The Judge and His Hangman, by Friedrich Dürrenmatt
Title: The Judge and His Hangman
Author: Friedrich Dürrenmatt
Translator: Joel Agee (original title: Der Richter und sein Henker)
Original publication date: 1950
Number of pages: 92
This novella begins with the discovery of a corpse in a car outside the Swiss village of Twann. The dead man turns out to be a police lieutenant named Ulrich Schmied, and Inspector Barlach of the Bern police is assigned to the case. Barlach, along with another police officer named Tschanz, begins to investigate the murder in a seemingly haphazard manner; yet his methods reveal layer upon layer of complexity in the case. The mystery is finally solved in a stunning, unconventional way that raises significant questions about justice and the law.
I recently had to read another book by this author, The Pledge, for a class, but I greatly preferred this book. It’s a “mystery” in the sense that there is a murder which is eventually solved, but it’s also a very interesting psychological study of the main characters. At first I was frustrated because Barlach clearly has information to which the reader isn’t privy, but eventually we learn what he already knows. The twists and turns of the plot are always exciting, although I did guess the solution to the mystery long before it was revealed. There are also some very interesting philosophical implications concerning government, crime, and the nature of evil. Overall, I found the book riveting, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys mysteries or psychological thrillers.
So, does this book belong on the list of 1001 books you must read before you die? I don't know about that, but I'd strongly encourage you to read it anyway. It's very entertaining, and at 92 pages, why not?