Book Review: Murder in Amsterdam

Reviewed By: Pat Reid - RAM

Murder in Amsterdam     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
A. C. Baantjer
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Series: Dekok
First Intrigue Press, 2003, 263 pps

Murder In Amsterdam is two stories in one book: DeKok and The Sunday Strangler and DeKok and The Corpse on Christmas Eve. Inspector DeKok is a seasoned detective in the city of Amsterdam. He is somewhat of a legend among his fellow employees. He has an uncanny knack for solving crimes.

The first story is centered on the murders of some local prostitutes. Inspector DeKok is recalled from his vacation to help solve these murders. He works with a younger detective Vledder. Although Vledder professes to have covered all the grounds he soon finds that Inspector DeKok has a very different way of searching for clues. The Inspector’s knowledge of the area as well as his friendliness with people go along way in helping him solve these crimes.

The second story involves a young girl whose body is found floating in a canal on Christmas Eve. The inspector’s methods are very unorthodox but he seems to always get his man.

I would very much like to read more of these stories. Inspector DeKok is a very interesting character. Baantjer’s description of life in Amsterdam is another aspect of the book that I really enjoyed.

Pat Reid - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Pat Reid - RAM