What do you think?
Rate this book
Lotte Meerman #6
Death at the Orange Locks
Keeping it in the family...
After her painful divorce four years ago, Lotte Meerman has kept well away from Arjen, her ex-husband, and his new wife Nadia. So when they both visit her at central Amsterdam's police station to report Nadia's father missing, Lotte is shocked - but hides it well.
Then two days later a dog walker reports the discovery of a body near the Orange Locks, built to keep the sea out of Amsterdam, and the missing man is identified as Nadia's father. Lotte wants to stay away from the investigation but his widow, Margreet, keeps searching her out as she has no idea it was her daughter who was pivotal in the marriage break-up. She wrongly identifies Lotte as a friend and tells her that Patrick had been a great husband and father, and a successful businessman. But when Lotte digs into Patrick's past, she discovers instead a failing company and a man with a history of making unwanted sexual advances to his female employees.
Margreet is unaware of any of this. And the more Lotte investigates the dead man's past, the more she finds to suggest that her ex-husband is somehow involved in his death...
After her painful divorce four years ago, Lotte Meerman has kept well away from Arjen, her ex-husband, and his new wife Nadia. So when they both visit her at central Amsterdam's police station to report Nadia's father missing, Lotte is shocked - but hides it well.
Then two days later a dog walker reports the discovery of a body near the Orange Locks, built to keep the sea out of Amsterdam, and the missing man is identified as Nadia's father. Lotte wants to stay away from the investigation but his widow, Margreet, keeps searching her out as she has no idea it was her daughter who was pivotal in the marriage break-up. She wrongly identifies Lotte as a friend and tells her that Patrick had been a great husband and father, and a successful businessman. But when Lotte digs into Patrick's past, she discovers instead a failing company and a man with a history of making unwanted sexual advances to his female employees.
Margreet is unaware of any of this. And the more Lotte investigates the dead man's past, the more she finds to suggest that her ex-husband is somehow involved in his death...
- GenresCrime
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2020
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 21, 2022
This is the sixth book in this series.
I fell in love with Lotte Meerman a detective living and working in Amsterdam with the first instalment, “A Cold Death in Amsterdam”.
Consequently I have purchased the books to read in chronological order. Sadly, they are to hand but remain unread. The offer of an advanced reader’s copy through NetGalley meant I either had to read the four intervening novels or break my usual habit. I missed this character and so I plunged in, out of order and out of my preferred method.
I was quickly re-acquainted with the unique narration she brings to these murder mysteries. She has great focus but an endearing quality to get sidetracked and pour out everything on her mind. This produces a much more believable and rounded police officer. Something I noted in my first review of this wonderful under appreciated author.
Anja de Jager deserves far more recognition and credit. In a crowded genre she has a distinct voice and the heart of a story teller.
When a body is fished out of the City’s canals during a suspected terror alert at Centraal Station, Lotte is given the case which circumstances show she would have been wise to dodge. This potential and growing personal conflict of interest is handled well and adds a fresh dimension to sharing information and objectivity within a police investigation.
I just adore the relaxed location of Amsterdam away from the tourist hot spots, soothed by house boats and a city favouring cycling to crime scenes and follow up interviews.
There is a degree of case closed at the end of this drama but you also feel spent nervous tension by Lotte’s emotional journey in the process of solving the murder. It is with some cost that she is able to see it through but we share her relief and enjoy the personal growth it has brought.
I fell in love with Lotte Meerman a detective living and working in Amsterdam with the first instalment, “A Cold Death in Amsterdam”.
Consequently I have purchased the books to read in chronological order. Sadly, they are to hand but remain unread. The offer of an advanced reader’s copy through NetGalley meant I either had to read the four intervening novels or break my usual habit. I missed this character and so I plunged in, out of order and out of my preferred method.
I was quickly re-acquainted with the unique narration she brings to these murder mysteries. She has great focus but an endearing quality to get sidetracked and pour out everything on her mind. This produces a much more believable and rounded police officer. Something I noted in my first review of this wonderful under appreciated author.
Anja de Jager deserves far more recognition and credit. In a crowded genre she has a distinct voice and the heart of a story teller.
When a body is fished out of the City’s canals during a suspected terror alert at Centraal Station, Lotte is given the case which circumstances show she would have been wise to dodge. This potential and growing personal conflict of interest is handled well and adds a fresh dimension to sharing information and objectivity within a police investigation.
