Death of a Matador

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Lume Books for an advanced copy of this historical mystery.

As a reader I have always enjoyed mysteries with historical plot to them. I find it interesting to both learn about a place, a time and events as trying to figure out whodunit, or why-dunit. In Death of a Matador: An Inspector Ruiz Mystery, author James García Woods is set in Spain during the 1970's as the country began to emerge from the rule of Franco, and the 1930's during the Spanish Civil War, as a retired policeman relates a case that he tried to solve during the worst of the fighting, that still troubles him today.

Paco Ruiz returns to the city of Madrid after almost 30 years of self- exile, escaping from both the horrors of what he saw during the Spanish Civil War. The country is trying to forget those dark days, and Ruiz accompanied by his best friend and partner in their shared detective agency, ex-DCI Charlie Woodend Ruiz returns to the city he nearly died defending. Ruiz begins to tell a tale of a mystery that he had not shared before, a murder that happened as the city was being shelled daily, and the front was wherever men of opposing sides found each other. Ruiz's best friend as a child, Faustino, had become one of the most famous matadors in the county. Known as El Gitano, Faustino asked Ruiz to find out who was sending threatening letters to him. Soon El Gitano is killed and Ruiz has to find the murderer of a man who was loved by both sides in the conflict, in a city that is slowly killing itself.

A different story with lots of atmosphere and the oppressive feeling of catastrophe just around every page. A sniper's bullet, an errant shell, and lives could be taken at any second, and yet their needs to be an investigation of a single murder. The writing is good, with characters who seem real and that the reader gains empathy for. The history is depressing, but the plot moves along, and has enough twists, turns and facts to keep it moving well.

A story of a murder taking place in a much larger crime scene. A very intriguing view of a dark time. Recommended for readers who like their detectives dark, and always tilt at windmills, even when the state they work for is responsible for worst crimes. Fans of Phllip Kerr's Bernie Gunther mysteries, or Charles Todd or Rennie Airth will enjoy this book, and the whole series featuring Inspector Ruiz.

Good mystery mixed with historical setting is very interesting for me. Although the plot is heavy and slow pace but the story it self worth the reading journey. This book isn't for everyone but a gem for HF fans.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with this copy