Amsterdam: A Killer City At 400
I have left more bodies strewn along the streets and alleys of Amsterdam and in her canals than any other city in the world.
I love Amsterdam.
Most of my books have been translated into Dutch. And though the Dutch market — like the overall population of The Netherlands — is relatively small, I’m honored to have had bestseller and book club success here over the years.
I previously mentioned the recent check I received from Dutch libraries,(“Bless The Dutch Libraries!“) and continue to be thankful for my fans there.
Any Amsterdam street can be blood street in my thrillers
This success could be because all but one of my thrillers has had some major parts set in Amsterdam and environs. And my current thriller, Die By Wire, is almost entirely set there.
I blew up Cafe Pacifico once, back when my friend Tom Estes owned it.
For nearly 400 years, Amsterdam has been an exciting hub of innovation, philosophy, industry and intrigue.
Like Zurich, many financial institutions are in historic buildings identified only by discrete brass plaques. This one is not highly polished, probably because Dutch bankers are loathe to draw attention to themselves.
I have always felt at home here. Guardian Sniper Mira Longbow, heroine of Die By Wire echoes my own feelings when she says she feels “not just in the cit,y but of the city.”
Tulips. The color of blood.
It’s been too long since I visited Amsterdam. That was to research Die By Wire. Here are a few more photos I took then. Looking at them make me homesick.
Sigh!
Looiersgracht. My cousins owned the top two floors of the building right at the end of the bridge. A great base from which to conduct research.
Can you name this church (kerk)? Figures prominently in Die By Wire.
The herrings in my thrillers tend to be red.