I just adore the relaxed location of Amsterdam away from the tourist hot spots, soothed by house boats and a city favouring cycling to crime scenes and follow up interviews.
There is a degree of case closed at the end of this drama but you also feel spent nervous tension by Lotte’s emotional journey in the process of solving the murder. It is with some cost that she is able to see it through but we share her relief and enjoy the personal growth it has brought.
November 30, 2021
Death at the Orange Locks is the sixth in Anja de Jager's series featuring cold case detective Lotte Meerman, set in Amsterdam.
A few years ago Lotte and her husband, Arjen divorced and they haven't spoken since, so she is astonished when he and his current wife ask for her help in finding his father-in-law, Patrick de Linde. When Patrick's body is found two days later at the Orange Locks Lotte wants nothing to do with the investigation, but Arjen's mother-in-law, Margreet keeps badgering her.
I thoroughly enjoyed Death at the Orange Locks, a smashing police procedural with the added lure of complicated personal relationships. Told from Lotte’s point of view the reader is privy to her thoughts, actions and motives as well as being drawn into Lotte’s world. She’s smart and logical and deals with life's lemons full on. I found the plot absorbing, the author saving the best for last with a big surprise towards the end. I like this author's clear style and though the players' private lives are complex, it's not difficult to follow. I have no hesitation in recommending Death at the Orange Locks.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Little, Brown/ Constable via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
A few years ago Lotte and her husband, Arjen divorced and they haven't spoken since, so she is astonished when he and his current wife ask for her help in finding his father-in-law, Patrick de Linde. When Patrick's body is found two days later at the Orange Locks Lotte wants nothing to do with the investigation, but Arjen's mother-in-law, Margreet keeps badgering her.
I thoroughly enjoyed Death at the Orange Locks, a smashing police procedural with the added lure of complicated personal relationships. Told from Lotte’s point of view the reader is privy to her thoughts, actions and motives as well as being drawn into Lotte’s world. She’s smart and logical and deals with life's lemons full on. I found the plot absorbing, the author saving the best for last with a big surprise towards the end. I like this author's clear style and though the players' private lives are complex, it's not difficult to follow. I have no hesitation in recommending Death at the Orange Locks.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Little, Brown/ Constable via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
October 27, 2021
I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy of Death at the Orange Locks, the sixth novel to feature Amsterdam detective Lotte Meerman.
Four years ago Lotte went through a painful and acrimonious divorce and hasn’t spoken to her ex-husband, Arjen, since, so she is astonished when he and his current wife ask for her help in finding his father-in-law, Patrick de Linde. When his body is found two days later at the Orange Locks Lotte wants nothing to do with the investigation, but Patrick’s family keep dragging her in.
I thoroughly enjoyed Death at the Orange Locks, which is a good police procedural with the added piquancy of emotional turmoil and complicated personal relationships.
It is told from Lotte’s point of view so the reader gets a bird’s eye view of her thoughts, actions and motives, as well as her reactions to the judgements of others. It also makes for an immersive read as the reader gets drawn into Lotte’s world. I don’t know her very well, but I like what I see. She’s smart and logical, but not afraid to admit when she doesn’t know. I also think that she copes with life’s blows better than I would. I was fascinated by Arjen and his wife’s poor behaviour- it’s all about them, regardless of anyone else’s feelings.
I found the plot absorbing as the author pulls the reader one way and then another. The novel revolves around Patrick and his character and the more Lotte digs the less she likes. Of course, this offers several suspects and motives, including Arjen, but the author saves the best for last and pulls a big surprise as a solution. It is an easy book to read with an inviting style and clear writing. The relationships between the characters are complicated, but never difficult to understand, due to the prose.
Death at the Orange Locks is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Four years ago Lotte went through a painful and acrimonious divorce and hasn’t spoken to her ex-husband, Arjen, since, so she is astonished when he and his current wife ask for her help in finding his father-in-law, Patrick de Linde. When his body is found two days later at the Orange Locks Lotte wants nothing to do with the investigation, but Patrick’s family keep dragging her in.
I thoroughly enjoyed Death at the Orange Locks, which is a good police procedural with the added piquancy of emotional turmoil and complicated personal relationships.
