Customer Reviews

Death of a Hawker

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Interesting and atmospheric book. I don't know if mysteries written by foreign authors just sound more intelligent or really are, but the effect remains regardless of the reason. These detectives, Grijpstra and de Gier, really come alive in these books. They have a warts and all kind of approach not only about their own personalities, but also the personalities of their friends and family members as well that I really like. Almost incidentally, van de Wetering makes you very interested in the ultimate whodunnit. As an American living in the Netherlands, I also appreciate the view of Amsterdam.

"Death of a Hawker" is the fourth book in Van de Wetering's Amsterdam Cop Series and is a return to top form after the somewhat disappointing second and third volumes (the first, "Outsider in Amsterdam" is magnificient, and the proper place to start reading this excellent mystery series).

Amusing, ruminating Amsterdam cops Detective Grijpstra and Sergeant de Gier are as much a part of the story as the mystery itself (this is typical of this series, although the detectives' observations were less a focus of the second and third books). In this mystery, Amsterdam's market square is beset by protests and riots over government-forced construction. Meanwhile, a wealthy hawker (an individual who sells items for profit in the market) is murdered in his apartment. The man's roommate is upstairs and his beautiful sister downstairs (it's a three room flat) and both claim to have heard nothing unusual, nor did they see anyone enter or exit the flat. Cops outside the flat (for riot protection) noticed nothing unusual either. Nevertheless, the victim's face has been smashed in by a heavy object. The question is: who did the smashing, how, and why?

Naturally, Grijpstra and de Gier are put in charge of the case and along with the aged Commissaris (their boss) they unravel the mystery. Along the way, they interview prostitutes, hawkers, importers, bar maids, attend a raucous party, and even fall in love (de Gier). The dialogue is amusing and insightful and the solution of the mystery is fairly clever (although not too complicated). This book is more similar to the first book in the series in that suspect interviews are more confrontational and Grijpstra and de Gier spend a lot of time offering their views (and complaints) on life.

Overall, a quick read--both humorous and mysterious. Highly Recommended.

Do not make this the first van de Wetering book you read.

It takes some getting used to, this mix of Buddhism, police procedural, Simenon-like psychonovel and bizarre imagination. In this book, those factors collide sharply. The solution the the pseudo-locked-room mystery is odd, at best. Mix in street riots and a strange interlude where police do a most unconvincing undercover act and the reader who expected something like the 87th Precinct transplanted to Amsterdam will be baffled by the strength of the cover blurbs. Praise for this?

But if you've already become familiar with the characters, you know these books aren't so much about the plot as the people and the mood. Read a few others first (make sure you start with the good ones, the ones based in Amsterdam) and then move on.

I have enjoyed several of this strangely addictive series, mostly for the memories of a beautiful city, but also the craftsmanship of the author in creating and rounding-out his marvelous characters.

However, by this book, about number five or six, there seems to be a certain touch of casualness creeping into Van De Wetering's strong writing. Perhaps, in his personal Zen philosophy the author is turning away from a created reality and enjoying his ability to enchant and amuse us, and is beginning instead to laugh at us, instead of with us?

It would be better if this is not your first read of the Amsterdam detective series ... perhaps a gentler introduction to the moods and plot twisting, the practice of induced meditation and the spiky humour is needed with any of the earlier works.

It used to be said of modern jazz that it was music for the experienced listener ....

Have read several books in this series. The interaction and personality dynamics among the main characters is quirky. My enjoyment of the books varies by the degree of mystery solving as contrasted with character "studies". My preference is for the "who-done-it" element which is less in the earlier titles.

In parallel with a review at the "3" level on this book, a substantial degree of this book is the interaction among the main characters with many philosophical aspects thrown in. Per my tastes, this book combines too many different elements among the characters which was confusing in some places and boring in others. The story practically minimizes the mystery solving to the point of being "bland" inlcuding the continual references to the fact that the police are struggling to make any headway.

These are light mysteries which are entertaining as such. Still, I'd recommend putting this one on the back burner over many of the others in this series by this author.