Status
Checked out
Due 2024-03-22
Call number
Collection
Publication
Waterville, Maine : Thorndike Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning, 2017.
Description
"Bestselling author Benjamin Black turns his eye to sixteenth century Prague and a story of murder, magic and the dark art of wielding extraordinary power Christian Stern, an ambitious young scholar and alchemist, arrives in Prague in the bitter winter of 1599, intent on making his fortune at the court of the Holy Roman Emperor, the eccentric Rudolf II. The night of his arrival, drunk and lost, Christian stumbles upon the body of a young woman in Golden Lane, an alley hard by Rudolf's great castle. Dressed in a velvet gown, wearing a large gold medallion around her neck, the woman is clearly well-born--or was, for her throat has been slashed. A lesser man would smell danger, but Christian is determined to follow his fortunes wherever they may lead. He quickly finds himself entangled in the machinations of several ruthless courtiers, and before long he comes to the attention of the Emperor himself. Rudolf, deciding that Christian is that rare thing--a person he can trust--sets him the task of solving the mystery of the woman's murder. But Christian soon realizes that he has blundered into the midst of a power struggle that threatens to subvert the throne itself. And as he gets ever nearer to the truth of what happened that night in Golden Lane, he finally sees that his own life is in grave danger. From the spectacularly inventive Benjamin Black, here is a historical crime novel that delivers both a mesmerizing portrait of a lost world and a riveting tale of intrigue and suspense."--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member thornton37814
Christian Stern arrives in Prague, finding the body of a young woman. He's accused of the crime, but Emperor Rudolf frees him so he may investigate the murder. Other bodies crop up. No one trusts anybody. I did not enjoy this book which left me quite bored and which had too much sexual innuendo for
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my taste. In the author's note, Black describes the book as "historical fantasy," and perhaps it is that fantastical portion which left me with a dislike for the book. I couldn't wait for the novel to end and probably would not have continued reading it if I hadn't seen other reviews more favorable to it. It obviously was not a book for me. I received an advance review copy through NetGalley for review purposes. Show Less
LibraryThing member erikschreppel
Wolf on a String is an interesting novel. But one that doesn't seem to know what it wants to be. I love Benjamin Black (John Banville) and devoured his Quirke series. This book however, while wonderfully written, is disappointing. It starts and presents itself as a historical mystery. But the crime
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the protagonist is supposedly investigating takes a huge backseat to a detailed account of the court of Rudolf II. So much so that the actually crime occurs within the first few pages and we don't really come back to it until page 250. And then we get all the subplots wrapped up in 10 pages by a single character explaining what happened. Wonderfully written, but not very focused. And it seems like he started as a mystery and then changed his mind. Show Less
LibraryThing member cbl_tn
No sooner had young German Christian Stern arrived in Prague in November 1599 than he stumbled across the body of a young woman and found himself accused of her murder. Fortunately, he had come to the notice of Emperor Rudolf, so his imprisonment didn't last long. Unfortunately, though, his release
Benjamin Black paints a vivid portrait of Prague at the turn of the 17th century. No secret is safe from watching eyes and listening ears. Fictional characters mix seamlessly with historical figures such as Edward Kelley and Johannes Kepler. The murder investigation takes a back seat to the eccentric characters and court intrigues. It will appeal to readers who like historical mysteries that lean toward the thriller end of the spectrum.
This review is based on an electronic advance reading copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
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had a condition. The Emperor expects Stern to investigate the young woman's death and identify her murderer. Stern's investigation is half-hearted at best. When he's not busy pursuing an affair with the Emperor's mistress, Italian Caterina Sardo, he is fending off the attempts of the Emperor's high steward, Felix Wenzel, and the Emperor's chancellor, Philipp Lang, to force him to take a side in their ongoing power struggle.Benjamin Black paints a vivid portrait of Prague at the turn of the 17th century. No secret is safe from watching eyes and listening ears. Fictional characters mix seamlessly with historical figures such as Edward Kelley and Johannes Kepler. The murder investigation takes a back seat to the eccentric characters and court intrigues. It will appeal to readers who like historical mysteries that lean toward the thriller end of the spectrum.
This review is based on an electronic advance reading copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
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LibraryThing member janerawoof
Interesting novel--part mystery, part thriller--set in the 16th century of Rudolf II of Bohemia. A student, Christian Stern, comes to Prague and stumbles upon the body of a dead girl, no doubt high-class by the way she's dressed. The body of her betrothed is found dead tortured and thrown into a
I got somewhat of the flavor of that time and place and of Rudolf and his reign. Characters were somewhat wooden, and the king's mistress certainly made me uncomfortable. Solution was ingenious.
