Why a Booktrail?
2000s: The first in a gripping new crime series set in Germany – the Black Forest Investigations
Zen and the Art of Murder
What you need to know before your trail
Louise Boni, maverick chief inspector with the Black Forest crime squad, is struggling with her demons. Divorced at forty-two, she is haunted by the shadows of the past.
When she receives a call from the departmental chief , it signals the strangest assignment of her career – to trail a Japanese monk wandering through the snowy wasteland to the east of Freiburg, dressed only in sandals and a cowl. She sets off reluctantly, and by the time she catches up with him, she discovers that he is injured, and fearfully fleeing some unknown evil.
Then the investigation takes on a terrifying dimension, uncovering a hideous ring of child traffickers. The repercussions of their crimes will change the course of her own life.
Travel Guide
Travel BookTrail style to the Black Forest, Germany
“Darkness descended in the Forest. Although flashes of bright grey still appeared between the trees behind them, night already seemed to be oozing from the narrow trunks,”
This novel takes place in and around the famous Black Forest. The vast wooded areas are the ideal place for a chase, a search for a monk and a mystery to boot.
The city of Freiburg itself is actually a vibrant university town. It’s the undisclosed capital of the Black Forest region and as well as being modern is very old in parts with history as well as cobbles marking the old town out from the rest of it.
Nearby Schlossberg hill is linked to Freiburg by a funicular. You’ll be able to spot the 116m spire, of the Gothic cathedral and the square Münsterplatz.
Booktrailer Review
Susan: @thebooktrailer
Set in the Black Forest, this is the first of a series to be translated from German. There’s not much zen about the themes in the book however as there’s issues of child trafficking and more serious undertones of its consequences.
There’s also a monk on the loose so to speak at the start of the book but sadly this isn’t as comical as it sounds. A Japanese monk has suddenly appeared in a German town, fleeing from something evil. And so the novel picks up threads and themes of zen, Buddhism and the interplay between religion, justice and humanity across the world.
I did have problems with the main character however. She’s troubled and drinks far too much. A divorced alcoholic who investigates a case whilst on leave. I sighed at this and didn’t recover my enthusiasm for the book I’m afraid. I would love to read about an maverick cop who didn’t have these problems or at least different ones.
I did love the small town setting and the threads of Zen running through the book and the case. There were confusing bits however such as when the case which troubled Boni explained at the end. At the beginning, this would have made much more sense.
For the setting and themes, a very novel read. Just not sure it’s for me.
Booktrail Boarding Pass: Zen and the Art of Murder
Destination: Freiburg, Black Forest Author/Guide: Oliver Bottini Departure Time: 2000s
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