The Dutchman

Dutchman Historical Mystery #1

by Maan Meyers

The apparent suicide of a tavern owner and a mysterious fire send Dutch sheriff Tonneman, a resident of 1664 Manhattan, on a hunt for a culprit, while British ships sail into the harbor threatening Dutch possession.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Fiction, 17th Century, New York

306 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

A 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

Reviews

[Robert2481 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was alternately absorbed & infuriated by this book. In the end, absorbed won.

[Riq Hoelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this as a wonderful novel of 17th century New Amsterdam. My only disappointment was that the following novels moved forward in time rather than staying with the fascinating world that this novel creates.

Maan Meyers is the pseudonym of a wife-and-husband writing time that I was privileged to hear speak at the Bouchercon Monterey mystery convention. They were charming to listen to and it was very interesting to learn that the genesis of it was a vision she had one day, of the rather large Peter Stuyvestant standing in her house. It was amusing too, what they said about how well they were able to work together on the novel, despite having vociferous arguments about things such as the proper way to load a dishwasher. :)

[Tomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad, just the average mystery novel. I did like reading about New Amsterdam just as it became New York.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maan Meyers is really two people, Martin and Annette Meyers, who have each published mysteries on their own but they collaborate on historical mysteries. The story concerns events in New Amsterdam during the week or so in 1664 that English ships come to invade and take possession from the Dutch. Pieter Tonneman, the first Schout (sheriff), newly widowed, has also recently lost his closest friend by suicide. While sitting on the bank of the river fishing and mourning, he is witness to a killing. When the murderer discovers what Pieter has seen, he throws Pieter in the river. When he comes to and can't find a trace of the corpse, he doesn't know whether to believe his memory or to blame it on too much drink. A serious fire in the Jewish section of the city takes his mind off the murder for a while, especially because there he meets Racquel Mendoza, an attractive "widow" whose husband has been missing for several months. All these events become related to each other, and to the English invasion. This is mystery, romance, and history all in one.

[Fred Rauch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting tale of New Amsterdam/New York City with enough murder, treason and mayhem to satisfy. The British invasion is included and the renaming of the city to New York. Many of the characters actually existed and were deeply involved in the history of the city.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a palpable romp through the final days of New Amsterdam and into the first few days of New York. In a way, nothing has changed. Delightful fast read.

[Kw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful historical mystery novel set in New Amsterdam, 1664. An interesting look at life in that Dutch colony. I wonder how it would be now if the British hadn't prevailed?

[Karschtl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Krimi zur Zeit der europäischen Besiedlung von New York, habe auch dieses Buch nach ca. 40 Seiten abgebrochen.

[Jackie R · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent piece of history and a well done mystery. Good read.

[wonderwomand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series. It is set in New Amsterdam before it became New York. It is a combo of historical fiction and mystery.

[Jenny Dudley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as Kingsbridge Plot.