In the De Linde care home, a resident disappears without a trace. Mr. Van Aalten is simply no longer there. His room is empty, his bed is gone, and only a hearing aid remains on the floor. What begins as an innocent disappearance slowly turns into a web of mistrust, guilt, and unspoken desires.
Sister Marijke, an experienced caregiver, seems to know more than she dares to say. Theo, a quiet fellow resident who played chess with Van Aalten, carries a dangerous secret. Mrs. Van Aalten feels that her marriage had already vanished before her husband did. And Kees, a seemingly insignificant resident, sees more than anyone thinks.
As rumors spread and suspicions grow, it comes to light that Van Aalten didn't just disappear. He knew too much. About relationships that weren't allowed to exist. About love that was no longer shared. About lives on the verge of exploding. When Van Aalten finally returns, the truth turns out to be more painful than a crime: no one is guilty, but everyone has lost something. His disappearance was not a flight, but a decision.
Where Is Van Aalten? is a poignant psychological novel about aging, longing, and the courage to no longer hide yourself — even if that means leaving everything behind.
