The Hangman's Daughter

Are you tired of all the vampires and young adult fiction? Don't get me wrong, I'm loving FYA but every once in awhile I need something...more. This book first caught my eye because of the cool cover and curious title. The book is set in Bavaria in the mid 1600s and shows how one town reacts to accusations of witchcraft against their local midwife after a child is found dead with a questionable mark on his shoulder. The main character is the Hangman himself. He and his family are shunned by the town but at the same time he is afforded a certain amount of respect, probably out of fear. He is certain that the midwife is innocent of any wrong-doing and so begins to investigate the death. This book is a mystery story at it's core and leaves you guessing right until the end.

I really liked this book and I think it had a lot to do with the setting. I can't remember reading a book set in the middle ages, unless you count fantasy books which usually have settings that emulate the era. The Hangman is a fascinating character and I enjoyed reading about how he approached the profession, and what the profession was like at this time.

This feels like a fifth grade book report but I don't have much more to say about the book. I just wanted everyone to be aware that it's out there in our library!