Customer Reviews

The Empty Mirror

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The Empty Mirror," by J. Sydney Jones, is set in Vienna in the summer of 1898. Lawyer Karl Werthen has been bored since he abandoned criminal law six years earlier to specialize in estates and trusts. His life is about to take an unexpected turn as a result of a series of tragic events. An apparent madman has killed five people, both male and female, in the past two months. He mutilated his victims and dumped their bodies in Vienna's Prater amusement park. The police suspect the painter Gustav Klimt of the crimes, since the fifth victim was one of his young and beautiful models. Werner agrees to represent the painter, and in addition, he asks his friend, Hanns Gross, a renowned criminologist, to help investigate the crimes. Unsurprisingly, the two men decide to play sleuth, tracking down leads, interviewing witnesses, and placing themselves in grave danger as they edge ever closer to the truth.

Jones knows Vienna intimately, and he provides colorful details about the culture, architecture, cuisine, and history of this fascinating world capital at the turn of the century. He enjoys name-dropping, inserting such luminaries as Theodor Herzel, Mark Twain, and psychiatrist Krafft-Ebing into the narrative. Unfortunately, the dense plot becomes ever more turgid as the novel progresses, and the aforementioned luminaries are shoe-horned into the story rather than inserted seamlessly. Red herrings abound, leading us to believe that the killings could be the work of an anti-Semite, an anarchist, or someone else with a hidden agenda. By the time the red herrings are disposed of and the puzzle solved, most readers will have lost interest.

Werthen and Gross are an odd couple. The former is a man of means who has been trained by his parents to hide his Jewish roots and behave like an Austrian gentleman. Gross is a Catholic, an intellectual, an author, and a professor, whose eccentricities Karl finds alternately endearing and irritating. The hyperkinetic Gross drags Karl along on an adventure that will lead them to a deadly confrontation with a cunning and ruthless adversary. "The Empty Mirror" has stilted dialogue, minimal suspense, a tepid romance (Werthen meets a young woman with whom he immediately falls in love), and too much background information about the power struggles within the Austrian Empire. For a more intriguing and better-constructed mystery, try "Vienna Blood" by Frank Tallis.

J. Sydney Jones, a talented author, tells the story of earnest lawyer Werthen and the occasionally quirky but brilliant criminologist Gross on the trail of a very tricky serial killer in turn-of-the-century Vienna. The story opens in a rather familar way -- a prologue describes a young woman walking alone in the night who is frightened. She turns to see who is following her, says "hello" as if she knows the man, and then, we are to understood, is killed. Werthen and Gross form an unlikely partnership that spans several years as they attempt to delve into this and several other deaths. Naturally things take a political turn with a mysterious assassination and various machinations that slow down the duo but do not, of course, stop them. Gustav Klimt, the famous Viennese author appears and reappears in this story as do a few other historical characters of note and we are treated to very detailed descriptions of Viennese streets, foods, and drinks. Unfortunately the prose turns especially bland at these moments. When I saw on the back cover that Jones also writes travel guides, this made more sense to me.

Werthen and Gross became for me almost interchangable in this story -- despite their different backgrounds and I think this is because their "banter" is so heavy and expository. Jones may be trying to go for a Sherlock Holmes and Watson approach, but it simply isn't working here, perhaps partially because of the anonymity of Gross and Werthen.

The plot is interesting -- although decidedly complex -- and Jones seems to know the period and locale well. Still, in the end, I found myself losing interest in the narrative -- perhaps I wanted more at stake for the heroes or to worry about Werthen does become a bit more passionately engaged towards the end of the book when he fears that a young woman is in danger but it took a long time to reach this point in the book.

I don't recommend against this one -- I am sure it will be to some readers' tastes. But I would suggest reading the book's first chapter or so before purchasing -- just to get a feel for the prose.

Fin-de-Siecle Vienna shines in J. Sydney Jones' historical thriller, "The Empty Mirror" as do his Holmesian and Watsonian duo, real-life father of criminology, Hanns Gross, and his younger colleague, the fictitious lawyer Karl Werthen. The two are brought together when Werthen confers with the esteemed Gross to discover evidence to clear his client, Secessionist artist and notorious roué, Gustav Klimt, of the murder of none other than the model of Klimt's `Nuda Veritas.' The comely strawberry blonde posing nude while holding a mirror to urge the observer to compare his/her appearance with that of the truth is the last of a series of five seemingly ritual killings where the nose of the victim has been sliced off and the body dumped in the famous Prater Amusement Park, former hunting ground of the Hapsburgs and home of the Reisenrad, the city's giant Ferris Wheel.

