"This Swiss set crime novel with a somewhat grumpy lead is a fascinating mix of knotty crime investigation, complicated family relationships, glory of food, and love of place.
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This is a series and police inspector worth meeting. Peter Hunkeler has just retired, while in hospital he wakes and witnesses an incident, yet come the morning questions whether it was just a dream. Award-winning Swiss author Hansjorg Schneider lives in Basel, the sense of place is wonderful and I always feel transported to this corner of Switzerland on the French and German border. Hunkeler’s Secret is the fourth novel to be translated into English, I’ve read each one which began with The Basel Killings, and can most definitely recommend the series. Astrid Freuler again translates beautifully, you feel at home, yet feel the differences too. Hunkeler has grown on me with each outing, he doesn’t suffer fools yet acts with compassion, his love of food and wine is legendary, as is his nose for the truth. I adore the somewhat quirky nature of these novels, while crime fiction, equal footing is given to the relationships within and the location simply sings. Hunkeler’s Secret is another absorbing read from a series that is as rewarding as it is satisfying.
Hunkeler, now a retired inspector of the Basel police force, is hospitalized and sharing a room with Stephan Fankhauser, an old acquaintance terminally ill with cancer. One night, a groggy Hunkeler wakes up to see a young nurse with a ruby ring on her hand administering an injection to his friend. The following day Fankhauser is found dead. Was the injection just a dream? Does the night nurse not usually wear a small diamond ring? There was no autopsy and a quick cremation. Hunkeler resolves to get to the bottom of the matter despite the objections of his ex-colleagues, who want the retired inspector to stay well clear of the investigation.
Hansjörg Schneider (born 1938) lives in Basel and is the author of a number of highly acclaimed plays and the bestselling Hunkeler crime series. The Basel Killings was awarded The Friedrich Glauser Prize, Germany's most prestigious crime fiction prize.
