Hunkeler's Secret

Hunkeler #9

by Hansjörg Schneider, Freuler Astrid (translator)

Hunkeler, now a retired inspector of the Basel police force, is hospitalized following an operation. He’s sharing a room with cancer patient Stephan Fankhauser, an old acquaintance and former head of Basel Volksbank. One night, a groggy Hunkeler witnesses something that makes him question his a young nurse is administering an injection to his friend. 

When he is told the next day that Fankhauser has died, Hunkeler grows suspicious. The body is quickly cremated with no autopsy performed, leaving Hunkeler determined to get to the bottom of the matter. His unorthodox investigation uncovers truths that will threaten Switzerland’s carefully curated reputation of neutrality during WWII

Genres: Crime

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 26, 2015

Reviews

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series set in a tri border area between Switzerland, Germany and France. Hunkeler is now retired but he is still a detective at heart and even though he doesn't spend so much time in Basel where he keeps an apartment he still has a lot to do in his cabin on the french side of the border. Hansjörg Schneider has created a wonderful setting and some great characters that is like nothing I have ever read before when it comes to crime stories. I really like this world of Hunkeler. Everything isn't great but it's not really beyond repair either. In this one our "hero" has some strange (for him) things to deal with. Did the patient in the bed next to him get murdered and what shall he do with his granddaughter who suddenly shows up after eighteen years. What about retirement? How shall he make the days go without working any more? So many questions and maybe not enough answers. My biggest problem with this series is that the english translation is only covering books 1,6, 8 and now 9. When can we get the missing ones? Still I recommend this great series.

[Annett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vielleicht eignet sich dieser Band nicht unbedingt für den Einstieg in die Hunkeler Serie. Ohne jegliches Vorwissen zum Kommissär a.D. fehlen mir wahrscheinlich dann doch einige Hintergründe, um die Tiefe des Buches wertschätzen zu können. So war es ein mässig spannender Fall, mehr oder weniger um Hunkelers Spitalaufenthalt herum gestrickt, der sich letzlich in Wohlgefallen auflöst. Eine Enkelin, die auftaucht, ein suizidgefährdeter Künstler und noch ein paar Zufälle und schon ist der neunte Fall zusammengebraut. Nette Lektüre, aber nicht unbedingt ein Anreiz, auch noch die anderen Bände zu lesen.

[Bookworm86 · Rating 4 out of 5]

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Hunkeler's Secret' by Hansjörg Schneider. Translated by Astrid Freuler.

This is the first book I have read by this author but I am looking forward to reading more. It is also the fourth book in Hansjörg's 'The Inspector Hunkeler' series but can be read as a standalone.

Although this book is the fourth book in Hansjörg Schneider 'The Inspector Hunkeler' series you will have absolutely no problems reading it as a standalone. Any relationships, friendships and cases mentioned are explained in just the right amount of detail so new readers of this gripping series understand what's happened previously but not too much that previous readers get bored by repetition. I would always recommend reading books in a series in order but if you cant resist reading this one before the previous ones then there is a silver lining! The silver lining is that after you finished this book you can go back and read the previous three books while you are waiting for Hansjörg's next success to come out!! This book is a short read at just under 200 pages but Hansjörg manages to pack plenty in to those pages!! This book has been translated from German in to English and the translator Astrid Freuler has done a fantastic job in translating it. I had not even realise it had been translated until I noticed it said on the back of the book!! In this book Hansjörg transports the reader to a hospital in Basel where we meet Hunkeler who has actually retired from the police force although he does still like to keep up to date with cases. While Hunkeler is in hospital recovering from an operation he gets irritated by his neighbour in the next bed who just does not stop talking!! The neighbour is called Dr Stephan Fankhauser, also known as Red Steff and is also known to Hunkeler from his student days. Hunkeler requests sleeping pills from the nurses to help him to sleep. One night a different nurse hands him his sleeping pill and Hunkeler takes it but soon after witnesses the nurse injecting Stephan with something while he fights her. Hunkeler is unable to move and falls asleep. However, in the morning he discovers Stephan died in the night with cause of death being given as heart failure. Hunkeler suspects something is wrong even after he is told what he seen was likely a hallucination from the sleeping pill he took. When another man is arrested, one shot and another attacked and each have a link to the Swiss bank Hunkeler is determined to get to the bottom of what is going on. Hunkeler's investigations take him through politics and back to WW2 where he meets a wide range of characters from different backgrounds. While this is going on his granddaughter Estelle turns up, he ends up hiding a suspect on the run as well as annoying his superiors. Can Hunkeler get to the bottom of what is really going on? Will he ever be able to completely leave the force? If you want to find out then grab your copy of this immersive, gritty and action packed book to find out for yourself today. With a storyline filled with mystery, vivid descriptions, compelling characters, authenticity, action, drama, family, secrets, crime and everything you could ask for what are you waiting for? Grab your copy now and you can thank me later!!! I picked it up and even though I kept telling myself just one more chapter I just could not put it down as every time I went to something happened which meant I had to read just one more again until I ended up reading it in just one sitting of a few hours! Hansjörg's vivid and evocative writing skills and descriptions really brought the storyline to life and I am looking forward to seeing what he comes out with next as well as reading the previous three books in this series!!! The only thing that I did struggle with as the fact that this book did not actually have any chapters which I prefer as they give you places to stop at while you are reading.

