Via Mala

Author's Text
John Knittel, born on March 24, 1891, in Dharwar, India, and died on April 26, 1970, in Maienfeld, Graubünden, was born as the son of a missionary in India. He attended school in Basel. From 1909 to 1922, he lived in England, later spending many years in Egypt, but primarily in Switzerland. Three of his novels are set in Switzerland, including the classic "Via Mala," while the majority take place in North Africa. His entire body of work is written in English.

Blurb
Jonas Lauretz, a sawmill worker at Via Mala, is murdered by his family and buried in secret. The drunkard had long tormented his wife and children in unbearable ways. The crime remains unsolved—until investigations are reopened one day. With his novel Via Mala in 1934, John Knittel became an overnight sensation. The film adaptation featuring Mario Adorf in the lead role is also well-known.