Earlier last month I thoroughly enjoyed DEKOK AND THE DEAD HARLEQUIN and was delighted to find my library could offer some more.

These stories feel like a cross between Maigret and Agatha Christie, although the publisher tells us that Baantjer is known as the "Dutch Conan Doyle".

The first murder in this story is a puzzle. The weapon is eventually identified and then a second, almost identical murder occurs. When the third happens DeKok knows enough to predict who the fourth will be. But who is the murderer?

In a way these are old fashioned police procedurals, with a few red herrings, and just enough clues to keep the reader guessing. As with DEKOK AND THE DEAD HARLEQUIN the final explanations occur around the tea table at DeKok's apartment with Mrs DeKok present too. ( )

I love this series, and the reading is fast. An apparent drug crime evolves into a series of murders; eventually the real reason for the crimes is discovered, but not until the very end of the book. Excellent book; don't miss reading this series. ( )