In the latest novel from a master of European crime fiction, past, present, and future collide on a breathtaking journey from 1950s Morocco to modern-day Spain and Sweden. Miguel and Helena meet at a nursing home in Tarifa, at an age when they believe they have lived it all already. Distanced from their children, they feel they are no longer needed. The sudden suicide of one of the other residents opens their eyes. They don’t want to spend their last days longing for supposedly better times, so together they decide to undertake the journey of their lives and confront the darkness in their pasts. Meanwhile, in the distant Swedish city of Malmö, the young Yasmina, a child of Moroccan immigrants who dreams of being a singer, lives trapped between her authoritarian grandfather and her contemptuous mother, who is ashamed of Yasmina because she works for a Swede with a murky reputation. And she’s having a secret affair with the Deputy Commissioner of the Swedish police, an older, influential man. As Yasmina is drawn deeper into Malmö’s criminal underworld and Miguel and Helena approach the end of their feverish road trip, Víctor del Árbol masterfully reconstructs the history of violence that links their seemingly disparate lives.
Víctor del Árbol Book order
Víctor del Árbol crafts narratives that delve into the darker aspects of the human psyche, often set against the backdrop of tumultuous historical events. His writing is distinguished by its suspenseful pacing, profound psychological insight, and a keen sense of justice. Through his compelling stories, he explores the enduring impact of the past and the intricate ethical dilemmas his characters confront. His works resonate with readers for their raw honesty and penetrating examination of human nature.






- 2021
- 2020
Breathing Through the Wound
- 688 pages
- 25 hours of reading
Named a Best International Crime Novel of the Year by CrimeReads and a Best Book of the Year by PopMatters From the acclaimed author of A Million Drops, an engrossing psychological thriller that traces a widower’s descent into the seedy underbelly of Madrid. Eduardo Quintana’s life lost all meaning when his wife and daughter were killed in a tragic accident. The once renowned painter wallows in grief and guilt, subsisting on alcohol and drugs, not caring if he lives or dies. But when a grieving mother asks Eduardo to paint a portrait of the man who killed her son, he finds himself drawn to the unusual commission. He alone understands her need to look deep into the soul of the man who changed her life forever, and he alone can help. As Eduardo sets out to discover what it takes to know a killer, he is pulled deeper and deeper into Madrid’s criminal underworld, where mercenaries, prostitutes, murderers, and thieves are all entangled in a dangerous and deadly web, in which nothing, and no one, are as they seem.
- 2018
A Million Drops
- 640 pages
- 23 hours of reading
Celebrated by major publications as a Best Book of the Year, this gripping narrative captivates readers with its intricate plot and compelling characters. The story delves into themes of mystery and suspense, weaving a tale that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. Richly detailed and expertly crafted, it promises to engage both avid fans of the genre and new readers alike, making it a standout addition to contemporary literature.
- 2016
Eduardo Quintana's life lost all meaning when his wife and daughter were killed in a tragic accident. The once renowned painter wallows in grief and guilt, subsisting on alcohol and drugs, not caring if he lives or dies. But when a grieving mother asks Eduardo to paint a portrait of the man who killed her son, he finds himself drawn to the unusual commission. He alone understands her need to look deep into the soul of the man who changed her life forever, and he alone can help. As Eduardo sets out to discover what it takes to know a killer, he is pulled deeper and deeper into Madrid's criminal underworld, where mercenaries, prostitutes, murderers, and thieves are all entangled in a dangerous and deadly web, in which nothing, and no-one, are as they seem.