The characters were all realistic, complex, multi-layered and strong and I was completely invested in them throughout. Hansjörg's evocative descriptions really makes them jump out of the book and come to life in front of the readers eyes. I was completely invested in Hunkeler even though I did think he could be a right grumpy old man at at times!! He ended up growing on me and I am looking forward to meeting him again in previous and future books in this series. All of the characters were multi layered with complex personalities which definitely made them all the more interesting to read about and get to know!!! They all had their own flaws, strengths and weaknesses which ensured they were realistic and came to life in front of the readers eyes. Unfortunately, I really can not say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for future readers.

Overall a gripping, fast paced and action packed crime thriller.

#HunkelersSecret #AstridFreuler #BitterLemonPress #HansjörgSchneider #NoExitPress #RandomThingsTours #RandomTTours

@HansjörgSchneider @AstridFreuler @BitterLemonPress @RandomThingsTours @RandomTTours

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[Bookworm86 · Rating 4 out of 5]

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Hunkeler's Secret' by Hansjörg Schneider. Translated by Astrid Freuler.

This is the first book I have read by this author but I am looking forward to reading more. It is also the fourth book in Hansjörg's 'The Inspector Hunkeler' series but can be read as a standalone.

Although this book is the fourth book in Hansjörg Schneider 'The Inspector Hunkeler' series you will have absolutely no problems reading it as a standalone. Any relationships, friendships and cases mentioned are explained in just the right amount of detail so new readers of this gripping series understand what's happened previously but not too much that previous readers get bored by repetition. I would always recommend reading books in a series in order but if you cant resist reading this one before the previous ones then there is a silver lining! The silver lining is that after you finished this book you can go back and read the previous three books while you are waiting for Hansjörg's next success to come out!! This book is a short read at just under 200 pages but Hansjörg manages to pack plenty in to those pages!! This book has been translated from German in to English and the translator Astrid Freuler has done a fantastic job in translating it. I had not even realise it had been translated until I noticed it said on the back of the book!! In this book Hansjörg transports the reader to a hospital in Basel where we meet Hunkeler who has actually retired from the police force although he does still like to keep up to date with cases. While Hunkeler is in hospital recovering from an operation he gets irritated by his neighbour in the next bed who just does not stop talking!! The neighbour is called Dr Stephan Fankhauser, also known as Red Steff and is also known to Hunkeler from his student days. Hunkeler requests sleeping pills from the nurses to help him to sleep. One night a different nurse hands him his sleeping pill and Hunkeler takes it but soon after witnesses the nurse injecting Stephan with something while he fights her. Hunkeler is unable to move and falls asleep. However, in the morning he discovers Stephan died in the night with cause of death being given as heart failure. Hunkeler suspects something is wrong even after he is told what he seen was likely a hallucination from the sleeping pill he took. When another man is arrested, one shot and another attacked and each have a link to the Swiss bank Hunkeler is determined to get to the bottom of what is going on. Hunkeler's investigations take him through politics and back to WW2 where he meets a wide range of characters from different backgrounds. While this is going on his granddaughter Estelle turns up, he ends up hiding a suspect on the run as well as annoying his superiors. Can Hunkeler get to the bottom of what is really going on? Will he ever be able to completely leave the force? If you want to find out then grab your copy of this immersive, gritty and action packed book to find out for yourself today. With a storyline filled with mystery, vivid descriptions, compelling characters, authenticity, action, drama, family, secrets, crime and everything you could ask for what are you waiting for? Grab your copy now and you can thank me later!!! I picked it up and even though I kept telling myself just one more chapter I just could not put it down as every time I went to something happened which meant I had to read just one more again until I ended up reading it in just one sitting of a few hours! Hansjörg's vivid and evocative writing skills and descriptions really brought the storyline to life and I am looking forward to seeing what he comes out with next as well as reading the previous three books in this series!!! The only thing that I did struggle with as the fact that this book did not actually have any chapters which I prefer as they give you places to stop at while you are reading.

