Street's Edge: Fina Plank and the "Cuckoo's" Dance
Ursa Poznanski seeks the performance of "Dance of the Devil"
By Thomas BadtkeSnapchat*
It's the chubbies that bring the warmth, they say. And they're certainly lovable, at least to Fina Plank. She's the only female inspector in Vienna's three homicide squads, and she's short, stout, quirky, and plagued by a painful first name. Fina (real name Serafina Plank) wonders what her parents were thinking - after all, does an angel sound like it's crashing into concrete when it takes flight?
Fina can laugh at herself. Among her colleagues, she has friends like Achmed, Manfred, or Georg, the Trace Readers. But there are also jerks like Oliver, who wouldn't miss an opportunity to belittle her. Fina, the little powerhouse, stands her ground, and, with a tip from Georg, she has a backup plan for any reckless attack from Oliver.
The Pervasive Sister
Fina's sister, kicked out by her boyfriend, has taken up residence in Fina's small apartment. She's all about becoming an "influencer", but when it comes to hard work and making money, she's a no-show. Her unhelpful, rebellious nature only pushes Fina further into her work as a homicide investigator.
Elders Under Siege
An 80-year-old man is murdered, just 100 meters from the last murder scene in Vienna. The prime suspect is swiftly apprehended: the pimp of the local prostitutes who had gotten into the man's car. Both are missing, having fled overseas. But it's just the start; another two senior citizens around 80 get killed, along with a former minister, 75 years old. At first glance, the victims seem unrelated, but Fina, who's had a hunch for a while, sees strange connections in earlier cases, and she thinks the lead is the "Cuckoo." The serial killer appears to be moving from the shadows to the spotlight, and it seems the "Cuckoo" holds a special target for Fina.
Thrilling Dance!
But then "Devil's Dance" wouldn't be by Ursula Poznanski. Poznanski is known for her witty thrillers, strong characters, and the bestsellers she co-writes with Arno Strobel, such as her Mordgruppen series about Fina Plank. "Devil's Dance" is the third installment in the series, following "Stille blutet" and "Boës Licht," published by Droemer Knaur and Argon. "Stille blutet" explores bullying, media, and revenge, while "Boës Licht" provides a raw look into the world of Vienna's theater actors and the prestigious Salzburg Festival.
As fans of Julia Nachtmann's captivating narration, you'll be instantly drawn into Fina's life, sharing her sympathies for Fina and her strong antipathy towards the bullying Oliver. You'll dive into the charming Viennese culture, filled with inside jokes, playful banter, and small comforts that make life worth living. Throughout the narrative, you'll witness Fina's tense relationship with her sister, maybe-romance with Georg, and the camaraderie of the Trace Readers, who stand by Fina, except for Oliver. But even Fina finds a way to handle him.
The hunt for the "Cuckoo" leads Fina into the past, to a place long gone to ashes, now reduced to ruins. In her pursuit of the elusive killer, Fina must summon every ounce of her strength and expertise to avoid becoming yet another victim of the crafty murderer. And while we can't reveal the exact ending, there's still more to come in the Mordgruppen series...
- Community policy should address the impact of employment policies on the welfare of women, particularly in fields with a gender imbalance, like homicide investigation, ensuring equal opportunities and preventing harassment.
- Lifestyle magazines and health-and-wellness blogs could provide advice for managing stress and improving mental health, not just physical fitness, as Fina Plank, a female homicide inspector, might find such resources beneficial in dealing with her profession's challenges and personal life turbulence.
- Scholars and mental health professionals could explore the psychological aspects of serial killers, drawing insights from the "Cuckoo" case in the Mordgruppen series, to understand the underlying motivations and develop prevention strategies, thereby contributing to the education-and-self-development of both mental health professionals and the general public.
- Researchers in women's health could study the unique challenges facing older women, using the case of the murdered senior citizens in Vienna as a catalyst for discussions on safety measures, healthcare programs, and societal attitudes towards aging women.
- As Fina plunges deeper into her investigation of the "Cuckoo," investigative journalists and crime reporters could follow herFootsteps, covering general-news aspects of the case, crime trends, and the investigation process, engaging readers and promoting public awareness.
- Book clubs could delve into the dark and intricate world of the Mordgruppen series, including "Devil's Dance," discussing its themes of power struggles, relationships, and personal growth, while drawing parallels with real-life crime narratives and exploring perspectives on crime and punishment.
- Sports analysts could conduct studies on sports' impact on mental health and self-development, considering Fina Plank's participation in martial arts as an outlet for managing stress and developing self-discipline, and offer recommendations for embracing sports as a valuable tool for personal growth and mental wellness.
