Michael Theurillat is a highly regarded Swiss crime fiction writer, born in Basel in 1961. He pursued a comprehensive education, studying history, business administration, and art history. Before dedicating himself fully to writing, Theurillat worked in the banking industry, gaining experience at the Swiss bank UBS. However, in 2000, he decided to leave his executive position to focus on his passion for writing.
Theurillat's literary career has been marked by commercial success and critical acclaim. His novels feature Kommissar Eschenbach, an investigator with the Zurich police, and have been translated into several languages, including English. One of his most popular novels, Sechseläuten, topped the Swiss bestseller lists upon its release. Such achievements have solidified Theurillat's reputation as one of Switzerland's most successful crime writers.
In addition to his success with the Eschenbach series, Theurillat has received recognition for his other works. For instance, in 2012, his novel Rütlischwur was awarded the Friedrich Glauser Prize, a prestigious distinction in German-language crime fiction. The author continues to reside in Switzerland with his family, where he remains an influential figure in the country's literary scene.