DeKok and Murder by Melody

De Cock #21

by A.C. Baantjer, H.G. Smittenaar

“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.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Detective, Crime, Ebooks, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

191 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

AKA: Baantjer, Albert Cornelis Baantjer

ALBERT CORNELIS BAANTJER is the most widely read author in the Netherlands and has written more than fifty "De Kok" titles. He has also written other fiction and nonfiction and wrote a daily column in a Dutch newspaper. He was an inspector with the Amsterdam Police for thirty-eight years. Baantjer lived in Medemblik, Netherlands.

Reviews

[Angela (angie's cozy corner) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5⭐️

[Eric_W · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is it that makes the DeKok, Maigret, Nero Wolfe, Morse, Carella and others so sympathetic? I think it's a nostalgia for a past -- perhaps a past that never existed, except in our minds. Nevertheless, it's real and very appealing. DeKok work out of the old Warmoes police station with the traditional nice chairs for the public, a watch commander who's approachable behind a nice wooden desk as opposed to the new police stations where the police are ensconced behind bullet-proof plastic and you have to speak through holes drilled in the plastic and rarely is there a place to sit. DeKok knows everyone in his district and is known by everyone else. He loves their idiosyncratic behaviors, revels in them perhaps. Maigret is similar even if his methods seem to be plodding , punctuated by moments of clarity and insight.

Called to the scene of a strangulation of a known heroin addict, Inspector DeKok and Vledder, his assistant, find something odd: a mostly used pad of graph paper, but no evidence of any work requiring graphs. They consider it an isolated case until they are called to one of the canals where another strangulation has occurred. Both victims appeared to have kicked the habit. There follows the murder of an old friend, the landlady of the two murdered ex-addicts.

Apparently, Baantjer was a detective inspector with the Amsterdam police which provides considerable credibility. He’s written dozens of DeKok stories and one wonders where he finds the time, but also that many more will be translated. Three stars rather than my usual four as I don’t this this is one of his better stories.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

DeKok doesn't have the panache of Poirot, nor the depth of Maigret, but he has something those two don't have: he is from the Netherlands. For that alone it is worth reading a few in this series. It is a harmless enough endeavor--no gruesome forensics or anything too grisly. This is a calming little mystery series revealing some fascinating characteristics of a populous country with a remarkably little violent crime. A treat.

[Hazy Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed my first DeKok murder mystery. It translated really well from Dutch to English. Was such an easy read!

[Joop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standaard Baantjer alleen de Cock heeft een gevoel.

[Jielus Kuijntjes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baantjer overtreft zichzelf. Heel verrassend.

[Merlijne · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Pascal Vanenburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

"DeKok, with Kay-Oh-Kay". Baantjer in het Engels, want waarom ook niet. Geinig niemandalletje, weer eens wat anders. Drie sterren voor het verhaal, maar vijf sterren voor het audioboek.

[Diana Willemsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muziek in je hoofd kan levensgevaarlijk zijn!

[Michiel Bon · Rating 3 out of 5]

In dit deel van de bekende Baantjer-serie levert De Cock weer een klassieke Amsterdamse speurtocht af, compleet met intriges en onverwachte wendingen. Het verhaal leest vlot en de sfeer van de stad is herkenbaar en prettig, maar de plot is wat voorspelbaar en mist de spanning die nodig is om echt te boeien. De personages, hoewel vertrouwd, blijven grotendeels oppervlakkig en bieden weinig nieuws. Voor trouwe fans van de reeks is het een degelijke en vermakelijke detective, maar het weet niet boven het gemiddelde Baantjer-niveau uit te stijgen.

[hugo van der wildt · Rating 3 out of 5]

We beginnen met twee moorden. Hebben deze twee moorden met elkaar iets te make? er komen nog veel personages in het verhaal voor. Mensen uit de muziekwereld en het milieu. Vledder moet zelfs naar Antwerpen omdat daar iemand is aangehouden die iets te maken heeft met de feiten in Amsterdam.
Spannend en een verrassend einde.

[grundoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 The case itself is quite intriguing, certainly worthy of him changing things up and reaching beyond his own files, Yet overall this one somehow lacks verve, and I don't think it's due entirely to being a weaker translation. Pleasant enough, and a bit different, just not one of his best.

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Een mooi boek dat je het liefst in één ruk uit leest. Een redelijk spannende detective met een heel verrassende plottwist. Tot aan het einde is het een raadsel wie daadwerkelijk de 'pensionmoorden' heeft gepleegd.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unlike some of the other reviewers, I found this book slow and a bit boring. I thought the plot a bit far-fetched and the ending unsatisfactory.

Not up to his usual standard.

[Amyem]

http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1...