My Rating: ★★★☆☆(3/5)
If you’re looking for a historical mystery that’s atmospheric, slow-burning, and macabre in all the right ways, The Gravedigger’s Almanac is worth a look. Set in 1890s Vienna, the story follows Inspector Leopold von Herzfeldt as he investigates a string of ritualistic murders with the help of two unlikely allies: Julia, a sharp-witted telephone operator, and Augustin Rothmayer, an eccentric gravedigger with a peculiar wisdom all his own.
And let me just say—Rothmayer completely stole the show for me. His quirky intelligence, dark humor, and odd sense of charm made him far more engaging than Leo, who, while competent, felt a little too stiff and unlikable at times.
Oliver Pötzsch brought Vienna’s foggy streets, gothic cemeteries, and early forensic methods to life. That said, this isn’t a quick read. The pacing is deliberate, and it took me a few chapters to settle into the unfamiliar setting, character names, and slower rhythm.
If you enjoy slower, immersive historical fiction and don’t mind spending extra time in the shadows of the graveyard, this is a promising start to a new series.
“Every grave has a story, Inspector. Some of them are just louder than others.”
Final Thoughts:
This is not your typical fast-paced mystery, but it’s a fascinating, atmospheric introduction to a world of forensic science, folklore, and murder in Vienna. Rothmayer alone is worth the price of admission.
Recommended for: fans of historical mysteries, gothic settings, and eccentric side characters who deserve their own spin-off.
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