Suspense between history and the abyss.
Reading with Alex Beer
April 18, 2026
When Alex Beer reads, the past comes into sharp focus – a time when crimes were more than isolated acts, serving instead as reflections of society itself. On April 18, the bestselling author will be a guest at Refugium, reading from Felix Blom – Murder on the Spree, an atmospheric crime novel poised between historical depth and psychological suspense.
Set in Berlin in the early 1920s, the story unfolds in a city in transition. Investigator Felix Blom is drawn into a murder case that reaches far beyond the obvious. With a keen eye for historical detail and a clear sense for human darkness, Alex Beer creates a compelling panorama of guilt, power, and moral ambiguity.
An evening for those who appreciate crime fiction that offers more than resolution alone. For readers drawn to tension and to the lingering presence of history – experienced in the calm, focused atmosphere of Refugium.
As part of our literary cycle, selected authors are welcomed as guests at Refugium. Curated by Petra Hartlieb, who has accompanied us from the very beginning with her fine sense for voices, themes, and remarkable books, the series brings together writers whose works touch, surprise, or simply wish to be told – each in their own distinctive way.
Those who wish can combine the reading with a stay: time for conversation, for retreat, or for a good book that continues to echo long after the last page.
