Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands

A thinking and feeling persons whodunit set in Amsterdam and environs On her return from Africa, Monique Bongarts expects to be met at Schiphol by her English partner Peter, a historian at the University of Amsterdam. But he is not there and, on returning to their house in an Amsterdam suburb, she finds him in the shower naked and unconscious. He is rushed to hospital, but dies without regaining consciousness. Police issue a verdict of accidental death, but Monique is not satisfied and begins a search for the truth that leads her into the strange world of zinlos geweld (senseless violence) amongst urban youth, the amoral arena of late night TV sex shows made by her gay brother, and the double life of her partners boss Professor Piersma. The truth is eventually revealed, but only after Monique has uncovered bizarre facts about her brother, her partner, her partners boss, the local youth leader and the strange bonds that link them. It is information she might have preferred not to know, as in the end it brings out her own hedonistic side just like everyone else in Hollands increasingly selfish society, she too succumbs to the desire to do something crazy just for fun. A kaleidoscopic and intelligent low-key thriller, with an insiders eye for Amsterdam, that poses as many questions as it answers about Western society. Sharp and entertaining. LUC VAN de HOOP Great characters in a great setting with some very strange twists and turns. An original story and a good read from start to finish. CHARLOTTE BRANSON