Customer Reviews

The Widow (A Van Der Valk Thriller)

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

 

 

I'm probably being a little bit harsh in giving this book only three stars-- I think from a writer who was not Nicolas Freeling it would have easily cleared four-- but it isn't up to the par of his usual standard, even while it is a decent read.

_The Widow_ is set after the death of Van Der Valk in _Aupres de Ma Blonde_ and features his widow Arlette setting up a counseling service/detective agency in Strasbourg with her new sociologist husband. She starts off with what she thinks is a girl being treated badly by her family and ends up in an entirely different and more dangerous kettle of fish.

Given that Arlette was one of my least favorite elements of the more standard Van Der Valk novels, I'm honestly suprised that I liked it as much as I did. It's hurt by the initial pages, which are unnecessarily confusing in setting the stage. It's definitely not where to begin with Freeling, but is something for the real fan.