After the first two Paul Flemming books I read this came as a disappointment. I didn't read the third and fourth volume so far, because this was lent from the library and I have to return it, so some changes in the relationships were a bit surprising, but nothing I couldn't handle.

Like the other books of the series this is mainly set in Nürnberg, the main reason I like these books for. The city is described in a very charming way and as someone who lives there I can picture the setting vividly. The background story this time revolves about the first railway between Nürnberg and Fürth, called "Adler". As in the previous books this was presented in an intriguing and interesting way.

However, the murder case in this volume took place about 20 years ago and Paul Flemming now tries to prove that the man previously convicted for the murder is indeed innocent. Many of his actions and presumptions seem to me farfetched and I'm not yet convinced by them. Also Flemming's relationship to Katinka Blohm seems to take more screentime in this book. All in all it isn't as gripping as the first two books.

It's a good enough read, interesting in aspects of the city and its history, but nothing special mystery-wise. For fans of the Paul Flemming books probably a book they should read, but for people just starting with them certainly not the best to begin with. ( )