Description
Three Funerals for Eladio Monroy
Book Summary
In this first installment of the series, the reader is introduced to Eladio Monroy, a peculiar detective working in the shadow economy of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Before the bursting of the real estate bubble and the major corruption scandals, Monroy accepts a job from his ex-wife that plunges him into an unstoppable spiral of violence. A classic noir novel, with acidic humor and an unforgettable antihero, marking the beginning of one of the most unique series in the genre in Spanish.
What is it about?
Eladio Monroy, a former sailor who survives on odd jobs in the shadow economy of Gran Canaria, receives a request from his ex-wife, Ana María. She, now married to the successful businessman Ernesto García Medina, asks him for a "little favor" that seems simple. However, what begins as a minor task soon triggers a spiral of violence that drags in everyone involved. Monroy, a character both sarcastic and sentimental, is forced to investigate and face extreme situations in a city he knows well. The plot, set in 2004, anticipates the atmosphere of corruption and crisis that would mark the following decade in Spain.
Main themes
- The shadow economy and the fringes of society in pre-crisis Spain.
- The figure of the atypical detective: a biting and human antihero.
- Violence and survival in a corrupt urban environment.
- Personal loyalties versus economic and political interests.
- The city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria as both setting and character.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers of classic noir and hard-boiled novels looking for an original protagonist with a direct style and black humor. Also for those who enjoy detective plots set in Spain, with a critical social portrait and complex characters. It is ideal for those who want to start a long, well-regarded series within the genre.
What this book offers
- A charismatic and biting antihero who refreshes the classic detective archetype.
- A fast-paced plot with unexpected twists and a sustained narrative rhythm.
- A critical social portrait of Spain before the economic crisis.
- A unique setting in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, far from the usual genre backdrops.
- The beginning of a series that combines violence, humor, and a lucid perspective on corruption.
Data Sheet
- Author: Ravelo, Alexis
- Publisher: Novela negra
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Modern and contemporary fiction, crime and mystery genre, mystery and suspense work
- Collection: NOVELA NEGRA
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: June 2018
- Number of pages: 248
- Weight: 519 g
Editorial Review
This first novel in the Eladio Monroy series offers a solid entry in Spanish hard-boiled fiction, with a protagonist who manages to break free from the genre's clichés. Alexis Ravelo constructs a plot that, while self-contained, lays the foundations for a rich and coherent narrative universe. The acidic tone and social criticism, combined with well-dosed action, make this title an excellent gateway for those seeking noir fiction with its own personality and a distinct local mark.