Description
THINGS THAT ONLY HAPPEN TO OTHER PEOPLE
Book Summary
A noir novel that immerses the reader in the underworld of a turbulent Barcelona, where politics, organized crime, and judicial corruption intertwine. Lawyer Marc Olván, at a critical personal juncture, receives a desperate case: defending a mother whose son is in prison accused of raping a minor. His investigation will clash with a judge who seems untouchable and with the fearsome Klimovski clan, which controls drug and arms trafficking in the city. A gripping plot about one man's fight against a corrupt system.
What is it about?
Marc Olván, an alcoholic and romantic public defender, is going through his worst professional and personal moment. Everything changes when Lidia Pedralba, a desperate mother, asks him to defend her son, held in preventive detention for the rape of a four-year-old child. The woman is convinced of his innocence and accuses Judge Daniel Trujillo of sending him to prison without a hearing, while releasing the head of the powerful Klimovski clan.
Olván accepts the case and enters a labyrinth of power where Trujillo, accompanied by Inspector Regueira, acts as if he owns the city. Both frequent the Racket nightclub, a trendy spot in Barcelona where they rub shoulders with women and underworld figures. The lawyer will witness the schemes between the judge and the Klimovskis, as well as the clan's internal struggles, all against the backdrop of the split in the pro-independence parties. His investigation will put him in the crosshairs of those who will not hesitate to use their influence to maintain the status quo.
Main themes
- Judicial corruption and abuse of power in the penal system.
- Organized crime and drug and arms trafficking in Barcelona.
- A lawyer's fight against a network of impunity.
- The fragility of the presumption of innocence in high-profile cases.
- Alcoholism and personal redemption as the protagonist's driving force.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers of noir and crime novels who look for realistic plots, complex characters, and a social and political backdrop. Also for those who enjoy stories about lawyers conducting their own investigations, in the style of the hardboiled genre, and detailed urban settings like present-day Barcelona.
What this book offers
- A judicial suspense plot with unexpected twists and a fast-paced narrative.
- A raw and believable portrait of the connections between the judiciary and organized crime.
- A human and vulnerable antihero protagonist who is easy to empathize with.
- An exploration of the ethical dilemmas of a lawyer who must defend an alleged rapist.
- An immersion into the underworld and nightlife of Barcelona.
Technical specifications
- Author: MARTIN, ANDREU
- Publisher: ED.ALREVES,S.L
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: CRIME AND MYSTERY GENRE
- Collection: NARRATIVE
- Publication date: January 2024
- Number of pages: 290
- Weight: 606 g
Editorial review
A solid noir novel that combines judicial investigation with a criminal thriller. Andreu Martín builds an imperfect but tenacious protagonist and places him in a landscape of corruption that reflects real tensions. The plot moves forward with force, maintaining tension until the finale. Recommended for genre fans who appreciate stories with a social and political backdrop, and for those looking for an addictive read with well-drawn characters.