Back in Santa Rita, the author returns to familiar faces and places, rekindling friendships that felt distant after a year apart. Yet the scene is unsettled when a wall on the estate collapses, revealing rubble, a baby’s skeleton, and a handful of valuable early 20th century paintings. To complicate matters, another death soon follows. The Santa Rita circle continues to draw readers into lives that feel larger than daily routine, where ordinary days spill into extraordinary stories.
Amores que matan (Roca editorial, 2023) marks the second entry in the Santa Rita cycle and comes from an acclaimed Eldense author. The book has just reached shelves and drew attention at a recent local presentation. The plot traverses a labyrinth of characters and themes, including a newsworthy seller, his partner, a lover, and even a Russian mafia presence. The author maintains a style that favors a straightforward premise, while the sheer cast and breadth of topics keep the tension high. The ending remains open until the final page, a signature move that invites readers to keep turning the pages in anticipation.
a Mediterranean delight Jose Joaquin Martinez Egido
The narration adopts an all-knowing voice, moving through scenes and introducing personalities with a range of linguistic tones—from poetic to colloquial. The story centers on Sofia, the matriarch of the intergenerational Santa Rita neighborhood, and her niece Greta. Inspector Lola and former Commissioner Robles emerge as key investigators who aim to identify the killer, a figure readers have suspected from the start. The discovery of the baby’s bones ties the present case to Sofia’s family history, shifting the mystery across generations. Where the previous volume anchored the enigma in one generation, this installment pushes the thread back to earlier roots. The book blends genres, delivering a detective mood while generously dipping into sentimental strains, including a love triangle among guest characters and a vivid social world. Fashion moments, such as outfits described with flair, hint at broader themes, while feminist threads run through the narrative, casting many male characters in less favorable light. The arrangement of plotlines feels cohesive, ensuring every thread aligns by the end, with the title’s implication resonating through the entire text.
The author’s talent for merging genres is evident, inviting readers to stay engaged. The prose captures cosmopolitan atmosphere, high-society intrigue, and playful touches of multilingual vocabulary, with occasional references to diverse cultural traditions. Settings like Lake Maggiore, Rome, and Geneva provide a refined backdrop, enriching the story’s texture. The narrative also incorporates concise runs of factual details about art movements and famous mysteries, offering readers intriguing context beyond the plot. Moments of intense dialogue sharpen the pace, while vivid character studies—such as Sofia’s father—leave a lasting impression. A pivotal moment of revenge among key players demonstrates the emotional stakes at work, underscoring the personal costs borne by the figures involved.
So why pick up this novel… The answer lies in its fresh take on storytelling, blending established narrative voices with a playful, sometimes audacious mix of genres. The author’s evident enjoyment in writing translates into entertaining read and a sense of immediacy that keeps fans hooked. Readers can expect sharp characterization, clever plotting, and a tone that oscillates between witty and provocative. The book feels like a celebration of sophisticated storytelling, with a confident cadence that rewards careful attention and repeat reading. A third installment is eagerly anticipated by a reader base that has come to trust this distinctive style.