Description
Swordfish
Book Summary
A historical thriller that combines the glamour of 1960s Costa del Sol tourism with a plot involving espionage and false loyalties. Retired economist Gustavo Marín returns to the luxurious Pez Espada hotel in Torremolinos to reclaim a forgotten past. There, amidst real figures such as Frank Sinatra, John Lennon, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, as well as anonymous characters, a fast-paced plot unfolds where the so-called Munich Agreement becomes the pivot for a story of betrayal and surprises.
What is it about?
Gustavo Marín, a retired economist, returns to the Pez Espada hotel, located on La Carihuela beach near Torremolinos, nearly half a century after his first stay. His return is not coincidental: he seeks to recover a time he had relegated to oblivion, a golden age marked by the eccentric fauna of the early Costa del Sol tourism back in 1962.
At the Pez Espada, real historical figures—such as Frank Sinatra, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Jean Cocteau, Juan Domingo Perón and his wife, the Count of Barcelona, Ana de Pombo, Lord Willoughby, Brian Epstein, and John Lennon—mingle with anonymous individuals who recreate a unique atmosphere. In this setting of luxury and apparent nonchalance, a plot of espionage, betrayals, and false loyalties is woven where nothing and no one is what they seem, and where the so-called Munich Agreement acts as one of the hubs of a fast-paced and surprise-filled narrative.
Main Themes
- The return to the past and personal memory versus oblivion.
- The splendor of international tourism on the Costa del Sol during the sixties.
- Espionage and political conspiracies in Spain during that era.
- False appearances and moral ambiguity in a luxurious setting.
- The Munich Agreement as a turning point in the historical plot.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers interested in historical thrillers with a real-life background, lovers of 20th-century Spanish history, and those who enjoy espionage plots and famous characters. It is also suitable for those looking for a narrative that combines the glamour of a bygone era with a plot full of twists and surprises.
What this book offers
- An immersion into the unique atmosphere of luxury tourism on the Costa del Sol in the sixties.
- A plot of espionage and political conspiracies that maintains tension until the end.
- The presence of real historical figures who enrich the fiction with verisimilitude.
- A reflection on memory, the passage of time, and the search for personal identity.
- A tale where appearances are deceiving and loyalties are constantly tested.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Taján Ávila, Alfredo
- Publisher: Ediciones del Viento, S.L.
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Modern and contemporary fiction
- Collection: Viento Abierto
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: March 2011
- Number of pages: 298
- Weight: 296 g
Editorial Review
Swordfish is a novel that successfully manages to fuse historical narrative with thriller fiction. Alfredo Taján builds an immersive atmosphere, supported by real-life characters who lend credibility to the plot, and offers a story that keeps the reader interested thanks to its twists and revelations. It is a recommended work for those looking for an enjoyable read with substance, which combines entertainment with a look at a fascinating period in Spain's recent history.