Description
BARKING AT THE STARS
Book Summary
In this mystery and suspense novel, Aniol Florensa weaves a plot that jumps between two eras to unravel a story of ambition, crime, and buried secrets. Set in the fictional town of Sant Tófol, the work combines raw realism with a narrative rhythm that hooks the reader from the first page. The author explores how a dream of escape can turn into a nightmare of blood and how the past returns to collect its debt, offering an absorbing read for fans of the detective and psychological thriller genres.
What is it about?
The narrative unfolds along two parallel timelines. In 1999, Ricky, a young man who feels trapped in his town, Sant Tófol, sees his dream of escaping cut short after a family tragedy. In a desperate attempt to make easy money, he founds a pornographic film production company called Trempera Matinera. However, what begins as a quick business venture ends up triggering a wave of violence and a series of murders that will mark local history.
Twenty years later, in 2019, Narcís begins working as a documentarian for a publishing house. His first assignment is to investigate and gather information on one of the strangest and most macabre crimes in Catalonia: the Trempera case. The publisher's goal is to release a bestseller about Ricky and the Sant Tófol murders. But Narcís's arrival in the town, a place loaded with secrets and grudges, triggers unforeseen and tragic consequences, proving that some wounds never fully close.
Main Themes
- Excessive ambition and its tragic consequences.
- The weight of the past and the impossibility of escaping it.
- The investigation of true crimes and the media exploitation of pain.
- The secrets of a rural community and the web of grudges that sustains it.
- The duality between the dream of a better life and a sordid reality.
Who is it recommended for?
This work is aimed at readers fond of the detective and suspense genre who are looking for complex plots with time jumps and an oppressive atmosphere. It will also interest those who enjoy noir novels with a social backdrop, where characters move between morality and survival. It is perfect for those who value a narrative that combines the crime thriller with the psychological exploration of its protagonists.
What this book offers
- A dual plot that maintains tension and interest by connecting two distinct eras.
- An immersion into the darker side of human ambition and its long-term repercussions.
- A critical perspective on the publishing industry and the fascination with true crime.
- Complex and realistic characters, whose motivations and secrets are revealed gradually.
- An agile narrative pace and polished prose that facilitate an addictive read.
Technical Data
- Author: FLORENSA, ANIOL
- Publisher: LLIBRES DELICTE
- Language: cat
- Subject: DETECTIVE AND MYSTERY GENRE, MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE WORK
- Collection: LLIBRES DEL DELICTE
- Publication date: September 2022
- Number of pages: 296
- Weight: 527 g
Editorial Review
Aniol Florensa constructs a novel that successfully combines the crime thriller and social chronicle. The double timeline is well-resolved and allows the reader to discover the events from two complementary perspectives. The setting in a closed-off town and the evolution of the characters add depth to a story that, without being explicitly violent, maintains an atmosphere of constant tension. It is a work that will connect with fans of the genre who are looking for well-spun plots and a solid psychological background.