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Jaroslav Bálek is a Prague-born economist, historian, and writer whose literary work moves freely across humor, social observation, politics, history, poetry, drama, and detective fiction. Born in Prague on October 8, 1946, he studied economics at the University of Economics in Prague and the University of Economics in Bratislava, and began his writing life with articles and studies on economic policy before storytelling became his dominant creative force. A lifelong admirer of Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie — first encountered on family radio serials and in translation lessons with an English-speaking neighbor — he eventually created his own private detective, Pavel Havránek, a former police officer who solves his cases through simplicity, intuition, and common sense amid the pubs, food, and atmosphere of Prague. His 2025 collection Murder in the Garden gathers three self-contained mysteries, and his broader catalogue spans dozens of titles including Coward, Dana, All My Dancing Seasons, and Politics in Theory and Practice. A Goodreads Author with a large and growing following, he publishes in Czech and in English print and e-book editions — with an audiobook edition of Murder in the Garden read by Connor — and continues to write, with an economics book and a new humorous work in progress.
Three self-contained detective stories — "Murder in the Garden," "Murder in the Office," and "Murder in the Village" — introducing Prague private detective Pavel Havránek, who solves each case through simplicity, intuition, and common sense. A classic whodunit steeped in Czech culture and the atmosphere of Prague, now available in print, e-book, and audiobook editions.
Jaroslav Bálek · January 1, 2025
The Prague-born economist, historian, and writer brings Czech culture and old-fashioned deduction to Murder in the Garden — three mysteries introducing private detective Pavel Havránek.
By DORX Chronicle Staff · September 26, 2026
