The Play of Death, by Oliver Pölzsch (2016)
In 1633, the Black Plague raged through Europe. In the village of Oberammergau, 80 villagers died. The people of the village vowed to put on a Passion play (the story of the crucifixion of Jesus) every 10 years if they would be spared. The play was first performed in 1634. This is the backdrop of this 6th novel in the Hangman’s Daughter series. We are once again acquainted with Magdalena Fronweiser and her family, which consists of her husband, Simon, her 2 sons, her father, Jakob Kuisl, the hangman, and her sister, Barbara.
The novel takes place in 1670. The village of Oberammergau is preparing for their next performance, however, it is 4 years early for the 10-year anniversary mark. This causes some of the superstitious villagers concern. When actors in some of the key roles are found murdered, concern among the villagers heightens.
The first death was that of the actor playing the role of Jesus. He was found murdered on a cross just as Simon Fronwieser, the medicus of Schongau, is in the village to bring his young son to boarding school of Simon’s friend and teacher, Georg Kaiser. The village doctor has recently died, so Simon is naturally asked investigate the murder. Meanwhile, Johann Lechner, Schongau’s secretary and town leader brings Jakob Kuisl, to Oberammergau because the village’s executioner has also recently died. He, too, gets caught up in the investigation of the eerie murders.
While Lechner is out of Schnogau is out of town, other members of the town’s council decide to take advantage of his absence to oust him. When Barbara Kuisl is accused of witchcraft she is thrown in the town’s dungeon and is awaiting torture. With Lechner out of town, Barbara has no advocate. Magdalena sneaks out of town to go to Oberammargau to seek Lechner’s assistance. Along the way, however, she is abducted.
In the meantime, the people of Oberammergau are protesting the immigrant workers from Italy. They are scorned and their children keep going missing. Is there a connection between the murders of the actors in the Passion play and the missing immigrant children?
This book has multiple plot twists as it unravels the murders of the Passion play and the abduction of Magdalena.
As with the other books in this series, this book is based on historical facts, which is what I find must interesting. I enjoyed this book as a light and easy read.
Read: April 15, 2020
4 Stars
The Hangman’s Daughter; Book I / Read: June 1, 2013
The Dark Monk; Book II / Read: October 6, 2013
The Beggar King; Book III / Read: March 9, 2014
The Poisoned Pilgrim; Book IV / Read: December 28, 2017
The Werewolf of Bamberg; Book V / Read: July 21, 2019
The Play of Death; Book VI / Read: April 15, 2020
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