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Passport to Peril #7

Dutch Me Deadly

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As a travel escort for seniors, Emily Andrew-Miceli has led her feisty Iowa clan all over the world. This time, they're off to see historic windmills, classic Rembrandts, and picturesque canals in Holland - if they can ever unplug from their smartphones, that is. Joining them is the high school class from Bangor, Maine, whose 50th reunion celebration goes south faster than a fallen Brussel sprout soufflé as old rivalries start heating up. Worse, Emily's hopes for a 100% survival rate on this trip are dashed when an important member of the tour suffers a tragic (and highly suspicious) accident. Then the saucy seniors' wild night of drug-laced desserts and risqué shows in Amsterdam's infamous Red Light District gets even more mysterious when one unpopular reunioner goes missing…

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

12 people are currently reading
438 people want to read

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Maddy Hunter

20 books152 followers

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5 stars
120 (23%)
4 stars
190 (36%)
3 stars
163 (31%)
2 stars
37 (7%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
Profile Image for Linda.
2,348 reviews60 followers
July 1, 2020
I like this series. I like Emily, Nana and all the rest of her Iowans. This was a fun story set in Holland where they are on tour with a group from Maine celebrating their 50th high school reunion. Good mystery. The most unbelievable part of the story (other than 3 bodies on one tour) is how the seniors are more technologically advanced than Emily. #readforkimberly
Profile Image for Christine.
7,253 reviews575 followers
May 6, 2015
Crossposted at Booklikes.

This was a kindle freebie. I am conflicted a bit about this book. In some ways, it was a bit too stereotypical in the “old folks discover the internet but still spin out folksy wisdom” type of a way. But there is something charming about the mystery.


This is 7th in the series, but I haven’t read the others. It was easy enough to get into for a newbie The premise is Emily runs a travel group/agency and murders happen when she goes on trips to places. The main customers seem to be seniors, including Emily's grandmother. The thing that annoyed the most was the main character’s, Emily, e-husband. He had gender reassignment, which isn’t my problem. But if I am suppose to believe that Emily is down with the whole thing, why does Emily still use the male name of Jack instead of the chosen one of Jackie? I could understand say, Jacks, but it just seemed a bit off. I could understand if this was right after the surgery, but both Emily and Jackie have moved on and are re-married. So it felt a little strange, off, and borderline insulting. I should note, however, that Jackie is shown as a transgender who is NOT addicted to anything and who is happy and well adjusted. She might be a sterotype in terms of shoes, but considering Emily is also this way, I'm willing to let that go.

That said – what I really enjoyed about this book was the use of humor. Even if I had trouble believing that the old folks didn’t remember about the coffee shops not serving coffee, the “high” seniors scene was very entertaining, especially with the legs and balls. Additionally, while the use of Jack instead of Jackie struck me as odd, I have to applaud the use of female friendship and teamwork. Jackie and Emily work very well together, and the friendship is done well. While I found it little hard to keep all the seniors in Emily’s group straight, the friendships were conveyed well, and it was nice seeing a group work together instead of being in opposition.
Profile Image for Nola Arganbright.
1,592 reviews32 followers
February 14, 2021
No boundaries

A very funny book with quirky senior characters and a body count that astounds. I can't wait to read more of this series.
Profile Image for Patrizia.
1,970 reviews42 followers
June 13, 2018
Ho voluto dare la classica seconda possibilità a questa serie, visto che comunque avevo già acquistato questo ebook mesi fa.
Devo dire che, già sapendo dell'umorismo fantozziano in partenza, sono riuscita a sopportarlo meglio; anzi, in un paio di occasioni mi è pure piaciuto. Continuo a pensare che questa serie avrebbe delle grandi possibilità, almeno per me, visto l'argomento se l'umorismo fosse un po' meno calcato e presente ad ogni pie' sospinto. Quando l'autrice si lancia nelle descrizioni turistiche è veramente brava e anche la storia gialla mi è piaciuta (non avevo neanche capito chi fosse il colpevole).
Forse in futuro leggerò qualche altro libro, magari fra quelli ambientati in posti che mi piacciono e che hanno un giusto prezzo (i primi di questa serie sono carissimi!).
Profile Image for Jeannie and Louis Rigod.
1,991 reviews40 followers
February 5, 2012
Tour guide Emily Miceli returns to us with her dozen senior citizens in exciting Amsterdam, Holland. As per usual her group only takes up a bit of the bus, so they are joining a reunion group from Bangor, Maine.

