(The novel is in Dutch, but here is a little outline in English)
Heaven is up there, somewhere.
Hell is below there, somewhere.
Everybody knows that, but nobody believes it. Not literally anyway. Not anymore.
A long time ago people were very aware of where the entrances to the underworld were. Down there was where the Demons resided, happily tunelling away, causing an earthquake or two in the process. That’s where the dead awaited their final journey. Down there was Hades. The Archangel Michael tried to keep the Demons and Fallen Angels in check and weighed the souls of the dead. Occasionally a Demon escaped, often with the help of the Giants, leaving it to “heroes” like King Arthur to clean up the mess.
Sometime in the Middle Ages, in the south of present-day Netherlands things went really wrong when the Demon warlord Leonardus Berial started to roam around. He infiltrated an abbey run by Radolphus of Roulamant. One by one the monks dispappeared until one day Radolphus learned the evil truth about the abbey. That day the abbey disappeared, Leonardus was destroyed (or was he?), Radolphus died and Michael lost his sword and shield.
Now Michael is rather annoyed by this. He can’t start and win the final war without his weapons. Besides, he rather lost credibility as God’s unbeatable general. This gives the Demons an unique opportunity, and they gain in strength, boldness, and numbers. A race starts between Michael and the Demons to find the weapons. They manipulate humans, using them as their pawns, and killing many off in the process.
Over the centuries the Demons have become so powerful that they are convinced they can reign the Earth and beat Michael once and for all. So they have started perparing themselves for the final battle. Michael is running out of options, until the day comes that the right man turns up in the right place.
One winter evening, a couple of years ago, the alcoholic Police Inspector Ben Gromeijf is sent on his way to investigate the disappearance of a young man in a stately, isolated, mansion. He thinks it a rather dull assignment, but it beats sitting home alone.
He doesn’t know the mansion is build on the site of the old Abbey.
He doesn’t know his ex-wife Vivienne is there.
He doesn’t know that his best friend is an autistic young man called Thomas.
Least of all, he doesn’t know that he is actually dead and about to start Armageddon.
Jennifer Strange, Wood of the Suicides
Lots of research went into the novel Doodzonde. Numerous books of a historical, theological and artistic nature were consulted. Doodzonde is part 1 of a trilogy, but when parts 2 and 3 will see the light of day is unsure, as research is still ongoing. I am indebted to a number of people for sharing their knowledge, books, or whatever. I am particularly indebted to the St Michael's Abbey Press for their beautiful artwork for the cover.
