Alexander Heimann of Bern has won this year's German Detective Novel Prize, with his masterpiece "Muttertag", or "Mother's Day".

The book describes a mother's struggle to find her daughter, who has vanished. It follows the tradition of the 20th century French novelist Georges Simenon.

The 64-year-old Heimann also won the literary distinction five years ago with his previous detective novel, "Dezemberföhn", or "December Foehn" - the foehn being a warm southerly wind.

Heimann gained popularity more than two decades ago, with his first novel "Lisi", published in 1980, and the eponymous film that followed. He has written six novels since, as well as short stories and radio plays.

The German Detective Novel Prize has existed since 1985, and rewards an author every year who has given the genre a new approach.

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