Frank Schätzing - Death and the Devil

Time for a new intrigue. Engelbert, lord of the city on paper alone, formed an alliance with the Weises and the tradesmen. Money was spent and a tunnel was dug under the city walls through which the Weises intended to return. This plan also came to naught. Although the Weises entered the town, they were driven out again in a bloody battle. Among the dead was Matthias Overstolz.

In 1271 Engelbert returned from imprisonment. A changed man, he made peace with the city. Three years later he died.

His successor, Siegfried von Westerburg, once more tried to reestablish the power Conrad had achieved. He saw himself as a warlord and remained on reasonably good terms with the citizens until they tired of financing his constant feuds. But Siegfried was cleverer than Engelbert. Having made himself the strongest force on the lower Rhine, he managed for a long time to walk the tightrope between tyranny and tolerance, until his plans came into terminal conflict with the city’s desire for independence. In the famous battle of Worringen he was defeated by the citizens and their allies. He made one more attempt to assert himself, which led to his conclusive defeat. Cologne became a free imperial city. The power of the archbishops was broken for good.

In another land another power came to an end. Castle Urquhart in Scotland was destroyed. The duke of Monadhliath did not return from the Crusades, and the land was leaderless.

The castle on the shores of Loch Ness remains for all to see—unlike the celebrated monster. A few years ago the Catholic Church sent an exorcist to deal with it. He sprinkled holy water on the waves and recited a large number of prayers. Effective ones, apparently. The monster has not been seen since.

FRANK SCHÄTZINGis the author of the international bestseller The Swarm. A winner of the 2002 KölnLiteratur prize, the 2004 Corine Prize, and the 2005 German Science Fiction Prize, Schätzing lives and works in Cologne, Germany.

“This first work by Frank Schätzing presents us with a colorful description of this metropolis on the Rhine River in the Middle Ages. It tells the ‘behind-the-scenes’ story of the battle for supremacy at the top of society, far beyond all other historical writings.”

“Fascinates with its historical fl air as well as its authentic description of the feeling of life during those times. In strong language yet with sensibility, Mr. Schätzing writes this crime story with just the right portion of wit as well as somewhat coarse coloring of the time.”

“Schätzing makes this splendidly researched crime story… of the clergy-dominated Middle Ages come alive through his explosive writing style. A highly intricate thriller with a critical view of the local color of the time.”

“Versatile in language and with much feeling for historical flair, tension and wit.”

”The author achieved something remarkable in describing the city of Cologne during the middle of the thirteenth century… A thrilling crime drama in which he almost playfully delivers historical information.”

“This crime story is perfect for those who love tension-packed thrills till the last minute… Relaxing entertainment for all devotees of intelligent crime stories…”

“Thanks to the author’s fluid writing we, luckily, stay always on the heels of the hunted as he crisscrosses Cologne’s old part of town. This not only signifies a special gift for storytelling, but tells also of a profound joy for imagining a story.”

The Swarm