Even the Darkest Night: A Terra Alta Investigation

"The Shadow of the Wind" is a contemporary police procedural with a literary edge, following Melchor Marín, a flawed but compassionate police officer, as he investigates a wealthy couple's tortured deaths in a small town in Terra Alta, Catalonia.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 29 September 2022
Publisher: Quercus Publishing

Winner of the CWA Dagger for Crime Fiction in Translation, this novel is a true gem. It seamlessly blends contemporary police procedural elements with a literary flair, captivating readers from the very first page to the last. The protagonist, Melchor Marín, is a flawed yet deeply compassionate character who captures the hearts of the readers. His journey throughout the story is filled with suspense, as he uncovers a gruesome murder scene at the Adell house.

However, the duty officer's report fails to prepare Melchor for the shocking revelations that await him. A wealthy couple is found brutally tortured to death in an almost ritualistic manner, causing a media storm to engulf the small town of Gandesa in the backwater region of Terra Alta, Catalonia. Melchor is no stranger to notoriety. He was sent to Terra Alta to lay low after foiling a terrorist attack. Before that, he was imprisoned for his role as a driver for a Colombian drug cartel, driven by a desire to avenge his mother's murder and a copy of Les Misérables from the prison library.

Gradually, the leads in the Adell case dry up, and Melchor is ordered to back off. Undeterred, he is determined to sacrifice his reputation and career in a relentless pursuit of the truth. As dusk falls on the darkest night of his life, Melchor faces a daunting challenge as he unravels the intricate web of lies and deceit that surrounds the murder.

Translated from the Spanish by Anne McLean, this novel offers a unique perspective on the world of crime fiction. The translation is seamless, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the story without any language barriers. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is intricately woven, keeping readers engaged and guessing until the very end.

In conclusion, "The Shadow of the Wind" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys crime fiction with a literary edge. It is a captivating story that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

Weight: 250g
Dimension: 128 x 198 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529410020