Lives lost - Britta Bolt

A minute can make all the difference...

Pieter Posthumus is enjoying a quiet drink in his favourite bar when the screaming starts. A minute later, the owner of the guesthouse next door rushes in: one of her tenants has been murdered.

Marloes, the guesthouse owner, is an odd but kind soul. Posthumus cannot believe it when she is arrested - for both her tenant Zig's murder and another death years before. He knows there are questions unanswered: what is the link between the two cases? Why are people so keen to think Marloes is guilty? And why did Zig paint just one picture every year - a copy of a Dutch master, but with one peculiar twist?

As his investigation progresses, he comes to see that a few minutes can mean all the difference in the world: between saving a life and taking one; between innocence and guilt. And that sometimes asking questions leads to a truth that's hard to bear.

Britta Bolt is the pseudonym of the South African-born novelist and travel writer Rodney Bolt and the German former lawyer Britta Boehler, who has worked on high-profile terrorism and security cases. Britta Bolt was 'born' in January 2010, when Britta Boehler, on holiday and reading her favourite detective fiction, felt the urge to turn her past experience into a novel. Rodney Bolt was at home, writing biographies and travel stories, and dreaming of doing the same. Soon afterwards, they had teamed up to write a crime series set in their beloved adopted city Amsterdam.

A page-turner full of suspense and surprising twists and turns...Phenomena like home-grown terrorism make this novel just that much more exciting. Once I started reading I could not put it down.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali

The main character is a very appealing, convincing and enthralling creation with a truly bizarre occupation...As with Morse, the city where the action takes place becomes one of the main characters...a compelling story that leaves you wanting to hear more about Pieter's work and his life - and how the city copes with its marvellous mix of eccentrics and dangers.
We Love This Book

Very engaging...Posthumus holds enormous literary appeal
Readings Australia

A delicious writing style makes Lonely Graves an outstanding debut
Algemeen Dagblad

No typical thriller...Posthumus is a find!
Vrij Nederland

An atmospheric and glorious Amsterdam crime story
JAN