Frank Tallis

Frank Tallis (born 1958, London, England, birth name: Francesco de Nato Napolitano) - an acclaimed British clinical psychologist and author renowned for his expertise in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and his historical crime fiction. He is most famous for The Liebermann Papers, a 7-volume series of historical mystery novels set in turn-of-the-century Vienna featuring psychoanalyst Max Liebermann. The series was adapted into the popular television show, “Vienna Blood”(2019–2025) – see description in companion Filmography.

Core Jewish Themes

• The Protagonist’s Identity: Dr. Max Liebermann is a young Jewish psychoanalyst (of British origin) and student of Sigmund Freud, making him an outsider in the conservative, often antisemitic environment of the Viennese police force. [Note: While the books emphasize his Austrian roots, the TV adaptation portrays the Liebermanns as British-Jewish emigrés who moved to Vienna, which adds an extra layer of “outsider” status to his character.]
• The Liebermann Family: The books depict a prosperous, liberal British-Jewish family living in the Leopoldstadt district. Subplots often focus on Max’s father, Isaac, navigating business deals with antisemitic power brokers and his membership in B’nai B’rith.
• Jewish Mysticism: In Darkness Rising  (Book 4), the plot delves into Jewish mysticism, including the Kabbalah, Golem legends, and demonology, which are used as political tools by those resisting persecution.
• Rising Antisemitism: A constant background thread is the alarming rise of right-wing nationalism and figures like Karl Lueger, whose populist antisemitism foreshadows the 20th century’s later horrors.
• Social & Political Friction: The books highlight the friction between different Jewish groups, such as wealthy assimilated Jews and Hasidic communities or refugees fleeing pogroms in Russia. 

Key Locations & Symbols

• Leopoldstadt: The traditional Jewish district of Vienna serves as a primary setting. [Note: “Leopoldstadt” is also the title of Tom Stoppard’s recent [2020] play about his Viennese Jewish origins]
• Sigmund Freud’s Office: Located at Berggasse 19, it is a recurring site where Max seeks guidance from Freud, who Tallis portrays as deeply influenced by Jewish humor and culture.  [Google/AI]

Tallis, Frank [Dr.Max Liebermann #1], (A Death in Vienna [hc, Grove Press, 2006/British edition: Mortal Mischief, 2005] 978-0802118158 [pb, Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2007] 978-0812977639

Tallis, Frank [Dr.Max Liebermann #2], (Vienna Blood [hc, Century, 2006]) 978-1844136049 [pb, Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2006] 978-0812977769

Tallis, Frank [Dr.Max Liebermann #3], (Fatal Lies [hc, Century, 2008] 978-1844136032 [pb, Random House] 978-0812977776

Tallis, Frank [Dr.Max Liebermann #4], (Darkness Rising/ aka Vienna Secrets [hc, Century, 2009]) 978-1846053603 [pb, Arrow, 2009] 978-0099519744

Tallis, Frank [Dr.Max Liebermann $5], (Deadly Communion/aka Vienna Twilight [pb, Random House, 2011] 978-0812981001

Tallis, Frank [Dr.Max Liebermann #6], (Death and the Maiden [pb, Random House, 2012]) 978-0812983340

Tallis, Frank [Dr.Max Liebermann #7], (Mephisto Waltz [hc, Pegasus Crime, 2018]) 978-1681776439 [pb, Pegasus Books, 2019] 978-1643130507 [See related film]