Friedrich Glauser, Fever

Fever

Friedrich Glauser

Bitter Lemon Books, November 2006, $14.95

ISBN: 1904738141

Euphoric to learn he is a grandfather, Police Sergeant Jacob Studer knows anyone can see the obvious connection between the deaths of the two elderly women in different Swiss cities, though the local cops assume it is an accident anyway. Both died from gas leaks in their respective homes in Bern and Basel, but the prime link is each of them had been married to the same man.

Though only a visitor, Studer accompanies his friend, Police Commissaire Madelin to Basel where he helps in the investigation in which clues and suspects vanish rather easily, as if someone with power is manipulating the inquiry. Studer focuses on Father Matthias, brother of the victims' late husband, as his prime suspect, but also does not rule out other family members whose motive might be some passion filled vengeance, but who remains just out of reach.

This is an English translation of a classic 1936 police procedural first printed in Germany. The cast makes the tale, as they are eccentric in many ways, driving the free drinking some might say alcoholic Studer to distraction. However, unable to let go, the obsessed cop follows clues that seem to vanish in a nano second to wherever it takes him, including North Africa. Readers of off beat convoluted illogical whodunits will want to read the fascinating Studer cases (see IN MATTO'S REALM) in which the protagonist makes for an interesting different type of mystery.