For fans of my Viennese Mystery books, I want to let you know that book six, The Third Place, is the final volume in the series. It feels a bit odd saying goodbye to that world and to those characters who have become so real for me, and I hope, for you, as well. ‘Odd’ may not be the best word, but let’s not get maudlin.
At least the series goes out with a critical bang. Booklist noted of The Third Place: “In addition to an engaging mystery, this masterfully plotted tale offers an intimate and revealing portrait of turn-of-the-century Vienna, with fine characterizations, gentle humor, clever dialogue, and vivid portrayals of Viennese culture.” Likewise, a reviewer for Historical Novel Society commented, “The Third Place is full of incendiary politics, assassination plots, and a race against time to protect Vienna from a catastrophe, and I enjoyed every bit of it.”
Rave reviews, however, do not always equate with high sales, and the publisher is not going forward with the series. Getting another house to pick it up mid-series is a nonstarter, especially as the earlier volumes are still in print. So… as poet Robert Graves once wrote, Good-Bye to All That.
But I am still publishing other stand alone titles. Over the past two years, in addition to the Viennese novels, I have also published three thriller/mysteries: Ruin Value: A Mystery of the Third Reich, Basic Law: A Mystery of the Cold War, and The German Agent, a World War I thriller. Also, keep an eye out for publication later this year with Mysterious Press of my suspense novel, The Edit. I am also branching out into children’s literature with the middle grade novel, Bach Is Back, and the YA novel, Anne Frank Is Alive Somewhere.
I will also keep this blog going with more new interviews in 2016. And for fans of the Viennese Mystery series I want to express my thanks and gratitude for your support and wonderful comments over the years. Danke vielmals! It’s been a pleasure entertaining you.
Scene of the Crime 
My wife and I are truly sorry to hear that this series is ending. You may recall the emails we sent each other discussing the books and our appreciation of them. The character development, scene-setting, background details, and history combined to make great reading. Not only were the books entertaining, they were enlightening, as well. Intelligent reads are, unfortunately, not that common. Hopefully, circumstances will change and you will find new reason to continue this series. Never say never……
Gene
Gene–Thanks for the good words and the good wishes. You’re right–things might one day change. It seems odd, however, not being in the middle of a new Werthen/Gross mystery at this time of the year. Happy New Year to you.
Very sorry to read the news — I’ve enjoyed every volume in the series, and always looked forward to the next installment! They’ve provided a lot of enjoyment, not to mention some moments of inspiration while I’ve been working on my own novel set in the twilight days of Habsburg Vienna. I’ll hold out some hope, too, that one day circumstances might change and that we’ll see more installments.
Sorry to be late getting this, Syd. Recently finished 3rd place and regret the publisher’s decision deeply. More from computer…best gv
I am late coming to your mysteries, having started with The Empty Mirror just last month. But I love your series, savoring all of the characters, historical figures and fin-de-siecle details. I was in Vienna this spring, 30 years after my last visit, and I can’t get enough of the city–I’m reading everything I can find about it. Your series was a very welcome find. Here’s hoping you’ll find other ways to write about Vienna in the future. (And BTW, I read your Viennawalks before going to Europe in the ’80s.)
Thanks for the kind words, Jeff. I do believe I will be writing about Vienna again shortly, set in the 1930s this time. Meanwhile, check out my new novel, THE EDIT, due out this December, partly set in Vienna.
Now I can read the last of the Werthen mysteries, knowing there are other Vienna books to come. Thanks! I’m working on your Hitler book now and love the wealth of historical and cultural references. Well done.