Judas

How a Sister's Testimony Brought Down a Criminal Mastermind

De: Astrid Holleeder

Narrado por: Naomi Frederick

The incredible true story of a woman who risked everything to put her brother, a murderous psychopath and one of the world's most infamous crime bosses, behind bars.

Astrid Holleeder is in hiding because she had the courage to write this book. Her brother Willem Holleeder, best known for his involvement in the 1983 kidnapping of the CEO and chairman of Heineken brewing company, is one of the most notorious criminals in contemporary history. For decades, Wim ruled over his family mafia-style, threatening death if any of them betrayed him. Astrid and her sister, Sonja, watched as their brother eliminated anyone who got in his way, and they lived in terror of inciting his rage, unable to protect even their own young children from his violence. Trained as a lawyer, Astrid served as her brother's unwilling confidante.

Now, she's turning the tables on him.

Charged for his involvement in multiple assassinations, including that of his former partner and brother-in-law, Holleeder is finally on trial for murder, all due to the shocking testimony of his own family.

An international bestseller that has sold more than 500,000 copies in Holland, this stunning, edge-of-your seat memoir chronicles Astrid's terrifying experience working as a double agent, preserving her brother's trust just so that she could get enough information to put him away for life.

Judas is the intimate account of Astrid's deeply personal betrayal, set against the backdrop of their haunting family history and the astonishing world of the criminal underground.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A harrowing, courageous account of murder and family...riveting, sensational, unforgettable."—Kirkus (Starred Review)

"Compulsively readable... [Judas] is not only a fascinating examination of a criminal many American readers will be unfamiliar with, but also a moving and heartbreaking tale of the toll exerted on the families of headline criminals."—Booklist

"Written from her place in hiding, Judas is Astrid's story of deception, turmoil and -- ultimately -- courage . . . A stark statement about how one familial tie can strangle so many lives."—The Washington Times

"Written while awaiting her brother's trial, Holleeder's engrossing story reads like the last will and testament of a dead woman walking."—Publishers Weekly

"Guaranteed, you've never read a memoir like Judas, already a runaway hit in the Netherlands where it was first published. Judas is the story of Astrid Holleeder, the criminal lawyer who decided to testify against her brother, crime kingpin Willem "Wim" Holleeder, knowing it would put her life in grave danger. Holleeder is currently in hiding as she waits to testify. Reading Holleeder's matter-of-fact account of the years leading to this decision gives the uncanny sensation of reading a death wish."—Refinery29

"A lurid crime story in the form of an intimate domestic drama."—The New Yorker

Its a helluva story

Most of it was interesting, leaves a bad feeling, unsettling. Might be helpful to anyone who lives with abuse. In reference to the book - the abuse is extreme, but abuse of any kind should not be tolerated. This was a brave book.

Edge of seat and gripping story! Wow!

The Heineken CEO kidnapping in 1983 in the description caught my attention. I was curious what that had to do with a psychopath. Then the author literally pulled my attention into the 1996 scene of the attempted assassination of the sister's family in a car. I looked for a good stopping point so I could go to bed, but I was right there with Astrid, Sonya, and their children as the crazy, controlling, threatening brother has everyone so jumpy and on guard and 20+ years of their gripping tale had me on the edge of my seat all night. Watch for clues what the criminal investigation and judicial system in Amsterdam is like and wonder if there is a witness protection program. Just imagine the women and children through all the years of terror and death threats. I wish them quiet moments to come. The book really is worth a second listen already.

Better than Expected

I read a few listener reviews before embarking and they were mostly negative; one said thatcher writing was awful, another called the story a “jumbled mess”. I agree that more editing would have made it a better read or listen, but I remained interested enough to get through. First, I was pleased to learn that America does not have a monopoly on monstrous behavior - even benign Holland has at least one. The author does a fair job of explaining how the monster in question, her brother, became the monster he did, and then just how monstrous he actually was. Because this was a real-life account I value it more than I would if it were fiction. I never believed in Hannibal Lechter, or other made-up stories of bad guys. And the depiction of contemporary Holland was interesting.

Spellbinding

Draws you right Into the story from first page to last. Horrifying because it's true. Leaves you with a fear that won't let you go.

Poor audio quality

The microphone used didn't pick up on the full first syllable spoken after a pause, making it hard to comprehend, especially at faster speeds. I regret the purchase.