It is told from Lotte’s point of view so the reader gets a bird’s eye view of her thoughts, actions and motives, as well as her reactions to the judgements of others. It also makes for an immersive read as the reader gets drawn into Lotte’s world. I don’t know her very well, but I like what I see. She’s smart and logical, but not afraid to admit when she doesn’t know. I also think that she copes with life’s blows better than I would. I was fascinated by Arjen and his wife’s poor behaviour- it’s all about them, regardless of anyone else’s feelings.
I found the plot absorbing as the author pulls the reader one way and then another. The novel revolves around Patrick and his character and the more Lotte digs the less she likes. Of course, this offers several suspects and motives, including Arjen, but the author saves the best for last and pulls a big surprise as a solution. It is an easy book to read with an inviting style and clear writing. The relationships between the characters are complicated, but never difficult to understand, due to the prose.
Death at the Orange Locks is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
June 17, 2022
The latest in the Amsterdam based detective Lotte Meerman series. These are well written crime novels with great characters, dialogue and location. The story keeps you guessing as yet another convoluted tale unfolds.
When her ex-husband Arjen and his new wife Nadia come to the police station to report her father Patrick’s disappearance and asking for Lotte for her help, she is a little put out as their affair had been the cause of her marriage to end. When the father turns up dead, apparently murdered, Lotte decides she shouldn’t become involved professionally, but she does.
When Lotte starts to delve into Patrick’s past, he turns out not to be as nice as people thought. Mix in colleague rivalry, business ambition, sexual harassment, a grieving widow and Lotte’s mother suddenly announcing her intention to get married, and a great tale develops. And her ex becomes a suspect.
Another great crime story by Anja de Jager. Although this can be read as a standalone novel, I would recommend reading them in sequence as the characters develop book by book. I’m very much looking forward to the next instalment. A quick and satisfying read.
Rob D
When her ex-husband Arjen and his new wife Nadia come to the police station to report her father Patrick’s disappearance and asking for Lotte for her help, she is a little put out as their affair had been the cause of her marriage to end. When the father turns up dead, apparently murdered, Lotte decides she shouldn’t become involved professionally, but she does.
When Lotte starts to delve into Patrick’s past, he turns out not to be as nice as people thought. Mix in colleague rivalry, business ambition, sexual harassment, a grieving widow and Lotte’s mother suddenly announcing her intention to get married, and a great tale develops. And her ex becomes a suspect.
Another great crime story by Anja de Jager. Although this can be read as a standalone novel, I would recommend reading them in sequence as the characters develop book by book. I’m very much looking forward to the next instalment. A quick and satisfying read.
Rob D
November 23, 2021
My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
As an avid reader of Crime fiction I am somewhat embarrassed to admit, I had never heard of this Author or the excellent Lotte Meerman even though this is the sixth book in the series. Firstly let me say while there are some references to our heroines previous cases seeing her feature on the front pages of newspapers this totally works as a standalone story. This is a modern day character driven Police procedural set in Amsterdam, with just one murder to solve so in some ways an old fashioned whodunit, but none the worse for that. Lotte quickly finds herself in conflict with her colleagues and family when the main suspect turns out to be a blast from the past. Atmospheric engaging enjoyable from first to last page as Lotte narrates us through her feelings and thoughts on this complex case, so much so that you feel a part of the investigation.
Recommended.
As an avid reader of Crime fiction I am somewhat embarrassed to admit, I had never heard of this Author or the excellent Lotte Meerman even though this is the sixth book in the series. Firstly let me say while there are some references to our heroines previous cases seeing her feature on the front pages of newspapers this totally works as a standalone story. This is a modern day character driven Police procedural set in Amsterdam, with just one murder to solve so in some ways an old fashioned whodunit, but none the worse for that. Lotte quickly finds herself in conflict with her colleagues and family when the main suspect turns out to be a blast from the past. Atmospheric engaging enjoyable from first to last page as Lotte narrates us through her feelings and thoughts on this complex case, so much so that you feel a part of the investigation.
Recommended.
April 28, 2022
Author Anna de Jager delivered a classic murder mystery set in Amsterdam. We travel with the main character, Lotte Meerman, to the outskirts of the city where a body is discovered in the Orange Locks canal. It was most enjoyable exploring the canals and neighborhoods as we bicycled from the crime scene through Amsterdam living the daily life of a criminal detective. This is a quick read, fast paced murder mystery laced with drama, intrigue and a surprising twist. Well done! I look forward to reading every book written by the author in this series, definitely a captivating style!
