Since her self-published first novel – the intriguingly titled “Snow White Must Die” – was released in Germany in 2010, author Nele Neuhaus’ murder mysteries have riveted readers around the world. Her crime stories unfold in the mystical, fairy-tale setting of the Taunus mountain region of Germany, in forests and villages which seem a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of city life – even though Taunus is just a half-hour drive from Frankfurt! Her investigators are also studies in contrast: the aristocratic Chief Inspector Oliver von Bodenstein and his up-and-coming subordinate, Mrs. Pia Kirchhoff. While Oliver is married to a documentary filmmaker and struggles to raise a pair of teens, Pia is recently divorced from the local police coroner (which leads to awkward encounters at work) and lives with Devil – her beloved (senior) dog.

Oliver is played by Tim Bergmann, who had a small role in Donna Leon’s “A Sea of Troubles” back in 2006. Oliver’s trusted deputy Kai is played by Michael Schenk, who played an important part in the last couple seasons of The Weissensee Saga. Most of the other actors will be new faces to MHz Choice viewers, but one guest star to keep your eye out for is Ulrike Kreiner – better known to us as the one and only Detective Ellen Lucas – who plays a very different but equally striking character in the first episode.