The Executioner Weeps

What can I say - spellbinding. The way Dard writes is captivating - you are immediately captured and taken on a journey that is as long and winding as the roads of the Spanish countryside.

Barcelona - a young woman throws herself in front of a car. Immediately the driver (French artist Daniel Mermet) is captivated - not only by her form but by the damaged violin lying close by. He rescues this obvious damsel in distress and takes her back to his hotel (he is holidaying in Spain) rather than to a hospital.

Daniel narrates the story of his love for the woman - who is suffering from amnesia - which is returned in equal force. He vows to discover her past and save her from whatever it is she was escaping.

But this is not your typical love show more story - and Dard creates the right amount of suspense as he slowly, almost teasingly, reveals the truth behind the mysterious Marianne's past life. What will happen when she finally remembers or when Daniel discovers the truth? show less

In Barcelona, a beautiful amnesiac woman carrying a broken violin case steps in front of a car. After hitting her, the driver, artist Daniel Mermet, takes her to a local doctor at the Mediterranean waterfront hotel where he is staying on holiday. Aside from the memory loss, her injuries are minimal. As she and Daniel connect, surprises, lies and suspicions abound. Is it safe to fall in love when you know nothing about a person's past?

Crime thriller in novella form, The Executioner Weeps stuns first with its title. Slow burning at first, the book moves into romance until it takes off as a roller coaster ride. Highly recommended.

I thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing the advance copy for my unbiased opinion.