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moat. Christian feels he's guessed the culprit straight off, but, no, he's mistaken. Then the story diverges from pure murder mystery to court intrigue and a cabal, putting Christian's life in jeopardy.I got somewhat of the flavor of that time and place and of Rudolf and his reign. Characters were somewhat wooden, and the king's mistress certainly made me uncomfortable. Solution was ingenious.
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LibraryThing member Hardboiled
Wolf On A String does an admirable job of weaving a tapestry of life, power, betrayal and debauchery in the court of Rudolf II during 1599 in Prague. Told through the eyes of Christian Stern, a young scholar and alchemist, the city of Prague coupled with Rudolf's court forms the background and
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overriding driver of a murder mystery turned espionage tale. The author does an admirable job of weaving both real and fictional characters into a rather complex tale of intrigue. However, as told almost totally through the eyes of Stern I found a short coming in the development of and empathy for the characters. That isn't to say there was any shortage of unique characters both male and female; but, all would have blossomed with more well-rounded development. As presented all of the characters, possibly with the exception of Stern and Caterina, remained exceptionally flat thus sacrificing the depth of the narrative. Yes, the tale did involve a number of twists and turns, however, it was a tale told to me as opposed to one that drew me in and invited me to participate in the unfolding trials and tribulations of those involved. Show Less
LibraryThing member CKGS
Dr. Kroll's daughter is murdered and Christian Stern, scholar and new to the city of Prague, is charged with her murder. In 1599, reporting a crime can get you killed, especially when the young lady is also the mistress of the Emperor Rudulf. Life is cheap and Christian is alive only by the whim of
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those in power. If you like Game of Thrones, this book may appeal to you. Show Less
LibraryThing member jfurshong
For many years I have been a fan of John Banville’s writing. I’ve especially enjoyed his novels that have a historical setting – “Kepler” and “Dr. Copernicus.” I was delighted when “Christine Falls” came out in 2007, with Banville using the nom de plume of Benjamin Black, writing
Black recently released a new mystery set in Prague, at the very tail end of the 16th Century, December 1599. This is familiar territory for Black and close to the time and setting for his earlier historical novels. The unwilling and unwitting detective is Christian Stern, a would-be alchemist, who through an unfortunate set of circumstances discovers the body of a young woman brutally murdered near his dwelling within Prague Castle.
Relying on a vast cast of actual historical characters in the court of Emperor Rudolf the II of the Holy Roman Empire, and involving King Rudolf himself, Black paints a very authentic sense of the intrigue and treachery in which the naive Christian now finds himself. Despite this strong sense of time and place, however, I found the plot dragging at several points. Christian directed by the Emperor to find the murderer of the young woman, but more time is spent on courtly machinations than on gathering information to solve the crime.
While I feel “Wolf on a String” is a bit of a let down (from a rather high standard), I will eagerly look forward to Black’s next release. Not every work by an author is equal to the best of his work, but regardless, the process of discovering that for yourself is always fun.
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a 1950’s Dublin noir mystery with a coroner /pathologist detective named Quirke. Several new books have been added to the series since and Black has been highly successful in hitting all marks…plotting, character development, vivid setting and pacing…with his Quirke series.Black recently released a new mystery set in Prague, at the very tail end of the 16th Century, December 1599. This is familiar territory for Black and close to the time and setting for his earlier historical novels. The unwilling and unwitting detective is Christian Stern, a would-be alchemist, who through an unfortunate set of circumstances discovers the body of a young woman brutally murdered near his dwelling within Prague Castle.
Relying on a vast cast of actual historical characters in the court of Emperor Rudolf the II of the Holy Roman Empire, and involving King Rudolf himself, Black paints a very authentic sense of the intrigue and treachery in which the naive Christian now finds himself. Despite this strong sense of time and place, however, I found the plot dragging at several points. Christian directed by the Emperor to find the murderer of the young woman, but more time is spent on courtly machinations than on gathering information to solve the crime.
While I feel “Wolf on a String” is a bit of a let down (from a rather high standard), I will eagerly look forward to Black’s next release. Not every work by an author is equal to the best of his work, but regardless, the process of discovering that for yourself is always fun.
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LibraryThing member drneutron
16th century Prague was a tough place. Capital of the Holy Roman Empire, deeply divided into political and religious faction, the environment surrounding Emperor Rudolph was a place where one could rise fast and fall faster - all the way to a headsman's axe or a hangman's noose. Into this swirling
Benjamin Black is the pen name used by John Banville when he writes mysteries - most well known is the Quirke series set in Dublin. He's written other works about this time and setting, so in some sense this is familiar territory for Banville, which he's adapted to fine purpose. The political environment and those buried in it are well-represented. The plot's more suspense/conspiracy than mystery; it's not so much about whodunnit as it is about how Stern will survive.
