The Tulip Virus begins with two murders in two different eras. Wouter Winckel is murdered in Alkmaar, Holland in 1636. Dutchman Frank Schoeller is murdered in London in 2007. The novel is told in this way, two threads linked by tulips. For the most part the novel is a fast paced thriller, the threads do not confuse and the tulip details are fascinating.

My problem was with the character of Alec, Frank's nephew. I found him a irritating character which spoiled my personal enjoyment of the story, and the ending annoyed me.

But this is well written thriller and the tulips and their mysterious virus add a great deal of originality to the plot.

If you like modern thrillers this is one to try. ( )

Spannened en leerrijk tegelijk8 Meer kan een mens toch niet willen. ( )

What a terrific book! Having a mystery extend from the 1600's into today's world and bringing in so many current problems, showing that repetition occurs over and over throughout history, and was well documented in this historical novel. The short chapters let the reader jump easily from time differences as well as among the different characters closely involved with the mystery. ( )

From the very first page, Daniëlle Hermans has us intrigued. A murder in 1636 in an Alkmaar tavern, and another nearly 400 years later in an exclusive area of London: how are these related? What do the dying words of second victim mean? The two story lines develop independently, but are woven together beautifully. Daniëlle has obviously done quite a lot of research and we learn a great deal about tulip cultivation and trade, but in an easily digestible manner. She intertwines fact with fiction to produce an entirely believable tale. Daniëlle uses some clever analogies and pleasing echoes, the action is fast-paced, the dialogue, credible, and there are several plot-twists leading to a gripping climax. This novel is hard to put down: many will be compelled to read it in one sitting. David MacKay deserves praise for a first-rate translation. An excellent debut novel: let’s hope we are treated to English translations of Daniëlle Hermans’ subsequent novels soon. ( )

Leuke thriller, leest snel weg. Voor de ontwikkelingen en achtergrond van de personages zou Hermans meer tijd kunnen nemen, of deze beter aan het thriller verhaal verbinden. Klinkt een beetje cryptisch, maar ik wil niks verklappen.

De historische tijdlijn is een leuke extra toevoeging. Ik zal zeker nog ander boeken van deze schrijfster lezen. ( )