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Nik Grybaski
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Black Danube: A gripping historical mystery thriller full of twists. (Leo Katz Mysteries Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Nik Grybaski (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 46 ratings
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How do you save a woman who’s confessed to murder when you know she didn’t do it?

In the blood-stained cobbled streets of Vienna in 1899, a young man lies dead. His fiancée falsely accused of his slaughter. Crime photographer Leo Katz manages to capture an image of the actual killers. But when he presents his findings to the police, they quickly dismiss his crucial evidence.

As the gallows beckon, hope seems lost for the desperate woman until Leo vows to prove her innocence. Even if his dangerous investigation risks exposing that he is in disguise and on the run.

With the help of his pathologist friends, Leo infiltrates a nefarious network of vice controlled by government officials. What they uncover is more sinister than they could have imagined, and the gruesome murder is a mere smokescreen for more depraved crimes.

Now, Leo must bring the murderers to justice before he becomes their next victim.

If you love a gripping story and a unique take on the mystery genre, then brace yourself for a tension-filled drama that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

Grab your copy of this thrilling murder mystery now!

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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Leo Katz Mysteries
  2. Print length
    386 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    August 25, 2020
  6. File size
    2972 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08GQ5CNMS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oddly Books (August 25, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 25, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2972 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 386 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B08GFS1XBR
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 46 ratings

About the author

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Nik Grybaski

Nik Grybaski

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Nik Grybaski is neither real nor imaginary, existing solely in the shadows of the worlds Nik creates.

Nik is responsible for creating Leo Katz and the things that Leo gets up to when Nik is asleep.

A dabbler at most things useless but creative, Nik writes to forget...Nik has already forgotten.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
46 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

TermiteWriter
5.0 out of 5 stars No spoilers, please!
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is a hard book to review, because I would really enjoy discussing the characters, but to do so would completely spoil the reader’s experience. So I’ll just say this: If you picked up this book expecting Leo Katz to be a typical hard-boiled, macho detective or even a cerebral type like Sherlock Holmes, you’ll be disappointed, but in the end you’ll find the unexpected twist to be rewarding. If you’re like me, you won’t get the revelation of what’s really going on until about halfway through the book, but then you’ll know it’s all worth it.
The author must have done a major amount of research into the history and culture of Vienna during the fin-de-siécle; as the after-note indicates, some of the characters are real historical figures. Adding to the enjoyment for me is my interest in Jewish history and culture. My one niggling complaint is that so many of the support characters have names beginning with the letter “K” that it’s hard to keep them straight. The author is particularly good at evoking the (often revolting) Viennese smells and sights and also at depicting violence. And almost every chapter contains a striking descriptive metaphor. Here’s just one example, from the dream sequence that begins the book, depicting Katz’s lost shoes:
“Heels broken, soles ripped off halfway, they gaped open like the mouths of dying fish.”
I recommend this book as a cleverly written and unusual take on both crime fiction and historical fiction. I can’t wait to read the sequel!
2 people found this helpful
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Twain Bunyan
3.0 out of 5 stars Investigating a Murder in Old Vienna...
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2021
Verified Purchase
Set in Old Vienna, this is an engaging read. There’s something a little off about our main character. I just thought it was a fun read. I should note that the text had innumerable typos which disturbed me.
3 people found this helpful
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Grey Wolffe
4.0 out of 5 stars A Murder in Turn of the Century (20th) Vienna
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2024
In the late 19th Century Vienna had become a city of freedom for native Jews. But after the election of a new Mayor, anti-semitism has become fashionable and directed at the new Jewish Secular Community. Less and less of Vienna's Jews are of the old religious types and non-practicing Jews are moving into new types of employment. The Old Guard would prefer that they stay in the Ghetto and don't compete with Germans.

Artist like Gustav Klimt and the Sessessionists were turning Vienna into a city with two personalities, the Bohemian and the Traditional. The Traditionalists blamed all the new Hedonism and the Freedom of woman and the growth of Socialism on the Jews. When a religious Jewish man is found stabbed to death the Police immediately arrest his fiancee. The woman suffers from dual personality and it doesn't take long to get her to confess to the murder.

Leo Katz is one of the new secular Jews and has friends in all of the new freedoms. He is a well known photographer and is used by the local constabulary to take pictures at sensational murders. He photograph the Murder just for the Police but takes some of his own for his collection. With his friends they notice that the murderess if much shorter than her fiance. But from the pictures you can see that the stab wounds are from above him and by a right handed person. The Accused is left handed.

