Ferdinand von Schirach is a celebrated German author known for his compelling legal thrillers. His work often delves into complex moral and ethical dilemmas, exploring the boundaries of justice and human nature with a sharp, precise style. Von Schirach’s narratives are characterized by their taut plotting and unexpected twists, drawing readers into intricate mysteries that question societal norms and individual responsibility. He masterfully blends the suspense of a courtroom drama with profound philosophical inquiries.
'One of the most distinctive voices in European literature', Germany's bestselling author Ferdinand von Schirach delivers an intimate, eye-opening collection of observations, short stories and autobiographical recollections which examine what it means to be alive.
"Drawn from Ferdinand von Schirach's eminent career as a criminal defence lawyer, Punishment masterfully treads the line between fiction and truth, each meticulously crafted story crackling with white-knuckle suspense and vivid characters who stay with you long after the final page."--Provided by publisher
A hijacked plane is heading towards a packed football stadium. Ignoring orders to the contrary, a fighter pilot shoots down the plane killing 164 people to save 70,000. Put on trial and charged with murder, the fate of the pilot is placed in the audience's hands.
Sebastian von Eschburg, scion of a wealthy, self-destructive family, survived his disastrous childhood to become a celebrated if controversial artist. He casts a provocative shadow over the Berlin scene; his disturbing photographs and installations show that truth and reality are two distinct things. When Sebastian is accused of murdering a young woman and the police investigation takes a sinister turn, seasoned lawyer Konrad Biegler agrees to represent him - and hopes to help himself in the process. But Biegler soon learns that nothing about the case, or the suspect, is what it appears. The new thriller from the acclaimed author of The Collini Case, The Girl Who Wasn't There is dark, ingenious and irresistibly gripping.
Ferdinand von Schirach's gripping narrative has captivated readers since its release, appealing to fans of Bernhard Schlink and John le Carré. The story revolves around Fabrizio Collini, a dedicated employee of Mercedes Benz, who unexpectedly commits murder in a luxury Berlin hotel, killing an innocent man. Young attorney Caspar Leinen takes on Collini's case, seeing it as an opportunity to make his name. However, he soon realizes that the victim, an esteemed industrialist, is someone he knows personally. This revelation plunges Leinen into a complex web of professional and personal conflict. Collini admits to the murder but remains silent about his motives, leaving Leinen to defend a man unwilling to provide a defense. Compounding the pressure, a close friend of the victim urges Leinen to abandon the case, jeopardizing his reputation and career. As Leinen delves deeper, he uncovers a harrowing truth that challenges the very foundations of justice in Germany. This courtroom drama is a thrilling exploration of morality, loyalty, and the darker aspects of the legal system, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Schirach, a prominent defense lawyer, has established himself as a masterful storyteller, with his works achieving bestseller status and translations in over thirty territories.
Ferdinand von Schirach's second devastating dossier of savage stories returns us to the crimes that never reach the newspapers: stories of small-town atrocities, where the mundane lurches into the macabre, and ordinary people find themselves at the heart of horrific crimes, all the more compelling on account of their truth.
"A nameless lawyer invites us to read an extraordinary dossier of violent and unspeakable acts. All the crimes have one thing in common: the guilty are never convicted in a court of law. But however heinous the crime, the narrator shows how the human circumstances behind events can tell a different story."--Back cover