‘THE WOMAN WITHOUT A FACE.”

January 26, 2010 at 12:58 PM · Science

“THE WOMAN WITHOUT A FACE.” I am a devoted reader of mystery stories. Stories about serial killers are increasingly popular, probably because they provide a basis for a pattern that the reader has an opportunity to guess. Here is an article about the search for “the woman without a face.” The article, from April 2008, begins: “German police have stepped up the hunt for a murderer dubbed “the woman without a face”, who is believed to be a rare female multiple killer.The mystery woman is suspected of six murders and 15 years of burglaries in three countries. Her latest victims may be three Georgian second-hand car dealers shot execution-style.” The article, from the Scotsman, goes on to provide more information about the woman and her crimes. Here is another article from Australia that gives information about the “woman without a face.” Here is another article, from the London Times, this time giving the killer the name of The Phantom of Heilbronn.” The police chief in Baden-Wurttemberg was quoted as saying: “The noose is tightening.” Less than a year later, in March 2009, there was a solution. There was a pattern. There are clues in the linked articles. I will be posting about the solution to the case in a week or so.

4 comments

Mary Jane Schaefer January 27, 2010 at 10:25 AM

And in this week of suspense, a new mystery writer is born.

Annalisa January 31, 2010 at 7:37 PM

I smell a challenge! Another literary advantage of a serial killer is, if he or she isn’t caught in the first book, there is a basis for a series. Tess Gerritsen gets some good mileage out of one particular killer in her thriller series starring Jane Rizzoli, a tough-talking lady police detective.

Dick Weisfelder February 1, 2010 at 1:38 PM

Have you read the Stieg Larrson series?

They include “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (“Men Who Hate Women” in Swedish followed by “The Girl who Played with Fire,” and the third soon to be released in English. The main female character isn’t quite a serial killer, though she leaves a string of deserving victims. All of you, especially Annalisa should like reading it. Unfortunately the series won’t continue further since the author died shortly after handing the three volumes to his publisher.

Also check out Ake Edwardson and Mari Jungstedt. Start with their first mysteries, since they keep using their favorite detective. I presume you all already know Henning Mankell!

Elmer February 1, 2010 at 10:43 PM

I’ve read the first two two books in the dragon tattoo series and am waiting for the English translation of the final one. Unlike Chris, I can’t read it in Swedish. It will be a longer wait than the wait for Phil to unveil the killer without a face. The Edwardson series is based in Gothenberg. I met a family from Gothenberg in Salzburg this summer. I said something to them about all the murders there, and they were initially taken aback.