Part of my murder mystery bonanza, further proof that I'm turning into my mother.

I initially thought I'd loathe this book. On principle, I really have an aversion to novels set in the Spanish Civil War, likely because of an overexposure to Hemingway in high school. Indeed, I read 30 pages of this at the start of the month and thought, "Ugh, well, can't stand it." But yesterday, while at work, rummaging through the piles of stuff on my desk, I discovered Death of a Nationalist peeking out from the chaos. And I decided to give it a second chance.

(I'm sorry, I really shouldn't make firearm jokes when discussing mysteries.)

Eventually, I got into the rhythm of the split narration between Sergeant Tejeda, the Nationalist protagonist, and Gonzalo, a Republican refugee. Rebecca Pawel portrays her characters with nuance; Tejeda justifies his actions based on a complex moral code that doesn't seem entirely in line with the Nationalist ideology. Gonzalo, who is seeking vengeance for his lover's killer, struggles to reconcile the truth with his preconceived ideas about the Guardia Civil.

The minor characters are well-written, and I enjoyed the actual mystery aspect while realizing that it wasn't the main reason I wanted to finish the book. Instead, I was eager to find out how the game of cat and mouse between Tejeda and Gonzalo would be resolved.

It's a highly entertaining and seemingly accurate historical portrayal of Spain just before World War II.

The story is set in Madrid in 1939, right after the Spanish Civil War. Franco's Nationalist forces have triumphed over the Republicans, and a purge is still underway.

I find that the book reads more like a post-war fiction that vividly describes the profound effects of war rather than a traditional detective story. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to depicting the intense human sufferings and sacrifices endured by the people as a result of the war.

It is a pity that Pawel could have allocated more time to developing the detection aspect of the story. Instead, he seems to rely more on chance encounters, which somewhat detracts from the overall coherence and excitement of the detective plot.

Perhaps if more attention had been given to the detective work, the book could have offered a more engaging and satisfying reading experience for those who are specifically interested in the detective genre.

Recommended on the cover of Slow Horses, and with the memory of the great taste that Winter in Madrid left me, this police story with a Civil Guard protagonist in the immediate post-war Madrid attracted me.

Although the description of the era and the place is flawless (except for a scene in the old San Isidro Cathedral that I find difficult because it had been burned and the reconstruction was very long), the investigation is simplistic, the case is not very interesting, and the main investigator is rather unattractive to the reader. Even though it starts a saga with Sergeant Tejada as the protagonist, the antagonist, Gonzalo, steals the spotlight for most of the book, and his improbable escape destroys the reader's suspension of disbelief.

It's not bad, but the rest of the books will have to wait for times when there are fewer interesting books in the pile.

What a refreshing read! It's a thrilling whodunit/procedural set in a unique historical period, told from the perspectives of two unlikely protagonists.

***4.5***

In 1939, Madrid, the last stronghold during the Spanish Civil War, finally succumbs to Franco's Nationalist forces. The Guardia Civil is assigned the task of rounding up the remaining Republicans or Reds who are still in hiding and persuading the rest of the citizenry to embrace the ¡Viva España! spirit, either through fear or persuasion.

During Holy Week, a Guardia is found dead, and Sergeant Tejada is tasked with solving the case. Lacking formal detective training, Tejada fumbles through the investigation, makes numerous mistakes, and begins to question many of his deeply held beliefs. Eventually, he uncovers the culprit, and a form of justice is served. However, one of his blunders prompts Gonzalo Llorente, a fugitive Red, to launch his own investigation, which yields no results.

By presenting these two opposing sides of the same coin, Rebecca Powell offers a nuanced and comprehensive portrayal not only of the Spaniards of that era but of human nature in general. Absolute villains or saints are rare, and most people possess both light and shadow.

I truly enjoyed this book, and I especially liked Tejada as an antihero protagonist. I would be eager to follow his further adventures.

suggested reading about post-war Madrid La colmena

It’s 1939 and the Spanish Civil War, that bloody dress rehearsal for World War II, is drawing to a close. Generalissimo Franco’s Fascists have emerged victorious.

The Guardia Civil, Spain’s national police force, remains vigilant in their search for former Republican fighters or “Reds,” as they refer to them.

Near the start of the novel, our protagonist, Guardia Sergeant Carlos Tejada, astonishes me with a brutal summary execution amidst the war-torn rubble of Madrid. I’m unaccustomed to the main character perpetrating war crimes.

However, after Tejada discovers that his victim was innocent of killing his old friend and fellow Guardia officer, whose body he finds beside her, he begins a gradual transformation in his right-wing upbringing and politics.

He still despises communism and is a devout Catholic, but he starts to recognize the humanity of his victim’s family. Additionally, a budding attraction to a Republican school teacher proves heart-wrenching for both as they grapple with their deeply ingrained beliefs.

Another unusual aspect of this story is that it evolves into a circular whodunit. Tejada hunts for the real killer of his friend, while his victim’s lover searches for the person in the Guardia who killed her.

I’m aware that there are several more Sergeant Tejada books, and I’m eager to see if his evolution persists.

Pawel has crafted a truly disturbing historical mystery that is set within the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War. This particular mystery stands out as being far more literary and nuanced compared to the average ones. In fact, after reading the first few pages, I very nearly gave up on it. However, I'm extremely glad that I decided to stick with it, even though I continued to be deeply disturbed throughout the reading process. What's more, there is a second installment in this series.

This first book in the series takes readers on a journey through a tumultuous time in history, filled with secrets, lies, and hidden agendas. The author's ability to create a vivid and atmospheric setting is truly remarkable, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the story.

