Synopsis/blurb….
AMSTERDAM NOIR, PART
III: A powerful Dutch politician is hijacked, bearing uncanny parallels with
the 1983 kidnapping of beer tycoon Freddy Heineken. Maverick cop Henk van der
Pol, who worked on the Heineken case at the start of his career, is soon operating
outside of the official investigation. In trying to solve the latest
kidnapping, Henk himself becomes imprisoned, and, with rival cop Joost emerging
as the winner between them, Henk must navigate dark currents at the highest
levels of Dutch society.
"Pembrey is a
master of short form fiction. His snappy dialogue, tight plots and varied
European settings guarantee a fast, enjoyable read that is hard to put
down."
Paul Pilkington,
author of the bestselling Emma Holden series (Hodder & Stoughton)
Ransom is the
third Henk van der Pol – Harbour Master book. Henk, our investigator and main focus
again gets involved in a case where he has no official jurisdiction – the kidnapping
of Rem Lottman.
Hard-headed, but conscientious, van der Pol’s nose for
trouble sees him again putting police work ahead of family, to the chagrin of
his wife who still has the hope that as a couple they can become closer to
their partly estranged daughter. That Henk, in-between excursions to Belgium
and Norway briefly suspects their daughter’s Russian boyfriend in involvement
in the kidnapping, may put pay to that particular wish.
At loggerheads with his boss, Joost and both with secrets
that they want to hide; van der Pol still manipulates his team to do some
digging on his behalf. Answers more important than self-preservation or a duty
of care towards his charges.
More moonlighting……an interview with Rem’s girlfriend,
harassing Lottman’s mother, annoying his Belgium counterparts……..Henk ends up
in The Hague and the Dutch energy minister’s office.
The case remains unsolved –
officially, but Henk has a few answers and a new job offer.
Interesting – as always, Pembrey again gives a fast-paced
narrative that touches on politicians and corruption, rather than action on the
mean streets of Amsterdam. I’m looking forward to crossing paths with van der
Pol in his new job, when the author serves up his fourth episode.
4 from 5
Book 1 – The Harbour
Master was reviewed here.
Book 2 – The Maze
was reviewed here.
Author and crime fiction blogger extraordinaire, Margot Kinberg put the spotlight on the
van der Pol series here.
I purchased a kindle copy of Ransom, though the author was kind enough to send me a copy of collected edition of all three episodes in print.
Oh, I'm so glad you liked this one, Col. I've actually really enjoyed all three of the van der Pol stories very much, and The Maze is quite well-done. It'll be interesting to see where Pembrey goes next.
ReplyDeleteTicks in a lot of boxes here Margot. Seems like we are both looking forward to the next van der Pol episode!
DeleteI remember reading your review of the first one and planning to read it - haven't got there yet, but I will....
ReplyDeleteNo rush - I'm sure you will get there eventually Moira. They aren't opver-long which is a bonus.
DeleteI have one of these (I bet its the first) on Kindle and I intend to read it before year's end. It does sound very interesting and its length should help me attain my not large at all reading goal for the year.
ReplyDeleteGlen they aren't very long at all - in the region of 100 -120 pages maybe. Crack on mate! Good luck hitting the target!
DeleteI remember the author and series, Col. I wouldn't mind making a little space and time for the first Harbour Master book.
ReplyDeletePrashant, I think you would enjoy any of the Harbour Master trilogy mate.
DeleteLike Glen said, we have the first one and I will see what he has to say also. They sound very interesting.
ReplyDeleteHope you both enjoy the first...and the subsequent entries!
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