Doris Gercke, the brain behind the Bella-block, passes away at 88 years old.
Doris Gercke, Renowned Crime Writer and Feminist Activist, Passes Away at 88
Doris Gercke, a trailblazing crime writer and activist, passed away on July 25, 2022, in Hamburg at the age of 88. Born in Greifswald in 1937, Gercke's life and work were deeply rooted in political and feminist movements.
As a young woman, Gercke felt connected to the women's and peace movements, the fight against neofascism, and joined the DKP (German Communist Party). She regularly participated in Easter marches and demonstrations, reflecting her commitment to social justice.
Gercke's literary career was unconventional. She obtained a special high school diploma at the age of 40 and later studied law. Her debut novel, "Weinschröter, du musst hängen", published in 1988, became a huge success and depicted a bleak atmosphere of everyday violence and sexism. The book was later adapted for television, with Hannelore Hoger portraying the unconventional commissioner Bella Block.
Gercke's writing was influenced by the works of Raymond Chandler and the Swedish author duo Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö. She authored novels that used crime fiction to portray milieus, including "Moskau, meine Liebe" (1989), "Kinderkorn" (1991), "Schweigen oder Sterben" (2007), and "Zwischen Nacht und Tag" (2012). In addition to her crime novels, Gercke also wrote children's and young adult books, as well as poetry.
Gercke was also known for her creation of the former ZDF investigator "Bella Block". Hannelore Hoger embodied the unconventional commissioner Bella Block until the end of the ZDF series in 2018. Gercke sold the rights to the film series' protagonist but remained friends with actress Hannelore Hoger, who passed away in December 2024.
Gercke was a strong advocate for feminist and socially conscious literature. She co-founded the HERland network, a community of critical female authors of political crime fiction that seeks to make women more visible and challenges patriarchal, racist, and classist societal structures in literature and beyond. HERland takes active stances against the political right and supports female writers dealing with social and systemic violence through their work and events.
Gercke's writing and activism consistently reflected these causes throughout her life, establishing her as a voice for feminist and socially conscious literature. In a dpa interview on her 80th birthday, Gercke mentioned her connection to the lower class and to women.
The announcement of Doris Gercke's death was made by Argument Verlag, based in Hamburg, on Monday evening, citing the family. Gercke's legacy as a pioneering crime writer and activist will continue to inspire generations to come.
[1] Herland Network [4] Doris Gercke
Books by Doris Gercke, such as "Weinschröter, du musst hängen" and "Zwischen Nacht und Tag," offer entertainment through portrayals of milieus and crime fiction, while also promoting social and political messages. The Herland Network, co-founded by Gercke, aims to make women more visible and challenge entrenched societal structures in literature and beyond.
