Although 'Death at the Orange Locks' moves along swiftly, it falls short of its potential. The Chief Inspector's intervention towards the end highlights the story's improvement, but it's regrettable that this wasn't addressed earlier.

This is the sixth book in the series. A great police procedural. It is well written and kept me engaged. A good book

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

I haven't read any of the previous books in the series, but did enjoy this one and will read more by this (new for me) author in future! Recommended for anyone who loves some Scandi Noir with a twist.

This book was everything I look for in a book. It was so exciting. The plot was fantastic. It really had me on the edge of my seat, and my heart racing. It was very well written and flowed well.

A novel brilliantly evoking the isolation of a woman with an unbearable weight on her conscience. This book was a thrilling ride from the beginning. The author’s style places the reader in the book in each scene for an entertaining journey.

This is the sixth book in this series.

I fell in love with Lotte Meerman a detective living and working in Amsterdam with the first instalment, “A Cold Death in Amsterdam”.

Consequently I have purchased the books to read in chronological order. Sadly, they are to hand but remain unread. The offer of an advanced reader’s copy through NetGalley meant I either had to read the four intervening novels or break my usual habit. I missed this character and so I plunged in, out of order and out of my preferred method.

I was quickly re-acquainted with the unique narration she brings to these murder mysteries. She has great focus but an endearing quality to get sidetracked and pour out everything on her mind. This produces a much more believable and rounded police officer. Something I noted in my first review of this wonderful under appreciated author.

Anja de Jager deserves far more recognition and credit. In a crowded genre she has a distinct voice and the heart of a story teller.

When a body is fished out of the City’s canals during a suspected terror alert at Centraal Station, Lotte is given the case which circumstances show she would have been wise to dodge. This potential and growing personal conflict of interest is handled well and adds a fresh dimension to sharing information and objectivity within a police investigation.

I just adore the relaxed location of Amsterdam away from the tourist hot spots, soothed by house boats and a city favouring cycling to crime scenes and follow up interviews.

There is a degree of case closed at the end of this drama but you also feel spent nervous tension by Lotte’s emotional journey in the process of solving the murder. It is with some cost that she is able to see it through but we share her relief and enjoy the personal growth it has brought.

Death at the Orange Locks is the sixth in Anja de Jager's series featuring cold case detective Lotte Meerman, set in Amsterdam.

A few years ago Lotte and her husband, Arjen divorced and they haven't spoken since, so she is astonished when he and his current wife ask for her help in finding his father-in-law, Patrick de Linde. When Patrick's body is found two days later at the Orange Locks Lotte wants nothing to do with the investigation, but Arjen's mother-in-law, Margreet keeps badgering her.

I thoroughly enjoyed Death at the Orange Locks, a smashing police procedural with the added lure of complicated personal relationships. Told from Lotte’s point of view the reader is privy to her thoughts, actions and motives as well as being drawn into Lotte’s world. She’s smart and logical and deals with life's lemons full on. I found the plot absorbing, the author saving the best for last with a big surprise towards the end. I like this author's clear style and though the players' private lives are complex, it's not difficult to follow. I have no hesitation in recommending Death at the Orange Locks.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Little, Brown/ Constable via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
As an avid reader of Crime fiction I am somewhat embarrassed to admit, I had never heard of this Author or the excellent Lotte Meerman even though this is the sixth book in the series. Firstly let me say while there are some references to our heroines previous cases seeing her feature on the front pages of newspapers this totally works as a standalone story. This is a modern day character driven Police procedural set in Amsterdam, with just one murder to solve so in some ways an old fashioned whodunit, but none the worse for that. Lotte quickly finds herself in conflict with her colleagues and family when the main suspect turns out to be a blast from the past. Atmospheric engaging enjoyable from first to last page as Lotte narrates us through her feelings and thoughts on this complex case, so much so that you feel a part of the investigation.
Recommended.

Dutch crime - but not the usual dark, foreboding Scandi-noir. This is more of a crime procedural, with a twist! The victim is the father-in-law of the ex husband of Lotte Meerman, an officer investigating the crime. Lotte and her colleagues worry that her personal animosity towards her ex-husband and his new wife might be colouring her investigation.

Character Led…
A gripping police procedural but much more than that. A character led plotline populated with a realistic cast and a solid, atmospheric sense of place and leading to a, perhaps, unexpected and surprising denouement. Writing is straightforward making this an easy flowing and satisfying read.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy of Death at the Orange Locks, the sixth novel to feature Amsterdam detective Lotte Meerman.

Four years ago Lotte went through a painful and acrimonious divorce and hasn’t spoken to her ex-husband, Arjen, since, so she is astonished when he and his current wife ask for her help in finding his father-in-law, Patrick de Linde. When his body is found two days later at the Orange Locks Lotte wants nothing to do with the investigation, but Patrick’s family keep dragging her in.

I thoroughly enjoyed Death at the Orange Locks, which is a good police procedural with the added piquancy of emotional turmoil and complicated personal relationships.

It is told from Lotte’s point of view so the reader gets a bird’s eye view of her thoughts, actions and motives, as well as her reactions to the judgements of others. It also makes for an immersive read as the reader gets drawn into Lotte’s world. I don’t know her very well, but I like what I see. She’s smart and logical, but not afraid to admit when she doesn’t know. I also think that she copes with life’s blows better than I would. I was fascinated by Arjen and his wife’s poor behaviour- it’s all about them, regardless of anyone else’s feelings.

I found the plot absorbing as the author pulls the reader one way and then another. The novel revolves around Patrick and his character and the more Lotte digs the less she likes. Of course, this offers several suspects and motives, including Arjen, but the author saves the best for last and pulls a big surprise as a solution. It is an easy book to read with an inviting style and clear writing. The relationships between the characters are complicated, but never difficult to understand, due to the prose.

Death at the Orange Locks is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Death at orange locks by Anje de jager.
Lotte Meerman Book 6.
After her painful divorce four years ago, Lotte Meerman has kept well away from Arjen, her ex-husband, and his new wife Nadia. So when they both visit her at central Amsterdam's police station to report Nadia's father missing, Lotte is shocked - but hides it well.
This was a good read with good characters. Likeable story. I hope to read more in the series. 4*.