Britta Böhler (Freiburg, 1960) is a German-born author and former law professor. She writes literary fiction, non fiction and crime novels in German, Dutch and English. She lives in Amsterdam and Cologne. (Oh, and her last name can be spelled Böhler or Boehler. Just in case there are none of those weird ö’s available…)
In 2013, Britta published her first novel (English translation: The Decision, Haus Publishing 2015). Based on true events, the book is a fictional account of three crucial days in the life of Thomas Mann. Written in German, the novel received international acclaim and so far, has been translated into eight languages. In addition, Britta has published various non fiction books on real cases, the rule of law and the ethics of being a lawyer.
Together with author Rodney Bolt she also writes crime fiction, under the pen name Britta Bolt (much easier last name!). The Posthumus Mysteries are available in English, German and Dutch.
On her booktube channel, The Second Shelf, Britta talks about books and writing. She also regularly writes book reviews for literary magazines, and she is an editor at the online magazine Open Letters Review.
In the past, Britta worked as a lawyer in Amsterdam. She had her own law firm, Böhler Advocaten (now: Prakken d’Oliveira Human Rights Lawyers), focussing on criminal law and international human rights law. Her clients included PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, the politician Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and the young man who assassinated the Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn in 2002. From 2007 until 2011 she was a senator for the Green Party in the Dutch Senate and until 2017 she was a law professor at the University of Amsterdam.
Interviews (selection):
From the courtroom to the literary life: New York Times (English)
Thomas Mann was a musician: MyBOOX (English /French)
Lonely Funerals in Amsterdam: The Big Thrill (English)
Writing and hybris: Interview Lounge (German)
A legal femme fatale: WDR Radio (German)
In conversation: ORF Radio (German)
Booktalk: VPRO Television (Dutch)
I’m not afraid of failure: Vogue Nederland (Dutch)
Lectures & Readings:
No appearances scheduled at the moment.