The Lonely House

"The Lonely House" by Adolf Streckfuss is a story set in Southern Ukraine during the early 20th century, where Professor Dollnitz, a scientist, travels to collect unique species but gets tangled up in a murder case. His scientific curiosity quickly becomes a frightening quest to solve the death of Pollenz, a local moneylender, inside a solitary home. The story looks closely at how the residents of the town interact, and the themes include love, hate, and questions of national identity. As the local authorities begin their investigation, suspicion centers on a young man named Franz Schorn, due to his troubled past with the dead man. The beginning of the story creates a strong sense of mystery, hinting at the drama to come, which mixes personal fights with the bigger issues affecting the small community.