Author's Text
Friedrich Dürrenmatt was born on January 5, 1921, in Konolfingen, in the canton of Bern, as the son of a pastor. He studied theology, literature, philosophy, and natural sciences in Zurich and Bern. He originally wanted to become a painter but began writing stories in the 1940s. In 1947, his play 'Es steht geschrieben' caused a theater scandal. From 1952, Dürrenmatt lived in Neuchâtel. His play 'Der Besuch der alten Dame' (1956) became a worldwide success. In 1968, he became the director of the theater in Basel. During this time, he wrote many new versions of his earlier works. Friedrich Dürrenmatt passed away on December 14, 1990, in Neuchâtel.
His narrative works are often detective stories, and his plays are frequently tragicomedies that incorporate elements of satire, farce, and black humor. A central theme in his works is power and the question of responsibility in an apparently chaotic world. In 1986, Friedrich Dürrenmatt was awarded the Georg Büchner Prize.

Blurb
The main theme of 'Der Richter und sein Henker' can also be found in the works of Dashiell Hammett, Rex Stout, Raymond Chandler, and Georges Simenon. The fundamental theme is the struggle between two parties, one of which is a solitary detective. The 'good' party, Inspector Bärlach, is terminally ill, and he has little time left to bring the criminal Gastmann to justice.