Böhler: the Fairground Mafia
- thomasvonriedt
- Oct 15
- 2 min read
Contents
Detective Franz Böhler, who as a boy once took part in the Knabenschiessen festival, returns to the place of his childhood—this time as an investigator. Soon he uncovers a web of silence, fear, and violence. Beneath the glittering surface of the fairground rages a fierce turf war: old-guard showmen fighting against new power brokers—led by the shady “Fairground King” Freddy Rüegg and a Bulgarian clan boss pulling strings in the background.
While cotton candy, music, and lights seem harmless enough, Böhler discovers a system built on extortion, sabotage, and revenge. Even Mohammed, the Moroccan with the sweetest nougat bars in town, appears to know more than he lets on.
A crime novel about power, nostalgia, and the dark sides of a children’s festival—and about an investigator who sees deeper than the Ferris wheel is high.
Main Characters
Detective Franz Böhler—headstrong, wears a trench coat like Maigret, 65, “old school,” fond of playing Jassat the Metzgerhalle.
Assistant Fridolin “the Glarner” Blumer—cheerful, 36, the favorite of the police assistants—rides a Vespa.
Jasmin Keller, 29, smart, tech-savvy assistant, joined the team during the Caliente affair.
Gloria Meyer—31, new head of forensics, clever, young, beautiful, partner of Fridolin Blumer.
Wendelin Kellerhals—38, technical specialist, brilliant with computers.
Others
Hanspeter Imseng—veteran of the showman scene †
Patrick Imseng—41, nephew of Hanspeter, operator of the Dark Castle haunted house
Freddy Rüegg—60, self-proclaimed Fairground King
Radoslav Nikolov—Bulgarian clan leader
Georgi Todorov—40, head of security and enforcer
Tamina Vogt—34, raffle ticket seller and money handler
Mohammed, the Moroccan
Ruedi Walder, 71, carousel operator
Anita Rinderknecht—48, owner of the candy shop Nidelchueche Express
Manuel Bachmann—38, technical assistant at the ride Vortex Loop
And here you’ll find out what happened:
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