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Van In #1
The Square of Revenge
An ancient family name hides sinister secrets of love and betrayal, riches and revenge in the heart-pounding English-language debut by European crime sensation Pieter Aspe
The beautiful medieval architecture of Bruges belies the dark longings of her residents. When the wealthy and powerful Ludovic Degroof’s jewelry store is robbed, nothing is stolen, but the jewels have been dissolved in jars of aqua regia, an acid so strong that it can melt even gold. In the empty safe is a scrap of paper on which a strange square has been drawn.
At first, Inspector Van In pays little attention to the paper, focusing on the bizarre nature of the burglary. But when Degroof’s children begin to receive letters with this same enigmatic square, Van In and the beautiful new District Attorney, Hannelore Martens, find themselves engaged in solving the mystery of a complex web of Latin phrases, a baroness’ fallen family, and Degroof’s unsettling relationship with a hostage grandchild, who is being ransomed for a priceless collection of art.
The beautiful medieval architecture of Bruges belies the dark longings of her residents. When the wealthy and powerful Ludovic Degroof’s jewelry store is robbed, nothing is stolen, but the jewels have been dissolved in jars of aqua regia, an acid so strong that it can melt even gold. In the empty safe is a scrap of paper on which a strange square has been drawn.
At first, Inspector Van In pays little attention to the paper, focusing on the bizarre nature of the burglary. But when Degroof’s children begin to receive letters with this same enigmatic square, Van In and the beautiful new District Attorney, Hannelore Martens, find themselves engaged in solving the mystery of a complex web of Latin phrases, a baroness’ fallen family, and Degroof’s unsettling relationship with a hostage grandchild, who is being ransomed for a priceless collection of art.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1995
76 people are currently reading
589 people want to read
About the author
Pieter Aspe
72 books149 followersPieter Aspe was het pseudoniem van Pierre Aspeslag. Hij studeerde Latijn-Wetenschappen aan het Sint-Leocollege in Brugge. Na zijn humanoria volgde hij gedurende korte tijd de universitaire opleiding sociologie. Hierna werkte hij als magazijnier, verkoper, bediende, seizoenagent bij de zeevaartpolitie, fotograaf, studiemeester, handelaar in brocante, handelaar in wijn en conciërge van de Heilig-Bloedkapel in Brugge. Sinds 1996 was hij voltijds schrijver van misdaadromans.
Pieter Aspe in de Nederlandstalige Wikipedia
Pieter Aspe was the pseudonym of Pierre Aspeslag. He studied Latin-Sciences at the Sint-Leo College in Bruges.
Pieter Aspe was a full time writer since 1996. Aspe wrote crime fiction novels with inspector Pieter Van In and D.A. Hannelore Martens as principal characters, who become lovers in the first book Het vierkant van de wraak. Most of the stories are situated in Bruges, Belgium. Next to this series, Aspe also wrote two YA novels, Bloedband and the sequel Luchtpost and two novellas, Grof Wild and De Japanse Tuin.
In 2001 Aspe received the Hercule Poirot Price for his novel Zoenoffer.
The first ten novels of Aspe were made into a TV series called Aspe by VTM (Flemish TV channel). This was followed up by a second and third season, but they weren’t television adaptations of the books. However the storyline of the TV series was further developed under the supervision of Pieter Aspe himself. After the first season of the series Aspe, the number of book sales increased significantly. He has currently sold over 1.5 million books in Belgium and The Netherlands.
His 24th novel Misleid was released in April 2009.
Translated from source: www.aspe.be
Pieter Aspe in the English Wikipedia
Pieter Aspe (nom de plume de Pierre Aspeslag) est un écrivain flamand.
Pieter Aspe dans la Wikipédia française
Pieter Aspe in de Nederlandstalige Wikipedia
Pieter Aspe was the pseudonym of Pierre Aspeslag. He studied Latin-Sciences at the Sint-Leo College in Bruges.
Pieter Aspe was a full time writer since 1996. Aspe wrote crime fiction novels with inspector Pieter Van In and D.A. Hannelore Martens as principal characters, who become lovers in the first book Het vierkant van de wraak. Most of the stories are situated in Bruges, Belgium. Next to this series, Aspe also wrote two YA novels, Bloedband and the sequel Luchtpost and two novellas, Grof Wild and De Japanse Tuin.
In 2001 Aspe received the Hercule Poirot Price for his novel Zoenoffer.
The first ten novels of Aspe were made into a TV series called Aspe by VTM (Flemish TV channel). This was followed up by a second and third season, but they weren’t television adaptations of the books. However the storyline of the TV series was further developed under the supervision of Pieter Aspe himself. After the first season of the series Aspe, the number of book sales increased significantly. He has currently sold over 1.5 million books in Belgium and The Netherlands.
His 24th novel Misleid was released in April 2009.
Translated from source: www.aspe.be
Pieter Aspe in the English Wikipedia
Pieter Aspe (nom de plume de Pierre Aspeslag) est un écrivain flamand.
Pieter Aspe dans la Wikipédia française
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April 2, 2024
A complex tale of vengeance
🇧🇪 I don’t read a lot of detective stories. What I do like is to read novels from other nations and cultures. If I can’t access a work of historical or contemporary fiction, in translation, then I look for substitutes. In this case, I found a detective story set in Belgium.
♠️ It starts slow but then becomes much more of a mystery and by the end not a pretty mystery either. But I did learn a lot more about Belgian ways and cuisine (and Flemish ways too of course). That was why I selected the book in the first place. But the tale itself is complex and dark. I may try the author’s other detective novels. Or not. We’ll see.
🇧🇪 I don’t read a lot of detective stories. What I do like is to read novels from other nations and cultures. If I can’t access a work of historical or contemporary fiction, in translation, then I look for substitutes. In this case, I found a detective story set in Belgium.
♠️ It starts slow but then becomes much more of a mystery and by the end not a pretty mystery either. But I did learn a lot more about Belgian ways and cuisine (and Flemish ways too of course). That was why I selected the book in the first place. But the tale itself is complex and dark. I may try the author’s other detective novels. Or not. We’ll see.
December 5, 2013
Pieter Aspe is a Flemish writer, whose mystery series featuring Inspector Pieter Van In is popular in Belgium. The Square of Revenge, originally published in 1995, has been translated into English for the first time. Based on this book, many standard elements of mysteries and crime fiction are in evidence in the series -- the seasoned inspector who has a lonely personal life, the beautiful public prosecutor, a political milieu which causes headaches for Van In and his superiors. What Aspe adds, and adds well, is a sense of setting (Bruges) and an imaginative approach to crimes. He also writes with a light touch.
In this novel, Van In and the Deputy Public Prosecutor Hannelore Martens team up to investigate a burglary in a jewelry store owned by Ghislain Degroof, the son of the powerful, wealthy, well-connected Ludovic Degroof. However, this is not the usual burglary, and the specific details of the case suggest a very personal motive. When Ludovic Degroof's grandson is kidnapped, the case gets more urgent.
