Janwillem van de Wetering, Outsider in Amsterdam

This is an old read (published in 1975) by an author who's new to me. Janwillem van de Wetering was born in Rotterdam and seems to have had a lot of adventures. These included a stint as a part-time policeman in Amsterdam's Special Constabulary, an experience that inspired his Grijpstra and DeGier novels, of which Outsider in Amsterdam is the first. In this outing, the two policemen—Grijpstra is older and more senior—investigate the hanging death of the unlikable founder of a commune. The investigation continues at a comfortable pace: This is a world in which there's time for conversation and drinks with suspects. Outsider in Amsterdam is more about character than action, which is to my liking. Grijpstra and DeGier have a worn-in relationship, and it was enjoyable to tag along with them on their relaxed hunt for a killer. I'm not sure I'd jump to read the next book in the series, but I wouldn't object to reading it one day.