In the novel Self's Deception, author Bernhard Schlink follows private investigator Gerhard Self as he searches for a missing young woman named Leonore Salger. The narrative explores the detective's journey through Heidelberg and Bonn, where he uncovers a complex web of political secrets, medical misconduct, and domestic terrorism. Self’s investigation reveals that Leonore’s disappearance is tied to a clandestine attack on a military depot and a potential cover-up involving poison gas. As the protagonist navigates interactions with psychiatrists, radical activists, and government officials, he must confront the moral ambiguity of his own past. Ultimately, the story functions as a noir-style mystery that examines themes of personal guilt and the deception inherent in post-war German society.
