Walter Maisch

A murder in a winter sports hotel jolts Inspector Eyck out of his cozy, relaxed holiday mood. He rushes to the scene, where he encounters crime writer Gorgas, who, as he says, conducts "crime scene studies." But this case isn't fiction, because a dead man lies on the ground. Eyck immediately begins his investigation, which initially yields little insight. And the prime suspect, Gorgas, also has a watertight alibi.

Counterfeit money is discovered near the Bodensee. The investigators for the "Reichszentrale für Falschmünzerei" get wind of it and open up an investigation. When the band of counterfeiters try to recruit a young graphic artist into their ranks, he quickly rats on them to the police. The investigation soon leads to Switzerland, where the nest of criminals is stormed with the help of the Swiss police.