Description
Blood is Sweeter Than Honey
Book Summary
Corporal Damià Surrell, from the Figueres Investigation Unit, has just received a police merit medal. But his euphoria is cut short by an enigmatic crime: a security guard is found dead at the Dalí Museum with a note in his mouth. While he investigates this death, a Russian mafia organization prepares a meticulously planned robbery. This crime novel intertwines both plots in a game of red herrings and surprises, offering the reader a complex police case set in the Alt Empordà.
What is it about?
In 2002, Corporal Damià Surrell, a policeman fond of cooking and tai chi, enjoys his moment of glory after solving a robbery with homicide. However, his tranquility vanishes when the body of a young security guard appears at the Dalí Museum in Figueres. The victim has an enigmatic note in his mouth, a detail that turns the case into a puzzle.
At the same time, a criminal network led by a man named Dmitry is weaving the threads of a high-stakes robbery. The intrigue intensifies as it is discovered whether the murder at the museum is a distraction maneuver or a key piece of a larger plan. The investigation unfolds in a landscape of false leads and tramontane winds that blow in every direction, forcing the reader to constantly question where the true threat comes from.
Main Themes
- Criminal investigation and police procedure in a rural setting.
- Crime as a tool for distraction within a complex criminal plan.
- The figure of the policeman with human and everyday interests (cooking, tai chi).
- The presence of the Russian mafia and its operations in Catalan territory.
- The setting in the Alt Empordà and the influence of the landscape (the tramontana wind) on the plot.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is ideal for readers of crime and detective novels looking for well-constructed plots with multiple layers and plot twists. It is also recommended for those who appreciate stories set in Catalonia, with a strong sense of place and characters with personality. Fans of the genre who enjoy cases involving robberies, mafias, and investigations full of red herrings will find this an absorbing read.
What this book offers
- A double police plot that keeps interest high until the finale.
- A unique protagonist, with everyday hobbies that make him relatable and human.
- A detailed portrait of the Alt Empordà environment and its influence on the investigation.
- An intelligent game of clues and misdirections that invites the reader to reflect.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Torrent Alabau, Josep
- Publisher: Editorial Alrevés
- Language: cat
- Subject: CRIME AND MYSTERY GENRE
- Collection: CRIMS.CAT
- Binding: Paperback
- Edition date: September 2014
- Number of pages: 336
- Weight: 591 g
Editorial Assessment
Blood is Sweeter Than Honey is a crime novel that successfully combines classic criminal investigation with a very distinct geographical and cultural context. Josep Torrent Alabau offers an ambitious story where two parallel plots converge organically, maintaining narrative tension. The protagonist, Damià Surrell, provides a human and relatable counterpoint that distances the story from genre clichés. A recommended work for mystery lovers looking for a solid, well-set read.