For the most part, the previous Max Liebermann mysteries by Frank Tallis were charming, humorous, and bitingly critical of the politics and culture of Viennese society during the late 1800s and early 1900s. We identified with Max, a psychiatrist, as he tended to troubled patients; helped his friend, Detective Inspector Oskar Rheinhardt, solve homicides; and looked for a compatible woman with whom he could share his life.

"Mephisto Waltz" takes place in 1904, at a time when Vienna is filled with angry men and women protesting the oppression of poor people by the upper classes. A criminal mastermind, known as Mephistopheles (thanks to his devilish appearance), skillfully manipulates others but is too clever to be captured himself. Max, meanwhile, continues to care for his mentally ill patients, but also finds time to assist Oskar with his investigations. When an unidentified killer shoots a man in a former piano factory and disfigures the victim's face with acid, Rheinhardt's boss pressures him to make a quick arrest.. Other deaths follow, but with all the radicals, nihilists, and anarchists at large, it will not be easy to close these cases. On a more upbeat note, Max is blissfully happy in his relationship with the intelligent and independent Amelia Lydgate.

This work of fiction, unfortunately, rarely comes to life, mostly because of its chaotic and disjointed plot. Tallis hastily moves from one character to another and fills the narrative with tangential elements, which generates confusion and prevents us from caring about anyone in particular. Most of the men and women we encounter are disaffected and/or disturbed individuals who lash out at others to alleviate their misery. Sigmund Freud makes a cameo appearance that adds little to the proceedings. The novel picks up steam in the final pages, when our heroes desperately try to prevent a malevolent individual from taking even more innocent lives. Although "Mephisto Waltz" is intermittently entertaining, it lacks the sparkle and originality that made the earlier Liebermann books such a delight.

Thanks Pegasus Books and netgalley for this ARC.

Worth the wait for this awesome one of a kind brand of fiction from F.R.Tallis. No one else brings Vienna, old world psychology, and twisted murder to this pinnacle like this author.

Fin De Siecle Vienna, what a great setting. Dr. Max Lieberman, Miss. Lydgate are all present to solve the murder oak a man tied to a chair with his face disfigured. Murder, romance, friendship, espionage and terrorists make for a wonderful combination in this mystery.

I absolutely love this series. It gets better with each book!

I ordered the first book in this series after finishing this book. I think that's probably the greatest compliment for a book you can give. And, Mephisto Waltz knocked my socks off with its atmospheric setting in Vienna, a mysterious murder mystery and the great teamwork of Oscar Rheinhardt and Max Lieberman. A policeman and a psychiatrist working together. I love it. It worked so well together and I also love the fact that Lieberman is a disciple of Sigmund Freud.

4.5 stars

REST OF THE REVIEW WILL BE POSTED ON PUB.DATE!