Melchior the Apothecary and the Ghost of Studniční Street
E-book, Czech
Melchior the Apothecary and the Ghost of Studniční Street
Fear is stalking the streets of medieval Tallinn. Is it just idle gossip, or genuine revenge from beyond the grave?
What connects a tower guard, a prostitute and a Flemish painter? All three claim to have seen a ghost on Well Street, and shortly afterwards, they all die under mysterious circumstances. Melchior Wakenstede, an apothecary and assistant bailiff, once again takes to the streets of medieval Tallinn in pursuit of the truth, which is often hidden in unexpected places. With his keen sense of justice, he investigates the deaths and tries to determine whether ghosts can truly take revenge on the living, or if it is all just town gossip. As Melchior becomes entangled in the power struggles and rivalries between monastic orders, merchant guilds and the Teutonic Knights, he discovers something far more terrifying than a ghost…
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I really wanted an unusual protagonist, someone who hadn't been seen before. An apothecary was a very natural choice in many ways, given the specific nature of this profession in a medieval town — he's a bit of an innkeeper and a merchant, he's educated, he knows about medicines and poisons, and he knows Latin. And he knows many of the local residents' secrets. The pharmacy had a similar function to the pub; people went there for a schnapps and a chat. So, the ideal main character.
— Indrek Hargla on writing the main character
There is nothing to stop us from calling The Apothecary a deliberate Estonian variation on Agatha Christie's books. Hargla's novel can also be interpreted as the author's appreciative tribute not only to the great detective writer, but also to her heroes, and above all to her compositional preferences.
— Tvar
The author offers a unique opportunity to glimpse into the mentality of a newly Christianised nation. He convincingly portrays the tension between the Teutonic Order, under whose rule all of Estonia finds itself, and the town's inhabitants themselves. Besides reflecting the mood of the era, his detective story encourages the reader to ponder the nature of evil. Is there an answer to what brings a person to a moral crossroads? Can murder ever be justified?
— iLiteratura
If you like crime, mystery and history, then this is a must-read! The book brings medieval Tallinn to life, and after reading it, you'll want to visit the city immediately.
— Waterstones
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