Jake Woodhouse Book order (chronological)

A body is discovered with the victim's head wrapped in cling film and hands bound. The small island's police seek assistance from Amsterdam's Murder Squad, led by veteran Inspector Jaap Rykel. His investigation quickly points to a suspect who confesses, yet this individual has no history of violence, motive, or connection to the victim. Meanwhile, a similar murder and confession emerge across the country, prompting Rykel to question whether these incidents are random acts of violence or part of something more sinister. He must navigate the delicate balance between recognizing unsettling patterns and confronting a sprawling case that threatens to engulf everything in its path. Praise for the author includes descriptions of the work as "gripping" and "utterly unputdownable," with a strong sense of place and storytelling that accelerates the plot. Critics note the enthralling nature of the narrative, suggesting it could become a significant entry in modern crime fiction. Inspector Rykel is described as a "flawed gem," and the atmosphere is characterized as dark and twisty, reminiscent of Amsterdam itself. The writing is lauded for its tautness and complexity, keeping readers hooked with its disturbing and thrilling elements. Overall, it is recognized as a compelling tale with a deep, dark heart, marking the author as a master in the genre.

Auf einem Hausdach in der Amsterdamer Innenstadt wird eine männliche Leiche gefunden – die Hand des Opfers wurde mit einem Schneidbrenner bearbeitet, sein Kopf fehlt. Als Inspector Jaap Rykel das Smartphone des Enthaupteten untersucht, stockt ihm der Atem: Im Handyspeicher findet er ein Foto von sich selbst. Kurz darauf erhält die Polizei eine Twitter-Nachricht, in der ein bestimmter Ort angegeben wird. Rykel und sein Team fahren sofort dorthin – und entdecken eine weitere kopflose Leiche. Allen wird klar, dass der Täter ein grausames Spiel mit Rykel spielt ...

A woman is pushed in front of a train by a man in police uniform. And a body is left on a rooftop, its hands scorched and head missing. Another day in Amsterdam: Western Europe's murder capital.The killer announces to the world that this is merely the beginning. The man tasked with stopping the bodycount is Inspector Jaap Rykel.But as Jaap searches the beheaded body for clues as to its identity, what he finds makes his blood run cold. Why on earth are there pictures of himself - and his home - saved on the victim's phone...?

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?