The Ghost of Rataskaevu Street

An Apothecary Melchior Mystery

Translated by Adam Cullen
Paperback
$18.95 US
On sale Nov 03, 2026 | 352 Pages | 9781805335764

See Additional Formats
The medieval apothecary-turned-detective Melchior returns in this gripping 2nd installment in the fabulous series of whirlwind historical murder mysteries set in 15th-century Estonia.

Perfect for fans of C.J. Sansom and Steven Saylor!


Estonia, 1419.

What links a tower watchman, a prostitute, and a flemish painter?

All 3 claim to have seen a ghost on the same street in 15th-century Tallinn. And all of them have been found dead soon after.

In the aftermath of these seemingly supernatural events, Melchior Wakenstede, the town’s pharmacist and bailiff, takes it upon himself to unearth the truth. When he finds a castrated murder victim outside a supposedly haunted house – the site of some violent murders decades earlier – he begins to research the history of those events and attempts to find out whether, as some believe, ghosts can truly reap their revenge on the living.

In his attempts to solve the riddle, Melchior becomes embroiled in the conflicts and rivalries between religious orders, merchants’ guilds and the Teutonic Knights as they vie with one another for control of the town. As he unravels more and more of these tangled mysteries, what he discovers is more horrifying than any legend…

Full of thrilling twists and loveable characters, this haunting second installment of bestselling Estonian author Indrek Hargla’s Apothecary Melchior Mysteries series will delight readers of richly atmospheric historical mysteries.
Indrek Hargla is one of Estonia's best-known and most prolific crime writers. Hargla's Apothecary Melchior Mysteries, set in fifteenth-century Tallinn and starring a detective pharmacist named Melchior Wakenstede, have been translated into five languages, adapted for stage and were the basis for a popular Estonian film trilogy. He is also a screenwriter and an award-winning writer of science fiction and fantasy. Originally a senior lawyer in the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hargla has been a full-time writer since 2012.

Adam Cullen is a freelance translator of Estonian prose, poetry, and drama. His translations include The Cavemen Chronicle by Mikhel Mutt, The Brother and the Reconstruction by Rein Raud (both titles nominated for the Cultural Endowment of Estonia's Prize for Literary Translation), Burning Cities by Kai Aareleid, and Radio by Tonu Onnepalu. Originally from Minnesota he has resided in Estonia since 2007.

About

The medieval apothecary-turned-detective Melchior returns in this gripping 2nd installment in the fabulous series of whirlwind historical murder mysteries set in 15th-century Estonia.

Perfect for fans of C.J. Sansom and Steven Saylor!


Estonia, 1419.

What links a tower watchman, a prostitute, and a flemish painter?

All 3 claim to have seen a ghost on the same street in 15th-century Tallinn. And all of them have been found dead soon after.

In the aftermath of these seemingly supernatural events, Melchior Wakenstede, the town’s pharmacist and bailiff, takes it upon himself to unearth the truth. When he finds a castrated murder victim outside a supposedly haunted house – the site of some violent murders decades earlier – he begins to research the history of those events and attempts to find out whether, as some believe, ghosts can truly reap their revenge on the living.

In his attempts to solve the riddle, Melchior becomes embroiled in the conflicts and rivalries between religious orders, merchants’ guilds and the Teutonic Knights as they vie with one another for control of the town. As he unravels more and more of these tangled mysteries, what he discovers is more horrifying than any legend…

Full of thrilling twists and loveable characters, this haunting second installment of bestselling Estonian author Indrek Hargla’s Apothecary Melchior Mysteries series will delight readers of richly atmospheric historical mysteries.

Author

Indrek Hargla is one of Estonia's best-known and most prolific crime writers. Hargla's Apothecary Melchior Mysteries, set in fifteenth-century Tallinn and starring a detective pharmacist named Melchior Wakenstede, have been translated into five languages, adapted for stage and were the basis for a popular Estonian film trilogy. He is also a screenwriter and an award-winning writer of science fiction and fantasy. Originally a senior lawyer in the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hargla has been a full-time writer since 2012.

Adam Cullen is a freelance translator of Estonian prose, poetry, and drama. His translations include The Cavemen Chronicle by Mikhel Mutt, The Brother and the Reconstruction by Rein Raud (both titles nominated for the Cultural Endowment of Estonia's Prize for Literary Translation), Burning Cities by Kai Aareleid, and Radio by Tonu Onnepalu. Originally from Minnesota he has resided in Estonia since 2007.

Books for Women’s History Month

In honor of Women’s History Month in March, we are sharing books by women who have shaped history and have fought for their communities. Our list includes books about women who fought for racial justice, abortion rights, equality in the workplace, and ranges in topics from women in politics and prominent women in history to

Read more