On the Crime Tram with ‘Köbi Vinyl’ and Stephan Pörtner

Zurich’s longest-serving crime hero, Köbi – alias Jakob Robert – takes on his seventh case in 28 years, one he accepts against his will. As always, he follows his own rhythm, applies his own methods, occasionally strays off course, but ultimately reaches his destination – just like the tram with Ste Pörtner on board.

Although he’s more than kept busy juggling drink deliveries and a part-time job at a record shop – where, as an old punk, he can really let his hair down – Köbi cannot refuse a request from his beloved Ruth to search for a missing anarchist. His name: Marco Würmli, known as Würm, a committed anti-capitalist, anti-fascist and punk. Distinguishing features: as if he’d vanished into thin air.

Despite his procrastinating approach, Köbi is arrested, pelted with Buddhas and compromised at an underground gig by a detective with a punk past. Chris, an old has-been punk who offers to sell him his jewel-encrusted vinyl collection, falls out of the window of the house he was due to move out of soon, under dubious circumstances. Playing on the record player is ‘Cry for Fame’, Dieter Meier’s first single.

After the reading, Stephan Pörtner will be signing copies of his book at the Belcafé.