Quote by Juan Gómez-Jurado.
Black wolf (2019) is the ninth novel by Spanish author Juan Gómez-Jurado and the second installment that features detective Antonia Scott as the main character. The other two books featuring the aforementioned researcher with her partner, Inspector Jon Gutiérrez, are Red queen (2018) and White king (2020)
This trilogy turned the Madrid writer into one of the most renowned exponents of crime thrillers in Spanish today. It is a literary subgenre very much in vogue, thanks —apart from Gómez-Jurado himself— to the renowned pens of Dolores Redondo, Eva García Sáenz de Urturi and Carmen Mola, for making a few mentions.
The author and his novel
Gómez-Jurado has requested that no previews be published or details related to the content of his novel be revealed in the media. Therefore, any attempt at a synopsis goes against that request. However, yes can be described to Black wolf as a vibrant, character-driven thriller with the requisite psychological depth of a good detective story.
In addition, the Madrid author adds small constant doses -Mas, not excessive- of a humor that combines perfectly with the omnipresent intrigue in the text. Probably the irony and laughter in the middle of the intrigue represent a very original touch of a very dynamic third-person narrative.
Analysis of Black wolf
Plot and main characters
The narrative thread runs around the investigations carried out by detective Antonia Scott and her partner Jon Gutiérrez. This duo, despite having practically antagonistic personalities, is a very effective mix when it comes to tackling hard-to-solve homicides. On the one hand, she is a small woman in stature but large in determination, she is not afraid of anyone.
Instead, he is a Basque man with a large physique and noble character. At the beginning of the book, the action moves to two locations. On one side, a body has been discovered in the Manzanares river (Madrid). In parallel, in Malaga a woman was murdered inside a shopping center. The notoriety of the latter is that, apparently, the deceased was a target of the Russian mafia.
Style
The omniscient narrator employed by Juan Gómez-Jurado induces the reader to immerse himself in the situations experienced by the characters. This type of narrator allows us to delve into the minds of the protagonists: how they think, the reason for their actions, the origin of their emotions ... All this creates a reading capable of engaging from page one.
In addition, the dialogues of the novel are very realistic and well elaborated, which is completed by the excellent documentation presented by the author in the settings. In consonance, the criminalistic descriptions are meticulous as well as the references on the functioning of the organizations dedicated to drug trafficking on Andalusian coasts.
Critical reception
Black wolf It has been a novel rated five (maximum) and four stars on Amazon in 61% and 28% of reviews, respectively. In addition, the comments on the targeted platform and on other portals dedicated to literary criticism speak of a very vibrant story, full of suspense and remarkable psychological depth.
Is the crime novel a subgenre dominated by women?
The arguments of Gómez-Jurado's first books they were compared to those of Dan Brown due to the overlap on conspiratorial, political and religious issues. In the same way, It is inevitable to pair Antonia Scott with the protagonists of Dolores Redondo's crime novel, Carmen Mola or Antonio Mecerro, among others. (They are all intelligent women with a strong temperament.)
In fact, Black wolf confirms the current trend of editorial success represented by Spanish crime novels with female protagonists. Not surprisingly, characters like Amaia Salazar (Redondo) or Elena Blanco (Mola) have earned a special place among fans of police thrillers. Certainly Scott is also part of that select group.
About the Author
Juan Gómez-Jurado is a native of Madrid. He was born on December 16, 1977. In the Spanish capital He obtained his degree in Information Sciences, specifically at the CEU San Pablo University. This private study house is an institution governed under the precepts of Catholicism and the so-called Christian humanism.
Juan Gomez-Jurado.
The theological ideology of the Madrid author is evident in his first books, especially in his literary debut, God's spy (2006). By that time, the also journalist had already worked for various media, including Radio España, Canal + and Cadena COPE.
An outstanding career in magazines, radio and television
The Iberian author has collaborated with various national and foreign magazines. Between them: What to read, Jot down y New York Times Book Review. Equally, is well known for his appearances on various radio and television shows. One of the most popular has been the segment "Individuals" —together with Raquel Martos— of the program Julia on the wave by Onda Cero (2014 - 2018).
Likewise, Gómez-Jurado has been popular with Spanish audiences thanks to podcasts Almighty (together with Arturo González-Campos, Javier Cansado and Rodrigo Cortés) and Here are dragons. Regarding television series, their appearances in The seriotes of AXN and in the summer program for moviegoers cinemascopazo (2017 and 2018).
Most recent works
- Presenter of The flux capacitor in La 2, program of historical-cultural content (2021)
- Co-author - along with his wife, Dr. in Child Psychology Bárbara Montes - of the youth series Amanda Black
- In 2021, he signed a contract with the Amazon Prime platform to become a creator of exclusive content for the brand.
Written work
The second novel by Juan Gómez-Jurado, Contract with god (2007), represented a consecrating publication at the national and international level. East bestseller shares several of the themes and characters described in his God's spy. However, The Madrid writer is not only a specialist in the novel, as he has demonstrated his creative versatility by venturing into other genres.
Proof of this is the non-fiction title The Virginia Tech Massacre: Anatomy of a Tortured Mind (2007). Similarly, has successfully published two series of children's and youth literature, alex colt (5 books) and Rexcatators (3 books). In addition to the series Amanda Black, with two releases to date.
Complete list of his novels
The books of Juan Gómez-Jurado.
- God's spy (2006)
- Contract with god (2007)
- The Traitor's Emblem (2008)
- The legend of the thief (2012)
- The patient (2014)
- The Secret History of Mr. White (2015)
- Scar (2015)
- Red queen (2018)
- Black wolf (2019)
- White king (2020)