A Case for an Exorcist

Second, revised edition of the story of Marie Výrová’s first case

It has taken five novels and just ten years for Police Commissioner Výrová to become one of the most popular figures in contemporary Czech thriller writing. 

The body of a young woman is found in a church in Štěpánov, not far from Olomouc. First impressions suggest that she was the victim of a strange ritual. In her quest to crack a case in which the local priest, a philandering ornithologist and the crazed pseudo-wiseman of a religious sect are involved, Commissioner Výrová moves between a village of classic Haná-region eccentrics and the University of Olomouc. As the body count rises, so, too, does the number of suspects… 

A Case for an Exorcist bears all the hallmarks of a well-written detective story: a bizarre murder, a thrilling investigation, dramatic twists, well-placed humour, credible characters in an authentic milieu, and – above all – a likeable team of detectives.

This work has been made into a successful Czech Television series with direction by Jan Hřebejk, a screenplay by Petr Jarchovský, and Klára Melíšková in the main role.