The characters were all realistic, complex, multi-layered and strong and I was completely invested in them throughout. Hansjörg's evocative descriptions really makes them jump out of the book and come to life in front of the readers eyes. I was completely invested in Hunkeler even though I did think he could be a right grumpy old man at at times!! He ended up growing on me and I am looking forward to meeting him again in previous and future books in this series. All of the characters were multi layered with complex personalities which definitely made them all the more interesting to read about and get to know!!! They all had their own flaws, strengths and weaknesses which ensured they were realistic and came to life in front of the readers eyes. Unfortunately, I really can not say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for future readers.

Overall a gripping, fast paced and action packed crime thriller.

#HunkelersSecret #AstridFreuler #BitterLemonPress #HansjörgSchneider #NoExitPress #RandomThingsTours #RandomTTours

@HansjörgSchneider @AstridFreuler @BitterLemonPress @RandomThingsTours @RandomTTours

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[Tripfiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

Police procedural set in BASEL (and Alsace)



This is the 4th outing for Peter Hunkeler, retired police inspector and as the novel opens he is in hospital having had an operation. Sharing his room is Stephan Fankhauser who is undergoing end-of-life care. The two were acquainted in earlier years and therefore there is some dialogue between the two.

One evening a sleeping draft is given to Hunkeler and he would swear that the very same nurse who ministered his drugs, then went over to his room-mate and brutally injected something into his stomach. Upon waking in the morning, in a very drowsy state, he is told that Fankhauser has died during the night. Apparently his heart gave out. Hunkeler doesn’t believe this at all.

He leaves hospital and travels between his homes in Basel and Alsace, convalescing, but he cannot shake the vision he had in his hospital room.

This story is very much about an older man pondering life’s vagaries, sure that he has seen something suspicious, whilst ruminating on the bucolic surroundings in which he lives. It involves a goat! He also ponders the changing nature of what it means to be Swiss and learns more about aspects of recent Swiss history.

There is a real ruminative element in this short novel – it almost feels like it might the last in the series, but no doubt we shall soon see if that is the case.

A nicely crafted translation by Astrid Freuler. It would be nice to see her name actually on the cover.

There is also a good sense of Basel in the story.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this was a short but very enjoyable book. Retired Basel Police Inspector Hunkeler is in hospital following an operation. One night, whilst under the influence of some pretty powerful drugs, he thinks he witnesses the murder of his fellow patient, and former acquaintance, but given his drugged up and hazy recollection, even Hunkeler is not certain, so convincing the police to investigate is pretty much impossible. As the potential victim has links to the Swiss Banking sector, nobody seems keen to rock the boat, and it falls to Hunkeler alone to seek out the truth, if only to set his own mind at rest.

This is the first book in this series that I have read, so it is a strange place to join a series, after the main character has retired and is no longer and active Inspector. But the beauty of the way in which this book has been written means that as a newcomer to the series I am given enough of Hunkeler's past to satisfy my needs for the story, as well as to create an interest in going back to fill in many of the gap. Beyond that, this story works well as a stand alone mystery, one that combines a touch of Swiss history, as well as a whole lot of mystery and intrigue. Whilst Hunkeler may have found his room mate a touch annoying, it doesn't stop his interest from being piqued, and his natural sense of curiosity does the rest, leading him, and us as readers, into a dark story which casts doubt over the history that Switzerland has written for itself in terms of the war.

This is not just a story about murder. This book brings Hunkeler's family to the fore too. The unexpected arrival of his Granddaughter, Estelle, opens up a whole different side of Hunkeler's life, including the addition of an unruly goat to his home. These are scenes full of light and so amny of them made me smile, a powerful antidote to some of the more emotional revelations of the book. I liked Estelle, although it was clear that she was a very clever young woman, easily able to wrap her Grandfather around her little finger, which he accepted with a grudging grace. HUnkeler is a fascinating character, one I would like to learn more about. Clearly a sharp mind, even if past the end of his career. A man who whom solving the puzzle, at least in this case, matters more than being able to see a specific version of justice done.

