Absolutely enjoyed this read! Offering a captivating blend of speculative crime fiction, the book boasts impeccable writing and a diverse, compelling ensemble cast that hooks you from the start.Set in a world where a segment of the population possesses unique gifts, closely monitored and often marginalized, the narrative follows a gifted detective entangled in a series of bizarre and violent murders.The storyline is utterly addictive, drawing readers in with its intricate plot and immersive world-building that feels utterly believable. As an allegory, it masterfully delves into social issues, providing a dynamic and thought-provoking perspective."The Colours of Death" is not only immensely entertaining but also a gripping page-turner that keeps you hooked till the very end. I found myself reluctant to part ways with it, eagerly anticipating more from the author in the future.Highly recommended for fans of thrilling, socially conscious fiction.

Started off well and then went Sci-fi so sorry I was out - did not finish and won't try again!
Can't say any more than above and I really wish I hadn't requested this as someone who wanted it could have had it.

This book took me a while to immerse myself into but once I did it was a great read, I'm glad I got the opportunity to read and review the story!

3.5 stars!

This is set in my home country so of course I had to put it on my reading list.

This was original and compelling and quite an enjoyable read.

Very descriptive and twisty and makes for a great read for a stormy sunday afternoon.

This was a great thriller and was completely unique and unexpected. I will definitely be looking out for more from this author as the writing style was fantastic

I enjoy police/mystery stories and enjoy sci-fi, and this was an interesting blend of both genres. It took me a little to get into this but I did enjoy the story once I got into it.
I would consider picking up the 2nd book of this and would recommend to others.

A thriller with science fiction elements set in Lisbon. The storytelling is good but some of the narrative is repetitive. I liked the main character Isabel and assume this is the beginning of a series featuring the detective.

A man is dead in a stationary train in Lisbon’s Gare do Oriente, apparently having beaten himself to death on the train’s door. When Inspector Isabel Reis arrives on the scene, witnesses claim that he didn’t kill himself voluntarily. The man is Gil dos Santos, head of Portugal’s National Testing Institute and as Isabel, one of the Gifted, investigates his death, she discovers that he has been involved in shady experiments, some of which seem designed to weaponise those like her who have been born with special abilities. The results of these experiments bring into question everything that Isabel thought she knew about her Gift, and leaves no doubt that there’s a very dangerous person on the loose who seems to bear a grudge against a significant portion of Lisbon’s population.


Welcome to Patricia Marques’ modern-day Lisbon. It’s a world very like our own, with one small difference: a portion of the population are classified as Gifted – having either telepathic or telekinetic abilities – and ranked on a scale from one to ten. The higher the number, the more powerful the Gift – or Curse, as most seem to consider it – with anyone ranked eight or above taken off the streets by government decree for the safety of themselves and others. Marques is not content to examine this phenomenon at a distance, instead integrating Gifted into the Polícia Judiciária where, partnered with Regulars – they serve like any other police officer; and by putting us inside the head of one such character as she introduces us to this world through the eyes of Isabel Reis.


While The Colours of Death is, technically, a police procedural with a science-fiction twist, the introduction of the Gift to the world allows the author to examine prejudice through the lens of Gifted versus Regulars. With the introduction of Bento Soares, a politician with a militant anti-Gifted rhetoric, Marques holds a mirror up to humanity in general and the sudden global shift to the political right in particular. This is a character we’ve seen on the news, spewing their message of hate, and serves to make the setting and the subject matter much more immediate and grounded in reality for the reader. There’s a touch of the dystopia about Marques’ Lisbon, but swap the Gift for race or religion or wealth, and it’s a dystopia that is, sadly, all-too-plausible in the current global political climate.


Like the city itself, which plays an important part in the story and serves to give us a sense of place (not to mention a possible destination when we’re all allowed to fly again), the politics is something that lurks, ever-present, in the background, allowing author and reader to focus on the main story: the grisly death of Gil dos Santos and the investigation that ensues. Isabel is a gruff, tough-nosed detective who is used to working on her own. For this investigation, though, she finds herself partnered with Aleksandr Voronov, who has a reputation for being anti-Gifted. As the investigation progresses, the relationship grows (early hints of sexual tension quickly discarded) and the pair get to know each other, and to understand who they are. Isabel is surrounded by a solid team, both Gifted and Regular, which keeps her sane on top of the work-related support they provide. As well as being an excellent stand alone mystery, there’s also a lot of work going into setup here. There is definitely a market for Isabel and company to return – not least because Lisbon is a sorely-neglected location in crime fiction – but only time will tell if the Gift has the legs to carry a series so that it doesn’t devolve into just another detective series, indistinguishable from a thousand other ongoing properties.


The Colours of Death is a solid mystery, well-plotted and beautifully-written. It’s an introduction to a likeable protagonist who is different enough to stand out in a crowded field, and a setting that is somewhere we will want to visit again. Patricia Marques is an accomplished storyteller who knows how to hold our attention, and keep us guessing throughout. Unmissable crime fiction that will appeal to a broad readership; just don’t let the science fiction element put you off what will surely be one of the best mysteries you’ll read this year. This reader can’t wait for more.

