English information

My name is Charles den Tex, and I am a Dutch author of ten thrillers and three time winner of the Netherlands annual crime fiction award, the 'Gouden Strop' (the Golden Noose). Most of my stories are set in international business. In recent novels I explore other subjects, such as the trappings of information technology, identity theft and traffic in women.

My first thriller was published in 1995. I will give you a quick rundown of all my titles.
* DUMP (1995)  is set in the chemical industry with its dangerous trade in toxic waste.
* CLAIM (1996) is set in the world of international shipping and cargo insurance and the unexpected consequences of ICT in a business based on trust. CLAIM was also made into a movie, starring Billy Zane and Louise Lombard.
* CODE 39 (1998) takes on the huge and marginally understood world of electronic components, sensors and scanners; DEAL (1999) is set in the bulk trade in pharmaceutical ingredients.
* In 2002 I teamed up with Aad Jacobs, former CEO of the ING Group, to write SCHIJN VAN KANS (Chance in Hell) about the cut throat world of mergers and acquisitions. With SCHIJN VAN KANS I won the Netherlands annual Crime Fiction Award for the first time.
* STEGGER (2003) was a sequal to CODE 39, following the adventures of businessman Jan Stegger in Curaçao.
* ANGSTVAL (Fear Trap, 2004) was a departure in style and subject: private investigator Peter Kram searches for a molecular engine while trying to shake off the shackles of his life that seems to be going nowhere.
* DE MACHT VAN MENEER MILLER (The Power of Mr Miller, 2005) introduced Micheal Bellicher, a young urban professional, management consultant, who uncovers a secret organisation behind the multinational consultancy firm that employs him. With this book I won the Netherlands annual Crime Fiction Award for the second time.
* In CELL (2008) Michael Bellicher is back, only to find his identity has been stolen and has been used to do things he would never do. CELL is a chase through all levels of society to get his identity back. CELL was my third winner of the Netherlands Crime Fiction Award.
* In SPIJT (Regret, 2009) I explore another kind of crime novel, the psychological thriller. SPIJT is a long short story about a man who leaves his wife and leaves her guessing why.
* WACHTWOORD (Password, May 2010) is the third book in the Michael Bellicher trilogy. In it the search for his girlfriend takes Michael into the heart of the traffic in women.

Translations
DE MACHT VAN MENEER MILLER and CEL were translated in German ('Die Macht des Mr. Miller' and 'Die Zelle', published by Grafit). Both were also sold to Italy and CEL is also sold to France where it is planned to appear this year.

My business know how is a major ingredient in the way my stories develop. The thrill is derived from the way people fight for their business. Not just for the money, even though the sums involved are sometimes staggering.
I draw on his experience of more than twenty years practice as a communication and business consultant. In my stories the business isn't just a setting. It is what makes people do things. Makes them fight and confront each other.

In the process they cross the thin line between honesty and acting in self interest. Not once, but time and again. Because when we fight to uphold principles, other principles are lost.
As Bob Dylan sang:
To live outside the law you must be honest.
Paradox.
We have met the enemy and he is us.
Yes indeed.
The Okefenokee Swamp is here to stay.