February 2025: Murder at the Castle by David Safier – UCKERMARK (Germany)

1st February 2025

Murder at the Castle: A Miss Merkel Mystery by David Safier, translated by Jamie Bulloch.

A cosy crime caper set in the Uckermark.

You are right, it IS the one-and-only Angela (pronounced Angayla), the former chancellor of Germany, now turning her hand to amateur sleuthing.

I first came across Miss Merkel Investigates when I happened to see an article about the 2-part series appearing on Italian TV (of all places!) and was further intrigued when I came across the upcoming novel of the series.

Angela has left political office and the alternative Miss Merkel is adjusting to life after being in the spotlight for years, choosing to settle in the Uckermark where she grew up and where she later bought a holiday home (in real life). In the novel she is attempting to settle into fictional Klein-Freudenstadt (“little happy town”).

BUY NOW

She and her husband Achim, with their pug Putin and bodyguard Mike, have settled into a half timbered house in this eastern corner of Germany, north east of Berlin. She might disguise herself in a long black wig, 1970s sunglasses, black trousers, an orange-red blazer with matching Longchamp handbag but her inimitable style is still a dead giveaway for anyone who chooses to look. She is portrayed as a slightly frumpy and dumpy woman but behind the well known facade there is a personality with sharp, charming wit and humour, who has a very savvy eye and worldly experience that cannot be matched. She is a wonderfully created character who will charm the socks off the readers.

She is invited – with her husband and bodyguard – to festivities at 17th Century Castle Baugenwitz, where the guests are greeted by the Baron, attired in his ancestor’s suit of armour atop a horse. In the background minstrels are trying to play La Cucuracha with historical instruments; the tone of absurd humour and light repartee and observation is set. Angela has already met some of the colourful locals and now she meets the Baron’s current wife AND his ex wife, who lives in one of the wings of the property. She is also aware of demonstrations beyond the walls, as the rumour has spread that the baron is on the cusp of selling off land to an American enterprise, which would undoubtedly solve his financial issues but leave a very uncertain future for the area and its inhabitants.

Then the Baron is found dead, locked in the wine cellar (from the inside), presumed to have committed suicide. But Angela’s sleuthing senses are on high alert and she is convinced he has been murdered – as she has already discovered, there are several parties that might feel sufficiently aggrieved to see him dead. His last communication with the world is a simple ‘a‘ written on a piece of paper – what does it mean?

This novel is full of humour and charm, with a very warm heart and it will be published on 26 November, the same day as former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s memoirs are due to be released.

Beautifully translated by Jamie Bulloch, who is consummately skilled at his art.