I had fun reading this book. I had some quibbles -- in particular, the tendency to focus so much attention on Martens' physical appearance drove me crazy, and her relationship with Van In didn't make much sense to me. However, Aspe describes the ensuing investigation with humor. This is a fast read, and very entertaining, especially as Van In and Martens attempt to learn more of the secrets of the Degroof family. An entertaining and fast paced read, perfect for the summer.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
In this novel, Van In and the Deputy Public Prosecutor Hannelore Martens team up to investigate a burglary in a jewelry store owned by Ghislain Degroof, the son of the powerful, wealthy, well-connected Ludovic Degroof. However, this is not the usual burglary, and the specific details of the case suggest a very personal motive. When Ludovic Degroof's grandson is kidnapped, the case gets more urgent.
I had fun reading this book. I had some quibbles -- in particular, the tendency to focus so much attention on Martens' physical appearance drove me crazy, and her relationship with Van In didn't make much sense to me. However, Aspe describes the ensuing investigation with humor. This is a fast read, and very entertaining, especially as Van In and Martens attempt to learn more of the secrets of the Degroof family. An entertaining and fast paced read, perfect for the summer.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
August 13, 2022
Dit is het eerste boek in de reeks met Pieter Van In.
Versavel ontdekt tijdens een nachtelijke patrouille dat er ingebroken is in de juwelierszaak van De Groof. Bij nader onderzoek blijkt er eigenlijk niets echt gestolen te zijn, maar al de juwelen zijn opgelost in een bad met een vloeistof die alle metalen oplost behalve goud.
De vader van De Groof wil echter dat de zaak in de doofpot gestopt wordt. Van In wordt zelfs met vakantie gestuurd en ook substituut Hannelore Martens wordt van de zaak gehaald. Maar zij wil niet wijken en samen met Van In besluit ze om zelf officieus het onderzoek verder te zetten. Dit is trouwens hoe de samenwerking tussen Pieter en Hannelore begon.
Niet lang daarna echter wordt de kleinzoon van De Groof ontvoerd. De dader(s) eisen per fax dat de vader van de jongen een heleboel kostbare schilderijen openbaar zal verbranden. De fax is ondertekend met een Latijns raadsel in een vierkant geschreven, dit werd ook teruggevonden bij de inbraak bij de juwelier. Het is nu wel duidelijk dat de twee zaken gelinkt zijn.
Deze keer wil De Groof wel dat de politie zich ermee bemoeit, hij staat er zelfs op dat Van In het onderzoek in handen krijgt.
Er is geen twijfel meer dat dit een persoonlijke zaak is tegen de hele familie De Groof. Zullen Van In en Hannelore de ingewikkelde zaak kunnen ontwarren? En zullen ze op tijd komen om ten eerste het kind te bevrijden, en ten tweede de verbranding van de schilderijen te voorkomen?
Een boek boordevol spanning!
Versavel ontdekt tijdens een nachtelijke patrouille dat er ingebroken is in de juwelierszaak van De Groof. Bij nader onderzoek blijkt er eigenlijk niets echt gestolen te zijn, maar al de juwelen zijn opgelost in een bad met een vloeistof die alle metalen oplost behalve goud.
De vader van De Groof wil echter dat de zaak in de doofpot gestopt wordt. Van In wordt zelfs met vakantie gestuurd en ook substituut Hannelore Martens wordt van de zaak gehaald. Maar zij wil niet wijken en samen met Van In besluit ze om zelf officieus het onderzoek verder te zetten. Dit is trouwens hoe de samenwerking tussen Pieter en Hannelore begon.
Niet lang daarna echter wordt de kleinzoon van De Groof ontvoerd. De dader(s) eisen per fax dat de vader van de jongen een heleboel kostbare schilderijen openbaar zal verbranden. De fax is ondertekend met een Latijns raadsel in een vierkant geschreven, dit werd ook teruggevonden bij de inbraak bij de juwelier. Het is nu wel duidelijk dat de twee zaken gelinkt zijn.
Deze keer wil De Groof wel dat de politie zich ermee bemoeit, hij staat er zelfs op dat Van In het onderzoek in handen krijgt.
Er is geen twijfel meer dat dit een persoonlijke zaak is tegen de hele familie De Groof. Zullen Van In en Hannelore de ingewikkelde zaak kunnen ontwarren? En zullen ze op tijd komen om ten eerste het kind te bevrijden, en ten tweede de verbranding van de schilderijen te voorkomen?
Een boek boordevol spanning!
August 13, 2022
4 sterren - Nederlandse paperback
De Familie Degroof speelt in het vierkant van de wraak de hoofdrol. Deze familie heeft is rijk en heeft veel aanzien en aanzien. Een juwelenroof is de aanzet dat van Inn op de zaak komt. En niets is wat het lijkt.
Dit boek was mijn kennismaking met de schrijver en met het hoofdpersongage van Inn. Ik was aangenaam verrast.
Belgische Baantjer?
De Familie Degroof speelt in het vierkant van de wraak de hoofdrol. Deze familie heeft is rijk en heeft veel aanzien en aanzien. Een juwelenroof is de aanzet dat van Inn op de zaak komt. En niets is wat het lijkt.
Dit boek was mijn kennismaking met de schrijver en met het hoofdpersongage van Inn. Ik was aangenaam verrast.
Belgische Baantjer?
October 30, 2013
Originally written in 1995, The Square of Revenge is the first novel featuring the Bruges Assistant Commissioner Pieter Van In. I was especially interested in reading this crime novel because of its location in Belgium. Van In is called to investigate a robbery. The victim, Ludovic Degroof, is a high profile business man with friends in high places. The crime scene is instantly strange.
Inspector Van In and the forensic team find that the store hasn't actually been robbed but that the precious jewels have been melted down by Aqua Regia. In the safe where these jewels were placed, there is a strange note written in what appears to be Latin. Before Inspector Van In can get a real grasp on the motives of the case, he is shut down by his boss because their high profile victim favors his privacy more than anything else. At a crossroads, Van In and the stunning prosecuter Hannelore Martens begin to investigate on their own and uncover some very hidden family secrets.
The novel seems to stall until the abduction of a Degroof family member. I may have given away entirely too much information but the plot is not entirely that interesting or different. Although Aspe manages to hold my interest the entire novel, I felt more interested in getting to know our Inspector Van In and his new partner Hannelore. They are definitely more interesting and the secrets they uncover are much more juicy. Maybe my problem is that the crime was kinda light and deserved more "umpf".
Even with my gripe about the plot development, I must give credit to Pieter Aspe for vividly describing Bruges. And the introduction of Van In intrigues me. I know that followup novels probably give more insight into this chain-smoking, booze-drinking lover of all things beautiful. He's the most well developed character but I feel I still need/want to know more about him.
I look forward to reading more of Aspe's translated work in this Van In series. I hope this is not the first and last acquaintance with this author.
Inspector Van In and the forensic team find that the store hasn't actually been robbed but that the precious jewels have been melted down by Aqua Regia. In the safe where these jewels were placed, there is a strange note written in what appears to be Latin. Before Inspector Van In can get a real grasp on the motives of the case, he is shut down by his boss because their high profile victim favors his privacy more than anything else. At a crossroads, Van In and the stunning prosecuter Hannelore Martens begin to investigate on their own and uncover some very hidden family secrets.
