Books
by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
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The Fencing Master |
1868, Spain teeters on the edge of revolution but Jaime Astarloa, old-fashioned master fencer, lives in a dream-world, his ambition to perfect the irresistible sword thrust. His serenity is shattered when Adela de Otero appears at his door and he becomes the unwilling participant in dark political deeds. Wonderfully atmospheric.
(Jenny Baker - bwl 2 March 2000) |
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The Flanders Panel |
A prize-winning thriller, translated from the Spanish original set in the Madrid world of fine-art dealing. The plot kicks off with the discovery by Julia, a young picture-restorer, of a Latin message hidden in a 15th century Flemish painting of chess players. Great on background description, atmosphere and the complexities of high-level chess. No need for expert knowledge to enjoy this intriguing and original story.
(Jeremy Swann - bwl 21 November 2003) |
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The Queen of the South |
Another change of scenery with this the Spanish novelist's latest thriller. Set initially in Mexico and subsequently in Morocco and on the coast of Southern Spain, he tells the rags-to-riches story of Teresa in the scary and violent world of international drug-running. It kept me on tenterhooks in spite of suffering, as I have found with some of the novels I've read recently, from being 100 to 150 pages too long.
(Jeremy Swann - bwl 23 April 2004) |
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The Seville Communion |
A hacker has accessed the Pope's personal computer asking for help to save a crumbling old church in Seville threatened with demolition by local financial parties anxious to develop the land on which it stands. The Vatican sends Father Lorenzo Quart to investigate and report back. He rapidly finds himself embroiled in a complicated conflict in which he is torn between loyalty to his superiors and human love. An intriguing and powerful story.
(Jeremy Swann - bwl 22 February 2004) |
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