The first book in a remarkable mystery series is set in Civil War Spain. In this complex and tumultuous era, nothing and no one can be simply categorized as black or white.

The principal character finds himself in a difficult situation as he endeavors to be a good man in the harshest of times. He faces numerous challenges and moral dilemmas that test his character and integrity.

The author has done an excellent job of evoking the time and place, making the reader feel as if they are right there in the midst of the conflict. The detailed descriptions of the landscape, the people, and the events add to the authenticity of the story.

If you have an interest in Spain and its recent history, this book is a very satisfying read. It not only provides an engaging mystery but also offers insights into the social, political, and cultural aspects of the country during a crucial period in its history.

Overall, this is a well-written and captivating book that is sure to appeal to fans of mystery and historical fiction alike.

Set in Madrid at the conclusion of the Spanish Civil War, Pawel vividly depicts a poignant picture of the living circumstances in the city.

The intensity of the animosity between the Nationalists and the Republicans, who are commonly branded as Reds, is powerfully conveyed through her protagonist, Sergeant Carlos Tejada of the Guardia Civil. He promptly reveals his prejudice by promptly committing a murder, shooting a Red-Republican sniper who had killed his friend. Justified as an execution, Tejada is plagued by doubts, not of a moral nature, but rather that he might have made a mistake and someone else had actually shot his friend. If he desires to uncover the truth, he must delve deeper.

Tejada, despite being educated and intelligent, is a clumsy yet tenacious investigator, and not a likable character who is comfortable with beating prisoners and summary executions. He makes assumptions based on his socio-political inclinations, which are gradually questioned and eroded as the story progresses. By the end of the novel, fissures emerge in his world-view, and it will be fascinating to see where Pawel leads him in future novels.

This is an extremely fine debut novel, with a brisk pace, abundant tension, and excellent characterization.

I purchased this book at a second-hand bookstore on a whim, solely based on its historical backdrop (the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s and the fated Republican fight for democracy and against fascism) and its cover image. I truly desired to have a liking for it.

However, it turns out to be a rather mediocre book. As a mystery, it lacks excitement and fails to pique the reader's interest. In terms of historical fiction, it disappoints as the characters do not seem to truly embody the spirit of their era and location. As a story, it falls short as the magical resolution of the storylines for a couple of the less significant characters in the last few pages feels contrived. Moreover, the fleeting romance is both unconvincing and an inexplicable element in the plot that simply vanishes.

But its main and inevitable shortcoming is that anyone with even a cursory knowledge of the Spanish Civil War cannot help but despise the protagonist. A major spoiler follows: He is a Falangist/fascist who callously executes a "Red" in cold blood for no justifiable reason in the early pages of the book. After that incident, I could never view him as a credible protagonist, and the author did very little to realistically redeem him.

There are books where the protagonist is deliberately, either wholly or in part, unlikable, such as "Lolita," "The Catcher in the Rye," or "A Confederacy of Dunces." This novel is not of that kind. Instead, it is that the author both lacks the ability to realistically depict her hero and fails to understand the historical significance of the conflict in which she places him. The fall of the Spanish Republic led to 40 years of Franco's brutal fascist dictatorship in Spain. I just cannot overlook that fact.

Ordinarily, I take pleasure in writing scathing reviews of books I dislike. But in this case, I am so appalled that I cannot even bring myself to attempt it.

An intimate and grim portrayal of Madrid in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War is presented. It is a captivating murder investigation that intricately involves Tejada, a Nationalist civil guard. Simultaneously, Gonzalo, a Republican, is not only in hiding but also conducting his own investigation. The story unfolds with a sense of movement and is deeply affecting. As the narrative progresses, we are drawn into the complex web of emotions and loyalties that exist in this war-torn city. The relationship between Tejada and Gonzalo adds an extra layer of tension and intrigue. We witness their individual struggles and the difficult choices they must make. The portrayal of Madrid during this time period is vivid and detailed, allowing the reader to truly experience the atmosphere of the city. Overall, this is a story that will leave a lasting impression on the reader.

This is the first of a series of novels written by an American author and set in Spain right after the Civil War. What makes them different from other detective stories is that the protagonist, Carlos Tejada, is not a very ideologically recommendable character. He is a civil guard who, like all those in his profession at that time, has as his basic function the repression of the enemies of the fascist regime. He himself is convinced of the justice of his actions and the need to finish off all the "reds". And for this reason, he can commit murders and torture suspects without too many problems. He doesn't enjoy it, but he does it. However, in this novel, he begins to discover that things are not as simple as he thought, as he investigates the death of a friend of his. While a persecuted Republican, Gonzalo Llorente, makes his own investigation to find him and be able to take revenge.

Carlos Tejada has lived his life believing in the righteousness of the fascist regime. But as he delves deeper into the mystery surrounding his friend's death, cracks start to appear in his once unwavering beliefs. The more he discovers, the more he realizes that there may be another side to the story. Meanwhile, Gonzalo Llorente, driven by a desire for vengeance, is hot on Tejada's trail. The two men's paths are注定 to collide, and as they do, the truth about the past and the present will be revealed, changing their lives forever.

