Gerd Fischer is known to many Frankfurtians for his popular Frankfurt crime novels about the apple wine and Eintracht-loving Inspector Rauscher. But he has now sent him on a well-deserved holiday to devote himself to another project: the thriller "Rotlicht Frankfurt". At the centre of this exciting novel is journalist Benjamin Brick, who has a good nose for stories. Brick doesn't mince words, is also well connected in Frankfurt's nightlife and isn't afraid of getting his own fingers dirty. But his latest coup, an exposé story about the escort agency Starlight of the powerful gangster Tomovic could be Brick's undoing. For suddenly the journalist comes under suspicion of having murdered a young prostitute. The fact that the young woman is his illegitimate daughter makes things extremely upsetting and very personal for the actually very thick-skinned Brick: he not only wants to clear his name, but first and foremost swears revenge. But Tomovic always seems to be one step ahead of him.
"Red Light Frankfurt" is a gripping cat-and-mouse chase across Frankfurt, which shows the Main metropolis from its particularly dirty side. Betrayal, murder, corruption, abuse - things are really tough here. This is also noticeable in the language, which differs markedly from that used in Fischer's "Rauscher" thrillers. The tone in this thriller is much harsher and more unembellished, which certainly lends a certain authenticity to the milieu in which the story takes place. Some scenes are described in an almost uncomfortably realistic way, but that makes it all the more gripping to read. One is glad not to be in this world oneself, which in some way naturally exists in Frankfurt, but also cannot escape a certain fascination that emanates from it.
However, the novel has one thing in common with the "Rauscher" books: again, Gerd Fischer succeeds very well in drawing interesting characters who are so exciting precisely because they are not shining heroes. Not only Brick, but also his neighbour, the young prostitute Elisa or Brick's dedicated colleague Kati are really exciting characters, who also have to fight some demons (this is especially true for Brick). They are embedded in a story full of local color, whereby some moments also feel a little like a glimpse into Frankfurt's past. For some scenes take place at the racecourse in Niederrad, which, as we all know, is now defunct after lengthy legal disputes.
With "Rotlicht Frankfurt" Gerd Fischer has written a gripping look into Frankfurt's brutal red-light world. Not for the faint-hearted, but if you want to read a really exciting Frankfurt thriller, this is it!
An article by Frankfurt-Tipp