The novel seems to stall until the abduction of a Degroof family member. I may have given away entirely too much information but the plot is not entirely that interesting or different. Although Aspe manages to hold my interest the entire novel, I felt more interested in getting to know our Inspector Van In and his new partner Hannelore. They are definitely more interesting and the secrets they uncover are much more juicy. Maybe my problem is that the crime was kinda light and deserved more "umpf".
Even with my gripe about the plot development, I must give credit to Pieter Aspe for vividly describing Bruges. And the introduction of Van In intrigues me. I know that followup novels probably give more insight into this chain-smoking, booze-drinking lover of all things beautiful. He's the most well developed character but I feel I still need/want to know more about him.
I look forward to reading more of Aspe's translated work in this Van In series. I hope this is not the first and last acquaintance with this author.
Read
June 29, 20133.75 stars
Ahhh, the joy of finding an entirely new crime fiction series to read is unmistakeable, especially as it's summer. The Square of Revenge, by Pieter Aspe, is the first in a series of novels to feature Inspector Pieter Van In of Bruges and it's the first book of the series to be published in English. The next book, The Midas Murders, is slated (according to Amazon) to be released December of this year in the US -- and I've already preordered it. Considering it's the first in a series, it's pretty darn good.
What appears to be a robbery at an upscale jewelry store has police puzzled. Everything has been cleaned out, giving the crime the earmarks of an ordinary burglary, but there are no signs of forced entry. The security company has a taped record of the store owner's son saying he will be switching off the burglar alarm, but he was away all weekend and left no such instructions. The safe had been opened, quietly and professionally. Finally, it turns out that all of the jewelry had been put into a bath of an acid solution called aqua regis, which pretty much destroyed everything. On top of everything else, when Pieter Van In's superior calls him about investigating the crime and then later decides that the case should be shelved because of politics and the owner's (Ludovic Degroof) disdain of publicity, in Van In's mind, something doesn't add up. All Van In is supposed to do is to supply a police report, and the case is technically to be over. The deputy prosecutor, Hannelore Martens, however, thinks otherwise, and insists that a public radio appeal be made to elicit any help from potential witnesses. She hands Van In an envelope with her contact details, and he notices that it is addressed "for you, bastard," and contains a 5-word square of Latin words, setting him on an investigatory track toward a motive based on revenge. His idea is reinforced when later, Degroof's grandson is kidnapped and held for an even more bizarre ransom, but trying to get the strange and eccentric Degroof family to talk or to level with Van In is like pulling teeth, even though one of their own may be in danger. He is also hampered by the politics surrounding various players in the investigation and those at a higher level.
The summary on the top of the front dustjacket blurb calls this novel "heart-pounding," and while it's good, I probably wouldn't have described it that way. While there's a good story here with more than one puzzle for the reader to work out, it's really the characters that drive this book -- especially the lead, Van In. He's beyond good at what he does, is well respected by his coterie of police friends who know him well, and has worked his way up the ladder to assistant commissioner and head of the Special Investigations Unit. He's hates "small-minded intrigue," and is a bit tired of the kinds of cases that normally land on his desk, since "spectacular crimes and real tension were a rarity." Divorced, in debt, and a heavy smoker, he is often sidelined by his boss's son-in-law, whom his boss tends to put on the more sensational cases, only to be bailed out by Van In when there's a problem. He also has no problems breaking or bending the rules when the need arises. He can be snarky, which is a good thing, and though he has some measure of personal angst, it's not's worn on the sleeve like so many other protagonists in other crime novels.
Not to give away the show, but the message left behind at the jewelry store hints at the Knights Templar, and I do have to say that when I saw this, my first thought was "Oh no, please don't go down that alley." Fortunately Aspe didn't. I just wanted to get this out there so no one balks when they get to that part and to let readers know that there's no trace of The DaVinci Code revisited here. My only issue with this book is that as the story headed toward the big finish, things started happening at a lightning-quick pace that seemed downright implausible. While generally I set my brain mode to "suspend disbelief" when I read most crime novels, events buzzed by so fast (on the part of the police) that the action became downright implausible. I get that the time frame is a bit narrow here but still. Otherwise, I was pretty happy with this first entry into a new series, and can't wait to start the next one.
Readers of lighter crime fare will probably enjoy this book, although as I said earlier, much of the subject matter is not what I'd recommend for those who like cozy mysteries. On the other hand, if you're looking for something gritty and edgy, you won't really find that either -- The Square of Revenge lands somewhere in between and makes for a good intro into a new series and a new set of characters to watch.
Ahhh, the joy of finding an entirely new crime fiction series to read is unmistakeable, especially as it's summer. The Square of Revenge, by Pieter Aspe, is the first in a series of novels to feature Inspector Pieter Van In of Bruges and it's the first book of the series to be published in English. The next book, The Midas Murders, is slated (according to Amazon) to be released December of this year in the US -- and I've already preordered it. Considering it's the first in a series, it's pretty darn good.
What appears to be a robbery at an upscale jewelry store has police puzzled. Everything has been cleaned out, giving the crime the earmarks of an ordinary burglary, but there are no signs of forced entry. The security company has a taped record of the store owner's son saying he will be switching off the burglar alarm, but he was away all weekend and left no such instructions. The safe had been opened, quietly and professionally. Finally, it turns out that all of the jewelry had been put into a bath of an acid solution called aqua regis, which pretty much destroyed everything. On top of everything else, when Pieter Van In's superior calls him about investigating the crime and then later decides that the case should be shelved because of politics and the owner's (Ludovic Degroof) disdain of publicity, in Van In's mind, something doesn't add up. All Van In is supposed to do is to supply a police report, and the case is technically to be over. The deputy prosecutor, Hannelore Martens, however, thinks otherwise, and insists that a public radio appeal be made to elicit any help from potential witnesses. She hands Van In an envelope with her contact details, and he notices that it is addressed "for you, bastard," and contains a 5-word square of Latin words, setting him on an investigatory track toward a motive based on revenge. His idea is reinforced when later, Degroof's grandson is kidnapped and held for an even more bizarre ransom, but trying to get the strange and eccentric Degroof family to talk or to level with Van In is like pulling teeth, even though one of their own may be in danger. He is also hampered by the politics surrounding various players in the investigation and those at a higher level.
The summary on the top of the front dustjacket blurb calls this novel "heart-pounding," and while it's good, I probably wouldn't have described it that way. While there's a good story here with more than one puzzle for the reader to work out, it's really the characters that drive this book -- especially the lead, Van In. He's beyond good at what he does, is well respected by his coterie of police friends who know him well, and has worked his way up the ladder to assistant commissioner and head of the Special Investigations Unit. He's hates "small-minded intrigue," and is a bit tired of the kinds of cases that normally land on his desk, since "spectacular crimes and real tension were a rarity." Divorced, in debt, and a heavy smoker, he is often sidelined by his boss's son-in-law, whom his boss tends to put on the more sensational cases, only to be bailed out by Van In when there's a problem. He also has no problems breaking or bending the rules when the need arises. He can be snarky, which is a good thing, and though he has some measure of personal angst, it's not's worn on the sleeve like so many other protagonists in other crime novels.