I really enjoyed this

article, and the main reason for that is because it presented a setting that I was extremely unfamiliar with. It was quite refreshing to step into a world that I had never known before.

For a while, I was rather worried that Tejada would remain the same semi-amoral fascist throughout the story. I had this image in my mind of him being unchanging and stuck in his ways.

However, to my great happiness, that is not the case at all. As the story progresses, we see Tejada evolving and changing. He begins to question his own beliefs and actions, and this transformation makes the story even more engaging and interesting. It shows that people are capable of growth and change, even in the most unlikely of circumstances.

I look forward to seeing how Tejada's character develops further in the rest of the story.

This is a very pleasant read indeed.

One particularly enjoyable aspect is the unusual setting of post Civil War Spain.

The author has done a remarkable job of transporting the reader to that specific time and place.

The descriptions of the war-torn country, the struggles of the people, and the hope that still lingers are vivid and engaging.

It makes for a truly captivating story that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end.

The characters are well-developed and their interactions add depth and authenticity to the narrative.

Overall, this is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an interesting and thought-provoking read.

The unique setting and well-crafted story make it a standout among other works of fiction.

Whether you are a history buff or simply enjoy a good story, this book is sure to please.

Gotta love a novel about Sergeant Tejada.

It's truly a captivating read. I thoroughly enjoyed this historical novel, which delved into a time and place that I haven't read much about before.

The setting was so unique and unfamiliar, yet it was brought to life in such a vivid and engaging way.

What made it even more interesting was the perspective from which the story was told. It was definitely not a perspective that I would have originally chosen to see.

Through the eyes of Sergeant Tejada, I was able to gain a whole new understanding and appreciation for the events and experiences that took place during that era.

The author did an excellent job of creating a rich and detailed world, filled with complex characters and a compelling plot.

I found myself completely immersed in the story, eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next.

This novel has not only entertained me but also educated me about a part of history that I was previously unaware of.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in historical fiction or wants to explore a new and different perspective.

A very honest book which pulls no punches and is exactly as disturbing as (I think) Rebecca Pawel intended it to be.

It is set at the end of the Spanish Civil War. The hero, if he can be called that, is a sergeant in Franco's Guardia Civil, which is notorious for its corruption and cruelty.

I don't think I'm spoiling things if I recount that the book opens with the killing of a Guardia. Tejada, the hero, comes upon the corpse with a young woman we know to be innocent kneeling over it. He immediately assumes that she is a socialist or worse, a communist. He accuses her of the murder, and when she denies it, he summarily executes her on the spot with only the flimsiest of justifications that at least he's saving her from torture and then execution after an extorted confession.

Soon he learns that he might have made a mistake and that the killer might still be out there. Since the dead guardia was a friend, he dedicates himself to discovering the real killer, with only slight remorse for his own participation in murder.

In the course of his investigation, he becomes involved with the family of the woman he killed. He remains aristocratic, coldly cruel when he thinks it's necessary, and casually brutal. But he is also honest, patriotic, and capable of love when he finds someone (even a socialist) whom he can respect and admire.

Pawel certainly set up a complicated "hero" and a complicated story, both of which made this bleak period in Spain's history become very real and personal. It makes the readers deeply engaged in the story and forces them to think about the complex nature of human beings and the horrors of war.

Just not my kind of book.

I had to read this for book club. I managed to get about 15 - 18% of it read before I simply said no. There just isn't enough time to read books that I don't enjoy.

This book seems to be centered around Spanish history. If you're a Spanish history buff, you might really enjoy delving into its pages. However, for me, it lacks the elements that would make it an engaging read.

I prefer books that can capture my attention from the very beginning and keep me hooked until the end. This one, unfortunately, didn't have that magic for me. Maybe others with a different interest in history will find it fascinating, but it just doesn't suit my personal taste.

This was a blatant mistake.

I deeply regret that I have not read the relevant content carefully before giving the rating.

It was a hasty and irresponsible act on my part.

I should have taken the time to thoroughly understand the details and merits of the matter before making a judgment.

Now, realizing my error, I诚恳地request that my previous rating be ignored.

I will make sure to be more cautious and conscientious in the future to avoid making similar mistakes.

I understand the importance of providing accurate and fair evaluations, and I will strive to uphold this principle in all my future actions.

Once again, I apologize for any inconvenience or confusion that my mistake may have caused.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Unexpectedly, I found myself loving this Spanish Civil War falangist procedural. It was truly a captivating experience. The main character, however, didn't always function in a straightforward manner. There was a touch too much brutality, which was only slightly leavened with humanity. For instance, there were moments when he would just kill someone without asking any questions. This aspect left me with a sense of unease.

Nevertheless, the setting descriptions in the story were absolutely fascinating. They painted a vivid picture of the Spanish Civil War, transporting me back in time and making me think deeply about the events and their implications. The details of the war-torn landscapes, the political turmoil, and the social unrest added a layer of authenticity to the narrative.

Overall, despite the flaws in the main character's actions, this procedural managed to engage me and make me appreciate the complexity of the Spanish Civil War. It served as a reminder of the sacrifices and hardships endured during that tumultuous period in history.