Böhler and the dark circle
- thomasvonriedt
- Sep 30, 2025
- 2 min read
“Böhler and the Dark Circle” is an atmospherically dense crime novel about superstition, power, and the darkest corners of the human soul—and about an inspector who refuses to look away, even when everyone else already has.
Synopsis
Dark shadows over Zurich—and an inspector who sees more than he should.
When a newborn baby girl vanishes without a trace from a quiet neighborhood on the Zürichberg, the city is thrown off balance. It’s not the first case—but this time, the victim is the granddaughter of Remo K., a Jass-playing friend of inspector Franz Böhler.
As rumors of a satanic cult between Toblerplatz and the Grand Hotel Dolder grow louder, Böhler and his team uncover a disturbing scene: bloody altars, black masks, sinister rituals. But the deeper their investigation goes, the clearer it becomes this is not about faith—it's about money. A lot of money.
A seemingly respectable couple, a manipulated adoption agency, and a ruthless network of buyers at home and abroad—under the cloak of the occult, a calculating couple is running a highly profitable baby-trafficking ring.
Main Characters
Inspector Franz Böhler—unconventional, wears a trench coat like Maigret, 60 years old, “old school,” enjoys playing Jass at the Metzgerhalle.
Assistant Fridolin “the Glarner” Blumer—cheerful, 36, beloved by the female police assistants—rides a Vespa.
Jasmin Keller—29, smart and tech-savvy assistant, on the team since the Caliente affair.
Gloria Meyer—31, new head of forensics, clever, young, beautiful, partner of Fridolin Blumer.
Wendelin Kellerhals—38, technical specialist, a genius with computers.
Other Characters
Dr. Gerhard Pfaffenbichler—retired sect expert.
Beat and Edith Messerli—parents of 8-day-old Aline.
Remo K.—grandfather of Aline, father of Edith, friend of Böhler
Hans and Martina Meiser—childless couple.
Ivan and Irina Pavlak—cult leaders.
Mathilde Gähwiler—head of the City of Zurich’s Adoption Office.
Mara S.—29, childcare worker, Romanian
Huber and Peterhans—police officers from Aargau.
Peter Honegger—retired procurator, a typical contemporary.
Erkan – groundskeeper at TC Fluntern.
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