Not to give away the show, but the message left behind at the jewelry store hints at the Knights Templar, and I do have to say that when I saw this, my first thought was "Oh no, please don't go down that alley." Fortunately Aspe didn't. I just wanted to get this out there so no one balks when they get to that part and to let readers know that there's no trace of The DaVinci Code revisited here. My only issue with this book is that as the story headed toward the big finish, things started happening at a lightning-quick pace that seemed downright implausible. While generally I set my brain mode to "suspend disbelief" when I read most crime novels, events buzzed by so fast (on the part of the police) that the action became downright implausible. I get that the time frame is a bit narrow here but still. Otherwise, I was pretty happy with this first entry into a new series, and can't wait to start the next one.
Readers of lighter crime fare will probably enjoy this book, although as I said earlier, much of the subject matter is not what I'd recommend for those who like cozy mysteries. On the other hand, if you're looking for something gritty and edgy, you won't really find that either -- The Square of Revenge lands somewhere in between and makes for a good intro into a new series and a new set of characters to watch.
March 13, 2023
A mystery with layers that can be peeled apart but not easily guessed. The surprises throughout allow for a quick and enjoyable read.
September 20, 2020
For my English speaking friends; this book is the first in a long series by one of Flanders’ bestselling authors Pieter Aspe. The books have also been made in a television series that is still regularly repeated on VTM. The books have been translated in many languages, including in English. If you like police procedurals that occur in foreign countries, these take place in Bruges, a small, ancient and very beautiful town with lots of medieval buildings. There are the well-connected types that try to meddle in police investigations and careerist officers who’re almost incompetent. A narky, clever, but disillusioned inspector and a young, pretty prosecutor are the main characters throughout the series.
Dit boek had ik jaren geleden al eens gelezen, maar nu wil de hele serie in volgorde lezen en de evolutie van de personages volgen. Je moet er rekening mee houden dat dit eerste verhaal al dateert van 1995 en dat de Belgische maatschappij sindsdien toch behoorlijk is veranderd en geëvolueerd, niet altijd ten goede trouwens. 25 jaar geleden mochten we nog naar hartenlust roken op café of restaurant, we keken nog massaal naar de BRTN en de Rijkswacht reed rond met een rode streep op hun wagens.
Bij een inbraak bij een exclusieve juwelier wordt er niets gestolen, maar worden alle juwelen opgelost in koningswater (dat is een zuur waardoor het goud min of meer smelt, het goudgehalte blijft wel maar de prijs voor werkuren en artisticiteit zijn weg). Een eigenaardige zaak want de eigenaar, een bekende katholieke politicus wil geen klacht indienen en de hoofdcommissaris laat verstaan dat de zaak beter onopgelost blijft. Als commissaris Pieter van In en kersverse substituut Hannelore Martens er tegenin gaan, wordt Van In op vakantie gestuurd en Hannelore ’s baas seponeert de kwestie. De 2 koppigaards laten het niet daarbij zitten en onderzoeken de zaak in het geheim toch verder. Al snel blijkt dat er achter de ronkende namen een heleboel vuile was schuil gaat.
Dit boek had ik jaren geleden al eens gelezen, maar nu wil de hele serie in volgorde lezen en de evolutie van de personages volgen. Je moet er rekening mee houden dat dit eerste verhaal al dateert van 1995 en dat de Belgische maatschappij sindsdien toch behoorlijk is veranderd en geëvolueerd, niet altijd ten goede trouwens. 25 jaar geleden mochten we nog naar hartenlust roken op café of restaurant, we keken nog massaal naar de BRTN en de Rijkswacht reed rond met een rode streep op hun wagens.
Bij een inbraak bij een exclusieve juwelier wordt er niets gestolen, maar worden alle juwelen opgelost in koningswater (dat is een zuur waardoor het goud min of meer smelt, het goudgehalte blijft wel maar de prijs voor werkuren en artisticiteit zijn weg). Een eigenaardige zaak want de eigenaar, een bekende katholieke politicus wil geen klacht indienen en de hoofdcommissaris laat verstaan dat de zaak beter onopgelost blijft. Als commissaris Pieter van In en kersverse substituut Hannelore Martens er tegenin gaan, wordt Van In op vakantie gestuurd en Hannelore ’s baas seponeert de kwestie. De 2 koppigaards laten het niet daarbij zitten en onderzoeken de zaak in het geheim toch verder. Al snel blijkt dat er achter de ronkende namen een heleboel vuile was schuil gaat.
August 12, 2015
I have been travelling lately. I have been to the Cajun country in Louisiana, the Highlands in Scotland and now Bruges. Of course, it was all done through books which is what makes them so lovely. I have been fond of Bruges since the wonderful movie, "In Bruges" with Colin Farrell and this book gives me such a powerful sense of place.
I love picking up on cultural differences and this book does that especially since it's translated. It was written for locals and not Americans so it gives it the added punch. One of my favorite lines was when the Inspector Van In says the name Verheye was such a common name that it was almost impossible to track down a specific one. Really? Verheye is common? Yes, my kind of book.
The book is about an influential man, Degroof, who is being targeted by someone wanting to exact revenge on him for past deeds. He is being punished through his children and grandchildren which was an unique way to go. There are plenty of twists and turns and a really surprising (to me) end.
It was quite a satisfying read and I hope to read more in the series. And the real bonus is having the city Bruges unfold before your eyes. I highly recommend this book.
I love picking up on cultural differences and this book does that especially since it's translated. It was written for locals and not Americans so it gives it the added punch. One of my favorite lines was when the Inspector Van In says the name Verheye was such a common name that it was almost impossible to track down a specific one. Really? Verheye is common? Yes, my kind of book.
The book is about an influential man, Degroof, who is being targeted by someone wanting to exact revenge on him for past deeds. He is being punished through his children and grandchildren which was an unique way to go. There are plenty of twists and turns and a really surprising (to me) end.
It was quite a satisfying read and I hope to read more in the series. And the real bonus is having the city Bruges unfold before your eyes. I highly recommend this book.
October 10, 2016
This is book 1 in the Van In series. Pieter Van In is a police commissioner in Bruges, Belgium. I previously read one of the books in this series and enjoyed it enough that I purchased book one in the series. Pieter is divorced and in a personal slump. He is an excellent detective and is assigned a puzzling jewellery case, where the jewelry was destroyed instead of stolen. The title gives the motive. There are ugly family secrets and a surprise ending. There is some romance in this book. The translation is excellent.
One quote: "Memory is a complex labyrinth, a living mishmash of memories, some registered, others wandering loss until they find a home."
One quote: "Memory is a complex labyrinth, a living mishmash of memories, some registered, others wandering loss until they find a home."
August 22, 2015
The Square of Revenge is the first novel in the Van In mystery series by Belgian author Pieter Aspe. Since I was not familiar with the author, I looked him up to see what other books he had written, there was a long list, most of them not in English. This leads me to believe that he is an established author trying to break into the US market.
