What do you think?
Rate this book
Dutchman Historical Mystery #3
The High Constable
Assisting New York's highest police official during the winter of 1808, middle-aged doctor Pieter Tonneman finds the roots of a gruesome murder in city government corruption, until his family becomes the focus of a killer's deadly attentions.
307 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1994
About the author
Maan Meyers
16 books15 followersA pseudonym used by husband and wife team of Martin Meyers and Annette Meyers who also write individually under their own names.
Series:
* Dutchman Historical Mystery
Series:
* Dutchman Historical Mystery
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 17, 2021
Stream of consciousness as I read:
It's an even-numbered year, but setting it in 1808 seems odd. The two previous volumes were set in periods of high tension, both just before the invasions of the British. But what happened in 1808? Jefferson was finishing his second term (actually having Madison do it) and the War of 1812 was still years away.
We want most to know about John Peter and Mariana, the primary characters from the previous volume, but instead we have to wade through a bunch of other characters. Not until page 38 do we meet them again. Such teasing! And it's so disappointing to learn they no longer get along.
It's strange. Mariana's entire reason for wanting to become a doctor was to help her mother, but we never learn anything about how that turned out.
Also disappointing: nothing about Goldsmith.
We are told about discussions on the way to opera. It would have been nice to hear them instead.
Goldsmith and Molly finally turn up on p. 106.
All the way to a DaPonte opera yet we don't get to meet DaPonte?
P. 121 we finally get a bit of closure on one of the loose ends of the previous volume.
Rather odd that neither of the physicians seem to know what is wrong with Mariana. This must have come up many times in their practice and among the friends of their generation.
It's becoming obvious that book 2 was not really a standalone. Actually that one and book 3 must be read together to get a complete story.
It's odd that as late as p. 217 the book still tries to implicate Peter when it's more than clear that he's innocent.
Around p. 230 there's business about George that just becomes unpleasant rather than entertaining to read. Enough so to put the book down for a while.
The authors' note drops the line that Aaron Burr was exiled from America, but it's not really the case. He was found not guilty at his trial, remember? He went to Europe looking for money or men and arms for his projects, not because he was forced to do so. Further, the famous pistol that killed Alexander Hamilton did not belong to Burr, but to Hamilton's brother-in-law John B. Church, who fought his own (nonfatal) duel with Burr in 1799.
It's an even-numbered year, but setting it in 1808 seems odd. The two previous volumes were set in periods of high tension, both just before the invasions of the British. But what happened in 1808? Jefferson was finishing his second term (actually having Madison do it) and the War of 1812 was still years away.
We want most to know about John Peter and Mariana, the primary characters from the previous volume, but instead we have to wade through a bunch of other characters. Not until page 38 do we meet them again. Such teasing! And it's so disappointing to learn they no longer get along.
It's strange. Mariana's entire reason for wanting to become a doctor was to help her mother, but we never learn anything about how that turned out.
Also disappointing: nothing about Goldsmith.
We are told about discussions on the way to opera. It would have been nice to hear them instead.
Goldsmith and Molly finally turn up on p. 106.
All the way to a DaPonte opera yet we don't get to meet DaPonte?
P. 121 we finally get a bit of closure on one of the loose ends of the previous volume.
Rather odd that neither of the physicians seem to know what is wrong with Mariana. This must have come up many times in their practice and among the friends of their generation.
It's becoming obvious that book 2 was not really a standalone. Actually that one and book 3 must be read together to get a complete story.
It's odd that as late as p. 217 the book still tries to implicate Peter when it's more than clear that he's innocent.
Around p. 230 there's business about George that just becomes unpleasant rather than entertaining to read. Enough so to put the book down for a while.
The authors' note drops the line that Aaron Burr was exiled from America, but it's not really the case. He was found not guilty at his trial, remember? He went to Europe looking for money or men and arms for his projects, not because he was forced to do so. Further, the famous pistol that killed Alexander Hamilton did not belong to Burr, but to Hamilton's brother-in-law John B. Church, who fought his own (nonfatal) duel with Burr in 1799.
March 4, 2013
Another in the historical mystery series about New York City, this takes place after "Kingsbridge Plot", and concerns John Tonneman, a physician, and his family. Maurice Jamison, called Jamie, a physician friend of John and godfather to John's son Peter, was involved in the Collect Company, which drained an area of stagnant water and eventually set up a water system for the city. When a body is found in the Collect mud, Peter is accused, and before the book is done, John has found the murderer and also uncovered the answer to two unsolved murders which figured in "Kingsbridge Plot."
Read
December 22, 2007Continuing saga of Tonneman family. 1808 Dr. John Tonneman is now past 60, Jefferson is president. Peter’s young son becomes police officer – murder mystery in New-York
July 26, 2015
This is a very enjoyable series that gives you a real feeling for how people lived during the time period.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews