Siege of Comedians

Siege of Comedians is a novel by Susan Daitch that follows the lives of three women, an American forensic sculptor, an accent coach, and a local businesswoman, who are connected across time by intersecting crimes and themes of language, cultural assimilation, and nationalist conflicts. The book is a political thriller, comic noir, and reflection on the current refugee crisis, human trafficking, and identity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 28 October 2021
Publisher: Dzanc Books

Award-winning author Susan Daitch makes a triumphant return with her captivating novel, "Siege of Comedians." This intricate and captivating work is presented in a triptych format, with interconnected narrative threads woven together by linked crimes.

In the first part of the novel, we meet American forensic sculptor, Emily Crane, who is tasked with reconstructing the faces of three victims. However, her peaceful existence is disrupted when she receives a midnight visit from a mysterious man who threatens her life unless she alters the faces she has almost completed. Emily's journey takes her on a thrilling adventure as she navigates through a web of twists and turns, leading her to a new life working with forensic archeologists at a site near the Prater amusement park in Vienna.

The second section of the novel introduces us to Max Klein, an accent coach who discovers a shocking truth about the man implicated in the death of his girlfriend in 1970s Buenos Aires. This man, who was once a censor and Assistant Minister of Propaganda in Vienna during World War II, is now the prime suspect in a series of murders that have taken place under the former Propaganda offices. As bodies start turning up, dating back to the Ottoman siege of Vienna, Max becomes deeply involved in the investigation, uncovering a web of secrets and lies that spans decades.

In the final arc of the novel, we meet Zeynep, a local businesswoman who finds three displaced women from Istanbul wandering in Vienna. These women, former wives of the sultan, have been displaced by the aftermath of the last battle between the Austrians and the Turks. Zeynep, driven by compassion, offers them shelter in her brothel, located on the site of the future Ministry of Propaganda. Through their interactions, the novel explores themes of language, cultural assimilation, and nationalist conflicts, reflecting on aspects of the current refugee crisis, human trafficking, and identity.

"Siege of Comedians" is a masterful blend of political thriller, comic noir, and historical fiction. Susan Daitch's sharp irony and joy infuse every page, making it a truly delightful and thought-provoking read. With its interconnected narrative threads and themes of identity, displacement, and the complexities of human relationships, this novel offers a unique perspective on the world we live in today.

Dimension: 215 x 139 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781950539338