As you will remember, this series is filled with laughter and bodies and this latest novel doesn't disappoint in the least.

Added to the reality of time passing is our beloved seniors discovering the art of 'texting.' It is Emily who needs to step up and join the 21st Century! When the hated Tour Bus Guide, Charlotte is run over by a bicycle at the first stop...you know we are truly back.

I also love the glimpses into history, such as Anne Frank's house and the description of the Red Light District, where alas our Seniors lose themselves in. The laughs are mighty and continuous and I am so eager to sign up for Edinburgh next!

Enjoy, Maddy is Back!
Profile Image for Babs.
Author 16 books190 followers
February 6, 2015
The above blurb says it all. If I say too much more it might give the story away. I love the series and was sad when the books stopped. When I talked to Maddy, as I am sure most of us emailed her wanting to find out information, she told me the series might be picked up again from another publisher. I am glad it did. Someone finally notices the series is worth while read. Before, it was not getting the close attention and dedication it deserved and now it is.

I have read all the books in the series and the characters, Emily and Nana just keep getting better with age. They can get themselves into some fascinating situations and murder seems to follow Emily around no matter what country they go visit.

Maddy did a sensational job with Dutch Me Deadly. I was calculating who did what up until the end. I was wrong on two accounts. There will be some characters you love and some you just want to slap.

The setting in Holland was surprising. The descriptions make you feel you are on the tour with the Iowa gang. After reading the book it makes me want to go over and check some of the sites out myself. You can tell the author did a lot of research.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,222 reviews3 followers
October 24, 2017
Though this is the 7th of the series, I jumped in here because it was available at my library. I read in the afterward that the author had her series cancelled, but then was able to bring it back and I'm so very glad about this. I really enjoyed this one and cannot wait to go back and read the previous books.
My favorite thing about this book was the characters. The group of senior citizens from Iowa were constantly cracking me up with their obsession with Facebook and constant poll-taking. It really added to the cozy vibe of this mystery. I liked the main character and thought she had a good combo of sleuth / trying to take care of her group. Reading about the different sights the group visited was a really interesting touch, and now I want to go visit many of these places myself (I will be extra careful about the bikers). I was completely surprised by the murderer and the results. I had my sights set on a small group of seemingly innocent people, determined that I was right. I definitely will read more from this series and can't wait to see where the gang goes next.
Profile Image for Wendy.
1,051 reviews22 followers
August 11, 2023
How is it even funny or entertaining to have dead bodies dropping every-time the main character goes off. Well Angela Lansberry's character did it in murder she wrote, so I guess it is okay.
I am NOT reading these book in order. But there is enough reference to previous books one does not need to read them in order.
I found the characters quite tiresome actually. Not funny at all. But Maddy Hunter's description of Amsterdam and her tourist venues were interesting.
I will continue to read the series simply because like everyone else, Gran is awesome and also to fulfill more of my World Challenge requirements.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
1,636 reviews7 followers
June 6, 2012
I judged this book by it's cover and found it's insides just didn't measure up. There were a lot of loony characters, mostly seniors, who resembled the Estelle Getty character on Golden Girls. But all seniors aren't ditzes and dimwits. I lost patience with the one dimensional characters quickly.
Profile Image for Leslie.
2,760 reviews231 followers
February 27, 2015
While I think the premise of a tour group of seniors is clever, I found these characters not very realistic and all too similar to each other.

