DeKok and the Sorrowing Tomcat: A Mystery

De Cock #7

by A.C. Baantjer, H.G. Smittenaar (Translator)

Albert Cornelis Baantjer is the Netherland's most widely read author and his hero DeKok is adored and highly praised. The cases DeKok faces are so real that sometimes he and his creator are thought to be the same person since Baantjer worked as a homicide detective in Amsterdam for twenty-five years. In this latest adventure to make it overseas, DeKok investigates the murder of a young conman with whom he used to deal.On the sand dunes that protect the low lands of the Netherlands, an early morning jogger makes a gruesome discovery-the body of a man with a dagger protruding from his back. The corpse of Peter Geffel, better known as "Cunning" Pete, is identified, but the local police cannot find any clues.When the call goes out to notify other jurisdictions of the discovery, Homicide Detective DeKok feels drawn to the case because he knew the victim. Along with his inseparable side-kick Vledder, DeKok searches the city of Amsterdam for answers. Soon there is another corpse and, unlikely as it may seem, the killing of Cunning Pete is connected to a killing in higher social circles.

Genres: Mystery, Detective, Crime, Ebooks, Audiobook, Thriller, Mystery Thriller

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

AKA: Baantjer, Albert Cornelis Baantjer

ALBERT CORNELIS BAANTJER is the most widely read author in the Netherlands and has written more than fifty "De Kok" titles. He has also written other fiction and nonfiction and wrote a daily column in a Dutch newspaper. He was an inspector with the Amsterdam Police for thirty-eight years. Baantjer lived in Medemblik, Netherlands.

Reviews

[Caroline Wormsbecher-Hartsink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een van de beter opgebouwde verhalen van De Cock

[Dennis Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

DeKok and the Sorrowing Tomcat by C. Baantjer features several scalaways and worse in this Amsterdam mystery, guessing it takes place in the 70's. DeKok is a dinosaur by modern standards paired with the bright much younger Dick Vledder. Cunning Pete is "deader than a door nail" (or is it a doornail?) and B&G is missing 3+ million in cold hard cash. Will Dekok (with a kay-oh-kay) solve the mystery?
Interesting story with many possibilities but too many of DeKok's mannerisms tend to get in the way of the action, too much eyebrow fluttering and lip curling for me. How many times do I have to read kay-oh-kay? And there are black cats sitting in every corner, it's a wonder he never tripped over one. Now Vledder I liked, DeKok was meh. Not once did Baantjer refer to Warmoes Street Station as just "the station," it made me feel as though the author assumed his readers were dull-witted. Sadly, the translation was not done well and the editing, I think Intercontinental Publishing was rushing to get the book on the market. I do hope Baantjer's other books are better than this one.

[Angela (angie's cozy corner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deze had ik niet verwacht

[Margovanderaalstadriaansens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lekker hoor, met een twist in t einde.

[Lisanne Scheele · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ster

Het duurde even voor ik hier de flow van het boek te pakken had… Daarna ging het, zoals gewoonlijk bij deze boeken, vrij vlot.

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dutch writer, Baantjer, creates a believable murder mystery in Amsterdam outside the red light district where the police are headquartered. Cats also figure prominently in the mystery. Many twists & turns as you would expect, with a successful surprise ending. I am more eager than ever to visit The Netherlands and explore Amsterdam on foot or bicycle.

[Diana Willemsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spannend verhaal met onverwachte wendingen. Zelfs Smalle Lowietje is verdacht en gearresteerd. Gaat dit vriendschap met De Cock in de weg staan?

Jammer van de misogyne en seksistische opmerkingen iedere drie bladzijdes. Zou de auteur dit gemeend hebben of was het een afspiegeling van de tijd? Net als de sigaretten?

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great book.

I loved this book. And he’s written forty some. And only one is available on Kindle. How I suffer. Do I buy the few paper ones? Do I wait? Does my local library have them? Suspense…

[Agnes DiPietrantonio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great old-school mystery

I consider myself quite astute but did not figure this one out. Bravo Ac Baantjer! Well-written and translated nicely. I will read more.

[Joop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goed op gebouwd maar een ander eind dan gebruikelijk.

[Merlijne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ster

[Lisanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bij dit deel had ik de clue niet zo snel door. Wel mooi hoe de treurende kater uit de titel uiteindelijk weer terugkeert.

[Myra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Deze was minder.

[Joe Nicholl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked DeKok and the Sorrowing Tomcat (Dekok, #7, 1993)...no great shakes but it is an enjoyable murder mystery. What I enjoyed most was reading a book written by a former police inspector from Amsterdam, that being A.C. Baantjer. He puts a pinch of Sherlock Holmes & Watson, a pinch of the 87th Precinct and a pinch of Agatha Christie all blended with his own background and you come up with Inspector Dekok. The plot begins with the murder of a local well known & well liked scam artist and goes from there investigating low-life's to the well to do. If you have run out of books to read I recommend DeKok and the Sorrowing Tomcat. It's a fairly quick & enjoyable read...3 outta 5...maybe a 3.5...

[Nan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A serviceable whodunit with lots of misfit characters -- DeKok, DeKok’s eyebrows, Cunning Pete Geffel, Flossie (yes, Flossie), Little Lowee, and too many tomcats. I wish there were more Amsterdam to the book, but this wasn’t written for travel-hungry American ears. I’m wondering if H. G. Smittenaar’s translation is responsible for the occasional clumsy phrase or characterization. A quick read, but will I still like it tomorrow? Forget about like...Will I still remember it tomorrow?

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

In enjoyed this book, both for the mystery and for the mentor relationship that Dekok has with his young partner, Vledder. Although there are many police based mysteries where the detective is rebellious and does not follow the rules, in this case, Dekok's superiors appreciate the fact that this is why he is able to solve crimes that other can not.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

DeKok(..eh,with a kay-o-kay) is a grey haired relic of a detective in Amsterdam. An armored car robbery and the death of a small-time hood----the cases entwine and the eccentric DeKok solves the case.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better De Cock stories. A very good who-dunnit. No, not the butler, but the postman. The first suspect has nothing to do with the murder. Women play a very important part in this story, about a murder and an assault on a bank.

[Jielus Kuijntjes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Schitterend verhaal! Ik geniet echt van de Cock en Vledder!

[Ellen De Jaegher · Rating 3 out of 5]

een typische baantjer, een verhaal dat je meeneemt in het moordproces en je als lezer mee laat denken. uiteindelijk is het wederom de cock die met al zijn ervaring de moord weet op te helderen.