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De Cock #6
De Cock en de dode harlekijn
'Baantjer's laconic, rapid-fire storytelling has spun out a surprisingly complex web of mysteries." - Kirkus Reviews "Baantjer seduces mystery lovers. Inspector DeKok is part Columbo, part Clouseau, part genius, and part imp." - West Coast Review of Books..... This latest page-turner in the best-selling Baantjer series delves into a grotesque double murder in a well-known Amsterdam hotel. Faced with murder victims found looking like macabre wooden harlequins, Inspector DeKok must unravel clues from two unexpected characters: a six-year-old girl who has trouble sleeping and a respected accountant who seeks DeKok's advice on committing the perfect crime. In a surprising twist, DeKok meets with the murderer and tries everything possible to prevent the man from giving himself up to the police. With Dead Harlequin, Baantjer has crafted yet another intelligent, absorbing tale.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
2 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
A.C. Baantjer
163 books70 followersAKA: 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 11, 2021
Dekok and the Dead Harlequin is the 3rd book I've read in the Dutch series by crime writer A.C. Baantjer featuring Amsterdam police inspector, DeKok, and his partner, Dick Vledder. This story started off with an interesting premise.
Dekok and Vledder receive a letter from accountant Pierre Brassel indicating he will shortly murder someone and asking for a meeting. At the meeting, discusses how he could commit the perfect murder and while he is there, tells them to call a local hotel and ask for Jan Brets. Surprisingly, they discover that this person has just returned to his room and has been murdered; it seems Brassel now has the perfect alibi.
DeKok and his able partner now begin an investigation into this murder. What is the connection between Brassel and Brets? What was Brets doing at the hotel in Amsterdam when he lived in Utrecht? Brets is a known criminal and slowly it becomes apparent that he was planning a robbery and murder in Amsterdam.
Things don't add up for the two investigators but slowly clues begin to fit together. It's interesting how DeKok works, like many fictional detectives, using his intuition more than forensic information. There are some leaps in intuition and sometimes the facts come without explanation. But it's still an interesting story with a unique premise. The characters are interesting and the story moves along nicely. The locale, Amsterdam, is also interesting to visit. I've enjoyed the books in the series so far and will continue to explore the series. Worth trying. (4 stars)
Dekok and Vledder receive a letter from accountant Pierre Brassel indicating he will shortly murder someone and asking for a meeting. At the meeting, discusses how he could commit the perfect murder and while he is there, tells them to call a local hotel and ask for Jan Brets. Surprisingly, they discover that this person has just returned to his room and has been murdered; it seems Brassel now has the perfect alibi.
DeKok and his able partner now begin an investigation into this murder. What is the connection between Brassel and Brets? What was Brets doing at the hotel in Amsterdam when he lived in Utrecht? Brets is a known criminal and slowly it becomes apparent that he was planning a robbery and murder in Amsterdam.
Things don't add up for the two investigators but slowly clues begin to fit together. It's interesting how DeKok works, like many fictional detectives, using his intuition more than forensic information. There are some leaps in intuition and sometimes the facts come without explanation. But it's still an interesting story with a unique premise. The characters are interesting and the story moves along nicely. The locale, Amsterdam, is also interesting to visit. I've enjoyed the books in the series so far and will continue to explore the series. Worth trying. (4 stars)
February 9, 2021
Weer heerlijk entertaining.
August 7, 2022
Deze begint anders dan de vorige 5 delen. En het is ook wel een iets ander plot. Want deze zaak wilde De Cock helemaal niet delen. Het plot zet je vaak op het verkeerde been.
September 7, 2021
Tijd voor een Baantjer recensie, willekeurig een deel van de nog ongelezen delen gepakt en het werd De Cock en de dode harlekijn. De Cock en de dode harlekijn is het zesde deel van de detectivereeks De Cock van de Nederlandse auteur Appie Baantjer waarin rechercheurs Jurriaan ‘Jurre’ de Cock en Dick Vledder de moord oplossen op een draaideurcrimineel die met ingeslagen schedel gevonden wordt in een hotel.
