A Viennese Mystery

9 primary works

The Empty Mirror

by J Sydney Jones

Published 20 January 2009

It's the summer of 1898 and Austria is transfixed by a series of brutal murders. When renowned painter Gustav Klimt's female model becomes the fifth victim, the artist is fingered as the culprit. Klimt's lawyer, Werthen and his friend, the famed criminologist Inspector Gross must delve into a nationwide conspiracy in order to acquit the unusual and unpredictable artiste. With an unmatched knowledge of Vienna's history, culture, and politics, J. Sydney Jones introduces a gripping new mystery series set in a cosmopolitan city at the height of its artistic and social importance.

Requiem in Vienna

by J Sydney Jones

Published 2 February 2010

At first it seemed like a series of accidents plagued Vienna's Court Opera. But after a singer is killed during rehearsals the evidence suggests something much more dangerous. Someone is trying to murder conductor and composer Gustav Mahler, and lawyer Karl Werthen sets out to stop the attacks with the help of his new wife, Berthe, and the criminologist Hans Gross. With the recent deaths of Johann Strauss and Johannes Brahms, the investigators fear a madman is killing the great musicians of Vienna. Set during the peak of Vienna's cultural renaissance, "Requiem in Vienna" is a perfect read for fans of historical thrillers.

The Silence

by J Sydney Jones

Published 4 August 2011

The Keeper of Hands

by J Sydney Jones

Published 1 January 2013

The latest intriguing novel of suspense in the Viennese Mystery series

Vienna, 1901. With the police seemingly indifferent to the murder of a 19-year-old prostitute known as Mitzi, brothel-keeper Frau Mutzenbacher turns to lawyer Karl Werthen to find out what happened and bring her killer to justice. Yet the more he discovers about the mysterious Mitzi, with her secret past and impressive roster of clients, the more questions Werthen's investigation throws up.

At the same time, Werthen undertakes a second commission: to find out who viciously assaulted playwright Arthur Schnitzler. Schnitzler believes his latest controversial play might have been the motive for the attack - but is there more to it than that?

As he navigates the highs and lows of Viennese society in dogged pursuit of the truth, Werthen finds himself drawn into a conspiracy of espionage and affairs of state.

The Keeper of Hands

by J Sydney Jones

Published 30 June 2018

The latest intriguing novel of suspense in the Viennese Mystery series

Vienna, 1901. With the police seemingly indifferent to the murder of a 19-year-old prostitute known as Mitzi, brothel-keeper Frau Mutzenbacher turns to lawyer Karl Werthen to find out what happened and bring her killer to justice. Yet the more he discovers about the mysterious Mitzi, with her secret past and impressive roster of clients, the more questions Werthen's investigation throws up.

At the same time, Werthen undertakes a second commission: to find out who viciously assaulted playwright Arthur Schnitzler. Schnitzler believes his latest controversial play might have been the motive for the attack - but is there more to it than that?

As he navigates the highs and lows of Viennese society in dogged pursuit of the truth, Werthen finds himself drawn into a conspiracy of espionage and affairs of state.

A Matter of Breeding

by J Sydney Jones

Published 1 July 2014

October, 1901. Lawyer and private enquiries agent Karl Werthen accepts an assignment to protect the famous Irish writer Bram Stoker while on a speaking tour of Vienna. Meanwhile, his colleague, renowned criminologist Dr Hanns Gross has been called away to advise on a bizarre series of murders near his hometown of Graz, in the Austrian province of Styria. Three women have been killed with strange mutilations and scarring patterns left on their bodies. The third, most recent victim has had her unborn baby cut out of her womb. Clues have been left at each scene; clues that have been clearly mentioned in Gross's handbook for magistrates, Criminal Investigation. A coincidence? Dr Gross thinks not. Meanwhile, back in Vienna, Werthen's wife Berthe is investigating what seems to be a fraudulent breeding scheme involving the prized Lipizzaner horses. Could the two investigations possibly be connected? Matters become complicated with Werthen and Stoker's arrival in Graz. For, having read wild newspaper accounts of vampire killings, the Dracula author insists they investigate.

A Matter of Breeding: A Mystery Set in Turn-of-the-Century Vienna

by J Sydney Jones

Published 4 March 2014

October, 1901. Lawyer and private enquiries agent Karl Werthen accepts an assignment to protect the famous Irish writer Bram Stoker while on a speaking tour of Vienna. Meanwhile, his colleague, renowned criminologist Dr Hanns Gross has been called away to advise on a bizarre series of murders near his hometown of Graz, in the Austrian province of Styria. Three women have been killed with strange mutilations and scarring patterns left on their bodies. The third, most recent victim has had her unborn baby cut out of her womb. Clues have been left at each scene; clues that have been clearly mentioned in Gross' handbook for magistrates, Criminal Investigation. A coincidence? Dr Gross thinks not. Meanwhile, back in Vienna, Werthen's wife Berthe is investigating what seems to be a fraudulent breeding scheme involving the prized Lipizzaner horses. Could the two investigations possibly be connected? Matters become complicated with Werthen and Stoker's arrival in Graz. For, having read wild newspaper accounts of vampire killings, the Dracula author insists they investigate.

The Third Place

by J Sydney Jones

Published 1 October 2015

The new intriguing novel of suspense in the acclaimed Viennese Mystery series.

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, it becomes increasingly clear that there is a connection between the two cases - and that the future of the empire may be at stake.

The Third Place

by J Sydney Jones

Published 3 June 2015

This is the new intriguing novel of suspense in the acclaimed Viennese Mystery series March, 1902. When Herr Karl, head waiter of the Cafe 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, it becomes increasingly clear that there is a connection between the two cases - and that the future of the empire may be at stake.