Japanese Corpse (Soho crime) [Paperback]

Janwillem Van De Wetering (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2003 | Series: Soho crime

A beautiful Eurasian waitress employed at Amsterdam's most elegant Japanese restaurant reports that her boyfriend, a Japanese art dealer, is missing. The police search throughout The Netherlands and finally locate a corpse. But to find the killer, the commissaris and de Geir must go to Japan and match wits with a yakuza chieftain in his lair. This is the fifth novel in the Amsterdam Cops series.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Janwillem van de Wetering (1931–2008) was born and raised in Rotterdam, but lived most recently in Surry, Maine. He served as a member of the Amsterdam Special Constabulary and was once a Zen Buddhist monk. He is renowned for his detective fiction, including Outsider in Amsterdam, The Corpse on the Dike, The Japanese Corpse, and eleven other books in the Grijpstra and de Gier series.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Soho Crime (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156947057X
• ISBN-13: 978-1569470572
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.8 x 7.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #732,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The zen detective squad invades Japan., April 30, 1998

By 

Ed Sherman (Brooklyn, N.Y.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Japanese Corpse (Soho crime) (Paperback)

Janwillem van de Wetering's fifth Gripstra & De Gier novel is a somewhat convoluted mystery that takes you from the Netherlands to Japan, and back
again.The Amsterdam murder brigade is called on to investigate the disappearance of a mysterious Japanese art dealer.As usual, in this unique mystery series, the detectives are attempting to solve the case, while at the same time they are attempting to expand their understanding of the philosophies of zen Buddhism.In this story, their
investigation takes them to Japan where they encounter the Japanese version of organized crime,
called the yakusa.
The Dutch detectives engage in a philosophical chess match with the yakusa leader that is somewhat confusing to follow, even if you are a fan of this series.
If you are not at all interested in eastern religion and philosophy, then this book is not for you. This series is hardly typical compared to any other detective novels. The emphasis here, as in all of the author's novels in this series, is on Buddhism.
Van de Wetering has an ability to educate his readers while distracting them with subtle humor, and biting sarcasm. If you want to experience a combination of mystery, humor, religion, and philosophy then you will enjoy The Japanese Corpse, as well as the authors other books in this
series.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars other reviewer must be a fan of Dr Seuss, June 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Japanese Corpse (Soho crime) (Paperback)

It shocks and dismays me that the previous reviewer does not have the ability to analyze abstract novels. This is not a Tom Clancy book. Van de Wetering has practiced Zen Buddhism, been a cop in Amsterdam, and traveled the world. His writing is original in style and very abstract. This is not an author whose books I would recommend trying to tear up in an afternoon. But for those out there who have the time and mental capacity to let go and think about a book, Van de Wetering is an excellent choice. Do yourself a favor and don't allow the previous reviewers rant discourage you.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unorthodox mystery, good entertainment, February 3, 2000

By 

gidonb "gidonb" (Chicago, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Japanese Corpse (Soho crime) (Paperback)

One of the best Amsterdam Cops mysteries by Janwillem van de Wetering. The author, once a monk in Japanese Zen monastry I visited while in Kyoto, relies heavily on his in-depth knowledge of Japanese culture and customs. Van de Wetering has an eye for detail without neglecting the plot.

In this fifth book of the Grijpstra en de Gier sequence, the commisaris plays a more central role than ever before. The character of commisaris - as the author tells us in one of his interviews - is a blend of his late Kyoto Zen master, his father, and the chief inspector of the Amsterdam police, when van de Wetering served as a cop in this force.

True, the book is a bit on the extreme. Especially the scenes with the Yakuza. But then again, if it were too realistic it wouldn't be a real van de Wetering or good entertainment for that matter. If you like unorthodox books, you will love this one. I most certainly did.