Publisher Description

Barcelona, 1952: General Franco's fascist government is at the height of its oppressive powers, casting a black shadow across the city. When wealthy socialite Mariona Sobrerroca is found dead in her mansion in the exclusive Tibidabo district, the police scramble to seize control of the investigation. Ana Marti Noguer, an eager young journalist, is surprised to be assigned this important story, shadowing Inspector Isidro Castro.But Ana soon realises that a bundle of strange letters unearthed at the scene point to a sequence of events dramatically different from the official version. She enlists the help of her cousin Beatriz, a scholar, and what begins as an intriguing puzzle opens up a series of revelations that implicate the regime's most influential figures. The two women have placed themselves in mortal danger. As the conspiracy unfolds, Ana's courage and Beatriz's wits will be their only weapons against the city's corrupt and murderous elite.

Notes

A mystery novel set in 1950s Barcelona, this will appeal to fans of Carlos Ruiz Zafron's The Shadow Of The Wind. Written under a pseudonym by 2 authors, Rosa Ribas and Sabine Hofmann.

Flap

'Embellished with ingenious twists and turns' Daily Mail A glamorous socialite is found dead in a wealthy district of Barcelona. The police scramble to seize control of the investigation, while Ana Mart

Author Biography

Sara Moliner is the pseudonym for the writing duo Rosa Ribas and Sabine Hofmann. Rosa Ribas was born in 1963 in Barcelona, and since 1991 has lived in Frankfurt where she teaches at the university. She is the celebrated author of six previous novels. Sabine Hofmann was born in 1964 and is a former lecturer in philology at Frankfurt University. The Whispering City is their first novel together. Highly acclaimed in Spain, it will be published in several languages around the world.

Review

The Whispering City is not simply a magnificent thriller: it is a vivid and forensic dissection of an era cloaked in a tyranny of silenceOne of the most original, dynamic, convincing and addictive crime novels around today - El MundoIngenious twists and turns . . . gives real pause for thought - Daily MailAn exciting, original an thoughtful thriller that paints a vivid picture of the awfulness of life in Barcelona, and indeed in the whole of Spain, during the fascist years - Literary Review

Long Description

Barcelona, 1952: General Franco's fascist government is at the height of its oppressive powers, casting a black shadow across the city. When wealthy socialite Mariona Sobrerroca is found dead in her mansion in the exclusive Tibidabo district, the police scramble to seize control of the investigation. Ana Marti Noguer, an eager young journalist, is surprised to be assigned this important story, shadowing Inspector Isidro Castro.But Ana soon realises that a bundle of strange letters unearthed at the scene point to a sequence of events dramatically different from the official version. She enlists the help of her cousin Beatriz, a scholar, and what begins as an intriguing puzzle opens up a series of revelations that implicate the regime's most influential figures. The two women have placed themselves in mortal danger. As the conspiracy unfolds, Ana's courage and Beatriz's wits will be their only weapons against the city's corrupt and murderous elite.

Review Quote

The Whispering City is not simply a magnificent thriller: it is a vivid and forensic dissection of an era cloaked in a tyranny of silenceOne of the most original, dynamic, convincing and addictive crime novels around today - El MundoIngenious twists and turns . . . gives real pause for thought - Daily MailAn exciting, original an thoughtful thriller that paints a vivid picture of the awfulness of life in Barcelona, and indeed in the whole of Spain, during the fascist years - Literary Review

Promotional "Headline"

An intricate, atmospheric and utterly gripping mystery in the vein of Carlos Ruiz Zaf

Description for Sales People

Well-plotted, characterful and satisfying historical mystery that brilliantly captures the dark atmosphere of 1950s Barcelona.

Details