DeKok and his assistant Vledder attend a baptism, since the grandfather has received death threats, and the baby is to be kidnapped. The inspectors are about to introduce themselves, and then a woman faints-the first of a series of almost gothic events. Hailed in Holland as the Dutch Conan Doyle, A.C.Baantjer spent more than 25 years in the Homicide division of Amsterdam's busiest police station. Often based on Baantjer's real life (and death) experiences, his best-selling Detective-Inspector DeKok stories have a rare authenticity. Careful and compassionate, Inspector DeKok of the Amsterdam Municipal Police nonetheless has his quirks, and is not above breaking the law to see justice done.