Retired officer recognised ahead of World Book Day

The Salvation Army is marking World Book Day (6 March 2025) by celebrating one of its own – retired officer-turned-author, Major Hendrik Hoitinga.

The 72-year-old is set to publish the fourth book in his engaging historical fiction series that weaves historical events with modern-day romance and detective work. His 700-page debut novel ‘The Item’ captivated readers with its intricate plots and rich historical context. 

Follow-up books ‘The Mosaic Swallow’ and ‘Three Monks from Florence’ attracted international attention, leading to a partnership with American publisher Blue Ink Media Solutions. This collaboration will see all his books republished, making them accessible to a wider audience. ‘The Ontario Project' is due out next month (April), with novel number five currently in production. 

Hendrik lives in the northern Scottish coastal town of Wick with his wife Major Gilly, who leads the local Salvation Army church. 

He is excited for fans to read his latest novel, which continues the adventures of beloved character Sam Price and promises to up the ‘thrill-factor’ even more.

Born in the Netherlands, Hendrik has served The Salvation Army in various capacities across Europe including Belgium, Wales and most recently in Scotland.

Hendrik said: “I had a clear calling in my twenties to serve God. When I retired, I had the same kind of calling, only this time God was saying, ‘You’ve done enough for me; it’s time to do something different.’”

Since retiring in 2017, Hendrik has unleashed his passion for storytelling – with his own writing journey resembling a plot from one of his books. After retiring from The Salvation Army where he witnessed the highs and lows of life for those he supported, he embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime train journey from Chicago to New Orleans, inspired by the song, City of New Orleans. The epic trip spanned 15 states and generated a wealth of ideas that have influenced his writing.

During Hendrik’s travels, he found inspiration in the US city layouts, which he has incorporated into his stories to capture the essence of each location.

Hendrik said: “I had three things I wanted to achieve when I retired. Number one was a train journey across the US. Number two transferring all my family photos into digital format. The third one was to write a book.

“The trip to the US was incredible. I travelled from Chicago to Washington, then New Orleans and back to Chicago. I incorporated so much of what I saw in the States into my writing. I spent the journey taking notes about cities and their people – and how they looked and interacted with one another.”

Hendrik's commitment to the Salvation Army and his literary pursuits are deeply intertwined; his books are free from bad language and violent scenes, reflecting his values and dedication to creating wholesome, engaging content. Each book also features his favourite passages of scripture, offering readers a sense of hope and inspiration.

As he looks to the future, Hendrik remains dedicated to his craft. He continues to draw inspiration from the rivers, beaches and mountains near his home. Meanwhile, his children and grandchildren, spread far and wide around the globe, remain a constant source of support.