What do you think?
Rate this book
Dutch Threat
All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. But when one of his professors offers to send American grad student Jack Farmer to Europe to do historical research in Amsterdam’s Begijnhof—a peaceful closed community in the heart of the bustling Dutch capital—Jack looks forward to a summer of mostly play and not much work. Then he meets Jet Schilders, an attractive young nurse who takes care of the elderly woman next door, and realizes that his summer in The Netherlands might just turn out to be even more fun than he'd hoped.
When the woman next door is brutally murdered, though, and her nurse turns out to be the prime suspect, Jack and Jet join forces in an attempt to find the real killer and clear her name. But their investigation puts them in Dutch with the local police, and a second murder raises the stakes … and paints a target on both of their backs.
“ Dutch Threat has wit, charm, and lovely crisp prose—everything that’s great about Josh Pachter’s short fiction. His debut novel was a long time coming, and it was well worth the wait!" —Tom Mead, author of Death and the Conjuror and The Murder Wheel
When the woman next door is brutally murdered, though, and her nurse turns out to be the prime suspect, Jack and Jet join forces in an attempt to find the real killer and clear her name. But their investigation puts them in Dutch with the local police, and a second murder raises the stakes … and paints a target on both of their backs.
“ Dutch Threat has wit, charm, and lovely crisp prose—everything that’s great about Josh Pachter’s short fiction. His debut novel was a long time coming, and it was well worth the wait!" —Tom Mead, author of Death and the Conjuror and The Murder Wheel
- GenresMystery
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2023
11 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Josh Pachter
116 books28 followersJOSH PACHTER is a writer, editor and translator. More than a hundred and twenty of his short crime stories have appeared in EQMM, AHMM, and many other periodicals, anthologies, and year’s-best collections. THE TREE OF LIFE (Wildside Press, 2015) collected all ten of his Mahboob Chaudri stories. His 2023 novel DUTCH THREAT was named a finalist for the Agatha, Lefty, and Macavity awards. FIRST WEEK FREE AT THE ROOMY TOILET, his first chapter book for younger readers, was published in 2024 and was a finalist for the Agatha Award in the Best Childrens/YA Mystery category.
He is the editor of many anthologies, including:
• FRIEND OF THE DEVIL: CRIME FICTION INSPIRED BY THE SONGS OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD (Down and Out, 2024)
• HAPPINESS IS A WARM GUN: CRIME FICTION INSPIRED BY THE SONGS OF THE BEATLES (Down and Out, 2023)
• THE BEAT OF BLACK WINGS: CRIME FICTION INSPIRED BY THE SONGS OF JONI MITCHELL (Untreed Reads, 2020)
• THE MISADVENTURES OF NERO WOLFE (Mysterious Press, 2020)
• THE MAN WHO READ MYSTERIES: THE SHORT FICTION OF WILLIAM BRITTAIN (Crippen & Landru, 2018)
• THE MAN WHO SOLVED MYSTERIES: MORE SHORT FICTION BY WILLIAM BRITTAIN (Crippen & Landru, 2022)
• PARANOIA BLUES: CRIME FICTION INSPIRED BY THE SONGS OF PAUL SIMON (Down and Out Books, 2022).
He also co-edited AMSTERDAM NOIR (Akashic Books, 2019), THE MISADVENTURES OF ELLERY QUEEN (Wildside Press, 2018), AND THE FURTHER MISADVENTURES OF ELLERY QUEEN (Wildside Press, 2020), and co-wrote (with the legendary Ellery Queen) THE ADVENTURES OF THE PUZZLE CLUB (Crippen & Landru, 2022).
Coming in 2025:
• EVERY DAY A LITTLE DEATH: CRIME FICTION INSPIRED BY THE SONGS OF STEPHEN SONDHEIM (Level Best)
• CRYIN' SHAME: CRIME FICTION INSPIRED BY THE SONGS OF LYLE LOVETT (Down and Out)
He is the editor of many anthologies, including:
• FRIEND OF THE DEVIL: CRIME FICTION INSPIRED BY THE SONGS OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD (Down and Out, 2024)
• HAPPINESS IS A WARM GUN: CRIME FICTION INSPIRED BY THE SONGS OF THE BEATLES (Down and Out, 2023)
• THE BEAT OF BLACK WINGS: CRIME FICTION INSPIRED BY THE SONGS OF JONI MITCHELL (Untreed Reads, 2020)
• THE MISADVENTURES OF NERO WOLFE (Mysterious Press, 2020)
• THE MAN WHO READ MYSTERIES: THE SHORT FICTION OF WILLIAM BRITTAIN (Crippen & Landru, 2018)
• THE MAN WHO SOLVED MYSTERIES: MORE SHORT FICTION BY WILLIAM BRITTAIN (Crippen & Landru, 2022)
• PARANOIA BLUES: CRIME FICTION INSPIRED BY THE SONGS OF PAUL SIMON (Down and Out Books, 2022).
