**A bold new thriller from the best-selling author of The Hangman’s Daughter series**

In 1886, Ludwig II, the Fairy-tale King of Bavaria, was deposed after being declared insane by doctors who had never met him. He died mysteriously soon thereafter, his eccentric and beautiful castles his only legacy. In *The Ludwig Conspiracy*, master of historical suspense Oliver Pötzsch brings the Mad King back to life.

An encoded diary by one of Ludwig’s confidants falls into the hands of modern-day rare-book dealer Steven Lukas, who soon realizes that the diary may bring him more misery than money. Lukas teams up with a beautiful art detective, Sara Lengfeld, to investigate each of Ludwig’s three famous castles for clues to crack the diary’s code as mysterious thugs and Ludwig’s fanatical followers chase them at every step. Just what in the diary could be so explosive?

"This gripping thriller brings together the present and the past with high-action adventure in a bold, entertaining storyline." —*Shepherd Express* (Milwaukee)

"Pötzsch makes clever use of Bavaria’s equivalent of the Kennedy assassination in this excellent stand-alone . . . Pötzsch’s sophisticated plotting and good use of a real-life historical puzzle place this far ahead of most *Da Vinci Code* wannabes." —*Publishers Weekly*, starred review

**

### From Booklist

Here’s quite a departure for the author of the excellent Hangman’s Daughter novels. That series is set in seventeenth-century Germany; this novel is also set in Germany but in the present day. Steven Lukas, a dealer in rare books, stumbles into a conspiracy involving King Ludwig II, otherwise known as the Mad King, who died in 1886 under mysterious circumstances. Now the book dealer is on the run from the Cowled Men, a secret order devoted to proving Ludwig was murdered, who seem determined to make sure the secrets Lukas has uncovered die with him. Readers familiar with the historical-conspiracy genre will note that Potzsch follows the format closely, but his historical novels, set nearly four centuries ago, feel more genuine, more anchored in reality, than this slick actioner (which suffers, it must be noted, from a surfeit of “oh, come on!” moments that threaten to stretch believability to the breaking point). It’s not a bad book, and it floats an interesting theory about Ludwig’s death, but it will definitely make readers want something meatier, like another Hangman’s Daughter novel. --David Pitt

### Review

“Pötzsch’s sophisticated plotting and good use of a real-life historical puzzle place this far ahead of most Da Vinci Code wannabes.”
      ―*Publishers Weekly* [HC starred review]

(*AudioFile*)

“Historical mystery fans and conspiracy theorists will find much to enjoy.”
      —*Library Journal*

(*Wisconsin Bookwatch*)

“Narrator Simon Vance propels the story with his rich tone and subtle phrasing as he brings the listener intimately into the action of the plot.”
      —*AudioFile*

(*Booklist*)

“Exciting adventure . . . brought alive by the smooth performance of Simon Vance.”
      —*Wisconsin Bookwatch*

(*Sound Commentary*)

“[Simon Vance] convincingly portrays a varied cast . . . dramatizing the authentic historical details while matching the urgent pace and tone.”
      —*Booklist*

“Simon Vance is a brilliant narrator, perfect for the aristocrats, the Americans, and the folks involved in keeping the memory of Ludwig II alive for assorted purposes for history and tourism. Compelling listening for the road, the air, or the living room.”
      —*Sound Commentary*