Judas
- 416 pages
- 15 hours of reading
'One remarkable woman' The TimesIn 2013, Astrid Holleeder decided to testify against one of the world's highest-profile gangsters: her brother Willem.
Astrid Holleeder Books
Astrid Holleeder is a Dutch lawyer and author whose work delves into the complex dynamics of family relationships and the pervasive influence of a criminal life on those closest to it. Through her writing, she explores themes of dominance, familial bonds, and the profound impact of a life lived outside the law on an individual's immediate environment. Her narrative perspective offers a unique insight into the psychological and emotional consequences that ripple through families entangled with organized crime. She writes with a powerful, unflinching gaze, revealing the intricate web of control and its effects.
Judas
Wie ich meinen Bruder verriet, um das Morden zu beenden. Eine wahre Geschichte
Astrid Holleeder, sister of notorious gangster Willem Holleeder, reveals her harrowing story of loyalty and betrayal. For over 30 years, Willem has dominated the Amsterdam underworld and terrorized his family. Astrid, unwillingly bound to him since childhood, breaks her silence to ensure her brother is imprisoned for life, aiming to end the senseless violence. At 17, she witnesses Willem and his accomplice, Cor van Hout, kidnap beer magnate Alfred Heineken for a ransom of 35 million guilders. Growing up in a home rife with domestic violence, Astrid becomes the first in her family to attend high school and strives to escape her criminal roots by becoming a criminal lawyer. Yet, she remains entangled with her family, as her sister Sonja is married to Cor, who, along with Willem, has long ruled the Amsterdam underworld. After Cor is murdered in 2003, Astrid suspects Willem's involvement in this and other killings. Despite the danger to her life, she courageously decides to testify against him in court and share her story in this gripping narrative. Her goal is clear: to see her brutal brother behind bars and put an end to the cycle of murder. This dark yet poignant tale is both chilling and deeply moving, infused with moments of humor.
