The Secret of Vesalius by Jordi Llobregat (translated by Thomas Bunstead)

Daniel Amat has left Spain and all that happened there behind him. Having just achieved a brilliant role in Ancient Languages at Oxford University and an even more advantageous engagement, the arrival of a letter - a demand - stamped Barcelona comes like a cold hand from behind.

He arrives back in that old, labyrinthine and near-mythic city a few days before the great 1888 World Fair, amid dread whispers of murders - the injuries reminiscent of an ancient curse, and bearing signs of the genius 16th century anatomist, Vesalius. Daniel is soon pulled into the depths of the crime, and eventually into the tunnels below Barcelona, where his own dark past and the future of science are joined in a terrible venture - to bring the secret of Vesalius to life.

Gothic and gripping, this historical thriller makes of Barcelona a diabolical character - emerging out of the dark into a new electrical age, aflame with spirit, superstition and science. Published in eighteen countries, Jordi Llobregat's bestselling first novel mixes a passionate setting and cryptic mystery into a genre-crossing phenomenon.

I love thrillers that keep me guessing until the very end and this book did just that. It is a thoroughly enjoyable gothic romp through Barcelona in 1888 in the few days prior to the World Fair.

If you can imagine Dan Brown combined with Wilkie Collins then you will get an impression of the pace and style of this book. It is an easy yet gripping read that benefits from not taking itself too seriously. I think this would be the perfect read to relax with over the upcoming festivities.

This is a lovely debut novel from Jordi Llobregat that has been published in 18 countries. When I read the previously mentioned Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code  I loved it at the time but, with all due respect to Mr. Brown, I never felt inclined to pick up another of his novels (although my husband has read his entire work to date.) However, I really can envisage myself reading lots more from Mr. Llobregat...... when he has written them of course.

ISBN: 978 1784293055

Publisher: Riverrun

About the Author:

Jordi has a passion for cities, and in particular their historical evolutions and transformations. His mother’s side of the family hails from Barcelona, and his great grandfather worked in the forge that produced Pere Falqués’ famous modernist lampposts found on the Paseo de Gracia. Jordi began writing at the age of twelve after watching the film The Man from Acapulco with Jean Paul Belmondo and Jacqueline Bisset.

He currently combines writing with his work as head of a company that works on community development in cities. His work has been included in several short story anthologies.

He is director of the noir fiction festival, Valencia Negra. 

(Author info from Goodreads)