The grim garrote often appears linked to the Inquisition, yet the last known execution using this method in Spain was that of Salvador Puig Antich on March 2, 1974. The method raises questions about how a person chooses what is right or wrong and whether justice can be pursued by individuals. It also prompts reflection on what constitutes moral reprehensibility and who should bear punishment. In a moment when laws are being redefined to shorten the path to classification, Toni Hills latest novel, The Last Executioner, resonates with notable relevance.
Following the discovery of three carefully staged bodies, each found at a different station, police anticipate a new corpse every three months. A note beside the bodies reads someone has to do this, making it clear that a serial killer is at work. To unravel the psychological traces left by the perpetrator, Lena Mayoral, a criminologist, is brought in to assist with the investigation.
The cover blurb describes The Last Executioner as Grijalbo 504 pages and a work that invites readers to step into a crime saga that unfolds with relentless momentum.
There are several defining elements in Hills fiction. The first is social critique carried almost invisibly, a moral stance embedded in the narrative without overt displays. The choice of protagonists signals a political position, and the novel features a balanced representation of relationships, including homosexual and heterosexual characters and families with diverse structures.
Second, the chorus of voices. Hill eschews a single hero, instead constructing a universe of characters and networks whose personalities the author brings to life with striking clarity. In a conspiracy where victims, suspects, and investigators vie for influence, every voice matters, and the shifting focus keeps the tension high. Achieving this balance is a notable accomplishment.
Finally, secrecy as the engine of the plot. A set of knowledge known to only a few characters acts as leverage for deals and feuds. Everyone seems to conceal something, and the reader is kept a step ahead, ensuring the suspense remains sharp throughout.
The result is a contemporary thriller that stands among the stronger national entries in recent years. Its appeal rests on a clever, well-structured plot, convincing character work, and a commitment to entertaining storytelling that makes it a likely summer favorite for readers looking for a gripping page-turner. The Last Executioner offers a provocative meditation on punishment, justice, and the motives that drive people to act when the law seems unable to satisfy moral questions. The tension and pace make it a compelling choice for fans of crime fiction who want more than a simple whodunit, and it challenges readers to consider who bears responsibility when the line between law and morality grows blurry.