Took me a bit to get into this book but once I started I really enjoyed this book. It is a Mystery with some fantasy elements which isn't something I would normally pick up. I am really happy I got a chance to read this book the plot addictive with very interesting characters.

The Colours of Death is a detective novel set in a present day, alternative Lisbon. A minority of the population are Gifted with either telepathy or telekinesis, and they are heavily regulated. When it comes to light that a death on a train might have some Gifted involvement, Inspector Isabel Reis is put on the case with her team. She is a telepath, and her own problems with that gift soon make themselves known.

They’re a fantastic cast of characters, and they work well together )literally, in the case of the police team). It’s another angle on discrimination: instead of religion or skin colour, the Gifted are discriminated against because of their gifts - something they have no choice or control over.

This novel feels a little dystopian in places: when people go ‘missing’ if they lose control of their gifts, for example. And all Gifted are kept on a register where they’re regularly assessed. If they exceed a certain level, they’re removed from society for everyone else’s safety.

I really enjoyed this - the storyline was interesting, gripping, in fact, and exciting when it needed to be. The main character was flawed and very likeable, and the food constantly made me feel hungry!

I will be looking out for the next book in the series.

I wanted to try something new for once, but unfortunately it was not for me. Disclaimer, I rarely read mystery & thrillers and I wanted to give this one a chance. I went in with not many expectations, but still this was not for me. There was nothing wrong with the characters, plot or world building. It was enjoyable, just not my cup of tea.

I found this book difficult to get into and never really got to grips with it ( and I tried twice, leaving it for a few months before I had another try). I'm sure a lot of people will love it, but unfortunately I'm not one of them.

A sci-fi thriller featuring "gifted" people set in Lisbon, The Colours of Death has potential but fell short for me. While it's an interesting procedural, I couldn't connect with the writing and I found it hard to immerse myself in the story. The premise itself isn't unique and the main character, Isabel, has a lot of issues to deal with particularly involving her abilities. It's kinda like if Jean Grey from the X-Men becomes a detective. I did like her relationship with her new partner, Voronov.

I haven't read many thrillers set in Lisbon so I was excited about this book but there weren't enough details to make me feel as if I'm there. It felt like it could have been set in any generic city because the location doesn't really add to the story. I did appreciate how the book tries to portray special abilities as metaphors for societal issues. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if it had focused on the other people instead of the police characters. Give this book a go if you're looking for a procedural thriller with sci-fi-elements.

I didn't expect the sci-fi element, a genre I don't normally read, but combined with a police procedural it worked very well and I really enjoyed it.
I found this book engrossing and exciting. The descriptive writing was a joy to read and the plot was fast-paced.
It was a refreshing change from the usual crime books.
I would recommend reading it.

DNF
not for me so i have given a middle of the board rating. I do believe many people will enjoy this

This book is perfect for lovers of mysteries, thrillers and police procedural tv series. It keeps you engaged and involved and while you may guess whodunnit, it doesn't exactly feel predictable.
But dont think this is your usual murder mystery, the question of specially endowed people called the Gifted, make an interesting social backdrop for the story, along with the city of Lisbon, having a life of its own.

Set in Lisbon , Portugal. Partially Sci Fi , pairing 2 sets of people , normals and the Gifted , The Gifted have the ability to mindread , but this is held in check by drugs until needed. .Isabel Reis is gifted and is paired up with Aleksandra Voronov to investigate a murder at the railway station . It turns out the victim Gil Dos Santos is the head of the Institute who arrange testing for the gifted people , It seems he has repeatedly thrown himself against the glass screen in the carriage . The investigation focuses on looking for gifted people with high Telekinetic powers. Quite a difference from my usual genre but fairly well written .

Although I thought this 'gifted'trait was maybe over egged it is definitely intriguing .. that the detective has this kind of painful psychological insight and it seems killer may have too (the premise .. really cool) shaped everything including her relationship with her new partner .. a tall , intense guy who monitors her. The stakes are high and the crimes seriously damaging so it grabbed me .. good characters and dialogue and I loved where they are located in Lisbon ... totally recommend..

I started reading this book however I could not connect with the story and stopped reading half way through. It just wasn’t for me.

If you are looking for an intriguing murder mystery thriller with a unique point of difference, then I recommend giving The Colours of Death a shot. I didn’t know what to expect when I read the blurb, but if you imagine X-Men meets CSI, set in a chill alternate reality Lisbon winter then you’re on the right track.

Originally a Portuguese novel this doesn’t suffer from any translation issues. It’s a fast paced whodunit thriller, with some great twists and misdirection along the way that will keep you guessing. The character building is good, both protagonists, gifted telepath Inspector Isabel Reis of the Polìcia Judiària of Lisbon and her new partner the non-gifted Inspector Aleks Voronov are an interesting pairing, and the sci-fi flavour adds a great additional element to the book. The ending may leave you wanting more but it’s still a great debut from Patricia Marques and leaves the door open to a sequel.

Strong thriller debut which leaves you looking forward to a sequel 4 out of five