I'm going to hunt out the other books which have undergone translation to see what it is I've missed. A big thank you to translator, Astrid Freuler, who flawless work really helped bring the story to life and made it accessible for me and other English readers. The writing is so beautifully descriptive, it has made the landscape, the region and its history, come to life and made me want to go and explore the area for myself. This is a modern story with a historical edge, with a narrative that kept me engrossed from start to finish.

[The Book Elf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read by Hansjorg Schneider, the first being The Murder of Anton Livious, and I have enjoyed both of them immensely. Nothing is lost in Astrid's translation and the telling of the story is very clear and precise in all aspects . Very much in the style of Maigret, of which I am also a huge fan.

Hunkeler is now retired, though this doesn't detract from what you may already know about him, instead it develops his character further and for me , turns him into a more rounded character. The plot is clever and at the same time chilling and even though it is not a long novel, under two hundred pages, it certainly packs a punch within .

One aspect of Schneider's writing that I really like is that he doesn't appear to use words to make up a set length of story. Each word that is used appears to be carefully thought about as to it's use and need which I really appreciate.

If you haven't read any of Schneider's books I really recommend you do and I , for one, would also like to see these books transcribed for television as they would have the same followers as Wallander, though I don't suppose we could have Kenneth Branagh as both detectives.

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I was instantly pulled into the moody, suspenseful world of Basel as Schneider unfolds this mystery.

The death of a prominent banker under suspicious circumstances sets off a complex investigation that delves into the shadowy pressures on Swiss banks and beyond.

What really hooked me was Hunkeler himself: a retired detective who should stay out of trouble but can’t ignore what he’s seen.

His quiet determination and sharp instincts gave the story a compelling human core amid the political intrigue.

If you like atmospheric mysteries with a strong sense of place and a thoughtful, reluctant hero, this one’s for you.

[Venky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hansjörg Schneider’s fourth instalment of the phenomenally successful Inspector Hunkeler crime novels, begins on a sombre and timid note. Retired Inspector Peter Hunkeler wakes up in a state of torpor in Basel’s Merian Iselin Hospital after undergoing a successful operation for the excision of a benign tumour. He shares his hospital bed with an irritatingly chirpy patient, who incidentally also happens to be an acquaintance dating back to Hunkeler’s University days. Dr, Stephan Fankhauser, Hunkeler’s constantly chattering companion is suffering from an irreversible bout of cancer. Possessed of a skeletal framework, signalling the end of days, Fankhauser is a name to be reckoned with in the corporate circuits of Basel.

Initially famous or rather infamous for his left leaning firebrand activities as a student, Fankhauser reneges on his own ideology by joining the bastion of hyper-capitalism, the Basel Volksbank before retiring as its director. A few nights before Hunkeler is to be discharged, a strange and unsettling episode occurs in the room housing the former Inspector and the retired banker. A nurse after handing over a sleeping pill to Hunkeler calmly goes over to Fankhauser’s bedside and ignoring the latter’s feeble protestations, administers an injection. Fankhauser begins gasping for breath and before Hunkeler could protest, the sleeping pill takes definite effect and Hunkeler goes into deep sleep.

The next morning Fankhauser’s bed is empty and a bewildered Hunkeler is informed that his fellow patient suffered from a massive heart attack the previous night which turned out to be fatal. Hunkeler initially attributes the nightmarish episode involving the night nurse and Fankhauser as a figment of hallucinations caused by the sleeping tablet before a series of violent crimes specifically aimed at Bankers makes him revise his position. But since Peter Hunkeler is retired and does not have any authority to either investigate a crime or pursue leads, he finds himself in a tight spot.

Hunkeler’s tranquil and uneventful retirement sojourn soon succumbs to the excitement of a major discovery. To add to his existing set of intricacies, his granddaughter Estelle manifests at his doorstep and soon Hunkeler and his trusted girlfriend Hedwig find themselves sharing an apartment with a teen, and due to some inexplicable circumstances, a goat!

