The Gregorio Mysteries

The no longer extent state of Prussia is the setting for the mystery series written by Michael Gregorio.

Critique of Criminal Reason introduces Hanno Stiffeniis, a young magistrate who lives and works in a small town within the Prussian empire of 1804. Called to Königsberg (modern day Kaliningrad) to investigate a mysterious series of murders, Stiffeniis is assisted by his mentor Immanuel Kant. Years ago Kant had suggested that Stiffeniis study law. Now Kant is determined to guide his protege through the maze of logic and evidence to find a serial killer. Stiffeniis is not an ordinary magistrate, due to his birth into the Junker aristocracy, and subsequent European travels. This book introduces Stiffeniis, his troubled relationship with Kant, and paints his background on the canvas of Prussian history.

Days of Atonement picks up in 1807, after Napolean's army has overrun Prussia at Jena. During the intervening years Hanno Stiffeniis and his wife Helena have suffered from privation and uncertainty brought about by the invading army. When Colonel Lavedrine arrives in Lotingen and requests Stiffeniis assistance in solving the ghastly murder of a family, Stiffeniis cannot refuse. The investigation must be carried out quickly as the populace is eager to have either a French or a Jewish scapegoat. Helena assists the two detectives, who must work together despite ideological differences to preserve the uneasy peace.

A Visible Darkness is the third and longest (452 pgs.) book in the series. Procurator Stiffeniis is attempting to maintain Prussian orderliness in Lotingen despite the French invasion, when he is abruptly summoned to investigate the death of a Prussian “amber girl.” Stiffeniis quickly discovers that the murder was not straightforward. The question is: was it a Prussian or a French murderer? The complicated times in which the book is set cause Stiffeniis to act both quickly and carefully to find the murderer in chaotic war-torn Prussia. This book provides a very interesting look at the amber industry at that time. The details of how it was mined and processed in the Baltic might cause you to think that blood diamonds were gained less violently!

The character of Stiffeniis seems to be carefully crafted to invoke a Prussian magistrate of his time as he is class consious, misogynistic, racist, and a prude. The author's intent was not to paint a picture of an elevated and humanitarian man. Rather he is evidently supposed to be like his fellow aristocrats, in that he has a clear class system and resents the (imposed) French principles of universal freedom. According to him Prussia was better when serfs knew their place. Stiffeniis is to often shocked or waylaid by women in the novels. For instance in Critique of Criminal Reason Stiffeniis thinks that a midwife, “Anna Rostova was evil. Evil! Lublinsky claimed that she was a witch. Was that it? Had she enchanted me?” (p. 210). As a professed (and portrayed) devotee of logic and rationalism it is disappointing that Stiffeniis is so quick to blame witchcraft for his attraction rather than his own lack of self-control. These character flaws are consistently expressed throughout the series. The French invaders are portayed as efficient, just and liberal. The Prussians are ignorant, superstitious, and lazy. The Napoleanic invasion appears to be a fortunate event for Prussia.

A more positive aspect of the book is the evocative description of the socio-political situation, the environment and the weather. An excerpt from Days of Atonement is illustrative: “Nature had been as dour and unforgiving as the occupying French in the past two months. Cold, tumultuous winds had gusted down from the Arctic circle throughout the month of August, turning the melancholy green waters of our Baltic shore wild and black, sending huge white-capped waves crashing in upon the seashore” (p. 3).

I do recommend these books, conditionally. If you like to solve the mystery before the detective does you will enjoy it. During the second half of each book one is anxious for the detectives, but can't help but feel that Stiffeniis is blind to what is obvious. Meanwhile more people are dying. In fact there is a very high death rate in Critique of Criminal Reason and A Visible Darkness. Not only are there the murders committed by the killer being pursued, but there are also murders which come about due to the actions of Stiffeniis and other characters. So, if you don't mind if likeable characters might be offed then you will enjoy these books. Days of Atonement is more circumspect in its violence and develops the personalities of Stiffeniis and his wife, Helena, more than either the preceding or following books.