Maestral’s Literary Evenings return on Friday, May 12 in Alicante for a night that blends crime fiction, conversation, and culinary storytelling. The event spotlights a celebrated presenter and writer in conversation about a recent thriller, a novel that has quickly become one of the season’s standouts. The evening promises insights into the craft of suspense, character, and pacing, with a setting that invites readers to explore a city that pairs perfectly with a tense narrative.
In this gathering organized by the author, attendees will discover a shocking crime thriller that first appeared in 2017 and continues to resonate with readers. The plot threads weave a dark humor through a fluent narration, drawing audiences into a tense Madrid summer as the protagonists navigate a heart-pounding, hellish landscape that tests loyalties and survival.
After a meal, the writer engages with the audience, answering questions from participants. The session is designed to deepen understanding of the thriller’s construction, from premise to motive, and to offer a lens into the author’s process and influences.
a voltage
On a humid Madrid night, just after midnight, a man walking through a square looks up instinctively. A skyscraper’s windows reveal silhouettes, and suddenly, ten people on ten different floors leap into the void in near unison.
The sound is unforgettable. The city’s heat and the city’s hum persist as ten rooms empty out, leaving no identification behind. None of the jumpers checked in at the hotel reception, and nothing in the rooms helps investigators trace their identities. The scene sets the tone for a mystery that will challenge assumptions and force readers to question every motive they encounter.
There is a young woman barely thirty among a cast of characters who include an elderly figure and others of divergent backgrounds. A corpse is dressed in clothes worth more than six thousand euros, while another wears garments donated by an NGO. Their worlds never intersected; there are no visible guests or hotel staff who recall them. Yet investigators discover a handful of lit candles on nightstand seven hundred and sixteen, as if prayers had begun to take shape in the silence of the room. What follows is only the first of many surprises.
Themed menu and wine
The evening’s dining is crafted by Maestral’s kitchen team, designed to echo the novel’s mood and setting. Guests can enjoy a welcome cocktail with toasted almonds and potato chips before two courses that pay homage to the book’s regional flavors: Olga’s Maestral-style gazpacho with chunks of boiled egg, toast, and a seafood tartare, followed by a white shrimp salad with crispy shrimp. The main course features a tuna belly prepared in Isla Cristina style, offering a subtle sweetness that carries into dessert. A final taste explores chocolate desserts enriched with dates, adding a twist that mirrors the narrative’s unexpected turns. A curated wine flight accompanies the menu, including a special white wine from a historic Sicilian winery.
The evening presents a rare pairing of gastronomy, wine, and literature, offering an immersive experience that blends story, flavor, and atmosphere. The event is scheduled to begin on Friday, May 12 at 20:30 in Maestral, with an entry price of 40 euros. Each guest will receive a bottle of Cesilia wine as a complimentary welcome gift, enhancing the overall tasting and reading experience.