DeKok and the Dead Lovers (Inspector DeKok Investigates)

Inspector DeKok and his partner, Vledder, are ordered to protect a millionaire's art treasures, exhibited during a special showing in Amsterdam. Barely recovered from the shock of witnessing the treasures' owner verbally abuse an old lady, the two detectives are called away to a nearby building to help prevent the execution of a young man chained to the pipes of the central heating system. That same night, a priceless silver jug is stolen from the exhibition. Readers face, at first, a jigsaw puzzle of more-than-usual difficulty, then slowly see a mathematically precise course of events. As with all of A. C. Baantjer's books, nothing is ever what it seems and there is never such a thing as an isolated incident. DeKok's investigations always deliver a chain reaction of events with dead ends, winding paths, and surprising endings. DeKoks maverick personality certainly makes him a compassionate judge of other outsiders and an astute analyst of antisocial behavior. The New York Times Book Review Baantjer has created an odd police detective who roams Amsterdam interacting with the widest possible range of antisocial types. This series is the answer to an insomniacs worst fears. The Boston Globe Baantjers laconic, rapid-fire storytelling has spun out a surprisingly complex web of mysteries. Kirkus Reviews DeKok is a careful, compassionate policeman in the -tradition of Maigret; crime fans will enjoy this . . . Library Journal Its easy to understand the appeal of Amsterdam police detective DeKok. The Los Angeles Times Renowned mystery author A.C. Baantjer brings to life Inspector DeKok in another stirring potboiler full of suspenseful twists and unusual conclusions. In The Geese of Death , DeKok takes on Igor Stablinsky, a man accused of bludgeoning a wealthy old man and his wife. To DeKoks unfailing eye the killing urge is visibly present in the suspect during questioning, but did he commit this particular crime? All signs point to one of the few remaining estates in Holland. The answer lies within a strange family, suspicions of incest, deadly geese and a horrifying mansion. Baantjers perceptive style brings to light the essences of his characters, touching his audience with subtle wit and irony. 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. Shrewd, compassionate, and dedicated, DeKok makes a formidable opponent for criminals and a worthwhile competitor for the attention of Simenons Maigret fans. Library Journal Its easy to understand the appeal of Amsterdam police detective DeKok; he hides his intelligence behind a phlegmatic demeanor, like an old dog that lazes by the fireplace and only shows his teeth when the house is threatened. Los Angeles Times While investigating a high-stakes jewel theft, Inspector DeKok is called to check out the death of a clown found floating in a raft down the canal, an enormous knife protruding from its back. Without the slightest trace, a unique, antique jewel collection disappears from a house along the Gentlemens Canal. As DeKok begins the investigation, his assistant, Vledder, receives a call regarding a dead clown at the foot of Criers Tower. The connection of the crimes initially eludes him, but DeKoks profession, his calling, pushes him toward the answer. DeKok and the Death of a Clown is the third 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 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 recently knighted by the Dutch monarchy for his lifetime achievements.

“There are touches of the 87th Precinct, Maigret and Janwillem van de Wetering, but Baantjer is in a category all his own.”—The Globe and Mail

This latest installment of the internationally popular Inspector DeKok series finds the gray sleuth dealing with a most gruesome murder.

The oldest of the four men turned to DeKok, “You’re from homicide?”

DeKok nodded. The seasoned inspector wiped the raindrops from his face, bent down gingerly, and carefully lifted a corner of the canvas. Slowly the head became visible: a severed girl’s head. DeKok felt the blood drain from his face, his stomach turning into an icy cold pit. “Is that all you found?” he asked.

“A little farther,” the man answered with sad disbelief, “is the rest.”

Spread out among the dirt and refuse were the remaining parts of the body: the arms, the long, slender legs, and the petite torso. There was no clothing.

DeKok faces death as an inevitable part of life, but when things turn this macabre, it’s a hard reality to stomach.

A.C. Baantjer is the most widely read author in the Netherlands. He is a former detective inspector of the Amsterdam police, and his fictional characters reflect the depth and personality of individuals encountered during his nearly forty-year career in law enforcement.

