The Tulip Virus

On July 21, 1636, in Akmaar, Holland, innkeeper Wouter Winckel is brutally tortured and murdered, supposedly for his antireligious beliefs. A book containing paintings of Winckel's beautiful tulips is quickly commissioned. The book is used as a catalog at the tulips' auction. The tulips are sold at unprecedented record breaking bids that cause the tulip market to quickly crash. However, one of the tulips, the Semper Augustus, is hidden and never sold. For generations, Winckel's children suffer to keep its location a secret. In present day London, world-renowned painter Alec Shoeller finds his uncle Frank, an antique collector, tortured and severely beaten. The dying man is clutching the book used at the auctioning of Winckel's tulips. Alec travels to Amsterdam where he seeks the help of childhood friends, Damian and Emma Vanlint. Together, they learn the book contains a hidden code that reveals the hiding place of the Semper Augustus, the world's rarest, most beautiful tulip. Unfortunately, a vicious hit man is also pursuing the Semper Augustus. Daniëlle Hermans's "The Tulip Virus" is a mystery that is as beautiful, enticing and irresistible as the tulip itself. "The Tulip Virus" is a rare find; it will satisfy most everyone who loves a good mystery. Alternating between the Middle Ages and the present, it tells the story of how the lust and greed for an ornamental flower has created so much sorrow and death. An innocent flower is used as a tool for financing the endless battle between science and religion. This novel has merciless thugs, a relentless serial killer, gruesome murders, ancient artifacts, cryptic codes, secret hiding places, secret societies, exotic locales and attractive, wealthy young adults embroiled in affairs of the heart. "The Tulip Virus" provides quite a colorful history of the tulip. Originating in the Tien Shan Mountains of Western China, nomadic tribes transported the flower to Turkey. A symbol of eternity, power and perfection, the tulip became a religious symbol known as lâle. During the Dutch Golden Age of the 1630's, the citizens of Holland became prosperous. They were able to buy luxury items such as tulips. Much like the cell phone of today, the tulip became a status symbol. Everyone had to have them. Soon, farmers, blacksmiths and bakers were selling their businesses and investing their money in tulips. Unfortunately, in 1636, the auction in Akmaar caused the Tulip bubble to burst and, much like the stock market of today, thousands lost their life savings. Alec Shoeller is the requisite hero in "The Tulip Virus." Orphaned at an early age, he was raised by his Uncle Frank who loved him dearly. Alec has courageously vowed to find his uncle's murderer. A brave, young man, he comes face to face with danger on several occasions and never backs down. Though he has made a fortune from his paintings, Alec is not without flaws. Alec's Uncle Frank and his best friend Damian once h

Alex is awaken to the sound of his phone ringing. It is his Uncle Frank. Alex rushes over to his home. There he finds Frank bleeding to death. Before Frank dies, he whispers something about a tulip and a book. Frank tells Alex not to let the police find the book. So what does a famous tulip known was the Semper Augustus have to do with Frank's murder? That is the million dollar question. The Tulip Virus is the debut novel by author, Danielle Hermans. I liked this book. The mixture of the past with the present was pretty well done. Though, I must admit that I found the past a little more interesting. This is only because there was so much detail and you could tell that Ms. Hermans did her research on the events surrounding the tulips in Holland in the seventieth century. I just found myself fascinated by the history of the tulip war. This was one time where the story line was the star over the characters in the story. Overall, I really found myself really getting into this book. Watch out as The Tulip Virus is contagious and you will want to get your hands on this book. I will be keeping an eye on Ms. Hermans.

In 2007 in London Frank Schoeller calls his nephew British painter Alec with a plea for help. Dropping everything, Alec rushes over to his beloved uncle's house. There he finds Uncle Frank brutally battered and near death. Frank tells Alec not to call the police, get out of the house and take a four century old book on tulips with him. Alec calls the cops, but insists he found his Uncle Frank dead. He needs to know why his relative was tortured and murdered. To do that he needs to know what is the value of a book focused on the 1636 Tulip War in Holland that his uncle gave him on his deathbed.. Obtaining the help of his Dutch friend Amsterdam antiques dealer Damien Vanlint, he investigates learning more than he wants about 1636 Holland and about the danger they now face due to their inquiry. Although somewhat a standard exciting thriller, the tulip connection to seventeenth century Holland adds a fresh spin. Fast-paced throughout, fans will root for the amateur sleuths to survive the ordeal as several adversaries, unconcerned with collateral damage or using hostages, will kill again to keep a secret concealed. Harriet Klausner