Bernhard Aichner's "Totenfrau – Die Rückkehr": Brünhilde Blum Returns in Fourth Thriller
In "Totenfrau – Die Rückkehr," the fourth installment of Bernhard Aichner's Brünhilde Blum series, the undertaker faces a dilemma after vowing to her daughter, Nela, that she would cease her murderous ways. Set against the backdrop of Croatia, Blum has created a new life with her partner, Reza, while living under an assumed identity. A decade after her last killing, her past comes back to haunt her when she aids a woman in disposing of her lover's remains, mistakenly thinking he has no relatives. This decision spirals into murder, blackmail, and complicates her relationship with Nela, who discovers Blum's hidden history. Aichner delves into themes of pain, morality, and forgiveness as Blum's seemingly perfect life begins to fall apart. The novel has been highlighted as Kulturnews's crime recommendation of the week.
Key facts
- Bernhard Aichner publishes the fourth Brünhilde Blum novel, "Totenfrau – Die Rückkehr."
- Protagonist Brünhilde Blum is an undertaker and antiheroine who has promised her daughter Nela to stop killing.
- Ten years have passed since Blum's last murder; she now lives in Croatia with boyfriend Reza, helping at a funeral home.
- The plot begins with a charter trip; a woman's lover dies, and Blum helps dispose of the body and access his bank account.
- Nela refuses to forgive her mother and eventually learns the truth about Blum's past.
- Nela's friend disappears and is found dead, prompting the friend's mother to seek Blum's help.
- The novel is Kulturnews's crime tip of the week, reviewed by Wolfgang Franssen.
- Readers are also directed to a review of "Gnadenopfer" by Viveca Sten.
Entities
Artists
- Bernhard Aichner
- Brünhilde Blum
- Nela
- Reza
- Ruth
- Wolfgang Franssen
- Viveca Sten
- Valeria Gordeev
- Matthias Jordan
- Liz Allan
- Peggy Mädler
- Manuel Bittorf
- Betterov
Institutions
- Kulturnews
Locations
- Croatia