Death of a Nationalist

This is yet another Soho Crime book, which I am liking for the most part. This one, however, really irritated me. It’s well-written. Rebecca Pawel also does a wonderful job of setting the story in post-Civil War Madrid. The Spanish Civil War for those who don’t know, not the U.S. version. I knew so little about that war that I thought this might be a good way to get me interested in it. I was right.

(Full review at my blog)

Excellent period piece. Not so good as a mystery but there is enough of one for the book to hang together. Well written, good characterization, moves along nicely. The ending does come as a surprise on multiple levels, which is good. Most unusual in that it has a Falangist POV character and manages to make him human and believable. Given the degree to which the world chattering classes are still all on the Republican side this many decades later, that is in and of itself a near miracle. One of the best portrayals of a conquered city I have read.

During the extreme hardships following the Spanish Civil War, the loss of a seven-year-old's school notebook leads to tragedy after she witnesses a murder. The consequences of mistaken assumptions have far-reaching impacts on a small circle of Reds as well as the officials in control. Although it is perhaps unrealistic, the ending offers surprising hope after a series of brutal events.

The first of the all-too-short series featuring Guardia Civil Lt. Carlos Tejada and his "Red" love interest, Elena Fernandez, at the end of the Spanish Civil War. As Carlos tries to reconcile his Fascist politics with his basic integrity, and Elena struggles against her attraction to a man who stands for everything she despises, we see how their relationship develops. Of course, there's a mystery to solve as well and it's a good one.

Interesting novel featuring a Guardia policeman who found another policeman, friend, murdered and decided to find the real killer after he mistakenly shot a woman who was only trying to retrieve a notebook, her young niece had dropped when she saw the corpse. His hatred of the oposing side who he calls Reds gradually is lessened thru the story. The other part is the lover of the woman who was shot by the Guardia wants to find her killer. The lover is allowed to escape by the Guardia He also finds himself attracted to a school teacher, Elena who is a socialist

A Guardia Civil finds a just killed colleague on the street whom he recognizes as a friend of his youth. He shoots the young woman who leans over him, but then finds it all a mistake. Set soon after Franco;s win.
Not very believable.