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city, Christian Stern has come to make his fortune and run away from a romantic entanglement. And when he stumbles on the murdered body of a young woman - the Emperor's new mistress - he's about to get lots of attention from the powers surrounding the throne.Benjamin Black is the pen name used by John Banville when he writes mysteries - most well known is the Quirke series set in Dublin. He's written other works about this time and setting, so in some sense this is familiar territory for Banville, which he's adapted to fine purpose. The political environment and those buried in it are well-represented. The plot's more suspense/conspiracy than mystery; it's not so much about whodunnit as it is about how Stern will survive.
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LibraryThing member BittyCornwell
This was my first experience reading a novel by Benjamin Black. I had heard good things about him, and I was very excited to read this book. It takes place in a time period I am very interested in and combine it with a murder it seemed very promising. I liked the descriptions of the setting and
I ended up feeling disappointed in this book. I found that the plot moved forward at an extremely slow pace. I found myself skimming some parts later in the book simply because it was a chore to read this book. I found the summary of the book to be more interesting than the book actually was. I think the author could have made this book more interesting but focused too much on situations that did not help enough with the plot. I understand wanting to make readers connect with the characters, but it was too much description with little action for me.
I also thought that the plot seemed a little rushed at times when we were actually reading something that moved it forward because so much time had been spent on the minor details. It not only made the important parts seem rushed but it made the plot seem unrealistic. Our main character was suddenly figuring things out with hardly any time spent on his investigations. I think if there had been a little bit of balance between the descriptions and the plot the book would have been much more enjoyable.
If you like historical mysteries you could give this book a try, but it would not be my first recommendation.
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characters. I ended up feeling disappointed in this book. I found that the plot moved forward at an extremely slow pace. I found myself skimming some parts later in the book simply because it was a chore to read this book. I found the summary of the book to be more interesting than the book actually was. I think the author could have made this book more interesting but focused too much on situations that did not help enough with the plot. I understand wanting to make readers connect with the characters, but it was too much description with little action for me.
I also thought that the plot seemed a little rushed at times when we were actually reading something that moved it forward because so much time had been spent on the minor details. It not only made the important parts seem rushed but it made the plot seem unrealistic. Our main character was suddenly figuring things out with hardly any time spent on his investigations. I think if there had been a little bit of balance between the descriptions and the plot the book would have been much more enjoyable.
If you like historical mysteries you could give this book a try, but it would not be my first recommendation.
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LibraryThing member charl08
Prague Nights
I found this one hard to get into, although I've enjoyed his series set in Dublin. In complete contrast, this book is set in Prague in the reign of Rudolph (the same time as Elizabeth I) 16th century Bohemia is full of plots and out young hero who arrives in town to make his fortune
*
I was a young man still, barely five and twenty, bright, quick and ambitious, with all the world before me, ripe for conquest, or so I imagined. My father was the Prince-Bishop of Regensburg, no less, my mother a serving girl in the Bishop’s palace: a bastard I was, then, but determined to be no man’s churl.
*
Black's afterword makes it clear he finds the period fascinating, but the book never really flew for me. Endless plotting behind a largely inept ruler obsessed with alchemy meant the crime seemed forgotten for most of the book
I found this one hard to get into, although I've enjoyed his series set in Dublin. In complete contrast, this book is set in Prague in the reign of Rudolph (the same time as Elizabeth I) 16th century Bohemia is full of plots and out young hero who arrives in town to make his fortune
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and instead finds a dead body. For some idea of the style:*
I was a young man still, barely five and twenty, bright, quick and ambitious, with all the world before me, ripe for conquest, or so I imagined. My father was the Prince-Bishop of Regensburg, no less, my mother a serving girl in the Bishop’s palace: a bastard I was, then, but determined to be no man’s churl.
*
Black's afterword makes it clear he finds the period fascinating, but the book never really flew for me. Endless plotting behind a largely inept ruler obsessed with alchemy meant the crime seemed forgotten for most of the book
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LibraryThing member command3r
I tried to give the book a chance, but I really couldn't get past the writing style, being a first person narrative in the period, the prose was simply dreadful, and the action started too late and too meandering to force me to get past that.
LibraryThing member colligan
Although the book isn't bad, it's also quite clear why John Banville wrote it under a pen name. Certainly not literature and not exceptional by the standards of light reads either. If you don't mind what I would describe as a clearly "manufactured" book, read on.
Language
Physical description
479 p.; 23 cm
ISBN
1410492486 / 9781410492487