De beschreven gebeurtenissen spelen zich af enkele jaren voor de start van de De Cock-serie in 1963. Het boek begint met een hartenkreet van auteur Albert Cornelis Baantjer. Hij stuit op een dubbele Amsterdamse moordzaak PJ 9786//117. Het proces-verbaal bevat echter slechts twee lijkschouwingen en een kort briefje. De auteur is blij met de vondst, want hij verkeert in de veronderstelling dat zijn vriend rechercheur De Cock alle medewerking zal verlenen om dit mysterie uit de doeken te doen. Maar dat valt tegen. De Cock had destijds genoeg redenen om zijn bevindingen niet op schrift te stellen. Hij was bang voor kopieergedrag. Wanneer de auteur belooft om er met niemand over te praten, kan hij uiteindelijk toch zijn boek schrijven.
De Cock en de dode harlekijn is het zesde deel uit de lange serie van Baantjer boeken. Dit deel kun je toch wel een beetje apart noemen. Het was dan ook even wennen aan de vorm van het verhaal. Neemt niet weg dat het boek goed geschreven is. Je treft er langzamer hand toch weer de hand van Baantjer is. Een zoektocht naar de waarheid met een wederom een einde wat je niet zag aankomen.
De bekende basiselementen komen ook in dit deel weer voorbij zoals de confrontatie met commissaris Buitendam en een bezoek aan het etablissement van Smalle Lowietje, met wie De Cock en Vledder steevast een glas cognac Napoleon drinken. Het hoort bij de Cock. Zonder deze basiselementen, geen oplossing van de zaak lijkt het wel. De Cock en de dode harlekijn was zeker weer goed voor een paar uur even heerlijk ontspannen.
De beschreven gebeurtenissen spelen zich af enkele jaren voor de start van de De Cock-serie in 1963. Het boek begint met een hartenkreet van auteur Albert Cornelis Baantjer. Hij stuit op een dubbele Amsterdamse moordzaak PJ 9786//117. Het proces-verbaal bevat echter slechts twee lijkschouwingen en een kort briefje. De auteur is blij met de vondst, want hij verkeert in de veronderstelling dat zijn vriend rechercheur De Cock alle medewerking zal verlenen om dit mysterie uit de doeken te doen. Maar dat valt tegen. De Cock had destijds genoeg redenen om zijn bevindingen niet op schrift te stellen. Hij was bang voor kopieergedrag. Wanneer de auteur belooft om er met niemand over te praten, kan hij uiteindelijk toch zijn boek schrijven.
De Cock en de dode harlekijn is het zesde deel uit de lange serie van Baantjer boeken. Dit deel kun je toch wel een beetje apart noemen. Het was dan ook even wennen aan de vorm van het verhaal. Neemt niet weg dat het boek goed geschreven is. Je treft er langzamer hand toch weer de hand van Baantjer is. Een zoektocht naar de waarheid met een wederom een einde wat je niet zag aankomen.
De bekende basiselementen komen ook in dit deel weer voorbij zoals de confrontatie met commissaris Buitendam en een bezoek aan het etablissement van Smalle Lowietje, met wie De Cock en Vledder steevast een glas cognac Napoleon drinken. Het hoort bij de Cock. Zonder deze basiselementen, geen oplossing van de zaak lijkt het wel. De Cock en de dode harlekijn was zeker weer goed voor een paar uur even heerlijk ontspannen.
February 22, 2018
Known as the “Conan Doyle of the Netherlands,” A. C. Baantjer — a 38-year veteran of the Amsterdam police — has written more than 60 police procedurals featuring detective inspector De Cock (“De Cock. Say-Oh-Say-Ka. Amsterdam police.”). Many have been translated into English. De Cock reminds me of Dell Shannon’s LAPD Homicide Lieutenant Luis Mendoza and George Simenon’s Commissaire Maigret. All are older, world-weary, experienced detectives who have their own way of doing things that follow the “spirit” of the law rather than just the “letter.”
