Description
Only the Dead
Book Summary
Eladio Monroy, a former sailor as sarcastic as he is sentimental, takes on a new assignment on the streets of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Héctor Fuentes has disappeared after taking a flight to the island, and only someone who knows every corner of the city like Monroy can find him. What begins as a routine search becomes a case that is over his head, forcing him to fight hard to get out alive. This second installment in the series combines the toughness of the noir genre with the humor and cunning of an unforgettable protagonist.
What is it about?
Héctor Fuentes has disappeared without a trace after landing in Gran Canaria. To track him down, the family turns to Eladio Monroy, a former sailor scraping by on a minimal pension that he supplements with off-the-books jobs. Monroy is neither a police officer nor a detective, but he knows the city like no one else and has a special knack for getting into trouble. On this occasion, the case is beyond him from the start, and he must use all his cunning, his bad temper, and his street smarts to solve the mystery before it is too late. The plot, self-contained, moves forward with unexpected twists, contained violence, and a dark humor that characterizes the author.
Main Themes
- The search for a missing person in a hostile urban environment.
- The figure of the marginal antihero who acts out of necessity rather than vocation.
- The harshness of life in the peripheral neighborhoods of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
- The conflict between official justice and street justice.
- Loyalty and friendship in a world marked by violence and betrayal.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers of noir and crime novels looking for urban plots with charismatic protagonists far removed from the classic detective archetype. Also for those who enjoy stories set in real locations, with complex characters and sharp dialogue. Especially suitable for fans of pure hard-boiled fiction with a touch of humor and social criticism.
What this book offers
- A well-constructed suspense plot with sustained pacing and twists that keep the attention until the end.
- A memorable protagonist, Eladio Monroy, who combines street smarts, a nasty temper, and a very particular sense of humor.
- An immersion in the atmosphere of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, portrayed with realism and without concessions.
- A read that combines pure entertainment with a critical look at contemporary society.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Ravelo, Alexis
- Publisher: Editorial Alrevés
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION, CRIME AND MYSTERY GENRE, MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE WORK
- Collection: NOVELA NEGRA (Noir Novel)
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: January 2019
- Number of pages: 256
- Weight: 478 g
Editorial Assessment
The second installment in the series starring Eladio Monroy, Only the Dead cements Alexis Ravelo as one of the most interesting voices in the Spanish noir novel. The work maintains the narrative pulse of the genre, with a well-achieved setting and a protagonist who flees from clichés. Its acidic tone and its capacity to portray the chiaroscuros of Canarian society make it a recommended read for lovers of the genre who are looking for works with their own personality.