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

The enormous explosion of crime fiction over the last decade means that more people are looking for a good mystery than ever before. This dictionary of fictional detectives helps readers learn about the series in which their favorite detectives are featured. Included are alphabetically arranged entries on roughly 150 fictional detectives, which provide information about the works in which the detective appears, the locales in which the detective operates, the detective's investigative methods, and other important information. Helpful bibliographical citations direct the reader to other interesting works. The volume closes with a selected, general bibliography; various appendices; and an extensive index. The enormous explosion of crime fiction over the last decade means that more people are looking for a good mystery than ever before. Many of the most popular mystery books appear in series, and these series feature carefully developed detectives.

The student is dead. The night before he had been arrested for being drunk in public and put in a cell to sleep it off. This morning he is found dead. Alex Delzen was not drunk, however. He has been poisoned. Murder! Vledder, DeKok's ubiquitous assistant breathes a little easier when DeKok returns from his fishing vacation. Vledder needs the help of his old mentor. A flurry of interrogations results in unexpected twists. Finally, DeKok, in his inimitable manner, arranges a dramatic confrontation in the old, renowned police station at Warmoes Street.

The dead man appears to be a vagrant, but DeKok notes the extraordinary manner of the murder and discovers that the man was a rich eccentric who enjoyed masquerading as a dock worker.

Inspector DeKok of the Amsterdam police investigates an armored car robbery in which the robbers killed the driver and made off with three million dollars. The robbery is believed to be the work of drug addicts. The 40th novel in the series.