DeKok and Murder by Melody (Inspector Dekok) (Paperback)

by A.C. Baantjer (Author), H. G. Smittenaar (Translator)
Key Phrases: boardinghouse murders, young inspector, boardinghouse keeper, Van Mechelen, Willy Haarveld, Little Lowee (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"Death," observes DeKok, "is entitled to our respect. Especially when it manifests itself in a violent manner." The phenomenon of sudden death has long intrigued Inspector DeKok. From the moment he confronted his first corpse, at the beginning of a very long career, he knew it was never going to get any easier. The numbness will never set in, even after solving many mysteries, bringing to light many dark dealings and unraveling many a puzzle. For DeKok, death will always remain an enigma.

Mustering his decorated experience and reverence for the dead once more, a triple murder in the Amsterdam Concert Gebouw has DeKok unveiling the truth behind two dead ex-junkies and their housekeeper.

Dekok and Murder By Melody is the second new release by Speck in the celebrated Baantjer series. With an emphasis on the best possible translations, editorial consistency and attractive cover art, this sleek series will prove that DeKok can claim success equal to that achieved in Europe, where he is on a par with Maigret and Poirot.

A.C. Baantjer is one of the most widely read authors in the Netherlands. A former detective inspector of the Amsterdam police, his fictional characters reflect the depth and personality of individuals encountered during his 38-year career in law enforcement. He was recently knighted by the Dutch monarchy.

About the Author
Baantjer is the most widely read author in the Netherlands. A former Detective Inspector of the Amsterdam Police, his fictional characters reflect the depth and personality of individuals encountered during his 38 year career in law enforcement. He was knighted by the Dutch monarchy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 191 pages
• Publisher: Speck Press (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972577696
• ISBN-13: 978-0972577694
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #774,757 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars strong Dutch police procedural , December 10, 2005

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In Amsterdam, Inspector DeKok looks into the murder of heroin addict Erik Bavel. The victim was strangled to death so the Inspector concludes the culprit had to have strong hands to do that to a twenty-five year old male. The boardinghouse keeper, uncooperative Mina Lyons, reacts as if the homicide was a personal affront to her and is more upset that Bavel broke the rules by making coffee in his room.

A second strangulation victim surfaces identical to that of Bavel. The victim, Jean-Paul Stappert, was a young drug user too, but like Erik had no recent needle marks making it seem they also shared in common kicking the habit. DeKok talks with Mina about Erik only to learn by chance that Jean-Paul was a resident of her boardinghouse too. This time Mina faints. Music pedagogue Alex Waaredenberg gives testimony that he was Jean-Paul's teacher, but his New Age mumbo jumbo leads DeKok to think he knew Erik too but said nothing except seeing the corpse when he looked for his star pupil. The case turns cacophonous as the list of suspects grows connected to a musical arrangement.

This translation of a Dutch police procedural is a fabulous investigative tale starring a delightful protagonist toiling to solve the double homicides. DeKok is a wonderful lead holding the who-done-it together with his interviews of suspects and follow up on clues that showcase the city. His protégé, junior partner Vledder, struggles to understand the logic of the inquiries until the lead cop explains afterward to him (and the audience) without interrupting the superior story line flow mindful of Holmes to Watson, but in a 1980s Holland context.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional International Mystery, November 21, 2005

By	Ryan McCullough - See all my reviews

Baaantjer is a legend in The Netherlands for good reasons. This series is a superb police procedural series for fans of Simenon's Maigret, Ed McBain's 87th precinct, Christie's Poirot, Inspector Morse and Janwillem de Wetering. I look forward to each new translation of these books. The translations are very good. Thankfully there are still about 40 more that haven't been translated into English.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Baantjer has been dubbed the "Dutch Conan Doyle" for a reason, June 4, 2006

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

As a former detective inspector with the Amsterdam police, A.C. Baantjer is one of the most respected and acclaimed authors in the Netherlands. His nearly forty year career has spawned sixty crime novels with Inspector Detective Dekok, a television series, and more than five million sales. Baantjer has been dubbed the "Dutch Conan Doyle."

Jean-Paul Stappert and Erik Bavel are friends and share the distinction of having been ex-addicts. So it is particular confounding when they are both murdered on the same night by strangulation. Their irascible landlady is an ex-prostitute and is an old acquaintance for Inspector DeKok, who never gets over the sad spectacle that violent death presents. Jean-Paul was also un undeveloped musical genius, who found an unlikely mentor in Alex Waardenburg, an area classical musician who students were mostly garnered from the very rich. Yet it is Waardenburg who discovers the body of Erik Bavel:

"'But there were other remarkable parts to his story. When Jean-Paul had not shown up by quarter past ten, the feelings, or lack of them, drove Waardenburg to the rooming house. There he found the corpse of Erik Bavel.'

Dekok raised an index finger into the air. 'That's what Waardenburg told us...what he wants us to believe.'

Vledder looked nonplussed."

Baantjer uses his considerable expertise to develop Dekok's police procedural methods, With Vledder looking on as his sidekick. Dekok's a crusty yet soft cop who never loses his compassion for fellow human beings, even if it's the old prostitute, "Aunt" Mina Lyons, who runs the boardinghouse occupied by the two victims and who eventually becomes a victim herself. In fact, Dekok uses an extensive network of contacts and informers to eventually entrap the killer, in the most unlikely of places.

DEKOK AND MURDER BY MELODY is a nice mix of a plot that confounds the reader, even as Dekok is plying his trade. Characters represent a cross-section of Amsterdam's society, and Baantjer uses irony to solve this entertaining imbroglio.

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer