Bella Block
Created by Doris Gercke (1937- )

One of Germany's most popular mystery writers, Doris Gercke's series character is BELLA BLOCK, a former policewoman turned middle-aged, no-nonsense private eye who's partial to literature and vodka. The tough feminism of both Gerke and her character has struck a nerve, and her books are ambitious and uncompromising enough to bring readers back time and time again for more.

Her first novel, Weinschrõter, Du Mubt Hängen (1998), met with great success and the film rights were snapped up a mere three weeks after publication. According to the Spring 1996 Crime Time, it's reputedly a big, ambitious, disturbing book that "smashes all the reader's romantic ideas about rural idylls."

Since 1995, a series of popular made-for-television movies have been appearing on German television, often two or three a year, all starring German actress. Alas, both the TV show and the books are -- as far as I know -- only in German (so far).

NOVELS

• Weinschrõter, du mubt hängen (1988)
• Kinderkorn (1991)
• Ein Fall mit Liebe (1994)
• Auf Leben und Tod (1995)
• Dschingis Khans Tochter (1996)
• Die Frau vom Meer (2000)
• Die schöne Mörderin (2001)
• Bella Ciao (2002)

TELEVISION

• BELLA BLOCK
  (1995-2005, ZDF)
  Series of made-for-television movies
  Based on charactters created by Doris Gercke
  Starring Hannelore Hoger as BELLA BLOCK

  "Die Kommissarin" (March 26, 1994)

  "Liebestod" (November 18, 1995)

  "Geldgier" (March 8, 1997)

  "Tod eines Mädchens" (October 4, 1997; AKA "Hoffnungsberg")

  "Auf der Jagd" (November 14, 1998)

  "Geflüsterte Morde" (September 23, 1999)

  "Abschied im Licht" (January 8, 2000)

  "Blinde Liebe" (March 11, 2000)

  "Am Ende der Lüge" (October 21, 2000)

  "Schuld und Liebe" (March 3, 2001)

  "Bitterer Verdacht" (November 10, 2001)

  "Im Namen der Ehre" (March 30, 2002; AKA "Blutsbande")

  "Tödliche Nähe" (January 18, 2003)

  "Kurschatten" (April 19, 2003)

  "Das Gegenteil von Liebe" (January 3, 2004)

  "Hinter den Spiegeln" (March 6, 2004)

  "Die Freiheit der Wölfe" (2004)