The little gnome—a real one from the Black Forest—was sitting cosily beneath the festively decorated Christmas tree, gazing at the twinkling lights and gleaming presents. Suddenly he heard soft footsteps, and the gentle ringing of little bells sounded. The Christ Child stepped beneath the tree, a radiant smile on its face. It wore a shining robe of golden stardust and had delicate angel wings that shimmered in the gentle light. The gnome looked up in awe and could hardly beli

.........and he still fetches their souls! An ancient sacrifice. A whispering shadow. And an evil that has never stopped hunting. In a long-forgotten age, a Celtic tribe offered up a human life—and in doing so awakened something that would never sleep again. Centuries later, in the seeming idyll of East Tyrol, young men vanish without a trace. Hikers speak of claw marks on age-worn stones, of sulphurous breath, and of a sneering laugh riding the wind. A sober-minded skeptic f

Fred, 38 years old and a robotics and IT engineer, had been fascinated by science fiction since childhood. The idea of a futuristic world filled with advanced technology had shaped his imagination and, eventually, his career. Today, he loves his job—so much that he often works late into the night. To balance all that brainwork and keep himself in shape, Fred has one great passion: golf.   At his golf club, Fred is known for his dedication and technical know-how—and for being

A Novella from England in the 1970s       1 The morning smelled of salt and coal smoke as Michael Jones walked along the wet planks of the pier. The wind carried the tang of seaweed and the distant hammering from the shipyard, which had been running only half-days for weeks now. Between the piles the sea slopped steadily against the steps as if nothing had happened – no winter of strikes, no closures, no drifting apart. England in the early seventies was only just starting to

An excursion by the author into Switzerland’s medieval past, where faith and superstition mingle, and chivalry and human greed contend for supremacy. This chronicle recounts the trials and revelations of the fictitious Henricus de Brunon—knight, pilgrim, and bearer of the Twilight—as preserved by Servatius of Einsiedeln. Within these pages lie not only the deeds of a man’s life but also his struggle between faith and understanding, between light and darkness. May the reader f

First Advent   As I walked through the streets of our city on this first Sunday of Advent, I noticed him at once. A man slumped on a park bench, surrounded by a few paper bags and a shopping trolley — a home on four squeaking wheels. He looked the way people expect someone in his position to look gaunt, exhausted, weather-beaten, with tangled hair, a wild beard and a jacket that had survived too many winters.   My first thought was the usual one — and I was ashamed of it almo

Saturday morning in Zurich-Oerlikon: between flower stalls, cheese counters, and loud Italian traders stands one man everybody seems to know—the Cucumber King of Oerlikon. In his wooden barrels lie Spreewald gherkins, chili gherkins, and garlic gherkins, alongside sauerkraut, oils, and little elixirs against the winter blues.   The narrator wanders across the market, watching people, dialects, and small rituals—from the baker from Appenzell to the Moroccan seller of the stree

An individualist on a train—reluctant, alert, and armed with dry wit. On the Dijon–Lyon route, an ordinary trip unfolds into a pocket-sized panorama of society: a skirmish over a seat between Madame Dubois and Fatima, a carriage thick with hurry, perfume, and unspoken bias—and at the center, Sylvie, 25, applying her makeup with calm precision, as if tidying the world for a moment. Our first-person narrator, a devoted driver and wary user of public transit, watches small gestu

A Swiss German Teacher on the Trail of an Ancient Secret—between Love, History, and the Supernatural When Kurt Wagner arrives in Dorset to begin his new position at the prestigious Sherborne School , he expects a peaceful fresh start. But on his way there, he pauses before a grand old estate—the mysterious Ven House—and feels an inexplicable chill. From that moment on, the mansion won’t let him go.   With the help of the charming librarian Kim Ashley , the eccentric detecti

The Muota Valley (only the village itself is called Muotathal ), or “Mutta Thal” as it’s written on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, is home to some of Switzerland’s most headstrong compatriots. In the past, it was the scene of clashes between European powers—today, it stands as a secluded natural paradise of international significance, both above and below ground. In more recent times, it has become known for its shrewd alpine farmers with an uncanny knack for predicting the

In Kleinbasel, where the Rhine murmurs softly and the drums of Fasnacht still echo through the summer, lives Hubert Vogel — an unshakable dreamer with rhythm in his blood and hope in his heart. For years, he has practiced tirelessly, longing to finally play with the famous Rhygässler — but the big moment never seems to come. Until one evening, his drum suddenly begins to play by itself. Exactly at 7 p.m., every Thursday, right on time for the evening news. At first, the neig

You don’t need a Halloween brain massage to get the chills. Trick ’r Treat is more annoying than entertaining. The peak of irritation is reached when little Leprechaun shows up at the door, holding his mother’s hand and demanding candy. Even the local horrors shudder at that sight. They’re struggling to survive anyway in these times of American dominance — Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, or Chucky the killer doll, just to name a few. Had the pretty mother of the little Leprec

Foreword   This chronicle recounts the trials and revelations of Henricus de Brunon—knight, pilgrim, and bearer of the Twilight—as preserved by Servatius of Einsiedeln. Within these pages lie not only the deeds of a man’s life but also his struggle between faith and understanding, between light and darkness.   May the reader find within not merely wonders, but truth. Contents   Prologue – How It All Began Chapter I—The Blood Raven Chapter II – The Witch of Märenwald Chapter I

A sultry, dangerous longing Buddy lives alone in a small row house in Glen Ullin, North Dakota. By day he operates his excavator through the endless shale fields; by night he loses himself in dreams of Salma Hayek—the woman he can never have. Until one evening, an old Yanktonai shaman appears at Doc’s Saloon and makes him a seductive promise: there is a way to make his longing come true. An unremarkable root. An ancient chant. And one warning: “Never look her in the eyes.” Wh

His 21st Case He’s barely landed in Zurich, and he already has to step in again. Synopsis Zurich-Höngg, early on a Friday morning. People stagger through the streets, staring blankly ahead — as if they’re under remote control. The phenomenon repeats itself week after week. Always on Fridays. Always in Höngg.   When an entire family throws themselves in front of the Cobra tram No. 13, Inspector Franz Böhler is called back into action. What at first looks like a case of drug ab

His 20th Case Contents   Detective Franz Böhler, who as a boy once took part in the Knabenschiessen festival, returns to the place of...

His 19th case Summary   A brilliant but greedy bank manager exploits a loophole in his bank’s payment processes to temporarily divert...

A modern fable about power, neutrality, and the art of standing firm At the edge of the Alps, a strange quarrel is under way.   A...

His 18th case “Böhler and the Dark Circle” is an atmospherically dense crime novel about superstition, power, and the darkest corners of...

f.l.t.r. : Franz Böhler, Wendelin Kellerhals, jasmin Keller, Gloria Meyer, Fridolin "the Glarner" Blumer Meet the team behind Zurich’s...