He also co-edited AMSTERDAM NOIR (Akashic Books, 2019), THE MISADVENTURES OF ELLERY QUEEN (Wildside Press, 2018), AND THE FURTHER MISADVENTURES OF ELLERY QUEEN (Wildside Press, 2020), and co-wrote (with the legendary Ellery Queen) THE ADVENTURES OF THE PUZZLE CLUB (Crippen & Landru, 2022).
Coming in 2025:
• EVERY DAY A LITTLE DEATH: CRIME FICTION INSPIRED BY THE SONGS OF STEPHEN SONDHEIM (Level Best)
• CRYIN' SHAME: CRIME FICTION INSPIRED BY THE SONGS OF LYLE LOVETT (Down and Out)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 22, 2024
The ultimate locked room murder mystery.
This has a very light hearted tone, but it is a serious murder inquiry by an American in Amsterdam, supposedly doing architectural research for a professor. That ruse quickly goes by the wayside as Jack is caught up in the problems Jet is facing as the prime suspect in the murder of her patient.
This is a quick read and full of Dutch sayings most of which are translated. There is a bonus short story at the ends which acts as an epilogue of sorts.
I was given this book by a friend.
This has a very light hearted tone, but it is a serious murder inquiry by an American in Amsterdam, supposedly doing architectural research for a professor. That ruse quickly goes by the wayside as Jack is caught up in the problems Jet is facing as the prime suspect in the murder of her patient.
This is a quick read and full of Dutch sayings most of which are translated. There is a bonus short story at the ends which acts as an epilogue of sorts.
I was given this book by a friend.
February 11, 2024
DUTCH THREAT is an amateur sleuth mystery. History grad student Jack Farmer gets the opportunity of a lifetime – a two-week research assignment in Amsterdam. But when the old crone in the apartment next door is murdered and her young, beautiful nurse is suspected, well, what’s a guy to do but jump in and make like a detective.
Bottom line: DUTCH THREAT is for you if you like light-hearted mysteries where the setting is as interesting as the plot.
Strengths of the story. DUTCH THREAT is a stand-alone novel featuring the lead character Jack Farmer. Jack Farmer is a 24-year-old history grad student. He doesn’t take himself too seriously, is known to make references to mid-20th Century pop culture, and generally doesn’t know when to stay quiet. He has a wonderful amount of energy and curiosity. Working with Jack is Jet (pronounced yet), the nurse suspected of the murder. She is patient with a sweet disposition who finds Jack charming.
Most stories have a side plot and in DUTCH THREAT this is a tour of Amsterdam. Jack and Jet dine on everything from fries dipped in mayonnaise (which we are taught to pronounce correctly) to local Chinese food. Jet takes Jack to her favorite museums and shares history as well as some ghost stories. Foodies and travel lovers will delight in the excursions into neighborhoods of Amsterdam.
The pacing is fair and steady. With breaking up the murder investigation with the side trips into Amsterdam, this doesn’t have a frantic sense of pace but a more deliberate one, perhaps reflecting the city itself.
The biggest strength of this story was just how enjoyable it was to read. It is largely a clean book, for those who prefer that style. Near the end, Jack goes on a little rant which prevents it from being completely clean. Jack was very entertaining as he interjected poorly timed attempts at humor that referenced Americana some 40-80 years before he was born. References to Groucho Marx and similar may be lost on young readers and delight older ones.
Where the story fell short of ideal: For me, I look for the detective to be instrumental in the resolution of the mystery. That didn’t happen here. Despite the work Jack and Jet did, the mystery was resolved when the killer revealed itself (note word choice to avoid any spoiler!) I did appreciate the killer’s confession, explaining the whys and hows. In the end, there were few clues or evidence revealed that the reader could use to deduce the solution.
Throughout the story, there is a lot of Dutch dialog. I hope those who speak/read Dutch find this to be charming. As I don’t have even a rudimentary understanding the language, at some point, the dialog swung from being a strength to a shortcoming. I eventually found myself visually skipping over those passages. I don’t at all think that incorporating other languages is a negative. In this instance, it just was too extended for my tastes.
Bottom line: DUTCH THREAT is for you if you like light-hearted mysteries where the setting is as interesting as the plot.
