Phrase by Dolores Redondo.
When an Internet user searches for "recommended Spanish crime novel", the results point to authors such as Eva García Sáenz de Urturi or Dolores Redondo. Along with them, there are names that have set the tone in the genre, such as Antonio Mecerro and Carmen Mola, among others.
All of them have created very important titles from a commercial point of view. Aside from the stupendous editorial numbers, many of his detective stories have been successfully adapted for film. and to television. Therefore, the mark that they will leave within the contemporary culture of Spain is just beginning to be seen.
Recommended Spanish crime novels
Baztán trilogyby Dolores Redondo
The masterpiece of the Basque writer Dolores Redondo Meira consists of three books set in shady enclaves in her region of origin. There, the references to myths and legends of the Baztán valley are relevant when solving the murders. Going into history, the separation between the feasibility and the fantastic of some events is not clearly discernible.
Redondo generates this "confusion" in the reader through a highly addictive plot and exceptionally accurate descriptions of police investigations. These present in a very realistic way the crimes to be solved by the enigmatic inspector Amaia Salazar, the protagonist.
The invisible guardian (2013)
The invisible guardian.
You can buy the book here: The invisible guardian
Salazar takes action when the authorities are notified of the discovery of a lifeless body of a teenager in the banks of the Baztán river. That murder appears to be related to another that occurred a month earlier in the same area and under similar circumstances (naked bodies left in a strange position).
To solve the case, Salazar must deal with the memories of his own troubled past and deal with a series of seemingly paranormal phenomena. One of them is Basajaun, the mythological figure alluded to in the deaths of the girls. For this reason, he eventually requires the help of his sisters Flora and Ros, plus Aunt Engrasi (experts in supernatural affairs).
Legacy in the bones (2013)
Legacy in the bones.
You can buy the book here: Legacy in the bones
The second installment of the Baztán trilogy confirms many of the suspicions raised in The invisible guardian. First, new clues appear about erratic behavior of the father (in the memories) of the inspector. There is also an obvious influx of paranormal energies around Amaia, who has just become a new mother.
But there is no time to indulge in the tenderness of your baby. Salazar must solve a new case characterized by the cruelty of a perpetrator who poses as the Tarttalo, a kind of voracious, bloodthirsty and ruthless cyclops. In consecuense, the situation becomes more and more oppressive between the traumas of his past and the dangerous mysteries of the present.
Offering to the storm (2014)
Offering to the storm.
You can buy the book here: Offering to the storm
In the third part of the trilogy, the entity involved is Inguma, a demon who sucks the life out of human babies with his breath. However - as in the predecessor volumes - the perpetrator of the deaths is a man of flesh and blood.
For the vast majority of literary critics and readers, Offering to the storm It is the finishing touch for the trilogy. The reason is overwhelming: the permanent tension of the narrative is added by the perfect closure of the circle of the characters. In this point, Dolores Redondo endowed each of the members of the saga with a depth and a very remarkable humanity.
The silence of the white city (2016), by Eva García Sáenz de Urturi
The silence of the white city.
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The first installment of the trilogy of the white city immortalized Sáenz de Urturi within the genre of contemporary Spanish crime novel. Not in vain, The silence of the white city was brought to the big screen in 2019 under the direction of Daniel Calparsoro. The protagonist of the entire series is the relentless Inspector Unai López Ayala (aka "Kraken", due to his impressive appearance).
Together with the researcher with the nickname of the cephalopod, his faithful assistant Estíbaliz and Commissioner Alba enter a race against time to solve and anticipate the disturbing crimes that occurred in Vitoria. For this reason, López - an expert in profiling criminals - does not hesitate to resort to unconventional (and even morally debatable) methods to achieve his mission.
The water rites (2017)
The rites of water.
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At second book of the trilogy, the perpetrator follows in the footsteps of a strange ancestral ritual that involves pregnant women. Then, López takes the case personally when the first pregnant victim appears, who had been his first girlfriend. Similarly, Commissioner Alba is also in condition (Unai could be the father), therefore, she could be a target of the killer.
The time lords (2018)
The lords of time.
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On this occasion, the investigators will have to look for evidence in two different times. On the one hand, the clues to the deaths presented in a medieval novel bear some kind of link with the murders of the present. On the other hand, Alba and Unai will have to solve questions about their lifestyle, their relationship and the future of their family.
The case of the dead Japanese women (2018), by Antonio Mercero
The case of the dead Japanese women.
You can buy the book here: The case of the dead Japanese women
The case of the Japanese Muertas is the second installment in the Sofía Luna series. This book delves into the internal, social and family conflicts of the main character raised in The end of man, the predecessor volume. Obviously, the sex reassignment surgery of the protagonist —Carlos is definitely transformed into Sofía— is an unprecedented circumstance in the detective genre.
Beyond the dramatic peculiarity mentioned, the plot of this book quickly hooks the reader and induces reflection. The reason: the killer attacks a group of Japanese tourists with an aversion to hypersexuality. Therefore, Luna must rely on a suspicious translator when public expectation increases due to the disappearance of the daughter of the Japanese ambassador.
The gypsy bride (2019), by Carmen Mola
The gypsy bride.
You can buy the book here: The gypsy bride
Inspector Elena Blanco takes charge of the case of Susana Macaya, who was found dead two days after celebrating her bachelorette party. The occisa had gypsy parents, although she was brought up in modern society. Likewise, the death seems to have a connection with one that occurred seven years earlier (that of the sister, Lara Macaya), since the same macabre rite was followed in both.
Although Lara's murderer was found and imprisoned, Susana's death casts doubt on the entire police squad. Is the condemned man actually innocent ... or is someone repeating his modus operandi? In parallel, Blanca tries to understand the vicissitudes of the life of some gypsies who have renounced their customs. Additionally, she has a long-standing unsolved case.