My book review of ‘Zwart Water’ [NL] / ‘Black Water’ [EN] written by Corine Hartman
In my view
The story is about the young talented violinist Frederique van Ostendes who practices every day on her violin and lives a couple of months a year in The Netherlands and a couple of months in Italy. This depends on her talent and her family and where she will perform. Frederique had a troubled youth which comes forward in the flashbacks. And her life changes slightly when an aquintance is found…
The book is more a psychological thriller and it gives an idea of the stress a performer has to deal with. Also Frederique has lost her only child and how she, as a talented violinist, will cope with that loss and pain is described in this story.
Style
The book is beautifully written without spelling mistakes and the pace differs slightly. It has some flashbacks that are now and then a bit harder to realise when it’s not mentioned by a date. The story is told by different characters and their pace differs when they are – so to say – thinking or when they are communicating with other characters. The end is very very long. So far and yet so near. Because of this and the way it is written, it is more a psychological thriller to me than a crime thriller.
Characters
The main character is Frederique van Ostende. Her husband Davide Vianello also plays a big role but most of his actions are told through the eyes of Frederique or through the eyes of police officer Kees-Jan van Aerendonck. He has besides his job, his own worries so his thoughts are also very detailed described. Side characters are Frederiques aunt named Bernique and her uncle Henry. Frederiques mother plays now and then a role in the flashbacks as well as her 4-year old daughter Isabelle.
Book Facts:
Title: Zwart Water [NL] / Black Water [EN]
Author: Corine Zwartman
Genre: Crime / Detective / Psychological /Thriller
ISBN: 9789026345159
Publisher: Ambo Anthos
Year 1st edition & read edition: 1 August 2018
Year read: 2019
Original title & language: Zwart Water [NL]
Read language: Dutch
Pages: 311 / 84k words
Places: Amsterdam [NL] / Voorschoten [NL] / Venice [IT]
Rating: 5 / 5 stars
Filmed: No, this book is NOT the same story as the film ‘Zwart Water’ by director Elbert van Strien
I hope you like the book too. It is worth to read it! I am not telling about the story too much, you have to read the book yourself and make your own opinion.
The Instagram post:
Enjoy reading!
Greetings by Sophie
Sophie's Creative 