Now, Jones' pre-police procedural, set in a time period that pre-empts the study of criminal modus operandi, could have been just an interesting 19th century clone of `Silence of the Lambs.' We all know the drill: a nasty serial killer psychologically toys with those involved in an investigation rife with governmental injustice, red herrings and human failings. This is not the case here. This tale has its villains that Jones sets in his piece like a master jeweler positioning baguettes to showcase his most magnificent stone. Enmeshed in historic events and speculative rumor revolving around whatever fads the time generated: Jewish assimilation, secret societies, royal assignations, political machinations and outright malicious gossip, Jones' plotline feeds off the romance of fin-de-siecle Vienna like a spinster maid-of-honor coveting that glittering solitaire. In an era of great psychological speculation where Freud's talking cure switches one's perspective to look inwardly at the screen of the mind where pleasure and sensation furnish the ultimate goal, the crown jewel of Vienna flourishes with all the art, music and philosophy that such intellectual fodder helps foster. Jones' knowing third person voice provides the reader with an insider's vantage point of the bustling background scene camouflaging the aging Hapsburg Empire, complete with portrayals of intriguing historical personages and gemutlich coffee house chatter. His familiarity with the city and its history enhances the plot with such local color and imagination that Klimt's vibrant and fascinating decorative swirls, gold foil accents and fields of poppy backdrops almost pale in comparison.

Equally entertaining are Jones' characterization of the historically notable Viennese of the period. After viewing John Malkovitch's deer-in-the-headlights effeteness in Raul Ruiz's 2006 film, "Klimt," I was pleased by Jones' depiction of a passionate bear of a man, half nonconformist bravado and half working class loyalty with a penchant for drawing his women naked first and then adding their clothing. Hanns Gross, one of the staring investigators, reeks with old world propriety, but longs to implement his crime-solving tools and reap the benefits of colleague respect. Richard von Krafft-Ebing, responsible for popularizing psychiatry and coining the words, masochism and sadism, provides consultation for the two pioneer detectives widening the focus of the scope from Vienna with repercussions that effect the entire Empire.

Bottom Line? Novelist J. Sidney Jones waltzes through the world of fin-de-siecle Vienna with all the finesse of a Strauss waltz. A brutal murder involving one of artist Gustav Klimt's models springboards the worthy collaboration of pioneer criminologist Hanns Gross and lawyer Karl Werthen. As the team investigates the circumstances involving the crime, the implications evolve into an affair that impacts the entire Austro-Hungarian Empire. Jones' love of Vienna is evidenced by the ease in which he depicts his locale and the colorful historical characters that live within it. After such intense development, Jones' ending may seem a little rushed. Nonetheless it all makes sense and reads well. Recommended.
Diana Faillace Von Behren
"reneofc"

It is 1899 in Vienna, a city at its cultural apogee. Famed painter Gustav Klimt is accused of murdering his beautiful model who has been killed in a ritualized manner. Klimt hires his attorney, Karl Werthen, and his misanthropic side-kick, Professor Hanns Gross, a renown criminalist to clear his name. As more killings occur that are seemingly related, Werthen and Gross, uncover a plot that involves the highest levels of the Habsburg Empire, perhaps even Emperor Franz Joseph himself. The twists and turns of the plot will keep you reading until the last page.

Author Jones knows the historical context of Vienna and the Hapsburg Empire well, and creates a fascinating portrait of the city right down to its famed sites and delicious food. If you are interested in the fin de siecle period of Austrian history you will find this novel richly rewarding and enjoyable.

Excellent mystery that morphs into a thriller. Those who know something of fin de siecle Vienna will recognize most of the historical characters, the locales and the society of this lost world of the fading Habsburg Empire. Throw into the mix secret societies, less well known historical characters and a plausible conspiracy theory and you have an oppportunity to learn something more of the era.
Drawing on what must be his exhaustive research for his meticulously written Hitler in Vienna, Jones' obvious knowledge of and fascination for the times is readily apparent. It is also apparent that he wants the reader to share in his fascination, much like a traveller wanting his friends to get as excited as he is about a special place he has visited.

At the start of Jones's historical thriller, set in Vienna in 1898, a young woman is murdered and her body deposited in the Prater amusement park - with her nose cut off and other signs that make her death part of a series of killings. The key characters are brought into the story and the action starts to build in a measured pace that really pulls you in. Jones incorporates both real and fictional characters to build a very realistic and detailed story. Gustav Klimt and criminologist Hanns Gross are actual persons, but the lawyer Karl Werthen is fictional. Gross and Werthen talk and behave very much like Holmes and Watson, so if you like the Sherlock Holmes stories, you will really like this one.

At first this book starts like a serial-killer novel: Who is the madman, and why is he cutting off people's noses? Then it becomes a political thriller as Jones brings mixes in real history using Emperor Franz Josef and his strange family as key parts of the story.

In researching Jones, I found that he had lived in Vienna and many of his details show real knowledge of the city and surrounds. Jones adds details that are his own inventions, but keeps bringing in real historical figures like Krafft-Ebing and Freud to build the story.

The story moves along at a good pace and keeps you interested throughout, using the political passions and bizarre occurrences of the era as key parts of the story. I won't tell too much of the story as I don't want to ruin it for you, but this one is both a good read and educational (without seeming to be.) It is hard to put down once you immerse yourself in 1898 Vienna . . . the shock of jumping back to the present tells you how well it is written.

This is really two novels in one. The first part is the mystery of a serial killer in Vienna in the late 1880's. Dr. Gross, a noted criminologist, and his sidekick, attorney Worthen, are on the case. If this sounds a bit like Holmes and Watson, Dr. Gross does note that Doyle is stealing his methods and putting them into tawdry fiction. This part of the book is fast-paced and gives a lot of flavor of the times and Vienna.

