Luzern Photograph, The

This complex and fascinating story takes us back and forth from Freud's Vienna to Hitler's Germany to a California artist's penthouse studio.

Alternately dark and illuminating, the reader explores the intertwined worlds of a beautiful dominatrix, an original student of Freud, a "fixer" for Adolf Hitler and a contemporary performance artist. William Bayer weaves their stories together in a somewhat improbable, yet credible, manner to create a very engrossing novel.

Although centered around a Bay area murder, the book is less a murder mystery than it is a search for answers and understanding in our lives. I was both fascinated and entertained by this "neo noir" novel.

Netgalley provided me a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for a candid review. I appreciated the opportunity to read and comment on it.

It’s a delight when a publisher’s promotional material delivers.

”Real historical characters mingle seamlessly with fictitious to provide a startling new perspective on early 20th century history: atmospheric and unusual, THE LUZERN PHOTOGRAPH is something rather different to everything else on our list, and a most rewarding read.”

It was the idea of a notorious photograph, the one known as The Luzern, that intrigued me, but it was the slow uncovering of the story behind it that kept me turning the pages. Told in dual timelines and from many narrators point of views, the original photograph depicting Psychoanalyst Lou Andreas-Salome, German Philosopher Nietzsche, and Poet Rainer Maria Rilke with the backdrop of the Die JungfrauFriedrich Mountain, is at the heart of novel. The contemporary storyline introduces us to talented performance artist, Tess Berenson. After her latest romantic relationship breaks up Tess finds herself renting a new apartment, one last occupied by a Dominatrix named Chantal Desforges. It’s quite the place to live and Tess becomes interested in Chantal’s life and profession. When Chantal is found murdered, Tess’ initial interest becomes an obsession. All roads lead back to the 1913 Luzern Photo and those pictured in it.

Using a dual timeline can be a slippery slope but in this case this plotting device is used seamlessly. I never felt confused or frustrated when the scene transitioned or narrator changed. Both storylines are captivating. Tess’ performance pieces alone are worth the read. The Luzern Photograph is historical fiction at its best. I found myself researching the characters from real life, and wishing those that were fictional had lived. The Luzern Photograph is moodily erotic, seductive in tone and perhaps a bit deceiving. It has well thought out characters including strong, intelligent female voices, and a plausible plot with a satisfying conclusion. I can easily recommend William Bayer’s The Luzern Photograph. It’s a winner.

Fascinating blending of history and current time.

Switching between Vienna Austria in the late 19th century, present day Oakland near San Francisco and Nazi wartime Germany. It cleverly uses an actual photograph showing Freud's disciple Lou Andreas-Salome, Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and Paul Ree.. Concerns the murder of Chantal a dominatrix and the woman who moves into Chantal's old apartment, the performance artist Tess Berenson. Tess becomes obsessed with Chantal, especially when she finds a similar photograph featuring Chantal and two naked masked men! Tess is determined to find out who killed Chantal. See my full review on Euro-Crime website. Recommended, kept my interest throughout.