Picture a German storyteller who turned a morgue visit into a hilarious, ghostly crime-solving saga—meet Jutta Profijt! Born in 1967 near Düsseldorf, this mystery-suspense author has charmed readers worldwide with her witty Morgue Drawer series, blending detective fiction with a supernatural twist. Profijt’s knack for humor and puzzles has made her a standout in the global literary scene.
From her early days in international business to crafting bestselling novels, Profijt’s journey is as intriguing as her stories. Let’s dive into her life, her unforgettable works, and why she’s a must-read for mystery lovers!
The Making of Jutta Profijt
Jutta Profijt was born in Ratingen, Germany, in 1967, a stone’s throw from Düsseldorf. After completing her education in Germany, she ventured to France for a year, immersing herself in a Cognac-producing town that buzzed with English-speaking tourists. This experience broadened her horizons and sparked a lifelong love for storytelling. Initially drawn to international business, Profijt worked as an au pair, importer/exporter, and business English instructor before discovering her true calling. Her first novel, published in 2003, marked her shift to full-time writing and translation, setting the stage for her literary success.
Jutta Profijt’s Unforgettable Stories
Profijt’s Morgue Drawer series is her crowning achievement, a five-book saga that kicks off with Morgue Drawer Four (2011). Inspired by a visit to a Cologne morgue, where a coroner’s tales sparked her imagination, Profijt created a unique premise: a shy coroner, Dr. Martin Gänsewein, teams up with Pascha, the ghost of a chatty car thief, to solve crimes. The series, including titles like Morgue Drawer Next Door (2012) and Morgue Drawer for Rent (2012), blends humor, mystery, and paranormal elements, earning praise for its lively dialogue and class-culture clashes.
Beyond the Morgue Drawer series, Profijt penned Schmutzengel, a women’s novel with a comedic twist, following a betrayed ad executive who stumbles into a murder mystery. Her writing style is lighthearted yet incisive, weaving intricate plots with relatable characters. Profijt’s ability to balance suspense with laugh-out-loud moments has made her a favorite among readers who crave cozy yet thrilling mysteries.
Her disciplined approach—outlining every book and writing from her home office—ensures her stories are meticulously crafted. Profijt’s creative process is organic, often sparked by real-life encounters, like that fateful morgue visit that birthed her signature series.
Why Jutta Profijt Matters
Jutta Profijt’s impact lies in her ability to reinvent the mystery genre with a supernatural flair. Her Morgue Drawer series, shortlisted for Germany’s 2010 Friedrich Glauser Prize for Morgue Drawer Four, introduced a fresh take on the buddy-cop formula, pairing a reserved coroner with a boisterous ghost. This innovative storytelling has resonated with readers globally, offering a delightful escape into Cologne’s quirky criminal underworld.
Profijt’s work also highlights the power of humor in storytelling, making complex themes like death and justice accessible and entertaining. Her legacy as a German author who crossed cultural boundaries continues to inspire aspiring writers to think outside the box.
About Jutta Profijt
- Born: 1967 in Ratingen, Germany
- Key Works: Morgue Drawer series, Schmutzengel
- Awards: Shortlisted for the 2010 Friedrich Glauser Prize
- Fun Fact: Her Morgue Drawer series was inspired by a real-life morgue visit in Cologne!
Snag Morgue Drawer Four and dive into Jutta Profijt’s hilarious, ghostly mysteries—you’ll be laughing and sleuthing in no time!