“DeKok and the Dead Harlequin” (De Cock en de dode harlekijn) is the first I’ve read, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching the Baantjer (De Cock) Mysteries on Mhz.choice which led me to the books. This was also a pleasurable read and won’t be my last as I’ve already ordered two more.
I do think it strange, however, that Baantjer’s famous Dutch detective inspector is named “De Cock” in the Dutch versions but is called “DeKok” in the English translations. There’s little reason for this. “Kok” and “Cock” both mean “cook” in Dutch and both are common Dutch names. Is it a fear of sensitive American eyes being offended viewing the book titles? Tsk, tsk. How juvenile.
“DeKok and the Dead Harlequin” (De Cock en de dode harlekijn) is the first I’ve read, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching the Baantjer (De Cock) Mysteries on Mhz.choice which led me to the books. This was also a pleasurable read and won’t be my last as I’ve already ordered two more.
I do think it strange, however, that Baantjer’s famous Dutch detective inspector is named “De Cock” in the Dutch versions but is called “DeKok” in the English translations. There’s little reason for this. “Kok” and “Cock” both mean “cook” in Dutch and both are common Dutch names. Is it a fear of sensitive American eyes being offended viewing the book titles? Tsk, tsk. How juvenile.
June 17, 2019
I really should write immediately after reading. I've slipped and now it is months since I read this one.
DeKok gets a message from a murderer, stating that he is about to kill a man, and to please meet with him about the details.
What follows are the murders of more than one person, dressed as Harlequins. DeKok races around in his inimitable style, spouting snide remarks. I can't recall much else. I am not a big fan of DeKok's. I feel there is too much telling and not enough showing.
DeKok gets a message from a murderer, stating that he is about to kill a man, and to please meet with him about the details.
What follows are the murders of more than one person, dressed as Harlequins. DeKok races around in his inimitable style, spouting snide remarks. I can't recall much else. I am not a big fan of DeKok's. I feel there is too much telling and not enough showing.
December 24, 2019
It had potential and I suspect the translation may not have been an asset. The mystery part was reasonable and there was some wit but there was also a lot of repetition in how De Kok is described and with the number of times he grins he sounds inane which I am sure he is not intended to be. I could see myself trying another one but with 800+ on my to read shelf it might be some time before that happens.
January 21, 2021
The first I’ve tried in the series. A sort of locked room mystery, almost. Jury is still out, plot was clever enough, for the time. I like the idea of the inspector questioning justice and revenge. Will try another
January 13, 2023
Met dit boek weer even heerlijk terug in de tijd!
Met de Cock met CeeooCeeKaa en Vledder. Die ik door de tvserie gelijk weer hoor en voor me zie als ik dit boek lees. Jeugdsentiment voor mij. Kortom echt een leuk boek om even weer te lezen en ik ga er dit jaar zeker nog meer van lezen!
Met de Cock met CeeooCeeKaa en Vledder. Die ik door de tvserie gelijk weer hoor en voor me zie als ik dit boek lees. Jeugdsentiment voor mij. Kortom echt een leuk boek om even weer te lezen en ik ga er dit jaar zeker nog meer van lezen!
November 5, 2023
Fairly standard, and once you read even two you discover small set piece scenes repeating almost word for word. I do like to get some local color from books before traveling and there wasn’t much translated from Dutch into English from my local library, so this was fine.
January 3, 2026
In het begin had ik het idee dat dit geen denderend verhaal zou worden. Vrij ingewikkelde zaak en weinig aanknopingspunten. Echter blijf je nieuwsgierig en beloofd het einde een mooie en creatieve ontknoping!
May 30, 2021
De “oudjes” van Baantjer zijn duidelijk nog niet van het niveau dat ik gewend ben. Maar het is leuk om de ontwikkeling van De Cock te zien.
April 11, 2022
Alhoewel de dader me niet gelijk duidelijk was, was het motief al wel gelijk duidelijk. Even lekker ontspannen bij weer een Baantjer.
