Illegal races, drugs, betting, political corruption and a string of murders that have swept through the city are the backbone of the Alicante crime narrative set in the novel White Whiting. This gripping work by Juli Martínez Amorós was recognized with the Teodor Llorente Novel Award in 2022, and it joins the roster of contemporary Spanish crime fiction that shines a light on urban tension and moral ambiguity in the Valencian community.
The book will be presented at Casa Bardín in Alicante, the headquarters of the Juan Gil-Albert Cultural Institute, on Thursday, December 15 at 7:00 pm. Alongside the author, the event will feature Liris Piko, the Director of the IAC, Pilar Tebar, and editor Manolo Gil, offering attendees a chance to explore the novel in depth, hear about its creation, and discuss its themes with those who’ve helped bring it to readers.
White Whiting follows the footsteps of Police Inspector Arnau Feliu and his assistant Guillem as they pursue answers to a collection of murders that appear initially accidental and unrelated. Each clue nudges them toward a truth that seems hidden in plain sight, a truth that gradually reveals itself with every careful examination and every lead they pursue. The investigation threads together a complex, gripping plot that moves quickly—from the first page to the last it refuses to relinquish its hold on the reader. The narration is tightly paced, crafted in the first person, and designed to immerse the reader in the atmosphere of a city where every corner holds a potential secret. The tension builds as the investigators uncover links between the seemingly random events and the broader currents of corruption that run through the urban landscape.
The author shapes a history that stands as a classic detective tale while interweaving influences from the best in the genre. The tale nods to celebrated writers of mystery and suspense such as Christie, Doyle, Highsmith, and Greene, yet it anchors its energy in the city of Alicante and its neighboring towns, giving the reader a sense of place that feels both intimate and expansive. The themes touch on revenge and power, but they also tackle political corruption, motorcycle culture, and the urban speculation that surrounds major modern cities, making the narrative feel immediately relevant to readers in Spain and beyond.
Juli Martínez Amorós, a novelist born in Novelda in 1975, brings a grounded professional background to her writing. She works as a language technician at the University of Alicante and has served as a professor of general linguistics. Her academic and linguistic work informs a keen ear for dialogue and a precise sense of regional language, which enriches the texture of the novel. The bibliography includes previous works that have contributed to the regional literary landscape, including titles recognized in local and national literary circles. Critics and readers alike note the author’s ability to fuse social commentary with a compelling mystery, yielding a narrative that entertains while prompting reflection on the forces shaping contemporary urban life.