Set in the 18th century when Norway was united with Denmark, this is the author’s third novel featuring Thomas of Boueberge, a Danish professor, and his young Norwegian assistant Petter Hortten. Once again the two find themselves caught up in a case of murder and mysterious deaths, this time with the Pope’s messenger – the nuncio – of all people, as the prime suspect.
As second secretary at the embassy, Petter keeps a watchful eye on the papal delegate, and one day sees him slip something into the glass of a former army officer, Halvor Justesen. The next day Justesen is found dead.
Once again the crime and its solution are only part of the story. Of equal importance perhaps, is the way the author conveys the thinking and philosophies that characterized the Nordic countries and continental Europe in the 18th century.

5 out of 6 stars
“… entertaining and interesting reading”  VG

“It’s this combination, the ability to make people come alive to us – in a time so distant from ours, that makes Kurt Aust’s books become great reading experiences”
NRK

“You can almost hear the whispering from in between the lines: Lean back, let yourself be entertained! I did lean back. And so should you”
Spirit

“Aust writes in a manner that is lively and easily read…describes things so that you can literally smell the scent” 
Fredrikstads Blad

“an impressive tour in the literary outdoor museum…no wonder that the novel won Aust the 2003 Glass Key for best Nordic crime novel” Information