Description
Hungry and Cowardly
Book Summary
A gifted scientist is found dead in an apparent ritual murder. Her brain has been removed, and the investigation falls to Lieutenant Wallace, a tenacious and instinctive woman. The victim, Anne Liu, was the daughter of the powerful "Croupier King," who owns a network of casinos and is linked to the gambling mafia. The main lead points to COOP, the multinational cybersecurity firm where Anne worked, and to a fantastically capable algorithm called "The Glow." This novel combines police intrigue, science fiction, and a streak of black humor, offering a fast-paced thriller about the limits of technology and human relationships.
What is it about?
Lieutenant Wallace faces a complex case: the murder of Anne Liu, a young scientist who had cut all ties with her father, Norman Liu, the Croupier King. The autopsy reveals that the cause of death is not a simple crime, but a surgical extraction of the brain, pointing to a very specific motive. The investigation focuses on COOP, the company where Anne carried out her work, and on a secret project known as "The Glow," an artificial intelligence algorithm with revolutionary potential. As Wallace digs deeper into the investigation, she discovers a web of interests that entwine organized crime, high technology, and family secrets. The plot progresses through interrogations, technological clues, and the tension between the father’s power and the daughter’s independence, all while the reader wonders if the murder is a ritual, a settling of scores, or something much more unsettling.
Main Themes
- Artificial intelligence and its ethical boundaries: "The Glow" algorithm as the driving force of the plot.
- Family conflict and power: the broken relationship between Anne Liu and her father, the Croupier King.
- Organized crime and gambling: the mafia that controls the casinos as a backdrop.
- Police investigation and forensic science: Lieutenant Wallace's method for solving the case.
- Black humor and social criticism: an acerbic tone that permeates the narrative.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers who enjoy police thrillers with a strong technological and science-fiction component. It is ideal for those looking for complex plots with strong female characters, plot twists, and a narrative style that blends mystery with black humor. It will also interest fans of genre literature who tackle subjects such as artificial intelligence, corporate power, and dysfunctional family relationships.
What this book offers
- A well-constructed suspense plot that maintains interest until the end.
- A memorable protagonist, Lieutenant Wallace, with a defined personality and a unique working method.
- A reflection on the impact of technology on society and human relationships.
- An original combination of genres: police, science fiction, and black humor in a single work.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Vallecillo, Ángel
- Publisher: Editorial Pez de Plata
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION, CRIME AND MYSTERY GENRE, SCIENCE FICTION, HUMOR
- Collection: NARRATIVA PEZ DE PLATA
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: June 2020
- Number of pages: 408
- Weight: 525 g
Editorial Review
Hungry and Cowardly is a solid offering for lovers of the contemporary thriller who are looking for more than just a simple investigation. The mix of genres is well-balanced, offering an agile narrative and a mystery that hooks the reader. The figure of Lieutenant Wallace provides a human counterpoint to a plot dominated by technology and power. It is a recommended read for those who value an entertaining story that has pace and a touch of originality in its approach.