Doris Gercke (born 7 February 1937 in Greifswald) is a German writer of crime thrillers. She also works under the nom de plume Mary-Jo Morell.

Doris Gercke
Doris Gercke at a reading of one of her novels, 2007
Born (1937-02-07) 7 February 1937 (age 87)
Other namesMary-Jo Morell
OccupationNovelist
Years active1988–present
Known forthe creation of the fictional detective Bella Block
Notable workWeinschröter, du mußt hängen
Nachsaison

Biography

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Born to a working-class family, Doris Gercke's family could not afford higher education for her, so she became an administrator at the age of 16. Married at 20, she had her second child at the age of 22, and gave up working to be a full-time homemaker and mother. In 1980 Gercke finally fulfilled her dream of studying law, funded by a scholarship. However, she never practised, and wrote her first novel in 1988.

Gercke identifies with the political left and is connected with pacifism and the struggle against neo-fascism and communism. She takes part in political marches and demonstrations. She also participates in the UZ-Pressefesten (loosely, "Media Festivals") of the German Communist Party.[1]

Doris Gercke lives in Hamburg.

Awards

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  • 1991 Martin Beck Award for: Du skrattade, du ska dö.
  • 2000 Glauser Prize of the Association of German-language thriller authors – For lifetime achievement in the service of German thrillers

Works

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  • Königin der Insel. Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg 2015, ISBN 978-3-455-60027-8
  • Beringers Auftrag. Ullstein, München 2003, ISBN 3-550-08423-4
  • Milenas Verlangen. Roman. Ullstein, München 2002, ISBN 3-550-08363-7
  • Duell auf der Veddel. Ein Krimi-Märchen. Hamburger Abendblatt, Hamburg 2001, ISBN 3-921305-47-0
  • Der Tod ist in der Stadt. Roman. Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg 1998, ISBN 3-455-02294-4
  • Für eine Hand voll Dollar. Jugendbuch. Elefanten Press bei Bertelsmann 1998, ISBN 3-570-14560-3
  • Eisnester. Gedichte. Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg 1996, ISBN 3-455-02292-8
  • Kein fremder Land. 1993, ISBN 3-455-02287-1
  • Versteckt. Ein Kinderkrimi. Espresso/Elef.Press, Berlin 1993, ISBN 3-88520-430-4

Mysteries in the Bella Block series (also filmed):

References

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  1. ^ Unsere Zeit, 2 February 2007, S. 13
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