Description
The Harem's Favorite
Book Summary
The reader returns to the luxurious modernist brothel on Tibidabo, the Harem, where the histrionic Emili Santamarta finds himself trapped in a plot of corruption and violence. Between corrupt police officers and two rival clans fighting for control of arms and drug trafficking in Barcelona, he must defend the innocent. Andreu Martín delivers a new installment of fast-paced, violent action, sprinkled with his characteristic acid and corrosive humor, set in a dark and sordid Barcelona populated by eccentric characters.
What is it about?
The story brings us back to the Tibidabo Harem, a luxury modernist brothel in early 20th-century Barcelona. Its manager, Emili Santamarta, finds himself immersed in a dangerous struggle between two criminal families seeking a monopoly on arms and drug trafficking: the sophisticated and dangerous De Santiagos, and the Kleins, led by two ruthless dwarves seeking to avenge the death of their son, the Delfí. Amidst this conflict, Santamarta must protect innocent people while navigating corrupt police and a gallery of eccentric characters. The plot unfolds with a breakneck pace and raw violence, all narrated with the acid and theatrical humor that characterizes the protagonist.
Main themes
- Police corruption and organized crime in early 20th-century Barcelona.
- Struggle for power and control of arms and drug trafficking between rival clans.
- Revenge as the driving force of the criminal plot.
- Black humor and social satire through grotesque characters and extreme situations.
- Historical and period setting in a luxury modernist brothel.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is recommended for readers who are fans of crime and detective novels with a distinct pulp style, who enjoy fast-paced plots, stylized violence, and acid, corrosive humor. It is also ideal for those who are already familiar with and appreciate Andreu Martín's Tibidabo Harem series and wish to continue the adventures of its unique protagonist, Emili Santamarta.
What this book offers
- A suspenseful and fast-paced action plot that keeps the reader on edge from the very first page.
- An immersion into the darkest and most sordid side of Barcelona, with a detailed historical setting and memorable characters.
- A unique narrative style that combines the crime novel with the most corrosive and theatrical humor.
- The continuation of an addictive series, with new conflicts and characters that enrich the Harem universe.
Technical data sheet
- Author: Martín, Andreu
- Publisher: EDITORIAL ALREVES, S.L.
- Language: Catalan
- Topic: Detective and mystery genre
- Collection: CRIMS.CAT
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: January 2020
- Number of pages: 268
- Weight: 471 g
Editorial review
Andreu Martín once again demonstrates his mastery of the crime genre with a novel that is pure entertainment. The Harem's Favorite offers a well-constructed plot, with an impeccable narrative pace and sharp dialogue. The mix of violence, humor, and grotesque characters works perfectly, making this second installment of the Harem a highly recommended read for the author's followers and for those looking for a crime novel with its own personality and a distinct local flavor.