July 23, 2022
Didn't see the ending coming at all. I have to say the reasoning behind the ending became crystal to me. And i have to say I agree with Dekok over Justice in this case!
October 3, 2024
Weer een heerlijk boek om tussendoor te lezen, altijd als ik niet weet wat ik wil lezen of even een simpel boek tussendoor wil, kies ik een Baantjer boek
March 3, 2025
Niet alleen Baantjer was in de war tijdens dit onderzoek...
April 17, 2009
As a teenager in Switzerland, I discovered George Simenon's Maigret series. These police procedurals took place in Paris and featured the unflappable and compassionate Inspector (later Superintendent) Maigret, who had this wonderful relationship with his wife, enjoyed the requisite alcoholic moments in French bars and cafes, yet through his intimate knowledge of the community always solved the crime, no matter how bizarre. I read every Maigret I could find.
Several years ago, I stumbled on a reference to A.C. Baantjer, whose Inspector DeKok novels are wildly popular in the Netherlands. Most have been translated into English, but have gone out of print. I hopped on to Amazon and bought a couple for ridiculously low prices, e.g.,$1.50 and lower, read them, and have become an enthusiast. DeKok reminds me of Maigret. He tolerates, but understand the needs of his superiors, prefers the old methods, knows the community, patiently explains things to Vledder, his assistance, and intrepidly collects data until he has the solution. Like Maigret, he has his little peculiarities: a winning smile, felt hat, is always whistling Christmas carols off-key, and interminable patience.
In DeKok and the Dead Harlequin he is presented with a most peculiar situation: a note is delivered to him by an accountant, Pierre Brassel, who insist on meeting with him at exactly 8:00 a.m. on the following morning to discuss a murder he intends to commit. While at DeKok's office Brassel mentions that a man has been murdered at a nearby hotel. Sure enough, it is soon established that Jan Brets, a well-known burglar, had his head bashed in with a hockey stick while Brassel was talking with the inspector. DeKok is soon faced with a myriad of interlocking pieces to a puzzle that at first appears my be the perfect crime.
If you are looking for lots of guns and violence, these are not for you, but if you enjoy well-crafted police procedurals with human characters, they are perfect.
Several years ago, I stumbled on a reference to A.C. Baantjer, whose Inspector DeKok novels are wildly popular in the Netherlands. Most have been translated into English, but have gone out of print. I hopped on to Amazon and bought a couple for ridiculously low prices, e.g.,$1.50 and lower, read them, and have become an enthusiast. DeKok reminds me of Maigret. He tolerates, but understand the needs of his superiors, prefers the old methods, knows the community, patiently explains things to Vledder, his assistance, and intrepidly collects data until he has the solution. Like Maigret, he has his little peculiarities: a winning smile, felt hat, is always whistling Christmas carols off-key, and interminable patience.
In DeKok and the Dead Harlequin he is presented with a most peculiar situation: a note is delivered to him by an accountant, Pierre Brassel, who insist on meeting with him at exactly 8:00 a.m. on the following morning to discuss a murder he intends to commit. While at DeKok's office Brassel mentions that a man has been murdered at a nearby hotel. Sure enough, it is soon established that Jan Brets, a well-known burglar, had his head bashed in with a hockey stick while Brassel was talking with the inspector. DeKok is soon faced with a myriad of interlocking pieces to a puzzle that at first appears my be the perfect crime.
If you are looking for lots of guns and violence, these are not for you, but if you enjoy well-crafted police procedurals with human characters, they are perfect.
September 17, 2012
Inspector DeKok gets a note requesting an appointment at 8:00PM from an unknown man. DeKok and his subordinate Vledder meet the the man at the police station and he appears to be a well-to-do accountant. The purpose for the meeting was to establish an alibi. He plans on committing the perfect crime. At this very time in a motel not far away a man is killed by a weighted hockey stick. He has been left in a posed position that looks like a puppet whose strings have been cut. DeKok calls him the harlequin until he gets to know the victim better. Under the body there is a note to the victim warning him as well that a murder is planned. In this way the accountant cannot be charged with failure to inform either the police or the victim of the crime to be committed.
