From medieval Estonia a new hero in detective fiction
The acclaimed ‘Apothecary Melchior’ series plunges the reader into fifteenth-century Tallinn, a fast-growing Hanseatic town at the furthest reaches of the Christian world dominated by the mighty Toompea Castle, stronghold of the Teutonic Order, and St Olaf’s Church, the tallest building in the world.
Melchior Wakenstede, the town’s apothecary, is respected for his arcane scientific knowledge and his wisdom. When a Teutonic Knight is gruesomely murdered Melchior is called in to help find the killer, revealing a remarkable talent for detection. But it seems Tallinn has a serial killer in its midst, and he is tested to the limit in a plot with as many twists and turns as the turreted castle. He uncovers a mystery surrounding St Olaf’s and an influential secret society that has been controlling the town for years, revelations that spell danger for all.
Indrek Hargla has created an unusual sleuth who battles ignorance and superstition as well as murderers and villains in an atmospheric setting during a fascinating period of history. Gripping and dark, these books have taken Europe by storm and are essential reading for fans of suspense and historical fiction.
INDREK HARGLA is one of the most prolific and bestselling Estonian authors working today – mostly in the fields of science fiction, fantasy and crime. He is best known internationally for his ‘Apothecary Melchior’ series, which now runs to six volumes with film adaptations currently in preparation.