Michael Niemann Books In Order

Publication Order of Valentin Vermeulen Thriller Books

About Michael Niemann

The German author Michael Niemann is well known for his thriller and suspense novels filled with suspense and intrigue. He’s a gifted writer who has the ability of keeping his readers constantly hooked throughout, keeping them guessing every step of the way. A well known writer of mysteries, he really understands the genre, giving the reader just enough information to keep them reading. This has worked well for him over time, as he’s fast become a household name across the world, with readers from all over singing his many praises.

Getting straight to the heart of the genre, he really knows what makes it work when it comes to creating strong and intelligent narratives that really transport his audience. Dealing with how the global world effects the individual, he looks at the bigger picture in everyday life, and how the two often intertwine. This has made for some highly compelling mysteries, creating stories that resonate with readers from all over the world. Typically taking on a political dimension, he’s an effective storyteller with a lot to say, creating a unique and interesting style all of his own.

His characters are very well established, coming to life essentially off of the page, becoming more than simply two-dimensional caricatures. Wherever they are, they really create an impact on the audience, allowing them to feel wholly true and real in a way that’s fully fleshed out. Writing work of non-fiction too, he’s established himself as a writer with a lot to say over the years, being a novelist with an important voice. With a lot more to come in the future too, he’s definitely a novelist who is not stopping any time soon either, as his writing career grows from strength-to-strength.

Early and Personal Life
Born in Germany, Michael Niemann would be invested in storytelling from an early age, constantly taking in stories from the world around him. He would then feed this inspiration back into his stories, as he would refine and hone craft, developing his voice in the process. Growing up in a small-town, he would later move to the United States, as well as travelling around the world, taking in the many sights and sounds.

A worldly author drawing from a number of sources, he would study at Rheinische Friedrich -Wilhelms Universität based in Bonn, in Germany. This would give his work an academic underpinning, as he would also go on to study at the Graduate School of International Studies. This would be at the University of Denver, and he continues to write on a regular basis, with a lot more too come still.

Writing Career
Bringing out his first work of fiction in 2015, Niemann would publish the book ‘Legitimate Business,’ which was also the first in the ‘Valentin Vemeulen’ series of novels. Following this up the following year with ‘Illicit Trade’ in 2016, he was soon well on his way to establishing himself as a household name. In 2017 he would also write ‘Africa Always Needs Guns,’ which was part of the ‘Valentin Vemeulen Short Story’ collection.

This would originally published in 2012 in ‘Vengeance,’ which was an anthology published by the Mystery Writers of America. Edited by Lee Child, Niemann was a part of the mystery literary scene from early on, fast becoming a permanent fixture for many. Focusing on the protagonist of Valentin Vemeulen, he’s won numerous awards, along with producing various different academic texts too.

Illegal Holdings
First published in 2018 on the 15th of February, this would originally come out through the ‘Coffeetown Press’ publishing label. Setting up the third title in the Valentin Vemeulen Thriller series of novels, it would continue on from the previous books with its own self-contained mystery. This would win the Silver Falchion Award in 2019 for Best Thriller Novel at the Killer Nashville, marking Niemann as a definite writer to watch.

Drawing from his own experience working with the UN, Niemann ensures that this is a well researched and authentic novel. Valentin Vemeulen is a very well drawn character who feels extremely real upon the page, with his fully fleshed out personality. The story itself is extremely expansive, with a lot of scope and scale, as all the elements are juggled expertly.

Working as a UN fraud investigator, Valentin Vemeulen is assigned to a case in Maputo in Mozambique, and it initially appears to be a simple task. He’s sent to see if Vincent Portallis, the hedge fund mogul who setup the non-profit company Global Alternatives to deal with development aid, is spending UN money as promised. That’s when he notices a missing five million dollar transfer, as he has to follow the trail, leading to an intricate web of corruption. Will he be able to uncover the truth of it all? How will his relationship with former lover Tessa Bishonga fare? What became of the illegal holdings?

Percentages of Guilt
Originally published on the 10th of November in 2020, this would be the fifth book in the ongoing ‘Valentin Vemeulen Thriller’ series. Dealing with the investigator once again, it carries on with another self-contained mystery in much the same vein as before. It also has plenty of twists and turns of its own, providing a lot of excitement and intrigue along the way, keeping it fresh and entertaining. It’s a must for both fans of the mystery genre, as well as fans of Niemann as an author, with his fun and inventive style of storytelling. Building upon the world of the Vemeulen, it really carries the series forwards, further establishing the characters and who they are.

Taken back to his old home-town, Valentin Vemeulen is accused of abetting in the murder of an informant back in 2002. Called back by his past employer, an Antwerp prosecutor’s office, Vemeulen must face up to the fact that he didn’t always play by the rules. With the son of the informant now looking for revenge, Valentin must prove a memo implicating him the murder is forged. Will he be able to clear his name in time? Can he discover the truth behind it all? Who really bears the percentages of guilt?