As DeKok continues his investigation it appears to lead to a gang or group of men planning a major crime, but all the details don't mesh and the puzzle deepens. It is more an American thing to belong to a gang. As Vledder points out, in Nato exercises the Dutch army always gets the worst ratings, but on the other hand the Dutch soldier is always rated first in guerilla warfare.
DeKok is well regarded in his district. He gets respect from the solid citizens as well as the pimps and whores. They all knew he interpreted dozens of regulations elastically. He did not violate the law, rather he had a unique vision of the letter of the law. Using his skill and insight there is no doubt that justice will be done. Sometimes justice is a little slow and more death will follow before DeKok gets it right.
This is a wonderful series and I always look forward to the next book in line.
As DeKok continues his investigation it appears to lead to a gang or group of men planning a major crime, but all the details don't mesh and the puzzle deepens. It is more an American thing to belong to a gang. As Vledder points out, in Nato exercises the Dutch army always gets the worst ratings, but on the other hand the Dutch soldier is always rated first in guerilla warfare.
DeKok is well regarded in his district. He gets respect from the solid citizens as well as the pimps and whores. They all knew he interpreted dozens of regulations elastically. He did not violate the law, rather he had a unique vision of the letter of the law. Using his skill and insight there is no doubt that justice will be done. Sometimes justice is a little slow and more death will follow before DeKok gets it right.
This is a wonderful series and I always look forward to the next book in line.
January 4, 2009
DeKok has his own unique way of investigating and an even more unique way of seeing that justice is done. DeKok receives a letter from Pierre Brassel, a man that DeKok discovers is a very successful businessman. The letter requests a meeting so that Brassel can go over some of the details of the murder.
The meeting is held and a murder is committed at exactly the same time as the meeting at a hotel in the city. Brassel knows the time, the place and the details but could not have committed the crime since it was at that exact time that Brassel was meeting with DeKok and his assistant Inspector Vladder.
On arriving at the murder scene DeKok finds that the corpse has been arranged to resemble a harlequin or mannequin. Vladder wants to immediately arrest Brassel but there is nothing to connect him to the murder except the knowledge revealed at the meeting.
Once again DeKok takes the reader on an adventure through the streets of Holland. Another man dies in the same hotel but DeKok isn’t fast enough to prevent this death. DeKok’s methods are unorthodox and his thinking is unusual but eventually he does discover how the murders occurred, as well as the guilty party, and Brassel’s role in the crime. Another DeKok mystery not to be missed by his fans.
The meeting is held and a murder is committed at exactly the same time as the meeting at a hotel in the city. Brassel knows the time, the place and the details but could not have committed the crime since it was at that exact time that Brassel was meeting with DeKok and his assistant Inspector Vladder.
On arriving at the murder scene DeKok finds that the corpse has been arranged to resemble a harlequin or mannequin. Vladder wants to immediately arrest Brassel but there is nothing to connect him to the murder except the knowledge revealed at the meeting.
Once again DeKok takes the reader on an adventure through the streets of Holland. Another man dies in the same hotel but DeKok isn’t fast enough to prevent this death. DeKok’s methods are unorthodox and his thinking is unusual but eventually he does discover how the murders occurred, as well as the guilty party, and Brassel’s role in the crime. Another DeKok mystery not to be missed by his fans.
March 21, 2012
Like many mystery novels I have recently read the action seems concentrated towards the end of the book where everything is revealed in a rush. However the ending is unique and refreshingly different from the usual good guy / bad guy verdicts.
February 22, 2009
Nice cozy Police Procedural located in Amsterdam, Holland.
March 31, 2011
getting me in Netherlands mood
April 6, 2013
I always enjoy the DeKok books. I like the setting in Amsterdam, the detectives, and the plot twists. This one is probably not quite as good as the others, but it is the first in the series.
January 31, 2016
De boeken worden steeds beter! Nog ruim 45 van Appie Baantjer te gaan.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews