Book Jean-Christophe Grange. Chosen Women

"The Elect" are beautiful, carefree ladies of the Reich, wives of influential high-ranking officials and businessmen close to the Fuhrer. Every day, they meet at the Berlin Adlon Hotel to gossip and drink champagne, while Europe stands on the brink of the start of World War II. One day, a mutilated female body is found on the banks of the River Spree — one of the so-called Adlon ladies has been murdered. However, she's not the first victim of the mysterious killer who lurks around the banks of the Spree and lakes, inflicting gruesome mutilations. Meanwhile, in sweltering Berlin, which trembles like a volcano about to erupt, three extraordinary individuals take up the investigation. Simon Kraus, a talented psychoanalyst and experienced gigolo always ready to blackmail his patients. Franz Beven, a one-eyed giant of the Gestapo, cruel and ruthless, who blames the entire world for his failures. Minna von Hassell, a wealthy heiress and devoted psychiatrist committed to saving the forgotten Reich. These amateur investigators follow the monster's trail to uncover a shocking secret. Evil doesn't always hide where you expect to find it.