The Toman Case

In 1911, gendarmes in Moravia found a male body with its chin, nose, and genitals severed. What at first appears to be the act of a psychopath soon turns out to be an attempt at a sophisticated insurance fraud. Czech and German newspapers throughout Austria-Hungary write about the crime, and Rudolf Těsnohlídek informs readers of Lidové noviny about the course of the investigation. He gradually discovers that this already strange case has a very mysterious background. The novel, inspired by a true story, is supplemented with period newspaper articles, photographs, and illustrations.