The premise for the book sounds intriguing. A wealthy jeweler has his store broken into. Instead of stealing anything the burglars dissolve his entire inventory in aqua regia, a substance that supposedly can melt even gold. In addition, they leave behind a scrap of paper upon which is written four words in the situated in the form of a square. Why would the burglars vandalize the shop, but not take anything? What is the significance, if any, of the square of words. To Detective Van In and DA Hannelore Martens this crime seems to be very personal.
When I decided to try The Square of Revenge, I wasn't sure what I would find. From the synopsis, I thought this might be a "conspiracy mystery" book, similar to those of Dan Brown, Steve Berry, and Brad Meltzer, of which I am a big fan. If not that, I was hoping for a good nordic noir mystery, based on the name of the author and the language that this book was originally released in. In reality, though, this book did not fit into either of those categories. It was more of a standard detective mystery in the style of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot books, or Nelson DeMille's John Corey series. As such it was a good story with engaging characters and an interesting mystery. For a number of the characters in the story I was not sure what their role was or why they were relevant until closer to the end. I like this about mysteries as it keeps me guessing and that keeps me engaged. I was a bit disappointed, though, that some of the connections hinted at in the beginning of the book were never really addressed, though. In addition, there were several devices in the story that I felt the author could have given a bigger role, but which I cannot enumerate without giving things away. It was unfortunate that some of these items were ones that I was most interested in at the beginning, they had such promise but turned out to be nothing, really.
I would still recommend this book for mystery buffs, but just be aware that it is a straight up mystery. It is neither big on the suspense, nor would I call it a thriller. As a mystery, though, it is an enjoyable and good read. I intend to seek out other books in the series if I can find them in English. I am interested to see how Van In and DA Martens progress and to learn more about their back stories.
The premise for the book sounds intriguing. A wealthy jeweler has his store broken into. Instead of stealing anything the burglars dissolve his entire inventory in aqua regia, a substance that supposedly can melt even gold. In addition, they leave behind a scrap of paper upon which is written four words in the situated in the form of a square. Why would the burglars vandalize the shop, but not take anything? What is the significance, if any, of the square of words. To Detective Van In and DA Hannelore Martens this crime seems to be very personal.
When I decided to try The Square of Revenge, I wasn't sure what I would find. From the synopsis, I thought this might be a "conspiracy mystery" book, similar to those of Dan Brown, Steve Berry, and Brad Meltzer, of which I am a big fan. If not that, I was hoping for a good nordic noir mystery, based on the name of the author and the language that this book was originally released in. In reality, though, this book did not fit into either of those categories. It was more of a standard detective mystery in the style of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot books, or Nelson DeMille's John Corey series. As such it was a good story with engaging characters and an interesting mystery. For a number of the characters in the story I was not sure what their role was or why they were relevant until closer to the end. I like this about mysteries as it keeps me guessing and that keeps me engaged. I was a bit disappointed, though, that some of the connections hinted at in the beginning of the book were never really addressed, though. In addition, there were several devices in the story that I felt the author could have given a bigger role, but which I cannot enumerate without giving things away. It was unfortunate that some of these items were ones that I was most interested in at the beginning, they had such promise but turned out to be nothing, really.
I would still recommend this book for mystery buffs, but just be aware that it is a straight up mystery. It is neither big on the suspense, nor would I call it a thriller. As a mystery, though, it is an enjoyable and good read. I intend to seek out other books in the series if I can find them in English. I am interested to see how Van In and DA Martens progress and to learn more about their back stories.
August 27, 2017
Una lettura indubbiamente distensiva, ma il libro fa acqua da tutte le parti: personaggi poco definiti, trama farraginosa, ambientazione inesistente. La storia si svolge in Belgio, nei dintorni di Bruges, ma le descrizioni della città sono decisamente insipide.
June 6, 2018
3,75 sterren - Nederlandse paperback - Ik heb dyslexie -
Dit boek stond al een tijdje op de te lezen plank. En iedere keer pakte ik een ander boek om te lezen. Omdat het nu zulk schitterend weer is maak ik meer lesuren en kan meerdere boeken in de week lezen. Vandaar dat het nu eindelijk met mij mee ging op ontdekkingstocht in de bossen tussen Venlo en Belfeld.
Dit is het eerste boek in de serie rond adjunct-commissaris van In.
Hij wordt opgeroepen om een diefstal te onderzoeken. Wel met de mededeling er niet hard aan te werken. Vriendjespolitiek denkt van In. Maar de substituut, assistent officier van justitie, denkt daar anders over. Dit is het start schot voor een onderzoek wat telkens een andere wending krijgt en steeds schokkender word. Voor de wendingen en onderwerpen gaf ik dit boek 4 sterren. Maar omdat ik toch diepgang in de karakters mis in dit boek heb ik toch voor 3,75 sterren gekozen. Vandaag gaat hij uit zwerven, naar een mini-bieb. Benieuwd wat de volgend lezer van dit boek vind. 🌸💕🌹
Dit boek stond al een tijdje op de te lezen plank. En iedere keer pakte ik een ander boek om te lezen. Omdat het nu zulk schitterend weer is maak ik meer lesuren en kan meerdere boeken in de week lezen. Vandaar dat het nu eindelijk met mij mee ging op ontdekkingstocht in de bossen tussen Venlo en Belfeld.
Dit is het eerste boek in de serie rond adjunct-commissaris van In.
Hij wordt opgeroepen om een diefstal te onderzoeken. Wel met de mededeling er niet hard aan te werken. Vriendjespolitiek denkt van In. Maar de substituut, assistent officier van justitie, denkt daar anders over. Dit is het start schot voor een onderzoek wat telkens een andere wending krijgt en steeds schokkender word. Voor de wendingen en onderwerpen gaf ik dit boek 4 sterren. Maar omdat ik toch diepgang in de karakters mis in dit boek heb ik toch voor 3,75 sterren gekozen. Vandaag gaat hij uit zwerven, naar een mini-bieb. Benieuwd wat de volgend lezer van dit boek vind. 🌸💕🌹
May 22, 2013
There he is! Pieter Aspe, my most beloved Belgian crime writer, finally made it to the USA.
Quirky Pieter Van In, a very smart and keen detective in Bruges, can finally prove his talents as a jewelry store gets a very weird burglar visit.
During his investigation, which takes him into every nook and cranny of this beautiful historic town, he has to cooperate with the pretty Hannelore, who is the leading District Attorney in this case.
Their blooming romance is a nice complement to this marvelous police investigation.
Be ready for not so politically correct detectives, for suspense, some humor, Belgian beer, and beautiful Bruges.
Quirky Pieter Van In, a very smart and keen detective in Bruges, can finally prove his talents as a jewelry store gets a very weird burglar visit.
During his investigation, which takes him into every nook and cranny of this beautiful historic town, he has to cooperate with the pretty Hannelore, who is the leading District Attorney in this case.
Their blooming romance is a nice complement to this marvelous police investigation.
Be ready for not so politically correct detectives, for suspense, some humor, Belgian beer, and beautiful Bruges.