“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.

'Shrewd, compassionate, and dedicated, DeKok makes a formidable opponent for criminals and a worthwhile competitor for the attention of Simenon’s Maigret fans.'-Library Journal
 
'It’s easy to understand the appeal of Amsterdam police detective DeKok; he hides his intelligence behind a phlegmatic demeanor, like an old dog that lazes by the fireplace and only shows his teeth when the house is threatened.'-Los Angeles Times
 
Although at first it seemed to be a case for the narcotics division, this latest crime soon evolves into a series of sinister and almost impossible murders. Never before have inspectors DeKok and his partner Vledder been so involved in a case in which murder, drug smuggling, and child prostitution are almost daily occurrences.
 
Blackmail enters the picture, and bodies continue to be found. DeKok even finds himself allowing one of the suspects in the serial crimes to go free.
 
To darken the days a bit more, in the past a single murder used to dominate the front pages of the newspapers for weeks, but now they get maybe four or six lines on page fourteen, third column, near the bottom. Death has become commonplace in the news, but never for DeKok.

Rockabilly endures, lives, and thrives due to the great devotion that the members of this culture lay at its cuffed-dungaree-pearl-buttoned-cardigan-sweater altar.

Defined in the 1950s, evolving over the decades, rockabilly has slipped into various cultural niches and displayed its musical and fashionable wares on many a group from purist to psychobilly. Most recently disaffected punks, Japanese hipsters, and Latino youth make up the largest growing contingency. And there’s no denying the smooth crossover with the neo-country scene.

With more than 100 photos and illustrations, Rockabilly revels in revealing the history, music, conventions, dress, hangouts, and overall modern lifestyle of this timeless movement. It is a cinch to see why so many claim rockabilly as their cultural calling.

Kurt Ohlen is a rockabilly musician, DJ, promoter and record company owner (Big-K Productions). He lives, teaches and rocks in Denver, Colorado with his wife and children.

Eric Peterson is a full-time writer. He has numerous books to his credit and writes regularly for magazines, journals and newspapers on a variety of subjects including music, trends, travel and business.

