August Weissel (c. 1870 – after 1915) was an Austrian writer and journalist, a crime reporter whose works grew out of real events and investigations of the early 20th century. Written in the spirit of classic detective fiction, his books combine dynamic plots, attention to detail, and the evocative atmosphere of old Vienna.
The novel "The Green Car" opens with a mysterious incident: secret documents are stolen from the desk of an influential general. The investigation is entrusted to Dr. Leo Specht, a former commissioner of the Viennese secret police.
At a ball filled with light, music, and intrigue, Specht meets a mysterious woman ready to reveal important information, but their conversation is suddenly interrupted by news of a murder. The woman vanishes, driving away in a mysterious green car. This trail becomes the beginning of a complex case intertwined with crime, passion, and politics.
Weissel creates a tense and elegant detective story, full of unexpected twists and psychological subtlety. "The Green Car" is a rare example of Austrian crime fiction of the Art Nouveau era, in which the mystery and atmosphere of old Vienna merge into a single, gripping story.