December 7, 2013
First mystery series I have read that is set in Belgium and I believe the first Flemish author as well. I enjoyed the story-line, old family secrets coming back to haunt. but did not like the focus on the looks of the "beautiful district attorney'" and found all the different van's involved in the story a bit hard to keep straight. Did like it enough to read the next installment in the series, called "The Midas Murders."
June 13, 2023
Mah, questo giallo non mi ha convinta per nulla. Soprattutto il protagonista, Van In, è un po' sopra le righe e non sono riuscita a prenderlo sul serio, anche se si trattava di una storia anche piuttosto agghiacciante, alla fine.
Non so se è colpa dell'autore, che non ha saputo delineare dei personaggi umanamente accettabili, o se è il modo di fare belga. Fatto sta che - per ora - non ho nessuna intenzione di continuare la serie dedicata a questo poliziotto che sbava continuamente dietro a qualsiasi donna, purché respiri, e che sta a guardare persino se le sospettate indossano il reggiseno o meno...
Descrizioni di Bruges non pervenute. Secondo me Aspe si è preoccupato più di descrivere abbigliamenti femminili arrapanti. Che peccato per lui!
Non so se è colpa dell'autore, che non ha saputo delineare dei personaggi umanamente accettabili, o se è il modo di fare belga. Fatto sta che - per ora - non ho nessuna intenzione di continuare la serie dedicata a questo poliziotto che sbava continuamente dietro a qualsiasi donna, purché respiri, e che sta a guardare persino se le sospettate indossano il reggiseno o meno...
Descrizioni di Bruges non pervenute. Secondo me Aspe si è preoccupato più di descrivere abbigliamenti femminili arrapanti. Che peccato per lui!
August 26, 2018
This intricately plotted policier involves a wealthy and politically connected Bruges family who suffers a series of increasingly serious crimes, all tied to secrets from the past. There's a delicious red herring involving the Knights Templar, the obligatorily conflicted and bibulous detective, a sexy sidekick from the prosecutor's office, and two oddly matched perps. Above all we get a ground-level view of the politics and social environment of Belgium and Bruges. A good read.
April 1, 2020
Racconto scorrevole nella lettura, ma complessivamente debole nella vicenda noir.
Maledetti intellettuali, imprecò Van In fra i denti.
(56)
Maledetti intellettuali, imprecò Van In fra i denti.
(56)
November 10, 2018
I don’t know what I was expecting, but certainly not this. I have read my fair share of weird detectives and police investigators, but to be honest, Van In got on my nerves: he spent half the book drinking and smoking, did basically nothing at all, and still, the answer came at him like it fell from the sky. Nope, don’t believe it. Also, he was insufferable.
And I hate to say it, but it’s clear the book is written by a man: the young and pretty Deputy (this was reinforced all the time: that she was very pretty, had a great body, etc, was at least mentioned once every three pages) , Hannelore, somehow decided that a forty-plus, smoking, and rude police officer (or whatever his position was, I don’t care) was exactly what she wanted. Um, let me doubt that. And I repeat: I don’t know how they resolved the case, seeing as Van In spent more time thinking about what she was wearing than about his work. Yuck.
About any other characters, they were basically names and positions, nothing else, and even the two main had the personality of a rock, so I can safely say I was zero invested in the characters.
The plot was okay-ish, nothing special. I saw most of what would happen a mile away, but I have to admit there were a few plot twists I did like, and the resolution wasn’t really that bad. But it was quite boring at times, and most of the plot was rushed in the last hundred pages so the pacing was really off.
The narrative was weird and not well written: POVs changed, people thought the most ridiculous things, and details that had absolutely zero importance were remarked. Furthermore, the dialogue sounded fake, and I didn’t like how everything was handled because it was all so… Cold. Impersonal. It didn’t particularly call to me, and seating down to reading was almost a chore because it was that disagreeable.
To sum up, this was a novel that, while entertaining enough and acceptable to pass the time, I didn’t like: bad characters, slow pacing, weak plot, and weird narrative. I won’t read again from this author if I can avoid it, this was honestly not my cup of tea.
*The best part: Some of the plot twists.
*The worst part: Van In. Ew.
I rate this book a 2/5, honestly quite bad.
And I hate to say it, but it’s clear the book is written by a man: the young and pretty Deputy (this was reinforced all the time: that she was very pretty, had a great body, etc, was at least mentioned once every three pages) , Hannelore, somehow decided that a forty-plus, smoking, and rude police officer (or whatever his position was, I don’t care) was exactly what she wanted. Um, let me doubt that. And I repeat: I don’t know how they resolved the case, seeing as Van In spent more time thinking about what she was wearing than about his work. Yuck.
About any other characters, they were basically names and positions, nothing else, and even the two main had the personality of a rock, so I can safely say I was zero invested in the characters.
The plot was okay-ish, nothing special. I saw most of what would happen a mile away, but I have to admit there were a few plot twists I did like, and the resolution wasn’t really that bad. But it was quite boring at times, and most of the plot was rushed in the last hundred pages so the pacing was really off.
The narrative was weird and not well written: POVs changed, people thought the most ridiculous things, and details that had absolutely zero importance were remarked. Furthermore, the dialogue sounded fake, and I didn’t like how everything was handled because it was all so… Cold. Impersonal. It didn’t particularly call to me, and seating down to reading was almost a chore because it was that disagreeable.
To sum up, this was a novel that, while entertaining enough and acceptable to pass the time, I didn’t like: bad characters, slow pacing, weak plot, and weird narrative. I won’t read again from this author if I can avoid it, this was honestly not my cup of tea.
*The best part: Some of the plot twists.
*The worst part: Van In. Ew.
I rate this book a 2/5, honestly quite bad.
March 14, 2014
This is a good mystery, the first in this series, or at least the first translated into English, set in Bruges, Belgium. The author develops an interesting plot, involving a kidnapping, and a ransom that seems centered on making public a wealthy families' darkest secrets.
June 10, 2024
I could not get over how the main female character is being seductive, sexy, or provocative every time she’s mentioned. Her blouse is see-through yet she’s new to her role where she deals with a lot of men?
The mystery itself was mediocre.
The mystery itself was mediocre.
July 20, 2023
Voordat Pieter Aspe, het pseudoniem van Pierre Aspeslag, in 1996 fulltime auteur werd, heeft hij allerlei beroepen uitgeoefend. Op zijn veertigste besloot hij het roer volledig om te gooien en bedacht hij in een gekke bui om schrijver te worden. Geïnspireerd door Jef Geeraerts koos hij voor het misdaadgenre, mede omdat hij in de veronderstelde dat dit gemakkelijker was vol te houden. Vervolgens debuteerde hij in 1995 met Het vierkant van de wraak, het eerste deel van een lange serie met onder andere commissaris Pieter van In. Op 1 mei 2021 overleed hij op achtenzestigjarige leeftijd als gevolg van ziekte.
