Released from an asylum to help with a police enquiry, the quick–witted and foul–smelling narrator delves deep into the underworld of 1970s Barcelona to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a teenage girl from a convent school.Helped only by his ageing prostitute sister and the voluptuous nymphomaniac, Mercedes, the narrator's investigations take him deeper into a mystery involving murdered sailors, suicidal daughters, a web of organised crime and a secret, underground crypt.
Our hero, Gonewiththewind, has once again been released by the police from a lunatic asylum in Barcelona. The last time he helped solve the mystery of an enchanted crypt and a missing girl, only to find himself once more incarcerated. This time his mission is to recover a briefcase filled with money lost under very peculiar circumstances …Mysteries and mishaps follow each other at breakneck speed, as the hapless detective delves beyond humour and the absurd to the frontiers of the truly surreal.
A brilliant send-up of the detective genre and of Spanish society, The Olive Labyrinth promises to have you in stitches.
Both titles are translated by Nick Caistor.
Karen - These sound absolutely fascinating! Thanks for sharing them. I'm fortunate in that I speak Spanish pretty well, so I'll have to try to find these : ).
ReplyDeleteKaren - Thanks for sharing this information. Eduardo Mendoza is one of the best Spanish writers now-a-days. I read the three books when they were published in Spain, very funn, in my opinion, and an excellent parody of the genre.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can find them Margot. These UK covers look a bit "Nancy Drew" I thought!
ReplyDeleteJose - thanks for the recommendation, they sound unusual and well worth seeking out.
yes, these definitely sound good, and good to know that Jose recommends them. I shall make a point of trying the first one. Thanks for pointing them out!
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