The murder of Fankhauser leads Hunkeler into a labyrinth that threatens to upend the much-vaunted Swiss position of neutrality assumed throughout the course of World War II. The pristine white of Basel’s reputation suddenly assumes murky shades of grey fast threatening to culminate in a menacing coat of black. Hunkeler’s quest seems to contain a plethora of questions and not a single plausible answer. Was Fankhauser an accidental victim or a deliberate target? Why are the bankers in Switzerland being targeted specifically by people possessing a violent bent of mind?

Hunkeler’s Secret is a gripping one-sitting read that firmly establishes its author as a force to be reckoned with in the thriller genre. The narrative is exquisite and the plot tight and taut. Astrid Freuler does a capital job with the translation.

Hunkeler’s Secret – A rabbit hole worth plunging into headlong!

[Ilana]

Now retired, coping with some unexpected medical problems, Basel inspector Hunkeler is brought back to the real action after a local personality in the banking sector, terminally ill, died suddently. Partially asleep he witnessed the moment of his induced death and due to a game of circumstances, he may get bak on the track trying to trace the culprit. Only to reveal a very selective game of reasons and political and economic conditions that lead to the crime.

Compared to other books from the series I´ve read and reviewed before, Hunkeler´s Secret by Swiss crime author Hansjörg Schneider, translated into English by Astrid Freuler has a predominant end-of-life mood, from the thoughts of the characters themselves to the situations they are facing - depression, medical intervention, terminal illness, suicidal thoughts.

With his unique eye for detail, Hansjörg mirrors the bourgeoise world of Basel and Switzerland in general, with the long-forgotten revolutionary past of some of the main characters, including himself. Those thoughts generate another cycle of cynical thoughts, as well as his deep lectures about WWI. In the microcosme of Basel, the class of classes and cultures may lead to anti-social behavior and understanding those patterns may help us figure out the crime context, which is unexpected but changes 180 degrees the angle of the story.

The story follows a slow or very slow pace, but although it is short from 200 pages it has some moments of tensions that may just wake the reader up while following Hunkeler´s new passions involving goats, world wars and nature or Swiss soul observation.

A recommended read to anyone keen to learn more about Swiss less-perfect daily world, and curious about contemporary crime novels in this geographic literary realm.

The cover also deserves a mention, for its simple elegance.

Rating: 3.5

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of a book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice easy read for tired eyes. A little crime story located in the area of Switzerlands town Basel, Germany and France. A grumpy retired Commissar is witness of a murder - or did he reacted on the sleeping pills he got in the hospital?

[Peter Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Hunkeler, former inspector of the Bael police force, is now retired and trying to adapt to his new circumstances. Something that was never going to be easy for a man who dedicated his life to solving crime.

Hunkeler is in hospital having just had an operation. He is sharing a room with Stephan Fankhauser, an old acquaintance and the former head of Basel Volksbank, who is in the terminal stages of cancer. With little time left he wants to talk, much to the annoyance of Hunkeler, of their shared days at university and the student protests of 1968. Hunkeler resorts to taking sleeping pills to shut him ou~} at night, but one night in a groggy state he thinks he witnesses something unusual and somewhat disturbing. The next day Fankhauser is dead, his body is quickly cremated without any autopsy being carried out.

In the days following discharge Hunkeler tries to get his recovery on track, but his thoughts keep going back to that night. Was he hallucinating or did he witness what he believed? Knowing his mind will not settle until he has the answer, he does what he has all his life, only this time for the sake of his sanity.

This is a short novel, but deceptively there is so much to enjoy within its 192 pages, with not a single phrase is wasted, helped by a crisp translation. It captures a ‘continental’ feel, with more in common with the works of Simenon than modern UK or Nordic crime fiction. With simple touches it manages to portray a completely different way of life within a modern context, one where restaurants have the set lunch menus, where the hypermarkets haven’t taken over and neighbours support each other.

The pacing is quite leisurely, as befits a story following a newly retired man, albeit one who is doing some snooping. There is little by way of action or danger, the pleasure is derived by following Hunkeler around as he copes with the new obstacles in his way and looks to settle his worried mind.

Hunkeler is a magnificent creation, especially now he is in his twilight years. He’s world weary, at times cantankerous and still something of a rebel at heart. One of the story’s themes is what happens to the student revolutionaries; as most succumb to the lure of money, because those without means must work, but how much do they ‘sell out’ their beliefs. Hunkeler sees himself as simply somebody who grew up, as he understood the world better and worked to do good where he could, by serving justice. He may avoid confrontation, but he still derives pleasure in quietly undermining the pompous.

