Description
Everyone Will Remember You
Book Summary
A noir novel that immerses the reader in a turbulent Barcelona, marked by the shadow of the jihadist attack on the Ramblas and the tension of regional elections. Inspector Santiago Ortuño, a detective in decline, finds the corpse of a colleague and, shortly after, finds himself dragged into a dangerous plot upon meeting the enigmatic singer Leire Alfaro. His obsession with her leads him to interfere in a counter-terrorism investigation by the Mossos d'Esquadra in the Raval neighborhood, where mafias and corruption weave a web from which it will be difficult to escape. Andreu Martín offers an intense story about obsession, power, and the price of memory.
What is it about?
The plot begins with the discovery of Inspector Santiago Ortuño’s lifeless body in the port of Barcelona, a crime that is investigated in retrospect. Weeks before his death, Ortuño, relegated to the Immigration Brigade, receives a visit from Leire Alfaro, a fascinating vocalist who also goes by the name Dorothy Gale. She requests a residence permit for Abduh Fayad, a Moroccan plumber who works for the suspicious Shaddad brothers and with whom she is in a romantic relationship.
Ortuño, captivated by Leire, decides to help her and get involved in her affairs. In his eagerness to win her over, he delves into a counter-terrorism investigation that the Mossos d'Esquadra are carrying out in the Raval, centered on the Shaddads' shop. The novel explores how a lonely man's personal obsession clashes with a complex police operation, while the city prepares for controversial elections and the threats of organized crime and jihadism intertwine on the same stage.
Main Themes
- Obsession and self-destruction: the protagonist's irrational impulse for a woman leads him to cross professional and personal lines.
- Institutional and police corruption: the novel portrays a system where the law bows to political and mafia interests.
- The impact of terrorism: the Ramblas attack acts as a backdrop and trigger for social and police tension.
- Mafias and organized crime in Barcelona: an exploration of the criminal underworld that operates in the city, from human trafficking to money laundering.
- Identity and memory: the question of who will be remembered and why, posed by the title, runs throughout the entire work.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers of noir and detective fiction looking for complex plots with a strong social and political component. Especially recommended for those who enjoy stories set in Barcelona, featuring morally ambiguous characters and an incisive narrative style. It will also interest fans of Andreu Martín and those who appreciate the mystery and suspense genre with an undertone of social criticism.
What this book offers
- A well-constructed suspense plot that maintains tension until the resolution.
- A raw and realistic view of corruption and power dynamics in a big city.
- Complex and contradictory characters whose motivations deepen the narrative conflict.
- A reflection on the fragility of memory and personal legacy in a violent world.
- Andreu Martín’s characteristic prose, direct and immersive, which hooks the reader from the first page.
Technical Details
- Author: Martín, Andreu
- Publisher: Editorial Alrevés
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Modern and contemporary fiction, detective and mystery genre, mystery and suspense work
- Collection: Noir Novel
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication Date: March 2019
- Number of pages: 290
- Weight: 606 g
Editorial Review
Everyone Will Remember You is a work that solidifies Andreu Martín as a benchmark of the Spanish noir novel. The work stands out for its ability to intertwine a criminal investigation with social and political criticism, offering a scathing portrait of Barcelona after the 17-A attacks. The reader will find a story that not only entertains but invites reflection on corruption, obsession, and memory. Its narrative pace, well-drawn characters, and the oppressive atmosphere it manages to create make it a recommended read for genre lovers seeking something more than just a simple police case.