The story evolved as Detective Lotte Meerman becomes involved with a typical murder case only to discover that the victim is her ex-husband’s new Father-in-law. Detective Lotte must navigate through personal conflicts to unravel a murder investigation that she requested to be released from only to be required to carry on. A very interesting storyline.
Well done! Enjoy this intriguing mystery while traveling through beautiful Amsterdam!
The story evolved as Detective Lotte Meerman becomes involved with a typical murder case only to discover that the victim is her ex-husband’s new Father-in-law. Detective Lotte must navigate through personal conflicts to unravel a murder investigation that she requested to be released from only to be required to carry on. A very interesting storyline.
Well done! Enjoy this intriguing mystery while traveling through beautiful Amsterdam!
December 30, 2022
This is the third Lotte Meerman book I've read, and I plan to read them all. I like the main character, a police detective who, this being Amsterdam, rides her bike to work and as she does her investigation. I like her somewhat fraught but loving relationship with her mother, a kind and understanding boyfriend, and a complicated relationship with her ex husband. I also like that she bases the books on cases that her policeman father had worked on. Even though the stories have strange twists and turns (especially Death at the Hotel Mondrian), knowing that the story is based on a real crime adds interest. This murder investigation essentially becomes an investigation into the victim's business affairs. Financial fraud is not Lotte's strong point, so she is forced to ask for help from another female detective from the fraud unit. The two of them end up solving it, having to discard the person that Lotte thought was the likely perpetrator, and one-upping their male colleagues, who arrested the wrong guy.
February 13, 2023
I loved this one - a great location, realistic characters that I cared about and a plot that hung together well and kept me guessing until fairly close to the end. Plus the lead character has a very cute cat!
I liked the way de Jager dealt with the conflict Lotte had between her professional loyalties and her private emotions and also explored the way in which we can never truly know another person and how far we should go to protect a grieving person from the full knowledge of what their loved one was really like. My only slight quibble was that the solution to the crime felt a bit 'sidelined' due to having the murderer arrested 'off scene', but this didn't jar as much as it has done in some other books I've read. Possibly because so much of this story looked beyond the straight 'whodunnit' to wider themes of justice, honesty, forgiveness and healing.
I'll definitely be tracking down the earlier books in this series.
I liked the way de Jager dealt with the conflict Lotte had between her professional loyalties and her private emotions and also explored the way in which we can never truly know another person and how far we should go to protect a grieving person from the full knowledge of what their loved one was really like. My only slight quibble was that the solution to the crime felt a bit 'sidelined' due to having the murderer arrested 'off scene', but this didn't jar as much as it has done in some other books I've read. Possibly because so much of this story looked beyond the straight 'whodunnit' to wider themes of justice, honesty, forgiveness and healing.
I'll definitely be tracking down the earlier books in this series.
July 7, 2025
Murder hits to close to home in the 6th book from the Lotte Meerman series. Detective Lotte Meerman is surprised to receive a visit at the police station from her ex husband and new wife. Following a painful divorce nearly four years earlier, Lotte had no interest in seeing her ex again. But they are desperate and need her help, her ex husband’s new wife Nadia is concerned because her father has gone missing. Unfortunately, two days later, a local dog walker reports the discovery of a body near the orange locks in Amsterdam. Lotte knows she must stay away from the investigation but Nadia’s mother Margaret keeps seeking her out. Margaret has no idea that Lotte’s ex husband’s affair with her daughter destroyed her marriage. But the widow is desperate and begs Lotte to help.
Soon the authorities are looking at Lotte’s ex as the suspect. But slowly, Lotte discovers the victim, Patrick’s company was in serious financial trouble and Patrick made unwanted sexual advances toward female employees.
Soon the authorities are looking at Lotte’s ex as the suspect. But slowly, Lotte discovers the victim, Patrick’s company was in serious financial trouble and Patrick made unwanted sexual advances toward female employees.
September 17, 2021
Wow, Poor Lotte when her ex-hubby becomes a suspect for murder. Interesting how they dealt with the whole thing, to be honest. She asked to be taken off initially as she said he was her ex, and then slowly got more involved.
February 2, 2024
The sixth in this fantastic series and this one did not disappoint. When her Ex- husband is suspected of murder will detective Lotte be able to distance her personal feelings from the case. Some fantastic characters and a great story line. I just love Anja’s writing style.
October 24, 2024
Great read! Kept me guessing till the end!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews