1983. Verfluchte Hitze

The Russian clairvoyant Danilo Gromow lies dead in his gloomy villa, and his housekeeper Jana is, as always, completely drunk. Of all people, it is Commissioner Heiner Glut, who set a forest on fire the day before, that is tasked with solving this case. The only clue he finds is the entry "Novosti" in Gromow's agenda. Did the dubious prophet support the Bern branch of the Soviet news agency Novosti, which Federal Councillor Rudolf Friedrich is trying to shut down in a hasty operation?

1983. A cursed heat condenses three historical events – the scandal surrounding the Bern Novosti agency, the spectacular case of a Basel spy in Soviet service, and the murder of a clairvoyant – into a tragicomic snapshot of the year 1983. It marks the last peak of the Cold War, Europe is debating the NATO dual-track decision, Nena's "99 Luftballons" is playing on repeat, and summer temperatures are rising to 40 degrees for the first time.

While Holliger gives his historical figures documented quotes, he writes sharp dialogues for his investigative team that reveal his talent as an award-winning playwright and radio play author.