(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

A body is found hanging on a hook above the canals of Amsterdam's old town, a mobile phone forced into the victim's mouth.
In a remote coastal village, a doll lies in the ashes of a burnt-down house. But the couple who died in the fire had no children of their own. Did a little girl escape the blaze? And, if so, who is she and where is she now?
Inspector Jaap Rykel knows that he's hunting a clever and brutal murderer. Still grieving from the violent death of his last partner, Rykel must work alongside a junior out-of-town detective with her own demons to face, if he has any hope of stopping the killer from striking again.
Their investigation reveals two dark truths: everybody in this city harbours secrets - and hearing those secrets comes at a terrible price...

*2.5 stars*

Lots of things to get excited about going into this novel: set in Amsterdam (which I can't say I have read many books like that); comparisons to some of my favourite crime authors helps; and it is described as an "action-packed thriller" which will always get me interested...

Sadly, it just didn't deliver on any of those things.

The setting could have just about been anywhere - apart from a few Dutch names, and the odd street, I didn't ever get the feeling I was anywhere but a US or British city. And that is a shame as I was really hoping for a little hint of location and culture to spice up a thriller novel.

The comparisons to other authors was just good marketing. In reality, this story was rather bleak and filled with characters that you wouldn't want to know in real life. And those are the "good guys"...the misogyny is dreadful (the comments about how she may rise through the ranks were horrible), and the racist, homophobic cocaine addict (and he is a cop!) is someone we are supposed to feel empathy for? Not this little black duck.

The action thriller title was probably as close to the truth as anything...there were some great action scenes and, at times, the suspense did build well...only to be brought crashing back to earth with terrible transitions from scene to scene.

Will I try more from this author? Absolutely - I try not to write off anyone after one book...but it will have to be extraordinarily better to stick with it...


Paul
ARH