Kacper Ryx is a Polish

historical History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...

crime novel Crime fiction, detective story, murder mystery, mystery novel, and police novel are terms used to describe narratives that centre on criminal acts and especially on the investigation, either by an amateur or a professional detective, of a crime, ...

written by Mariusz Wollny, published for the first time in 2006 by Cracow-based Wydawnictwo Otwarte. Novel features many historical characters, including poets Mikołaj Sęp-Szarzyński,

Jan Kochanowski Jan Kochanowski (; 1530 – 22 August 1584) was a Polish Renaissance poet who established poetic patterns that would become integral to the Polish literary language. He is commonly regarded as the greatest Polish poet before Adam Mickiewicz. L ...

and

Mikołaj Rej Mikołaj Rej or Mikołaj Rey of Nagłowice (4 February 1505 – between 8 September/5 October 1569) was a Polish poet and prose writer of the emerging Renaissance in Poland as it succeeded the Middle Ages, as well as a politician and musician. H ...

. It also features Jan Zamojski, Jan Tomasz Drohojowski, Zygmunt II August,

, Łukasz Górnicki and Erazm Czeczotka. Additionally, the important role is played by the legendary character of

Pan Twardowski Sir Twardowski ( Polish: ''Pan Twardowski'', ), also known as Master Twardowski ( Polish: ''Mistrz Twardowski''), in Polish folklore and literature, is a sorcerer who made a deal with the Devil. Pan Twardowski sold his soul in exchange for spec ...

. It met generally positive critical acclaim, resulting in two sequels, '' Kacper Ryx i król przeklęty'' (2008) and '' Kacper Ryx i Tyran Nienawistny'' (2010). The book was read on the Radio Kraków It was reissued in 2007 by the same publishing house, having 580 pages, with 2 maps attached and 6 pages long glossary. In 2011, it was released as audiobook

Plot synopsis

The novel begins with a scene of mystification. With the help of Twardowski, brothers Mniszech convince king Zygmunt August that his dead wife, Barbara Radziwiłłówna, was resurrected. The action moves to Kraków. In an

inn Inns are generally establishments or buildings where travelers can seek lodging, and usually, food and drink. Inns are typically located in the country or along a highway; before the advent of motorized transportation they also provided accommo ...

owned by Kacper's aunt, he mets Kochanowski and Górnicki. With the recommendation of the first one, he is appointed as an investigator who must solve the case of stolen

seal Seal may refer to any of the following: Common uses * Pinniped, a diverse group of semi-aquatic marine mammals, many of which are commonly called seals, particularly: ** Earless seal, or "true seal" ** Fur seal * Seal (emblem), a device to impr ...

. A short investigation results in determining the thief, Bartosz from Lusina. His capture requests a voyage outside the Cracow. Kacper and Mikolaj Sep Szarzynski manage to capture the offender, but they are lost at surrounding

marsh A marsh is a wetland that is dominated by herbaceous rather than woody plant species.Keddy, P.A. 2010. Wetland Ecology: Principles and Conservation (2nd edition). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. 497 p Marshes can often be found a ...

References

Polish historical novels 2006 novels Novels set in the Middle Ages Historical crime novels 21st-century Polish novels {{2000s-hist-novel-stub