of a head waiter at the Café Burg in March 1902 Vienna. The presumed accident at the Maria Theresa monument conceals a deeper plot, as a witness implicates foul play and a second investigation for a missing imperial letter from Emperor Franz Josef to his mistress emerges. Werthen, alongside criminologist Dr. Hanns Gross, uncovers a connection between these seemingly separate events. The growing body count suggests that the future of the empire is threatened by a significant nemesis.
The narrative weaves together a murder investigation with the urgency of recovering sensitive imperial correspondence. Readers learn about the investigative methods of early 20th-century private agents and criminologists as they navigate a conspiracy that could have far-reaching consequences. The book highlights the intersection of social hierarchies, political intrigue, and criminal investigation within the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Key concepts
- Private Enquiries Agent — A professional hired to conduct investigations outside of official police channels.
- Criminologist — An expert in the scientific study of crime and criminals.
- Imperial Letter — A sensitive document of state originating from or concerning the Emperor.
- Café Burg — A specific Viennese establishment serving as a location for initial events and potential clues.
- Maria Theresa monument — A historical landmark in Vienna, site of the initial suspicious death.
From the book
Description: March, 1902. When Herr Karl, head waiter of the Café Burg, is found dead at the foot of the Maria Theresa monument, it is assumed he slipped on the ice and hit his head. However, a witness has come forward who says otherwise, and private enquiries agent Karl Werthen is hired to investigate. At the same time, Werthen is commissioned to locate a missing letter from the Emperor to his mistress. Franz Josef is desperate for the letter not to fall into the wrong hands - but what incendiary information does it contain? As Werthen and his colleague, renowned criminologist Dr. hanns Gross, pursue their investigations and the body count grows, it becomes increasingly clear that there is a connection between the two cases - and that the future of the empire may be at stake as they…