(DE HANDELSREIZIGER VAN DE NEDERLANDSCHE COCAINE FABRIEK)

On 31st July 1917 the 26-year-old Englishman Robin Ryder climbs out of a trench on the Flanders battlefields and charges recklessly towards the German artillery. Three days later he is heavily wounded by a German grenade; half his face will have to be hidden behind by a mask from now on.

At roughly the same moment his contemporary Lucien Hirschland, travelling salesman for the flourishing Nederlandsche Cocaine Fabriek, brings in a big order from an English pharmaceutical company. Soon after this he closes a deal with a buyer for the German army. From his profits he treats himself to a much-longed-for Harley Davidson.

When the war ends, extraordinary circumstances find Ryder living in the Hirschland family home where he is lovingly welcomed by Lucien’s younger sister Swaantje. Expectations and illusions grow, but through betrayal and self-deception their lives spin out of control, because the war veteran has more to hide than his mutilated face.

Intriguing, tense and very well constructed, this novel will most definitely be talked about. About cocaine and war, love and vengeance, THE TRAVELLING SALESMAN is an unparalleled novel based on true events.

‘A book full of suspense with romance running through it, a tribute to all the research done beforehand. We thoroughly enjoyed the novel, also all the facts it brings to light.' Paul Witteman and Jeroen Pauw, Pauw & Witteman (top Dutch book/chat show)

‘Addictive.’ Opzij

‘Fascinating novel based on the extraordinary fact that the Netherlands once had largest legal cocaine factory in the world.' Esta

'A moral adventure tale, in which the cocaine issue is looked at from various angles. Braam has a fresh, enthusiastic way of telling a story, that makes one continually curious about what happens next. This keeps De Handelsreiziger gripping till the last page.’ NRC Handelsblad

‘This novel shows great skill.****’ Algemeen Dagblad

‘A plot driven novel, an eye-opener on the two-faced role a Dutch company played with the government’s knowledge during the war.’ De Telegraaf

‘The power lies in the convincing characters and the bringing to life of the period’. Nederlands Dagblad

’A real Braam, fluently written and full of suspense.’ Tribune

‘Hats off to Conny Braam.’ BOEK

‘Braam very cleverly shows the two sides of the coin.’ Jan

‘The Travelling Salesman of the Dutch Cocaine Factory takes place in an interesting time period, tells a dramatic story in which the vividly drawn characters are caught up, and touches on the more controversial sides of the Dutch spirit of trade. It is an entertaining novel, gripping to the very last page.’ HP/De Tijd

’A surprising novel, based on a little known aspect of the Great War.’ Het belang van Limburg Magazine

'An addictive, intelligent and powerful written novel.' Happinez

'An exciting and debate-provoking novel.' Denken en Doen

'An intelligent book with many levels and story-lines, that compliment and add to each other effortlessly. And it is exciting too. Rating: ****.' derecensie.nl

Uitgeverij Nieuw Amsterdam NL

Material: Dutch edition (416pp); English sample.