The murder plot was good, with plenty of clues to the solution without making it obvious.
Profile Image for Meg.
613 reviews
April 11, 2018
This installment of the an old fave series, Passport of Peril, didn't seem as funny as the rest. The senior travelling gang were up to some of their antics but not as much as previously. Or could be I'm feeling so because I'm trying not to catch a family member's cold?!

Loved their travels, as always, especially because I've been to some of the areas mentioned (tho only with a far-off glimpse of the infamous Red Light District). I need to go back to a book I seem to have skipped, then on to the rest.
Profile Image for Nicole.
224 reviews12 followers
December 13, 2020
I've said it before, I'll say it again, I love this series! This time the Iowan Group went to The Netherlands! Extra good for me as I am from The Netherlands. The "problem" about the bikes is so familiar, and that Emily advised the group not to go to a Coffeeshop as that isn't the same type of as in the USA.

The mystery itself was also good, I had no idea who did it and why until it was revealed. The fact that they were joined by an old school reunion group was also lots of fun. I really love Emily's Iowan Group and I really, really enjoyed this one. I can't wait to start the next one!!!
Profile Image for Versel Rush.
106 reviews4 followers
June 27, 2012
One of the best recent cozy series was the Passport to Peril mysteries by Maddy Hunter. Unfortunately, after her sixth book years ago, her publisher unexpectedly pulled the plug and the exploits of Emily and her band of Iowan senior citizens seemed lost to the ages. Until this year when Midnight Ink signed Hunter to a new contract and Dutch Me Deadly brought our intrepid world travelers back for more exotic locations, laughs, and, oh yes, murders.

As the title suggests, this time Emily, Nana, George, Bernice and the other regulars, head to Holland and the world of tulips and windmills (and texting, Facebook, and smart phones--these are not your stereotypical technophobic grandparents). Their tour joins a group of high school reunioners from Maine (also senior citizens) who remind us all of the worst parts of growing up--the cliques, the bullies, and the secrets. People start dying and Emily refuses to accept they are unrelated accidents--based a lot on her previous experiences with deaths on holiday--and searches for the murderer. For good measure, Hunter throws in an interesting visit to the infamous Red Light District (and a "coffee shop") which let our Iowans know they aren't in Kansas anymore.

The murders and mayhem take a backseat to the wonderful characters--levelheaded Nana, grumpy Bernice, and Emily's ex-husband Jackie (who is still trying to find a career after the sex change operation). Set almost years after the previous installment, Hunter has had some "off screen" changes--Emily's previous job was downsized (after a tornado wiped out the bank), she has married her hunk of a boyfriend, and they have started their own travel agency. So, though I strongly recommend all of the previous books (read in order from the first Alpine for You), the reader can pick this book up and start the new installment of the series.
Profile Image for Anastasia.
2,309 reviews100 followers
August 22, 2016
Dutch me deadly by Maddy Hunter is the 7th book in the Passport to Peril mystery series. Emily's tour group of Iowans is joined by a group celebrating their high school reunion but their numbers start to rapidly dwindle after a series of accidents. It is always a lot of fun travelling with this group and they are always willing to join in and help out. An entertaining, fast-paced mystery with plenty of bodies.
140 reviews
November 11, 2011
I am so glad that this series is back! It is such an enjoyable cast of characters in well-written plot lines that keep me guessing as well as entertained. Thanks, Maddy Hunter!
Profile Image for Sandybear76.
1,632 reviews1 follower
Read
August 11, 2019
Emily Andrews is tour escort for her Nana and her friends (12 senior citizens) from Windsor City,Iowa are touring Amsterdam and Holland in autumn (no tulips). Their tour bus also includes a group from Bangor, Maine who are celebrating their 50th High School reunion. Their tour director, who is loud, rude, and treats everyone as kindergartners, is hit by a bike rider. More troubles occur so Emily is worried about her Nana and friends might be next as they travel through Amsterdam's sights and Holland's villages. Nana and friends are more tech savvy on their smartphones than Emily and help Emily with research about the high school reunion people. The senior citizens even argue by texting each other.
Profile Image for Sandra Hernandez.
717 reviews4 followers
September 18, 2021
I don’t know if it’s just me but I feel like this did a time jump I don’t remember them getting married but I do remember them dating. I am glad to see she married at the inspector I do remember the bank having some type of flood and her worrying if she was going to keep her job. So I’m glad to see she opened up her own business with her husband still doing the tour guide.
In this book they’re basically in Belgium I believe and with them is a high school reunion group. And Emily gets really caught up with their history. It’s funny because two of the members end up murdered and the original tour guide so of course she wants to solve it. Turns out the murder is it who you really expect but it all makes sense afterwards.
Profile Image for The Honest Book Reviewer.
1,608 reviews38 followers
January 7, 2022
This is the first novel in the series that I've read and I won't be reading any more. I did not enjoy the attempts at humour, nor the characters. There were too many implausible occurrences, especially the old people being able to hack website and security systems on their smartphones. How is that even remotely plausible?

