Viviane Janouin-Benanti

The Ogre of Hanover Station

The Haarmann Affair

Mr. Haarmann was so elegant, always smiling, always friendly, a local man above suspicion.

"270 disappearances! You realize that we've had 270 disappearances in one year!" exclaimed Police Commissioner Retz, beside himself, ranting to his dumbfounded police force.

And the number increased, and increased…

In Hanover, Germany, the rumor was that children’ bodies were piling up in the Leine River. Someone was on a killing spree. Finally, the Leine was drained; in the foul-smelling mud, 1,700 human bones were found.

Sensitive readers, abstain from this book.

After escalating to committing a crime per week, Mr. Haarmann, also known as the Butcher of Hanover, was finally arrested.

An incredible true story, like all the criminal cases brought to life by Viviane Janouin-Benanti, author of twenty books, including “The Poitiers Affair”, “The Assassin Was a Child”, “The Assassinated Virgin”, and so many other thrilling true crime novels.

Some photos from the book

Friedrich Haarmann — Friedrich, called Fritz, Haarmann

Magasin de Fritz Haarmann — Fritz Haarmann's clothing store

Appartement d'Haarmann — Haarmann's pantry
where he stored human meat
before selling it

Hans Grans,
Haarmann's lover and accomplice

Gare d'Hanovre — Hannover railway station

Fritz Haarmann
happy to pose for posterity

Articles published on The ogre of Hanover station

In Hanover of the post-war period of 14-18, the police were disorganized and the crisis was raging. The circumstances was propitious to a serial killer. Not just any one, this one, a pedophile, attacks boys and teenagers. Between 1918 and 1924, reports of worrying disappearances rise dramatically. Commissioner Retz admits his powerlessness.

Friedrich Haarmann was mainly active from 1918 to 1924, without the number of his victims being really known. There will be no bodies, only a mountain of anonymous bones in the Leine River. At the very least, Haarmann will be forced to confess to 27 murders during his trial.

Viviane Janouin-Benanti has accustomed us to handle her criminal cases with sensitivity and restraint. She never enters into the sordid, seeking rather to dissect the personality of the protagonists. However, it must be admitted that for this sadistic killer who sold human flesh on the black market, you have to have a strong heart to follow his sordid path. In this sense, it is one of the darkest novels we have ever read.

Fortunately, despite the horror of the facts, the author's clear and alert style leads us in confidence and security to the conclusion of the investigation and the atonement of the monster.

CDL 44, february 2019.