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The Scholl Case

The Deadly End of a Marriage

Anna Reich-Osang Imogen Taylor

$29.99

Paperback

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English
Text Publishing Company
03 October 2016

ABBEY’S BOOKSELLER PICK —— The fascinating thing about this book is how it draws you into the lives of the couple at the centre, the Scholls. Well structured, it begins with the last day of Brigitte Scholl’s life in 2011 and the subsequent arrest of her husband Heinrich Scholl, before rewinding 50 years to when they first met in the East German town of Ludwigsfelde. Reich-Osang, herself originally from East Germany, sets out the less than desirable manner in which Heinrich and Brigitte came to be married. From there the pattern of their lives unfolds.

The ‘can do’ abilities of ‘Heiner’ inspire admiration as he achieves in his various jobs (at one time he was a circus manager) and eventually becomes Mayor of Ludwigsfelde, a position he held for 18 years. Likewise, the strength and certainties of 'Gitti' who was the proprietor of a beautician boutique with a loyal customer base. As the book proceeds, however, we begin to see the flip-sides of these character traits. Yet despite the grim end to Brigitte’s life, this is not especially dark or depressing to read. The prose and tone that Reich-Osang strikes makes this much more a revealing examination around the foibles of lives and the hidden side to an otherwise success story.

The other aspect that is so interesting in this story is the setting, straddling the creation of East Germany and then the fall, with glimpses into life behind the Wall and after. The case caused a sensation in Germany at the time. The prologue reveals the tug-of-war mind games that the journalist/author has with the character of Heinrich Scholl, who is still serving time for the murder and steadfastly sticking to his claim of innocence. Did he do it? Over to you…

Craig Kirchner

On a cold December morning in 2011, a woman's body is found in a forest near Berlin, hidden between tall trees under dry leaves and moss. She has been strangled in cold blood. The victim's husband, Heinrich Scholl, is devastated. He is well respected in the community, a former mayor, and had been happily married-or so it seemed-for almost fifty years. Heinrich Scholl is soon arrested and after a long trial is sentenced to life imprisonment. To this day he pleads not guilty. Can this charming, courteous man possibly be a killer? Journalist Anja Reich-Osang followed the case from its beginning and talked to family, friends and Heinrich Scholl himself. She tells an utterly gripping story of marriage, sex and politics, in which nothing is as it seems.

INTERVIEW

I spoke with journalist Anja Reich-Osang about the married couple at the centre of this tragedy and about the writing of her book.


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By:  
Translated by:  
Imprint:   Text Publishing Company
Country of Publication:   Australia
Dimensions:   Height: 234mm,  Width: 155mm,  Spine: 16mm
Weight:   304g
ISBN:   9781925240931
ISBN 10:   1925240932
Pages:   208
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Reviews for The Scholl Case: The Deadly End of a Marriage

ABBEY’S BOOKSELLER PICK —— The fascinating thing about this book is how it draws you into the lives of the couple at the centre, the Scholls. Well structured, it begins with the last day of Brigitte Scholl’s life in 2011 and the subsequent arrest of her husband Heinrich Scholl, before rewinding 50 years to when they first met in the East German town of Ludwigsfelde. Reich-Osang, herself originally from East Germany, sets out the less than desirable manner in which Heinrich and Brigitte came to be married. From there the pattern of their lives unfolds.

The ‘can do’ abilities of ‘Heiner’ inspire admiration as he achieves in his various jobs (at one time he was a circus manager) and eventually becomes Mayor of Ludwigsfelde, a position he held for 18 years. Likewise, the strength and certainties of 'Gitti' who was the proprietor of a beautician boutique with a loyal customer base. As the book proceeds, however, we begin to see the flip-sides of these character traits. Yet despite the grim end to Brigitte’s life, this is not especially dark or depressing to read. The prose and tone that Reich-Osang strikes makes this much more a revealing examination around the foibles of lives and the hidden side to an otherwise success story.

The other aspect that is so interesting in this story is the setting, straddling the creation of East Germany and then the fall, with glimpses into life behind the Wall and after. The case caused a sensation in Germany at the time. The prologue reveals the tug-of-war mind games that the journalist/author has with the character of Heinrich Scholl, who is still serving time for the murder and steadfastly sticking to his claim of innocence. Did he do it? Over to you…

Craig Kirchner





`Reich-Osang tells this story in wonderfully simple language, full of sympathy for the people involved, but without any pathos, and with restrained but steadily growing tension as death draws inevitably closer.’ * Süddeutsche Zeitung * `A chilling true story that reads like a thriller. Highly recommended.’ --  Caroline Overington 'The Scholl Case shines a light into the dark corners of a fascinating mystery. Anja Reich-Osang captures the twists and turns of a doomed marriage with a tension that builds to its courtroom climax. A compelling story that pulls the reader along with every page.' -- Jane Harper, author of The Dry `A gripping book about a mysterious murder that delves deeply into the psyches of its protagonists. Anja Reich-Osang’s clear language cuts like a knife, exposing the layers of two lives and one unhappy marriage. A great read!’ -- Melanie Raabe, author of The Trap `Despite the grim end to Brigitte’s life, this is not especially dark or depressing to read. The prose and tone that Reich-Osang strikes makes this much more a revealing examination around the foibles of lives and the hidden side to an otherwise success story.’ * Abbey's Crime Chronicle * `I am totally mind-blown by this book.’ * Bibliophile Mom * `Reich-Osang provides a powerful, beautifully written exposition into a murder that is as much about the world Scholl inhabits as it is about the man himself.’ * Readings * `It opens with a chapter of such sustained scintillation and engulfing sense of mystery that no one who starts reading it is likely to stop’ -- Peter Craven * Australian * `It reads like a novel—easy to get through, hard to put down, and never boring.’ * Books by Scar * `This is an intriguing story…Questions will linger about the verdict, conflicting testimonies and questionable evidence. Anja’s detailed research glides you through the lives of a couple whose marriage had been described as a long relationship of dominance and subjugation.’ * PS News * 'The Scholl Case is pure journalism: facts have not been altered to suit the story or build suspense. Instead, readers’ terror comes from seeing that, though unhappy, the Scholls are quite ordinary, thus giving the sense that this could happen to anyone. A quick and absorbing read for those who prefer their true crime without pretence.’ * Booklist *


  • Short-listed for UK Crime Writers Association, Gold Dagger for Non Fiction 2017 (UK)

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