A missing corpse turns out to be quite a variation on murder for Inspector DeKok. As has been her habit since the death of her husband, Mrs. Hasbergen does nightly rounds in the large office building where she resides. Her husband had been the building superintendent, and an apartment on the top floor came with the job. Having picked up some of her late husband's duties, the president of the company has let her stay in the apartment. During one of her nightly tours, she encounters Mr. Vredenburg, President of the Dredging Company, in the boardroom. Sitting in his large chair at the head of the table, she hastily walks up to him. To her horror, she finds him dead. With the switchboard closed at night, Mrs. Hasbergen rushes up to her apartment to call someone, but who? The doctor? The police? Deciding it better to return to the boardroom to examine what exactly happened to Mr. Vredenburg, she finds the man, the dead man, gone. Wrought with worry and confusion, Mrs. Hasbergen learns from one of the secretaries that Mr. Vredenburg has left for a vacation in the Bahamas. Utterly dumbfounded, she can stand the burden of the night no longer and turns to Inspector DeKok, asking: "What happened to Mr. Vredenburg?" Shrewd, compassionate, and dedicated, DeKok makes a formidable opponent for criminals and a worthwhile competitor for the attention of Simenons Maigret fans. Library Journal Its easy to understand the appeal of Amsterdam police detective DeKok; he hides his intelligence behind a phlegmatic demeanor, like an old dog that lazes by the fireplace and only shows his teeth when the house is threatened. Los Angeles Times Although at first it seemed to be a case for the narcotics division, this latest crime soon evolves into a series of sinister and almost impossible murders. Never before have inspectors DeKok and his partner Vledder been so involved in a case in which murder, drug smuggling, and child prostitution are almost daily occurrences. Blackmail enters the picture, and bodies continue to be found. DeKok even finds himself allowing one of the suspects in the serial crimes to go free. To darken the days a bit more, in the past a single murder used to dominate the front pages of the newspapers for weeks, but now they get maybe four or six lines on page fourteen, third column, near the bottom. Death has become commonplace in the news, but never for DeKok. '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. Murder By Melody is the second new release by Speck Press 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. As has been her habit since the death of her husband, the eccentric Marlies van Haesbergen does nightly rounds in the large office building where she resides. Her husband had been the building superintendent, and an apartment on the top floor came with the job. During one of her nightly tours, Mrs. van Haesbergen encounters Paul Vreeden, managing director of a multi-national dredging company, in the boardroom. He is sitting in his chair at the head of the table and she walks up to him. To her horror, she finds im dead. With the switchboard closed at night, Mrs. van Haesbergen rushes up to her apartment to call someone, but who? Deciding it is better to return to the board room to examine what exactly happened, she finds the man--the dead man--gone. Wrought with confusion, Mrs. van Haesbergen soon learns that Vreeden is on holiday in the Bahamas. With unbearable visions of the dead Mr.s Vreeden, she turns to Inspector DeKok for help. "Inspector DeKok and his partner Vledder are ordered to protect the eccentric Manfred Nettelhorst's art treasures, exhibited during a special showing in Amsterdam. But before the exhibition has come to a close, the two detectives are called away to a nearby apartment building to investigate the murder of a man handcuffed to a radiator, shot execution style. That same night, an exquisite silver ewer is stolen from the exhibition." "Following the crime trail, DeKok stumbles across an invisible line between beauty and unblemished beauty, relating to the collection of both objects and people. Death seems to be a curse that follows around the unblemished beauty of one Therese de la Fontaine. But is it a curse or the malevolent desires of the person who wants to keep her as a collector's item?"--Jacket Although at first it seemed to be a case for the narcotics division, this latest crime soon evolves into a series of sinister and almost impossible murders. Never before have inspectors DeKok and his partner Vledder been so involved in a case whereby murder, drug smuggling, and child prostitution are almost daily occurrences. Blackmail enters the picture and bodies continue to be found. DeKok even finds himself allowing one of the suspects in the serial crimes to go free. To darken the days a bit more, in the past a single murder used to dominate the front pages of the newspapers for weeks, but now they get maybe four or six lines on page fourteen, third column, near the bottom. Death has become commonplace in the news, but never for DeKok. The trail of a recent crime leads Inspector DeKok to Bloedberg (Blood Mountain), Belgium, a neighborhood in Antwerp. Seems a man was fished from the Scheldt River, and DeKok has been summoned to help with the investigation.At a funeral back in Amsterdam, things are just as murky as the corpse's river, when DeKok discovers a man among the mourners who has been officially dead for at least two years. Events further darken DeKok's view of the case when the widow of the recently buried victim files a complaint of forgery; her recently deceased husband's bank account has been emptied. DeKok soon finds himself drawn back to Bloedberg, amidst one of the most bizarre and cunning crimes yet.

the First New Dekok Mystery In Two Years By The Netherlands Most Widely Read Author.

library Journal

did Igor Stablinsky Bludgeon A Wealthy Old Couple To Death? Or Did The Geese Of Death Have Something To Do With It? Inspector Dekok Stars In A Work By One Of The Most Widely Read Authors In The Netherlands (known As The Dutch Conan Doyle) And A Former Police Inspector. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

The trail of a recent crime leads Inspector DeKok to Bloedberg (Blood Mountain), Belgium, a neighborhood in Antwerp. It seems a man was fished from the Scheldt River, and DeKok has been summoned to help with the investigation. At a funeral back in Amsterdam, things are just as murky as the corpse's river when DeKok discovers a man among the mourners who has been officially dead for at least two years As has been her habit since the death of her husband, Mrs. Hasbergen does nightly rounds in the large office building where she resides. Her husband had been the building superintendent, and an apartment on the top floor came with the job. Having picked up some of her late husbands duties, the pres ident of the company has let her stay in the apartment

Baantjer has had the accolades of reviewers and is now wowing fans of international mystery.

Number 24 in the highly regarded Inspector DeKok series.