Murder Mindfully - by Karsten Dusse (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Criminal defense lawyer Bjorn Diemel has been given an ultimatum: repair his work-life balance, or his wife will leave him-and take their daughter. He reluctantly starts a mindfulness course, and to his surprise, it's a revelation. He becomes calmer, happier, and more focused as he starts to understand what's really important in life. When his worst client, brutal kingpin Dragan Sergowicz, tries to interfere with his precious family time, Bjorn will stop at nothing-not even killing-to protect his peace"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

In this zen and zany crime debut, a shady lawyer transforms his life through mindfulness--and uses his newfound techniques to kill his way to the top. Original series now streaming on Netflix.

Criminal defense lawyer Björn Diemel has been given an ultimatum: repair his work-life balance, or his wife will leave him--and take their daughter.

He reluctantly starts a mindfulness course, and to his surprise, it's a revelation. He becomes calmer, happier, and more focused as he starts to understand what's really important in life. When his worst client, brutal crime boss Dragan Sergowicz, tries to interfere with his precious family time, Björn discovers that even murder can be a mindfulness exercise to protect his peace.

Review Quotes

Praise for Murder Mindfully

Longlisted for CWA Dagger for Crime Fiction in Translation
A BookPage Top 10 Book of the Month

"Dusse pairs brisk plotting with a sardonic send-up of self-help culture, keeping the suspense taut while supplying plenty of laughs. The result is an inventive, endlessly surprising comic thriller."
--Publishers Weekly

"As hilarious as it is horrifying, this crime novel is frankly like no other."
--First Clue Reviews

"[A] marvelously rich joke."
--Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

"Although both are delightful, I must confess that I prefer the book [to the show], primarily for its hilariously convoluted rationalizations on the part of the first-person narrator, Björn, vis-a-vis his newfound hobby: killing people."
--BookPage, Starred Review

"Dusse's darkly humorous book is perfect for readers looking for an Office Space meets Dexter-style romp . . . It is easy to see why this German import has already been turned into a Netflix show."
--Booklist

"Despite all the frightening vibes about human nature that the novel emits, I must say that if there's any unambiguous justice in our screwed-up, upside-down world, Murder Mindfully should sell about a trillion copies."
--Bookreporter

"Oh, this book is funny. Credit where it's due: Florian Duijsens's translation is seamless . . . Each chapter opens with genuine guidance framed by whatever Björn is about to do. Björn then takes that earnest advice and applies it to the most horrific circumstances imaginable. The joke is not that mindfulness is foolish. The joke is that it functions."
--Judicial Junkie

"Delightful."
--CrimeReads

"Brutal but hilarious . . . Takes down the wellness industry while sending up the legal profession. Watching a worm turn--into a vengeful monster--has never been such fun."
--The Times (UK)

"There surely couldn't be a more 'arresting' start to your new year of reading than to indulge in the sheer comic joy of Murder Mindfully, German lawyer and debut novelist Karsten Dusse's dark and sublimely entertaining crime romp . . . Murder Mindfully is a triumph of twisted storytelling "
--Lancashire Post

"Darkly funny, oddly charming, and surprisingly addictive. If you want something lighter in tone but still murdery, this is your palate cleanser."
--BiblioLifestyle

"You might think that the words murder and mindfully don't go together, but in Karsten Dusse's debut novel they do . . . entertaining and, believe it or not, thoughtful."
--Marilyn's Mystery Reads

"Wickedly funny, delightfully charming . . . a joy to read from start to end. Take a deep breath and get ready to laugh your way through this propulsive murder mystery. Headspace meets Dexter."
--Nina Simon, New York Times bestselling author of Mother-Daughter Murder Night

"A razor-sharp satire on stressed-out modern society, a darkly comic and hugely entertaining crime thriller and--believe it or not--also a handy guide to improving your life through mindfulness."
--Robbie Morrison, author of Edge of the Grave

"A violent, feel-good rampage of a book where the pace and positivity never let up. Twisted and hilarious!"
--Callum McSorley, author of Squeaky Clean

About the Author

Karsten Dusse is an attorney and worked for many years as an award-winning TV writer. His debut mystery, which draws heavily from his own mindfulness practice, was the bestselling paperback of the year in Germany. All five novels in the resulting series have since reached the top of Germany's bestseller lists. His novels have been translated into thirty languages and adapted worldwide as a Netflix series.

Florian Duijsens works as a translator and editor, and teaches at Bard College Berlin. Recently, he has also taught in the Young Writers Workshop at Simon's Rock, Bard College, and at the Free University in Amsterdam. The co-founder and co-host of the Dead Ladies Show event series and podcast, he is also the senior editor of BLAU International and has moderated discussions at the International Literature Festival Berlin, LCB, and elsewhere. Aside from translating (children's) books, he edits and translates work for publishers, museums, and galleries around the world, and his writing and translations have appeared in Aperture, The Guardian, Asymptote, Ursula, and other publications.