In de juwelierszaak van Ghislain Degroof, zoon van een van de machtigste en rijkste mannen van Brugge, is een mysterieuze inbraak gepleegd. Zijn vader Ludovic wil koste wat kost voorkomen dat hier ruchtbaarheid aan gegeven wordt. Commissaris Pieter van In daarentegen wil de zaak zo spoedig mogelijk oplossen, maar slaagt daar vooralsnog niet in. Dan wordt Degroofs kleinzoon ontvoerd en de eisen die de ontvoerders stellen zijn nogal uitzonderlijk. Van In is er niet alleen van overtuigd dat beide misdaden met elkaar te maken hebben, maar ook dat de daders het op Degroof senior hebben voorzien.
In dit eerste deel van de langlopende serie – het laatste verscheen in 2017 – maakt de lezer kennis met de belangrijkste personages: Pieter van In, Hannelore Martens en Guido Versavel. Hij komt hierdoor het een en ander over hen te weten, maar kan zich niet aan de indruk onttrekken dat de auteur het een en ander achterlaat (wellicht om dit in de vervolgdelen te onthullen). Van deze drie zijn Van In en Martens het meest uitgewerkt. Alle overige karakters, en dat zijn er nogal wat, blijven over het algemeen vrij oppervlakkig. Voor het verhaal geldt dat iets minder, maar zware thema’s en/of diepzinnige gedachten moeten hierin zeker niet verwacht worden, hetgeen ook niet de bedoeling van Aspe is geweest.
De plot heeft een volledig chronologisch verloop, maar sporadisch vindt er een korte flashback plaats naar het verleden, vooral tijdens de informele verhoren door de politie en met name in de slotfase van het debuut. Hoewel het verhaal, dat even op gang moet komen, niet nagelbijtend spannend is, bevat het daarentegen wel diverse wendingen die je niet aan ziet komen. De delicten die Van In en collega’s mogen oplossen, zijn interessant en komen in het echte leven eveneens voor, maar hoe deze worden uitgevoerd grenzen aan het onrealistische. Dat kan tevens gezegd worden van het onderzoek zelf, want daarin gebeuren dingen die bij de echte professionals zo goed als zeker de wenkbrauwen doen fronsen.
Aspe hanteert een overwegend vlotte en luchtige schrijfstijl, overigens zonder dat het simpel overkomt. Verder gebruikt hij bij tijd en wijle humor (Van In is soms ronduit cynisch), weet hij de vele situaties beeldend en inlevend te beschrijven en houdt hij er een behoorlijk tempo op na. Erg opvallend is het exorbitante alcoholgebruik van de commissaris. Het komt voor dat hij ’s morgens vroeg om kwart voor acht al aan een Duvel gaat, dit heeft toch wel erg veel weg van alcoholisme. Voor de ontwikkeling van Van In zal het goed zijn als hij hier in de volgende delen iets aan gaat doen.
Het vierkant van de wraak, waarvan de ontknoping onverwacht, onthullend en ook enigszins gezocht is, is over het geheel genomen een goed begin van een op het eerste oog boeiende serie met enkele innemende personages. Aspe toont hier sowieso mee aan dat hij verhaal kan vertellen. En misschien is de charme daarvan wel dat het aan de gemoedelijke kant is.
In de juwelierszaak van Ghislain Degroof, zoon van een van de machtigste en rijkste mannen van Brugge, is een mysterieuze inbraak gepleegd. Zijn vader Ludovic wil koste wat kost voorkomen dat hier ruchtbaarheid aan gegeven wordt. Commissaris Pieter van In daarentegen wil de zaak zo spoedig mogelijk oplossen, maar slaagt daar vooralsnog niet in. Dan wordt Degroofs kleinzoon ontvoerd en de eisen die de ontvoerders stellen zijn nogal uitzonderlijk. Van In is er niet alleen van overtuigd dat beide misdaden met elkaar te maken hebben, maar ook dat de daders het op Degroof senior hebben voorzien.
In dit eerste deel van de langlopende serie – het laatste verscheen in 2017 – maakt de lezer kennis met de belangrijkste personages: Pieter van In, Hannelore Martens en Guido Versavel. Hij komt hierdoor het een en ander over hen te weten, maar kan zich niet aan de indruk onttrekken dat de auteur het een en ander achterlaat (wellicht om dit in de vervolgdelen te onthullen). Van deze drie zijn Van In en Martens het meest uitgewerkt. Alle overige karakters, en dat zijn er nogal wat, blijven over het algemeen vrij oppervlakkig. Voor het verhaal geldt dat iets minder, maar zware thema’s en/of diepzinnige gedachten moeten hierin zeker niet verwacht worden, hetgeen ook niet de bedoeling van Aspe is geweest.
De plot heeft een volledig chronologisch verloop, maar sporadisch vindt er een korte flashback plaats naar het verleden, vooral tijdens de informele verhoren door de politie en met name in de slotfase van het debuut. Hoewel het verhaal, dat even op gang moet komen, niet nagelbijtend spannend is, bevat het daarentegen wel diverse wendingen die je niet aan ziet komen. De delicten die Van In en collega’s mogen oplossen, zijn interessant en komen in het echte leven eveneens voor, maar hoe deze worden uitgevoerd grenzen aan het onrealistische. Dat kan tevens gezegd worden van het onderzoek zelf, want daarin gebeuren dingen die bij de echte professionals zo goed als zeker de wenkbrauwen doen fronsen.
Aspe hanteert een overwegend vlotte en luchtige schrijfstijl, overigens zonder dat het simpel overkomt. Verder gebruikt hij bij tijd en wijle humor (Van In is soms ronduit cynisch), weet hij de vele situaties beeldend en inlevend te beschrijven en houdt hij er een behoorlijk tempo op na. Erg opvallend is het exorbitante alcoholgebruik van de commissaris. Het komt voor dat hij ’s morgens vroeg om kwart voor acht al aan een Duvel gaat, dit heeft toch wel erg veel weg van alcoholisme. Voor de ontwikkeling van Van In zal het goed zijn als hij hier in de volgende delen iets aan gaat doen.
Het vierkant van de wraak, waarvan de ontknoping onverwacht, onthullend en ook enigszins gezocht is, is over het geheel genomen een goed begin van een op het eerste oog boeiende serie met enkele innemende personages. Aspe toont hier sowieso mee aan dat hij verhaal kan vertellen. En misschien is de charme daarvan wel dat het aan de gemoedelijke kant is.
January 28, 2020
THE SQUARE OF REVENGE
Nice police procedural set in Bruges Belgium, introducing Commissioner Van In. A lot of dark family drama from the past involved in the crimes committed. A little on the light side but very enjoyable.
September 19, 2018
Enjoyed the well-paced plot despite a lapse towards the end. Definitely continuing with the series
May 31, 2022
Club read, possibly a 3* if I could focus but I kept putting it down for a day or more at a time. https://www.aworldadventurebybook.com/
October 19, 2024
In het begin las het minder vlot, naar het einde toe ging het beter. Ben benieuwd naar de volgende
December 22, 2017
Ik geef het op na ongeveer een derde van het boek...! Ik vind het echt mega saai. Mijn eerste Aspe... ik dacht ik begin maar met de eerste. Maar het is zo ouderwets geschreven. Ok het is al meer dan 20 jaar oud... maar bovendien ook nogal langdradig... niet mijn ding. Het is al maar een redelijk kort boek en toch wordt er over zoveel uitgeweid. Aan de aspe-liefhebbers: zijn de recentere boeken beter om mee te beginnen? Ik wil gerust nog eentje proberen.