Strengths of the story. DUTCH THREAT is a stand-alone novel featuring the lead character Jack Farmer. Jack Farmer is a 24-year-old history grad student. He doesn’t take himself too seriously, is known to make references to mid-20th Century pop culture, and generally doesn’t know when to stay quiet. He has a wonderful amount of energy and curiosity. Working with Jack is Jet (pronounced yet), the nurse suspected of the murder. She is patient with a sweet disposition who finds Jack charming.
Most stories have a side plot and in DUTCH THREAT this is a tour of Amsterdam. Jack and Jet dine on everything from fries dipped in mayonnaise (which we are taught to pronounce correctly) to local Chinese food. Jet takes Jack to her favorite museums and shares history as well as some ghost stories. Foodies and travel lovers will delight in the excursions into neighborhoods of Amsterdam.
The pacing is fair and steady. With breaking up the murder investigation with the side trips into Amsterdam, this doesn’t have a frantic sense of pace but a more deliberate one, perhaps reflecting the city itself.
The biggest strength of this story was just how enjoyable it was to read. It is largely a clean book, for those who prefer that style. Near the end, Jack goes on a little rant which prevents it from being completely clean. Jack was very entertaining as he interjected poorly timed attempts at humor that referenced Americana some 40-80 years before he was born. References to Groucho Marx and similar may be lost on young readers and delight older ones.
Where the story fell short of ideal: For me, I look for the detective to be instrumental in the resolution of the mystery. That didn’t happen here. Despite the work Jack and Jet did, the mystery was resolved when the killer revealed itself (note word choice to avoid any spoiler!) I did appreciate the killer’s confession, explaining the whys and hows. In the end, there were few clues or evidence revealed that the reader could use to deduce the solution.
Throughout the story, there is a lot of Dutch dialog. I hope those who speak/read Dutch find this to be charming. As I don’t have even a rudimentary understanding the language, at some point, the dialog swung from being a strength to a shortcoming. I eventually found myself visually skipping over those passages. I don’t at all think that incorporating other languages is a negative. In this instance, it just was too extended for my tastes.
September 15, 2023
Dutch Threat is a Dutch Treat! Josh Pachter weaves a great classic mystery together in this novel. Set in Amsterdam and featuring a very likable and engaging protagonist who finds his first visit to the Netherlands is not at all what he expected. Pachter crafts a swift-paced and intriguing plot, cracking dialogue, a baffling murder, and altogether scores a home run with this novel.
February 7, 2024
This was a delightful mix of romance and mystery with a murder thrown in. With Amsterdam as a backdrop this novel keeps you guessing. Dutch Threat is a Dutch Treat.
September 25, 2023
I have been looking forward to reading this since its release was announced--I have read and enjoyed many of the author's short stories over the years and couldn't wait to read his debut novel! This is a beautiful story with a satisfying resolution. The excitement makes for a quick read. I couldn't put it down. It really makes the reader feel like they're in Amsterdam alongside the protagonist Jack Farmer. The inclusion of a short story featuring the same character was a very nice bonus touch. I can't recommend this book strongly enough!
November 15, 2023
I did so enjoy reading this intriguing story based in Amsterdam.
It was refreshing to read a mystery located in The Netherlands, since many of the historical mysteries I read are based in London...
The story is most intriguing, and I found it hard to put it down. The characters are likeable (most), and the writing is excellent.
I would very much recommend this book.
It was refreshing to read a mystery located in The Netherlands, since many of the historical mysteries I read are based in London...
The story is most intriguing, and I found it hard to put it down. The characters are likeable (most), and the writing is excellent.
I would very much recommend this book.
July 23, 2024
A touch of the Dutch in this crime story set in Amsterdam at the Begijnhof in modern day Amsterdam. Lots of opportunity to use one’s Dutch language skills which I enjoyed doing so. Authentic details of daily life in Amsterdam with the prevalence of drugs and prostitution plus the Dutch foods. I enjoyed the atmosphere more than the crime story!
February 6, 2025
Josh Pachter builds on his short-story reputation with his debut novel, Dutch Threat. The protagonist, Jack Farmer, encounters unexpected complications during a research assignment in Amsterdam. There, he discovers romance and a murder mystery filled with red herrings. Pachter creates a classic whodunit with a cast of unforgettable characters, twisting the tale into a must-read.
April 9, 2024
Loved the book! I really enjoyed reading (and listening to) the book and the short story "The Milky Way". I hope to read many more books and stories about Jack Farmer and Jet Schilders. 5 stars for sure!
September 6, 2023
Josh Pachter is a brilliant and prolific author of short fiction, as well as an editor of anthologies. With DUTCH THREAT he proves himself to be a great and thoroughly entertaining novelist too.
April 14, 2024
Did not care for the main character or the story line.
July 3, 2024
A great fast summer/pool day read. The mystery moves along quickly and the characters are quite fun to experience.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews