The candles flicker restlessly, and they cast mysterious shadows here in the Saahs family winery in Mautern – the perfect setting for “Inspector Robert Pimm”, who gets inspiration for the next crime thriller here. Behind the pseudonym is Leigh Turner, British ex-ambassador to Her Majesty in Vienna.
Foggy autumn mood like in Dartmoor, the mysterious hilly landscape of the British Isles, lay over the Wachau when the train jerked to a halt at Krems station. A gentleman of the good old school stepped out of the car. Immediately his steps led him to Mautern – into what is perhaps the oldest wine cellar in Austria. Only candles lit the 2000 year old vault. The atmosphere made the gentleman in Scottish tweed immediately pick up the fountain pen. The ideas for a crime thriller were already on paper.
A dash of humor
“My name is Leigh Turner, but my novels appear under a different name,” says the ex-ambassador, who only came out as a successful author Robert Pimm when he was in diplomatic retirement. With host Christine Saahs, there is immediately plenty of opportunity for small talk in Mautern. Because the grande dame of Demeter viticulture was even allowed to serve fine wines to Prince Charles. In addition to a dash of fine British humor, Turner also incorporates his experience as a globetrotter and longtime diplomat.
Authentic stories
“It’s the real thing. Everything is authentic, ”assures the loyal servant of Queen Elizabeth. Perhaps the most touching novel is entitled “Hotel Story”. Turner gave it to his partner, a top hotel manager, for her birthday. “Heart and soul flows here, but real things,” smiled “Mr. Pimm ”before disappearing in the autumn fog of unwritten stories.