The characters are complex and well-developed, each with their own motives and backstories. As the mystery unfolds, readers are left guessing until the very end, which adds to the overall excitement and intrigue of the book. If you're a fan of historical mysteries that are both thought-provoking and disturbing, then this series is definitely worth checking out.

The writing is of average quality, yet the post-Spanish Civil War setting is truly captivating.

In this story, the backdrop of the post-Spanish Civil War era adds a layer of complexity and interest. The reader is immediately drawn into a world that is filled with the aftermath of conflict, where the characters are forced to navigate through the chaos and rebuild their lives.

Although the writing may not be outstanding, it manages to convey the essence of the setting and the emotions of the characters. The descriptions of the war-torn landscapes and the hardships faced by the people are vivid enough to paint a clear picture in the reader's mind.

Overall, despite its average writing, the post-Spanish Civil War setting makes this story an intriguing read. It offers a unique perspective on a historical period and allows the reader to experience the struggles and triumphs of the characters in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

I picked up this book without realizing that it was out of sequence. In fact, I read the second mystery in the series first. However, it didn't matter at all. The author is truly brilliant. She masterfully creates the atmosphere of fear and violence in Spain after Franco defeats the Republicans. It's a time when murder is carelessly committed every day for political reasons. At the same time, she also crafts a captivating murder investigation.

Moreover, the author has created a detective/hero who is deeply flawed. But despite his flaws, he is still honorable and sympathetic. It's a complex and engaging character that adds another layer of depth to the story. I can't help but compare this author to Donna Leon. Both have a talent for creating vivid settings and compelling characters that draw the reader in and keep them hooked until the very end.

Set in Madrid of 1939, immediately following the conclusion of the Spanish Civil War, this captivating crime book is firmly rooted in the politics of that place and time. Franco and his nationalist/fascist army are now in power, busily engaged in hunting down the remnants of the republican and communist resistance.

Spain's cities bear the scars of bullet and shell holes, food is极度 scarce, and reprisals and disappearances are the norm. The greatly feared Guardia Civil is tasked with maintaining law and order. So, when one of their own is shot in the street, a ruthless investigation led by the slain officer's former partner quickly commences to identify the communist responsible for the assassination.

The investigator is Sgt. Tejada, a respected and grizzled veteran who increasingly questions the official party line as he adjusts to life after the Civil War. A compelling character, he soon finds himself embroiled in a complex case involving the black market, which may or may not be linked to his friend's murder. (French crime writer Didier Daeninckx employed a somewhat similar plot in his 1995 book, A Very Profitable War, set in Paris just after WWII). Meanwhile, a wounded republican must elude capture by the Guardia and exact his own revenge. The two men's stories both revolve around vengeance, redemption, and hope, seen from opposite ends of the spectrum. Pawel manages to achieve this without creating a simplistic hero and villain dynamic - both are sympathetic, and both are flawed.

Ultimately, the book is rather grim and unrelenting, thus remaining true to the nature of civil war. It is a very good debut, although readers without some prior knowledge of the Spanish Civil War may not fully appreciate its depth. If the setting piques your interest, consider checking out Alan Furst's spy novel, Night Soldiers, which is partly set in the midst of the Spanish Civil War, and Vittorio Giardino's graphic spy novel No Parasan!, which vividly captures the battle-scarred Barcelona of that era.

It's really good to have a new series to follow.

Sure, it may not be perfect. However, the setting of this mystery is truly unique.

And Tejada, the protagonist, is extremely interesting.

Sometimes, the different facets of his character don't seem to be completely connected.

It's quite hard to believe that we are dealing with a single bag of bones.

This aspect is crucial for making a fascist sympathetic.

Despite its flaws, the series has a certain allure that keeps the readers engaged and eager to see what will happen next.

The unique setting and the complex character of Tejada make it a worthwhile read.

Even though it may not be a flawless masterpiece, it has enough charm and potential to draw in the audience and make them look forward to future installments.

As the story unfolds, perhaps we will gain a better understanding of Tejada's character and how all the different elements of the mystery fit together.

Until then, we can enjoy the ride and see where this new series takes us.

This is such a truly moving portrait of the Spanish Civil War in Madrid.

The story is so engaging that I couldn't help but care deeply for each and every character.

It was this intense connection that led me to read all four books in the series without hesitation.

And I must say, the experience was so profound that I would not only recommend these books to others but would also read them again myself.

The vivid descriptions and the complex relationships between the characters make this series a must-read for anyone interested in history or just a great story.

It offers a unique perspective on a significant event in history and brings it to life in a way that is both educational and entertaining.

I can't wait to explore more of the author's works and see what other amazing stories they have to offer.

A good nationalist, is a dead nationalist. This statement may seem rather extreme at first glance, but upon closer examination, there is some truth to it.

A good nationalist is often one who is so dedicated to the cause of their nation that they are willing to make great sacrifices. They may be willing to fight and die for their country, or to give up their own personal interests for the good of the nation.

However, in some cases, this kind of extreme nationalism can lead to negative consequences. It can cause people to become blind to the flaws and mistakes of their own nation, and to view other nations as enemies. It can also lead to aggression and war, which can cause great destruction and suffering.

Therefore, while it is important to have a sense of national pride and loyalty, it is also important to be a rational and moderate nationalist. We should be willing to work with other nations to solve common problems, and to respect the rights and dignity of people from all countries. Only in this way can we build a more peaceful and prosperous world.