What does it mean to fight for fairness in a world where justice can feel out of reach? This is the question at the heart of They Will Be in Heaven Before the Devil Knows, the gripping new novel by Dean Amado D. Valdez, published by C&E Publishing, Inc.
In the novel, the law is not just a profession—it is a battlefield. Lawyers fight against corruption and abuse of power in the very institutions meant to uphold justice. Its explosive opening, an attack targeting the Chief Justice, sets the tone for a high-stakes story where justice and injustice are locked in relentless struggle.
But beneath the legal battles lies a deeply human story. The novel reflects the bounds of family, the weight of fatherhood, and the unbreakable ties of brotherhood and sisterhood among those who share the calling of the law. Real-life tensions—ambition and integrity, vengeance and forgiveness—form the emotional backbone of a narrative that is as much an indictment of systemic flaws as it is a testament to courage, redemption, and the enduring power of justice.
Valdez, a former dean of the University of the East College of Law, drew from hard realities faced by lawyers and ordinary citizens alike. The result is a work of Philippine legal fiction that dares the readers to question, reflect, and act, not only as lawyers and students of the law but also as citizens who believe justice must remain a living, breathing mission.
The book was formally launched recently at Conrad Manila, where legal luminaries, Rotarians, and members of the publishing community gathered for a timely conversation on injustice. A panel discussion led by Justice Solomon Hermosura, Atty. Jordan Pizarras, Atty. Citos Manalaysay, and Integrated Bar of the Philippines President Atty. Allan G. Panolong, with Atty. Teddy Kalaw as moderator, underscored the continuing need for vigilance in upholding fairness in Philippine society.
In his message, Eric G. Eugenio, Director of C&E Publishing, emphasized the role of literature in sparking dialogue: “Every book we bring to the public is a commitment—to ideas that challenge, to stories that matter, and to truths that must be heard.”
They Will Be in Heaven Before the Devil Knows was also featured at the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), the longest-running and largest book fair in the Philippines, and is now available through www.cebookshop.com, C&E Publishing’s e-commerce platforms, and at C&E Bookshop branches nationwide.
