The Dutchman: An Historical Mystery [Mass Market Paperback]

Maan Meyers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1993

Pieter Tonneman, the law in the fledgling Dutch settlement on the southern tip of Manhattan Island, must look into the apparent suicide of a local tavern owner and a fire in Jews Alley. Reprint. K.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The first of a projected historical crime series by the husband-and-wife team of Ma rtin Myers (the Patrick Hardy series) and An nette Myers (the Smith and Wetzon mysteries) delivers interesting history but falters as fiction. In 1664 in the trading post of New Amsterdam, the slow-witted, drunken Schout (i.e., sheriff), Pieter Tonneman, must solve the mystery of a friend's death before the British invade as threatened. In a wooden plot pegged on such absurdities as a dog's delivering an essential clue, the central characters are made to represent such qualities as anger, constancy and stubbornness. The Myers do best in depicting the settlement's animated street life--pigs rooting in the garbage on the Broad Way; the frantic activity after a fire--in a way that makes it seem at once centuries' removed and immediately familiar. Their many historical asides, although often intriguing, slow the tale's pace, while shopworn narrative devices and flat, predictable characters diminish the story's dramatic impact.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Crimeline (May 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553562851
• ISBN-13: 978-0553562859
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,165,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great historical fiction!, February 21, 2002

By 

P Bode (Mazomanie, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dutchman (Hardcover)

I first heard of this book about a year ago when the co-authors, a husband and wife team from New York were interviewed on t.v. I enjoy historical fiction and really enjoy mysteries; it's not often you can find both.
"The Dutchman" takes place in New York City in 1664 when it was called New Amsterdam. The Schout (sheriff) Pieter Tonneman is trying to solve a couple of murders during the time when the people of this "small" town are also concerned about the invasion of the English. Although one might think a story of this time is dull or stuffy, it is not. It's very interesting. The authors also throw in little known, but interesting facts. For example Wall Street was there from the very beginning, but not as a financial center as we know it now. It literally was a wall used as a protector against invaders. Also it tells about an island close by called Brueckelen, which is now Brooklyn.
When I first started looking for this book, it was very hard to find. It was already out of print, although it had been published in 1992. I couldn't find it in bookstores , nor in my library. But now I see it's available in hardback and paperback here on ... (this website). So if you like a mystery that has a little different twist and can find a copy I suggest you try this book out.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Dutchman, November 8, 2010

By 

Steve Singlar (Pelham, NH United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Dutchman (Hardcover)

I enjoy history and this historical fiction was terrific. Having grown up in the NYC area, I found the historical aspects very informative. The plot was complex but engaging. After reading this book by Maan Myeyers, I went on to read the entire series. A very good read and I recommend it.

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars We NEVER received it!, January 17, 2011

By 

Grand-dude - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dutchman (Hardcover)

We ordered this book as a Christmas gift for a relative from his Amazon wishlist and paid $4o.oo plus dollars for it and still have not received it!!! We are trying to figure out how to receive a refund. Something went wrong with Amazon and its services over the holidays, because our adult daughter (who lives at a separate address and has a separate Amazon account)also ordered this book(which is out of print)for the same relative not knowing that I was doing the same and Amazon did not remove it from the wishlist of our relative. Afterwards, not knowing that our daughter had ordered it previously, I ordered the same book from the same relative's Amazon wishlist, paid for it, and Amazon said it would arrive at my home between Dec. 23, 2010 and Jan. 10, 2011 and we have never received it! Also, I ordered and purchased three Kindle books from the same relative's wishlist as Christmas gifts and they were not removed from his Amazon wishlist either (even after a week). Finally, our relative removed the items he had received on Christmas from his Amazon wishlist himself, so as to prevent any further confusion. The book may be excellent, but we will never know!