DeKok and the Dead Harlequin Book

Dekok and the Dead Harlequin is the 3rd book I've read in the Dutch series by crime writer A.C. Baantjer featuring Amsterdam police inspector, DeKok, and his partner, Dick Vledder. This story started off with an interesting premise.

Dekok and Vledder receive a letter from accountant Pierre Brassel indicating he will shortly murder someone and asking for a meeting. At the meeting, discusses how he could commit the perfect murder and while he is there, tells them to call a local hotel and ask for Jan Brets. Surprisingly, they discover that this person has just returned to his room and has been murdered; it seems Brassel now has the perfect alibi.

DeKok and his able partner now begin an investigation into this murder. What is the connection between Brassel and Brets? What was Brets doing at the hotel in Amsterdam when he lived in Utrecht? Brets is a known criminal and slowly it becomes apparent that he was planning a robbery and murder in Amsterdam.

Things don't add up for the two investigators but slowly clues begin to fit together. It's interesting how DeKok works, like many fictional detectives, using his intuition more than forensic information. There are some leaps in intuition and sometimes the facts come without explanation. But it's still an interesting story with a unique premise. The characters are interesting and the story moves along nicely. The locale, Amsterdam, is also interesting to visit. I've enjoyed the books in the series so far and will continue to explore the series. Worth trying. (4 stars)