The second part surrounds the murder of the empress and spends a brief time in Geneva, but mostly is still set in Vienna. This portion gives a lot of flavor of the times and the city. Too much. Way too much. The mystery lags and drags as Mr. Jones shows off his knowledge of Vienna, page after page. It really does not add to the book to know who was playing what part in what opera on a given night in what theater. It is that kind of minutae that brings the book down. The background in the second portion is disproportionate to the plot.

The two plots eventually intertwine into quite a good mystery. Unfortunately, I was so drained by the end, it was difficult to appreciate the plot.

So why four stars? The first portion was over four and the second about three. Had the second portion been pared down, it would have been solid four star effort throughout.

Worthen, as a character, had depth. There were also the suspect of the first part, an artist named Klimt, and Worthen's love interest who made for a good supporting cast. Gross was a bit too much like Holmes. It seems we've seen this character often. However, he was still engaging. This could be the start of a good series. If so, Mr. Jones has to make sure he holds back some of his extensive knowledge of Vienna and concentrate more fully on the story.

The Empty Mirror by J. Sydney Jones is a historical mystery novel based on the events of the Mayerling Tragedy of 1889. Through the years there have been different theories surrounding the death of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria and his lover Mary Vetsera. In his story, Jones juxtaposes the father of criminology, Hans Gross, with the Austrian royal tragedies at the end of the nineteenth century.

The story begins however with a series of murders of common people in Vienna, and an artist friend Gustav Klimt of the Aduokat (attorney) Karl Werthen is implicated in the fifth of these, a model who posed for his paintings. Werthen is joined by Gross as the two set out to prove Klimt's innocence. The tale moves quickly as the pair set about investigating in a very Holmes and Watson style, and it seems that things are wrapping up about 100 pages in. However, things turn out to not be so tidy. The plot takes a bit of an awkward turn as Jones spends about 50 pages connecting the assassination of Empress Elizabeth the Vienna murders. However, Jones rewards the reader in the second half of the novel as Gross and Werthen follow the trail that leads them deep into a conspiracy within the Austrian royalty until the plot reaches a very satisfying conclusion.

Jones does a fine job of mingling fact and fiction to produce a story that will please most mystery readers. Gross and Werthen are different enough to create a balance between friendship and tension over variations in style. Gross is intellectually superior while Werthen is the more compassionate of the two in terms of how they relate to the other characters. Readers will find little in terms of objectionable material in The Empty Mirror. There are mentions of affairs and syphilis, but these are less prevalent than what one would find in an episode of Law and Order: SVU. There is mild language but not enough to be offensive or distracting to the story. The one thing that may be a stumbling block for some readers is the rather liberal use of German terminology. While it goes a long way in placing the characters in context, it could prove challenging to those who are unfamiliar. Otherwise The Empty Mirror is a truly satisfying historical mystery.

Overall: B+

This book exceeds on many levels and is a treat among all the pop fiction out there. This book is an intelligently written whodunit mystery novel while being a strong historical novel at the same time. It takes place in Vienna in 1898 and Vienna comes to life here. The accuracy with which the city, including its people and environment, comes to life is expertly achieved with literary skill.

The basic plot of an artist Klimt who is accused of a string of murders and turns to his friend lawyer Werthen who gets help from real life criminologist Gross is mezmerizing, fast paced and very suspenseful. But this book succeeds at a much higher level as the author combines fictional characters with real life people from the time period. The research done by Jones is superb and helps provide a richly historical experience while being a great mystery. What novel can say Mark Twain is a character in the book?

I highly recommend investigating this book and this author. It is a must for all mystery buffs, historical buffs and readers of quality literature.

In the 1890s several inexplicable violent murders rock Vienna. As Austrians watch in fascinating fear, the police suspect artist Gustav Klimt as the culprit predominantly based on the fifth victim Liesel Landtauer who was his model, but lack solid evidence to convict him although they raided his studio. Concerned that he could become the fall guy if police Inspektor Meindl fails to nail the brutal serial killer soon, he asks his friend lawyer Karl Werthen for help. Karl wants to assist Gustav, but also accepts he is out of his element at this point with the need of an investigative expert to take charge.

As Klimt is proven right when the police arrest him on inadequate evidence, Werthen asks criminologist Dr. Hanns Gross to help him uncover the identity of "Vienna's Jack the Ripper." He agrees and with Werthen at his side, Gross begins to follow clues that lead to all segments of Venetian society even as a sixth homicide frees Klimt who has the perfect alibi. However as the killer watches their progress and even sends taunting mail to authorities, influential members of high society want their inquiry stopped while the police continue to focus on Klimt as their end game.

Using real persona in key roles (including Klimt the artist who had the Malkovich movie made of him two years ago and the founder of criminology Gross), J Sydney Jones anchors time and place giving this terrific investigative tale a major historical feel to the story line. Plausible cameos enhance the feel of being in Vienna in the 1890s. The serial killer investigation filled with twists hooks the audience. Historical and late Victorian mystery fans will both relish this excellent whodunit.

Harriet Klausner