Death of a Nationalist

Having recently read three books that took place in communist countries and described the difficult living conditions in each, I was completely taken aback by life in Post-War Spain, as depicted in the fascinating crime novel Death of a Nationalist set in Madrid circa 1939. Out of all the places I would NOT want to live at any time in history this ranks high up there, the irony being that my grandmother and father grew up... Read Full Review

I picked up Rebecca Pawel's Death of a Nationalist in a random moment - it looked a bit moody and passed the judging-a-book-by-it's-cover test very nicely. My screeching 3 year old precluded more lengthy consideration - definitely a dash-and-grab raid. I've had a number of rather inspired finds through this dad with a mission approach. Well this is the best yet, what a stunner - I finished it in an evening and was desperate... Read Full Review

This is a remarkable, and painful, book. It raised my anger at mankind throughout centuries whose actions have resulted in war and atrocities However, it is a very well written story with duo views of Tejada the Nationalist and Gonzalo Llorente the Republican; as well as within Tejada himself when he realizes the woman he killed had been innocent. The descriptions are brutal but the book is excellent and well deserved... Read Full Review

In 1939 Madrid shows the impact of the deadly civil war with few willing to walk the streets unless necessity forces them to do so. The two sides loathe one another encouraging and participating in inhuman abuses. While the Nationalists and the Republicans sporadically fight, the Guardia Civil tries to keep law and order. In a world gone loony, there is only one way to keep the peace and that is commit even nastier atrocities... Read Full Review

When Tejada sees a woman standing by his friend's dead body, he assumes she must be the killer and shoots her in return. This is post-Civil War Madrid and Tejada is part of the winning side's armed force helping to establish the new Francoite regime and clear out any "Reds" or supporters of the losing Republican side.I was nervous initially on reading the blurb for this book as I wondered if I would enjoy a novel which appeared... Read Full Review