A Crime in Holland

"A writer as comfortable with reality as with fiction, with passion as with reason." --John Le Carré

Georges Simenon's thoughtful mystery set in a tranquil town on the Dutch coast

"'Just take a look, ' Duclos said in an undertone, pointing to the scene all round them, the picture-book town, with everything in its place, like ornaments on the mantlepiece of a careful housewife. . . . 'Everyone here earns his living. Everyone's more or less content. And above all, everyone keeps his instincts under control, because that's the rule here, and a necessity if people want to live in society.'"

When a French professor visiting the quiet Dutch coastal town of Delfzjil is accused of murder, Maigret is sent to investigate. The community appears happy to blame an unknown outsider, but there are people much closer to home who seem to know much more than they're letting on: Beetje, the dissatisfied daughter of a local farmer, Any van Elst, sister-in-law of the deceased, and a notorious local crook.


About the Author
Georges Simenon (1903-1989) was born in Liège, Belgium. Best known in Britain as the author of the Maigret books, his prolific output of more than four hundred novels and short stories have made him a household name in continental Europe.

Siân Reynolds has translated many books from French, including the Commissaire Adamsberg Mystery series by Fred Vargas, Georges Simenon, Virginie Despentes.