The protagonist is pretty much a sideline character to everything that is going on. To make all the old people seem OTT is taking things too far - it's falling into the trap that so many authors seem to make that this type of novel needs OTT old people. I've read so many of them that it's becoming old hat.
3,347 reviews31 followers
November 13, 2016
This time Emily Andrew-Miceli and her group of seniors from Iowa are on a trip to Holland but not in time to see the tulips instead it is late autumn. The seniors all have smartphones and are all on them instead of watching the scenery. The Iowa group has another group from Maine traveling with them which consists of 50th class reunion. The bodies start falling early and continue. Emily of course starts asking questions. The book was a quick easy read.
360 reviews2 followers
May 10, 2022
The narrative is superb in its romp through a tourist’s Amsterdam and environs. The ditzy, dimwitty, loony seniors are a little on the one-dimensional side but the murder plot is good, with plenty of clues to the solution without making it obvious. This cozy mystery entertains; keeps up a good narrative pace; and although three dead bodies from “accidents” on a single tour may seems over the top, it does present a solve that is believable.

Profile Image for Nessie.
91 reviews5 followers
August 22, 2022
I have to be honest, this is not a good book. or at least it is not for me. people die, there is no emotional response to that at all. there's a bunch of old people doing stupid stuff and being tourists and i think it's meant to be funny but it isn't, and the whole book is just completely and thoroughly meh. I don't care. I don't think even the characters involved in the murders care. I was bored for most of this read and am glad it has finished.
141 reviews
September 13, 2018
This book was not as good as others, but it was still fun. I enjoyed the older folks and their depiction of friending, etc. I also enjoyed the description of the folks going to the red light section of Amsterdam. It was very humorous. Overall the plot was not as good as others. It seemed more like a quick story to cover one more country.
Profile Image for Lynn Pohlman.
146 reviews2 followers
September 23, 2017
This series is great to read when you're between heavy/hard hitting books. Funny, light hearted and don't have to think too much. Always a new location and a mystery to solve. Loved the "disappearing Dicks." Lol.
Profile Image for Stephanie Luce.
Author 7 books35 followers
April 29, 2021
I didn't find Dutch Me Deadly nearly as entertaining as the previous novels. I think there was too much bickering amongst the characters and some of it didn't make sense to me. Still, I love Emily and Jackie, and Nana, so I'll keep reading the series.
Profile Image for Johnmarilyn Rivera.
140 reviews1 follower
April 28, 2024
Too many characters in this book! It was confusing trying to keep up with them all & how they fit into the story line until the end. Plus, even the ending was confusing with people not being who they said they were. Too much, I think.
71 reviews
March 11, 2019
Really enjoy this book - the characters, scenarios, and scenery. Looking forward to others in this series.
Profile Image for Melissa.
281 reviews
May 9, 2019
Good travel detail and pretty good mystery. A cozy....I have enjoyed all this author's books I have read and want to read the whole series.
919 reviews
April 25, 2020
I love this group of elderly from Iowa! Can't wait to go to Scotland with them :-)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews

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