Description
Traces of Ash
Book Summary
In Traces of Ash, Aitana Castaño weaves a mystery thriller set in the decaying mining basin of Lanca. When the mayor is found hanged in city hall, young journalist Aurora Montes dives into an investigation that uncovers corruption, secrets from the past, and the struggle of a town on the verge of extinction. A work that combines suspense, social critique, and historical memory, offering the reader an absorbing plot where the local becomes a mirror for universal conflicts.
What is it about?
The story begins in Lanca, a mining town where smoke and mist have given way to abandonment following the closure of the mines. The sudden death of the mayor, found hanged on the stairs of the town hall, sparks rumors of corruption that shake the community. Aurora Montes, a young journalist, becomes our guide through this web of silences and lies. As she investigates, she discovers a network connecting unscrupulous leaders, former political prisoners, junkies, cleaning ladies, and local reporters. The plot unfolds between abandoned train tracks, mining orphanages, secret loves, and shots of orujo at the barricades. The author interweaves the thriller with the memory of silenced historical episodes, exploring how the past continues to weigh on a town that struggles to find its future.
Main Themes
- Political corruption and abuse of power in rural communities.
- Historical memory and the reparation of silenced episodes from the mining past.
- Industrial decay and the impact of mine closures on local identity.
- The search for truth through investigative journalism.
- Resistance and survival in an environment of economic and social neglect.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers of noir and psychological thrillers who look for plots with a social and political background. Also for those who enjoy stories set in rural Spain, with complex characters and a deep critique of power structures. Ideal for those interested in historical memory and journalism as a tool for denunciation.
What this book offers
- An addictive mystery plot that maintains tension until the very last page.
- A raw and realistic look at corruption and its consequences in small communities.
- The recovery of the historical memory of the mining basin, offering narrative justice to its inhabitants.
- Authentic characters, from the journalist to the forgotten people of the town, that reflect human complexity.
- A reflection on the struggle between a past that won't leave and a future that won't arrive.
Technical Data
- Author: CASTAÑO, AITANA
- Publisher: EDITORIAL PEZ DE PLATA, S.L.
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Modern and contemporary fiction, crime and mystery genre, mystery and suspense work
- Collection: NARRATIVA PEZ DE PLATA
- Publication date: November 2022
- Number of pages: 216
- Weight: 385 g
Editorial Review
Traces of Ash is a solid proposal within the social thriller genre, managing to combine suspense with an incisive critique of corruption and oblivion. Aitana Castaño builds an oppressive and realistic atmosphere, supported by a journalist protagonist who brings credibility to the investigation. The work stands out for its ability to connect a local death with universal conflicts, offering a read that is captivating both for its plot and its historical background. Recommended for those looking for a noir novel with a social conscience and a vivid portrait of mining Spain.