Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Janwillem van de Wetering RIP

Just came across the sad news that Dutch crime writer Janwillem van de Wetering has died aged 77. From Radio Netherlands:
The Dutch writer Janwillem van de Wetering, famous for the Grijpstra & de Gier series of crime novels, has died at the age of 77.

His crime novels featuring the detectives Grijpstra and De Gier were based on Mr Van de Wetering's own experiences as a police officer in Amsterdam between 1966 and 1975.

The Grijpstra & de Gier novels later became the basis for a successful film and television series. He also wrote a trilogy based on the time he spent at a Japanese Zen Buddhist monastery.

Most of Mr Van de Wetering's novels were based on his own experiences in various parts of the world. He also lived and worked in South Africa, Colombo, Peru and Australia. At the time of his death, he was living in the US state of Maine.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your information on this sad event: american internet has not yet caught up. yes, he was a unique voice, both for zen insights and the mystery genre. he was a presence in Maine as well. i always wondered what he thought of the current situation internationally, etc. maybe you have more information?

nell kriesberg, raleigh, north carolina

Peter Rozovsky said...

Sad news, indeed, though not entirely unexpected. One of his publishers, Dennis McMillan, attended NoirCon in Philadelphia in April and said he was on his way to visit Van de Wetering, "possibly for the last time."

Van de Wetering was also the direct source of my interest in international crime fiction.
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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
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marinagp said...

Sad news indeed.
My condolences to his dear wife Juanita.