April 11, 2022
2.5 Stars ⭐️
March 15, 2024
"Het vierkant van de wraak" is een super spannend boek geschreven door Pieter Aspe, een Belgische schrijver die bekend staat om zijn geweldige misdaadverhalen. Dit boek is echt een aanrader voor iedereen die houdt van mysteries en thrillers.
Het verhaal begint met een moord in Brugge, een stad vol geschiedenis en mysterie. Commissaris Van In, een cool personage dat altijd de zaak weet op te lossen, moet de moordenaar vinden. Maar natuurlijk is het niet zo makkelijk als het lijkt. Het wordt steeds ingewikkelder naarmate het verhaal verder gaat, met veel onverwachte gebeurtenissen en geheimen die ontrafeld moeten worden.
Wat ik echt cool vind aan dit boek is hoe levendig de personages zijn. Commissaris Van In is echt interessant omdat hij ook zijn eigen problemen heeft en niet altijd weet wat goed of slecht is. En de andere personages zijn ook heel goed uitgewerkt, ze voelen echt aan als echte mensen.
De setting van het verhaal, brugge, is ook geweldig beschreven. Je krijgt echt het gevoel alsof je daar rondloopt terwijl je het boek leest. Het voegt echt iets toe aan de sfeer en maakt het verhaal nog meeslepender.
De plot zit vol met spanning en actie. Je blijft maar doorlezen omdat je gewoon wilt weten wat er gaat gebeuren. En de plottwist is echt verrassend, ik had het totaal niet zien aankomen.
Al met al, "Het vierkant van de wraak" is een geweldig boek voor mensen die van lezen houden of voor iemand dat net begint met lezen en is een boek wilt uitproberen. Het is perfect voor iedereen die van misdaadverhalen houdt, en ik wil andere mensen aanraden om meer boeken van Pieter Aspe te lezen.
Het verhaal begint met een moord in Brugge, een stad vol geschiedenis en mysterie. Commissaris Van In, een cool personage dat altijd de zaak weet op te lossen, moet de moordenaar vinden. Maar natuurlijk is het niet zo makkelijk als het lijkt. Het wordt steeds ingewikkelder naarmate het verhaal verder gaat, met veel onverwachte gebeurtenissen en geheimen die ontrafeld moeten worden.
Wat ik echt cool vind aan dit boek is hoe levendig de personages zijn. Commissaris Van In is echt interessant omdat hij ook zijn eigen problemen heeft en niet altijd weet wat goed of slecht is. En de andere personages zijn ook heel goed uitgewerkt, ze voelen echt aan als echte mensen.
De setting van het verhaal, brugge, is ook geweldig beschreven. Je krijgt echt het gevoel alsof je daar rondloopt terwijl je het boek leest. Het voegt echt iets toe aan de sfeer en maakt het verhaal nog meeslepender.
De plot zit vol met spanning en actie. Je blijft maar doorlezen omdat je gewoon wilt weten wat er gaat gebeuren. En de plottwist is echt verrassend, ik had het totaal niet zien aankomen.
Al met al, "Het vierkant van de wraak" is een geweldig boek voor mensen die van lezen houden of voor iemand dat net begint met lezen en is een boek wilt uitproberen. Het is perfect voor iedereen die van misdaadverhalen houdt, en ik wil andere mensen aanraden om meer boeken van Pieter Aspe te lezen.
February 18, 2014
Eager as I am to find easier reads in Dutch, this one was simply too annoying to finish. I'm not into the pictures-in-reviews trend, but all I could think of when reading this was that the protagonist is
Although this book was published in 1995 (!), it is jam-packed with the blatant, unfunny sexism of the 1960s. Imagine the kind of thing that goes on in Mad Men but without the dramatic irony that leads the viewer to naturally sympathize with the women. The main character, Van In, is an unattractive chain-smoker who went through an expensive divorce after having an affair with a 19-year old. The narration complains about how hard it is for him to keep up on the mortgage of the house he chose to keep after the split with his higher-earning wife, while treating the affair as something that happened in an agentless sense, like tripping over a curb. The female lead is the beautiful DA, Hannelore Martens, whose diligence and hard work are presented as an irritation. Van In occupies himself with looking down her top and wondering whether such a beautiful woman could really be a DA (answer: yes). For some reason, Martens is portrayed as a love interest for Van In, rather than, say, showing her avoiding him or having drinks with her girlfriends to discuss how to deal with the jerkwad who's making it so unpleasant to work on her big case. Later, Van In interviews a witness while the witness's wife parades around topless for some reason, and they're all drinking champagne at breakfast-time. After five glasses, top cop Van In drives himself back to town. Then we hear about how annoying he finds it that Americans talk too much at meals--but he doesn't care if his smoking at the table bothers others. There is a lot of banter with another police officer that I suspect is homophobic, but I don't have the vocabulary to tell, and I don't want to develop that vocabulary, either. This was all just in the first 30% of a relatively brief book, and there are 31 (?!) volumes that come after this one.
I'm surprised that there aren't many reviews of the recent translation that mention these aspects of the story. I wonder if the English-language publisher didn't take the opportunity to edit a bit for content while they were translating. I really want to read more in Dutch and found myself getting into the language more easily just over the chunk of this book that I read, but it was impossible to find this a rewarding read.
Although this book was published in 1995 (!), it is jam-packed with the blatant, unfunny sexism of the 1960s. Imagine the kind of thing that goes on in Mad Men but without the dramatic irony that leads the viewer to naturally sympathize with the women. The main character, Van In, is an unattractive chain-smoker who went through an expensive divorce after having an affair with a 19-year old. The narration complains about how hard it is for him to keep up on the mortgage of the house he chose to keep after the split with his higher-earning wife, while treating the affair as something that happened in an agentless sense, like tripping over a curb. The female lead is the beautiful DA, Hannelore Martens, whose diligence and hard work are presented as an irritation. Van In occupies himself with looking down her top and wondering whether such a beautiful woman could really be a DA (answer: yes). For some reason, Martens is portrayed as a love interest for Van In, rather than, say, showing her avoiding him or having drinks with her girlfriends to discuss how to deal with the jerkwad who's making it so unpleasant to work on her big case. Later, Van In interviews a witness while the witness's wife parades around topless for some reason, and they're all drinking champagne at breakfast-time. After five glasses, top cop Van In drives himself back to town. Then we hear about how annoying he finds it that Americans talk too much at meals--but he doesn't care if his smoking at the table bothers others. There is a lot of banter with another police officer that I suspect is homophobic, but I don't have the vocabulary to tell, and I don't want to develop that vocabulary, either. This was all just in the first 30% of a relatively brief book, and there are 31 (?!) volumes that come after this one.
I'm surprised that there aren't many reviews of the recent translation that mention these aspects of the story. I wonder if the English-language publisher didn't take the opportunity to edit a bit for content while they were translating. I really want to read more in Dutch and found myself getting into the language more easily just over the chunk of this book that I read, but it was impossible to find this a rewarding read.
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