Masquerade” crime scene: Murder in carnival - Cologne becomes the scene!

Masquerade” crime scene: Murder in carnival - Cologne becomes the scene!

A new case of the popular “Tatort Münster” is currently being produced in Cologne, which is called “Masquerade”. The usual faces from Münster, Chief Inspector Frank Thiel and Prof. Dr. Dr. Karl-Friedrich Boerne, portrayed by Axel Prahl and Jan Josef Liefers, can also be seen again in this episode. However, the filming does not take place in Münster, but mainly in Cologne and the surrounding area. Liefers even jokes: “Münster’s share has gone into the basement,” alluding to the changed production conditions that are putting the Cologne setting in the spotlight.

The plot of “Masquerade” revolves around a fictional pharmaceutical company and the customs of the Westphalian carnival. The murder of Martin Herrmann, the head of the guard dancers of a Munich club, presents the investigators with an exciting challenge. The man collapses during a rehearsal and Professor Boerne discovers that he has been poisoned with atropine - hidden in a carnival candy. This means that all carnival clubs in Münster have to test their throwables for poison, which causes additional excitement.

Investigations with many suspects

Commissioner Thiel and his colleague Mirko Schrader first begin their investigation with the guard dancers and the president of the carnival club, Charlotte Kamphus. Her husband Ingo and assistant Kleo Heinzmann are also the focus of the investigation. Herrmann was well-known and popular, which makes the search for motives and suspects even more complicated. An interesting twist occurs when Thiel also investigates Herrmann's hobby as a glider pilot. A trail leads to Torben Schönfeldt, the owner of the gliding club, where there are uncertainties about the planned sale of the gliding area.

In addition, Babs Borger, the leader of the Feminist Front Münster, is included in the investigation, giving the entire case additional political context. Nils Willbrandt is directing, while Regine Bielefeldt is responsible for the script.

Cologne Carnival and increased security precautions

The carnival in Cologne faces a special challenge. In recent months there have been concerns about threats of attacks from the Islamic State specifically targeting the Cologne Carnival. These threats, spread via social networks, have led to increased security forces and some municipalities have even had to cancel parades because security measures cannot be financed. The Cologne police had already developed a strict security concept before the impending danger to protect visitors during the carnival.

The carnival season traditionally begins on the Thursday before Carnival Sunday, which this year is celebrated on March 2nd. Women's carnival, February 27th, and the “Green Komm” festival in Cologne are particularly the focus of security considerations at this time. Despite increased security precautions, it is important that the population remains vigilant but does not allow themselves to be unsettled by fears about the possible threat.

It will soon become clear where the journey will take the people of Cologne and the carnival participants this year. The broadcast date for the new “Tatort” has not yet been set, but the anticipation of new exciting criminal cases seems certain.

For everyone who is interested in Axel Prahl, he will present his book “What you love takes time” on November 5th in Cologne – another highlight in the Rhenish metropolis.