The time lords

The time lords is the third book of the White City Trilogy created by the Spanish writer Eva García Sáenz de Urturi. Like the predecessor books, in this installment the protagonist is the Inspector of the Criminal Investigation Division of Vitoria, Unai López de Ayala, nicknamed “Kraken”. Who, despite maintaining his stubborn behavior, continues to evolve towards a more affectionate behavior.

The secondary characters of The time lords —Especially Kraken's partner, Estíbaliz— are quite relevant. Likewise, the investigations of a new case lead to a strange family linked to Unai since the Middle Ages. In reality, the closing of the trilogy is two novels in one: a police thriller in the present and a historical novel about the society of Vitoria during the Middle Ages.

Bibliographic synthesis of the author

Great part of White City Trilogy It is set in the hometown of Eva García Sáenz de Urturi, Vitoria. She has a degree in Optics and Optometry. She has been based in Alicante since 1985. In that town he has stood out for his work in various linguistic and literary courses at the University of Alicante.

In more recent years, Eva García Sáenz de Urturi has been a speaker at important Spanish literary congresses and conferences. His first novel, The saga of the old ones (2012) self-published it on Amazon. It was a tremendous success on the internet that facilitated physical printing by Esfera de Libros. Since 2013 he has worked with Planeta, the publisher responsible for the rest of his books to date.

The list of his works is completed by:

• The Sons of Adam - Saga of the Long-lived II (2014)
• Passage to Tahiti (2014)

Trilogy of the White City

• The silence of the White City (2016)
• The water rites (2017)
• The time lords (2018)

Analysis and Summary of The time lords

All members of the López de Ayala family attend the presentation of an epic book that has become a bestseller, The time lords. The publication set in medieval times has been launched under a pseudonym (Diego Vela). Therefore, the audience is waiting to know the true identity of the writer. But the gala begins even when the author does not finish arriving.

Shortly after, Kraken is notified about the appearance of the corpse of a businessman in the same building where the ceremony is taking place. The death would have occurred in a manner very similar to one of the deaths described in the novel. Specifically due to intoxication caused by the so-called "Spanish fly" (better known as the "Viagra of the Middle Ages").

Two novels in one

The murderer's modus operandi continues to trace medieval methods. Consequently, in order to profile the criminal (Unai's specialty), it is imperative to scrutinize every detail of the mysteries presented in the novel. At this point, the great mastery of Eva García Sáenz de Urturi in unraveling a very complex plot is evident.

For events take place on two parallel timelines: the past of The time lords and resolution of the case in the present. Likewise, the historical aspect denotes a great documentation made by the Alava author. Because he was able to recreate in a very sublime way the features, traditions and peculiarities of Vitoria society of the time.

Medieval rituals emulated in the present

The next victims to appear were executed with a macabre method called the "vow of darkness" or subjugation. It was a kind of tortuous execution by perpetual confinement of the condemned man within a very narrow space. They could be completely sealed coffins or vertical chambers in August; death occurred from starvation or dehydration.

Later, a body is found with signs of having undergone a “cover-up”. In this mortuary technique the inmate was thrown into a river in a barrel along with a rooster, a dog, a cat and a snake. Eventually, all the evidence Unai collected leads him to the Nograno tower. A fortification continuously occupied by the first male child of the ruling family for a millennium.

The conflict of the past

The information collected indicates that the inhabitants of the tower are quite prone to suffering from multiple identity disorders. Consequently, Estíbaliz - who has an affair with one of the time lords - is potentially in danger. A key element, both in the past and in the present, is the sentimental tragedy of the mythical Count Don Vela, Diego Vela.

The story goes that the count spent two long years in the middle of a dangerous mission entrusted by King Sancho VI. When he returned, he found his old fiancée — the beautiful noblewoman Onneca of Maestu — married by his own brother, Nagorno. This intimate betrayal would be the seed of a resentment capable of lasting through the centuries.

The emotional maturity of the protagonist

As the denouement approaches, readers of the other books in the trilogy find the psychological evolution of Kraken very palpable. Who went from being an obsessive detective (often inconsiderate), to becoming a person attentive to his closest environment.

The reason for this change is the acceptance of the tragedies experienced by Unai during his childhood (when he was orphaned). Two female figures very close to him have a notable influence on the inner journey of the protagonist: his partner Estíbaliz and his boss, Alba. Additionally, Unai is the father of a girl who becomes his greatest incentive to try to be happy.

The closing of the trilogy

In the end, Unai discovers her bond with the characters in the medieval novel. In a much closer relationship than he could ever have imagined. That revelation substantially transforms her existence and the lives of her entire family. Although the twists and turns in the development of the trilogy are intricate, the author masterfully solves each and every one of the questions raised from the beginning of the saga.