Description
Pipe noise
Book summary
In this contemporary noir novel, the reader follows Atila, a fringe detective, through his own personal hell in Barcelona's Raval district. Struggling with drinking problems and an unstable relationship with Valentina, Atila faces a case that seems like a too-obvious domestic violence crime. Meanwhile, an immigrant aid association, the president of FC Barcelona, and two young "society ladies" cross paths in a plot that blends suspense, irony, and social commentary. An acerbic read, not recommended for politicians currently in office.
What is it about?
Atila, the fringe detective from Barcelona's Raval, is going through a rough patch. His personal life is shaky: he has drinking problems and his relationship with Valentina, "the closest thing to the woman of his life," is in crisis. In this context, he receives a case that seems like a textbook domestic violence crime, so clear that it baffles Atila himself.
The plot complicates when several disparate elements come into play: an immigrant aid association with big plans, the president of FC Barcelona who aspires to respectability through hazardous paths, and two young "society ladies" determined to misbehave. Two evangelical preachers loaded with good intentions add further confusion. All this is wrapped in the constant noise of the drainpipes that bristle the ceiling of the detective's home. The novel shakes all these ingredients together to offer a scathing read, not recommended for politicians currently performing their duties.
Main themes
- Marginalization and life in Barcelona's Raval as a setting for noir fiction.
- Alcoholism and personal relationships as a burden for the detective protagonist.
- Social and political criticism through a suspense plot.
- Domestic violence and its apparent simplicity as a starting point for the investigation.
- The mix of characters from different social strata and their motivations.
Who is it recommended for?
- Readers of contemporary noir who are looking for urban plots with a strong social and critical component. Especially suitable for those who enjoy atypical detectives, antiheroes with personal problems, and stories set in Barcelona that mix mystery with irony and local color. It is not recommended for politicians in office, regardless of their affiliation.
What this book offers
- A stark and realistic vision of marginal Barcelona, far from tourist clichés.
- An antihero detective with his own narrative voice, full of black humor and bitterness.
- A suspense plot that weaves together social and political criticism in an agile way.
- An entertaining and biting read that invites reflection on social hypocrisy.
Technical specifications
- Author: GUTIERREZ MALUENDA, LUIS
- Publisher: Editorial Alreves
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Modern and contemporary fiction, detective and mystery genre, mystery and suspense work
- Collection: Noir novel
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: September 2012
- Number of pages: 254
- Weight: 230 g
Editorial review
A noir novel that moves away from the classic canon to offer a more acerbic and contemporary proposal. The strength of the work lies in its protagonist, a fringe, self-destructive detective, and in the author's ability to weave a plot that intertwines suspense with biting social criticism. Ideal for those looking for a read that not only entertains but also provokes a cynical smile and reflection on the reality that surrounds us.