Description
The Barrier
Book Summary
Gaspar Garín is the night watchman at the Port Fòrum barrier in Barcelona. His routine is broken when he observes suspicious movements at pier D and a man with a scar coming and going in the early hours of the morning. What initially seems like a simple anomaly becomes the center of a police investigation: Operation Amnesia. This plot, which involves chemical submission substances, greed, and the abuse of vulnerable people, leads to an unimaginable crime. Jordi de Manuel constructs a thriller with an oppressive atmosphere that keeps the reader on edge from the first page.
What is it about?
The novel follows Gaspar Garín, a night watchman at the Port Fòrum in Barcelona, who enjoys the tranquility of his shift. However, his attention is piqued when he detects strange movements at pier D, especially those of a man with a scar on his forehead who uses an SUV in the early hours of the morning. When a colleague mentions that some Mossos d'Esquadra have been asking questions around the port, Garín senses that something serious is happening. In parallel, Corporal Lídia Sánchez and Officer Pau Ribó investigate Operation Amnesia, a case that places the Port Fòrum at the epicenter of a criminal network. In it, chemical submission, greed, and the abuse of the most vulnerable people converge, triggering a crime that no one could have foreseen. The story explores how the observation of an ordinary man intertwines with a high-risk police investigation.
Main themes
- Surveillance and observation as investigative tools.
- The vulnerability of at-risk individuals and the abuse of power.
- Organized crime and the use of chemical submission substances.
- The tension between apparent routine and the hidden reality in a port environment.
- The collaboration between citizens and police forces in solving a case.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers of crime and detective novels looking for realistic plots set in recognizable urban environments. Also for those who enjoy stories where the perspective of an everyday character crosses paths with a complex criminal investigation. It is ideal for those who appreciate a slow-paced but building narrative rhythm, with a well-constructed atmosphere of suspense.
What this book offers
- A suspenseful plot that combines a watchman's observation with a police investigation.
- An immersion into the underworld of an urban port, with its dynamics and hidden dangers.
- A reflection on social vulnerability and the exploitation of at-risk individuals.
- An agile and addictive read, with a narrative that maintains tension until the end.
- A work within the CRIMS.CAT collection, which guarantees quality in the Catalan crime genre.
Technical specifications
- Author: Jordi de Manuel
- Publisher: Editorial Alrevés
- Language: Catalan
- Theme: Crime and mystery genre
- Collection: CRIMS.CAT
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: January 2019
- Number of pages: 190
- Weight: 220 g
Editorial review
The Barrier is a solid entry within the Catalan crime genre. Jordi de Manuel manages to create an atmosphere of suspense from the routine of a night watchman, turning an everyday setting into the epicenter of a criminal plot. The novel stands out for its ability to generate tension progressively, without resorting to forced twists, and for addressing sensitive social issues such as chemical submission and the abuse of vulnerable people. It is a recommended read for followers of the CRIMS.CAT collection and for those looking for a well-constructed thriller with a realistic background.