Everywhere he goes Hunkeler tries to help others, he is one of those so determined to look out for his neighbours he forgets his own wellbeing. He is estranged from his own daughter to such an extent that he has a granddaughter Estelle who he had never seen, until she appears out of the blue at his smallholding.

The plot is Hunkeler’s search for the truth (and peace of mind) against a backdrop of attacks that could be a throwback to the days of student politics. The search takes him back to a much darker past than any student uprisings and demonstrate that memories are long and grudges can be held much longer. The conclusion presents Hunkeler with a moral dilemma; does he remain a lifelong cop or is he truly retired, this decision will determine the outcome.

The setting, at the convergence of three nations, being partly in Basel Switzerland and partly in France (with the German border a mere stone’s throw away) adds another layer of interest. At the macro level there is the bureaucracy of nation states, of jurisdictions and protocols, but at the individual level people have lives that cross the borders and folk generally get on with each other. Their interactions bring a sense of finding pleasure in the simple joys of life and living in the moment, something that Hunkeler must learn to do, along with some gentle humour.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Translated from the original German into English this is the 4th book in the series featuring retired police Inspector Peter Hunkeler. It reads well as a standalone and is well translated so a relatively easy read. This time the case is one that is personal. I like Hunkeler he is a stubborn character, a bit grumpy and a strong advocate for justice so you know he will get to the bottom of the case no matter what it takes.

Briefly, Hunkeler is in hospital in Basel, following an operation, staying in a ward with an old acquaintance, Stephan Fankhauser. In the middle of the night he watches a nurse, smelling of cinnamon and wearing a blue headscarf inject his neighbour. The next morning Fankhauser is found dead in his bed but Hunkeler is told that what he said he saw was an hallucination. Being a curious sort he starts to make enquiries and when further people end up hurt or dead it is clear something more is going on.

It was fascinating how the investigation led to a story of revenge dating back to WW2 where Hunkeler starts to uncover some very unpleasant truths about the Swiss Government of the time. With a mix of strange and interesting characters, a very good plot and some great dry humour thrown in to counter the darker moments this was an enjoyable read. I’m starting to really enjoy Hunkeler.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

 

Well, I have to admit that I've not managed to get my hands on the first 2 books in this series yet - but having read book 3, The Murder Of Anton Livius, I couldn't wait to dive back into this series.

 

It's been a while, as I read book 3 almost 2 years ago, so it took me a moment to get my bearings and remind myself of the previous storyline.

Hunkeler is now retired and we meet him spending time on the hospital ward after an operation.

His ward mate is an old acquaintance, sadly suffering from the onset of cancer.

 

Our case emerges gradually as there are problems with Hunkeler now being retired and the fact he was under the influence of a sleeping tablet - but as other events point to something much bigger and darker, the investigation gathers pace.

 

Again, we see a really interesting storyline with threads that date back to WW2 and takes a look at the Swiss government.

There's a diverse mix of characters which allows some humour to sleep into the otherwise dark themes.

 

This could easily be read as a standalone, but I still like to keep the continuity of the character development when reading series.

At just under 200 pages, this one had me flipping pages and finishing in just a couple of sittings.

[Andy Wormald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This maybe a small book in terms of the number of pages, but it packs plenty in, a slick and engrossing read. It has a darkness and that griity noir feeling to it

It’s an interesting plot point and premise which feeds into a gripping read, at first Hunkeler believes he may have been hallucinating on the sleeping pills he had in hospital but slowly he realises that what he thought he may have seen was in fact the truth

The writing is crisp and on-point, the kind of read where you need to take in every sentence, there are no wasted words

Having not read any of the previous books, I found Hunkeler an intersting character, sort of semi retired but seemingly still with some freinds within the police force, not someone who seeks trouble, but someone who has lived a life in the search for justice, in fact the author creates a series of compelling characters even the goat

The plot and storyline are slowly and cleverly drawn out, you have politics in play a link back to WWII, a body count which keeps growing, however, where the story shines is what links the deaths, superbly plot and character driven

The setting is intersting given Basle’s location it added a different dynamic to the action, the writing is vivid giving real sense of place and location

I didn’t find it a fast paced read which allowed for a more lesiurely investigation one with a strongly written narrative, it was a read which built up the tension as not all would want the truth revealed

Full marks go to the translator for bringing a taut and striking read to life on the page

Overall this a highly enjoyable read and offered something a little different, will be looking out for the other books in the series