Using the new Bertillon Scale designed by a French Criminologist and the writings of Sigmund Freud, they come up with a 'profile' of the killer which is spot on. All they have to do is convince the Vienna Police.
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LaFrieda Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Left me guessing…Awesome read!
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2021
Verified Purchase
This is my second read by Nik Grybaski and being a big fan of mysteries and crime stories, I enjoyed the suspense behind it and the nail bitting I had to do while waiting to find out what was going to happen. The character Leo Katz in both Poisoned Lily and Black Danube displayed a personality that was very likable and smarter than they let on. The scenes were laid out perfectly and I was able to envision it as if I were there. The time period left a lot to be desired for the setting of this book. I highly recommend this book if you love murder mysteries and are into historical events. I can’t wait to read Book 2 and find out what else Leo has in store.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Black Danube
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2020
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This was such a great book, one of the best I've read recently. You quickly get immersed into the story and feel as if you're there in the early 1900s Vienna. The writing is vivid and you can see the imagery, smell the odors of the city, taste its delicacies, and feel the emotions of the characters. Not only do you get entwined in solving the murder mystery, you forge your way through the clues to discover what Leo's great secret it. Storytelling at its best. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
2 people found this helpful
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Paul Y. Gelman
1.0 out of 5 stars Extremely boring, full of typos
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2021
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Immersing myself in the atmosphere of fin-de-siecle Vienna is one of the greatest pleasures of mine, since I know this city very well. However, this book does not deliver. A very poor plot, the dialogues were written as if the wirter himself did not know what he wanted to say, in addition to such poor and ridiculous proofreading and editing. If you want to enjoy the afore-mentioned period and Vienna in those times, please read Frank Tallis' books, which are all a marvel. As for this current book, it is on its way to the trash can. Save your money!
2 people found this helpful
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Tess Bouds
5.0 out of 5 stars Anti-semitism & misogyny wrapped around Vienna. A great mystery with a twist!
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2020
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This is a book that reads like a Sherlock Holmes mystery thru pacing and character development but it’s so much more. Wrapped around turn-of-century Vienna, Herr Katz, Lucy & Klauss race to solve a mystery.... that involves antisemitism, misogyny, & class. Great storytelling & a surprise, unexpected twist at the end!
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Une Belle Damme
5.0 out of 5 stars A real page turner
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 25, 2020
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I was transported to another time and place with vivid descriptions and wonderfully developed characters that I really cared about. The main plot develops well, and the intriguing subplot smoulders underneath to give depth to the narrative. As for Leo and his secret - let's just say we do find out what it is, which makes his relationships all the more complicated and tragic. Well written, full of drama, tension, and humour, Black Danube is simply an excellent read.
One person found this helpful
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Cruachan
4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant characterisation
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 24, 2020
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This book is so much more than a run-of-the-mill historical whodunnit - its immersive sense of place, time and atmosphere transport the reader to the
heart of urban life in 1899 Vienna, amidst all of the cultural, political and social upheavals of the era. However, it’s Black Danube’s characters that elevate it
and set it apart from a more usual murder mystery…not only Leo Katz and the other main actors, but the most minor players and their interactions are all vividly brought to life and brilliantly portrayed by the author.
There are some remarkable and contrasting scenes such an exorcism, a riot, a gruesome autopsy and a hedonistic party at the studio of Gustav Klimt, but the underlying narrative continues to gather pace throughout to bring us to the compelling conclusion.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Be transported to another world of senses and feelings.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 29, 2021
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I loved this book. It took me off into a different world with a group of characters reminiscent of Dickens. This is a writer who relishes the small detail and spares none of the darker side but who manages, throughout, to reassure the reader of all that is good in human nature. We need more from writers like this.
One person found this helpful
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kbim
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly addictive!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 3, 2021
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I really enjoyed this, the characters were extremely vivid and I was transported to the streets of turn of the century Vienna.
A mystery with real depth and a twist.
I'm looking forward to the next one.
One person found this helpful
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Mrs Hilary Banks
5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing main character &Visual storytelling
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 8, 2020
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Thoroughly enjoyed this book it is well written and kept my attention with it’s gripping story intriguing main character and visual description every step of the way.
One person found this helpful
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