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The Color of Evil:
A cruel and calculating killer. A fight to the death between good and evil. A battle that defies the bounds of reason.
Detective Francisco Bermejo, of the Madrid Police Department, Spain, worn down by his personal demons, takes on a seemingly routine the disappearance of a young couple during a day out in the mountains. But the discovery of their lifeless bodies positioned in peculiar and symbolic scenes turns the investigation into a nightmare. It soon becomes clear that a methodic and merciless criminal is at work.The macabre clues left behind seem part of a psychological game, one that challenges the investigators at every turn. With each death, the killer delves deeper into his dark world, where violence and chaos are the only languages he speaks.
What drives him to commit these barbaric acts? Why does he arrange these chilling scenes of death? Bermejo and Sergeant Roncero, a young psychologist working with the Civil Guard, must unravel a grim enigma steeped in symbolism. Journalist Miriam Monfort crosses paths with the psychopath, complicating the case protecting her and solving the mystery become two equally impossible missions.
As the crimes spread across Spain, from Madrid and its surrounding mountains, to the forests of Extremadura and the historic streets of Salamanca, tension between the security forces, political pressure, and relentless media scrutiny puts the detectives to the ultimate test. Bermejo and Roncero know that if they want to stop the monster, they will have to put aside their differences and act before the killer completes his cycle of death.
Venture into the mind of a ruthless killer and experience a duel that defies logic. A disturbing psychological thriller, where each step takes you deeper into the darkness. Will you emerge unscathed from this deadly game?
Dive into a gripping saga of suspense, intrigue, and action set in Spain that will put your instincts to the test. Shocking crimes, unrelenting investigations, and lurking danger on every page. Do you dare to discover the truth?
The Color of Evil is an immersive psychological thriller packed with tension and twists. You won’t be able to put it down. This fast-paced novel is a deep exploration of a ruthless killer’s mind and how far we’re willing to go to confront pure evil.
This novel was previously published in English by Thomas & Mercer. This is a new, fully revised edition with a new translation.
Content contains graphic violence and depictions of sexual assault. Intended for mature audiences.
Detective Francisco Bermejo, of the Madrid Police Department, Spain, worn down by his personal demons, takes on a seemingly routine the disappearance of a young couple during a day out in the mountains. But the discovery of their lifeless bodies positioned in peculiar and symbolic scenes turns the investigation into a nightmare. It soon becomes clear that a methodic and merciless criminal is at work.The macabre clues left behind seem part of a psychological game, one that challenges the investigators at every turn. With each death, the killer delves deeper into his dark world, where violence and chaos are the only languages he speaks.
What drives him to commit these barbaric acts? Why does he arrange these chilling scenes of death? Bermejo and Sergeant Roncero, a young psychologist working with the Civil Guard, must unravel a grim enigma steeped in symbolism. Journalist Miriam Monfort crosses paths with the psychopath, complicating the case protecting her and solving the mystery become two equally impossible missions.
As the crimes spread across Spain, from Madrid and its surrounding mountains, to the forests of Extremadura and the historic streets of Salamanca, tension between the security forces, political pressure, and relentless media scrutiny puts the detectives to the ultimate test. Bermejo and Roncero know that if they want to stop the monster, they will have to put aside their differences and act before the killer completes his cycle of death.
Venture into the mind of a ruthless killer and experience a duel that defies logic. A disturbing psychological thriller, where each step takes you deeper into the darkness. Will you emerge unscathed from this deadly game?
Dive into a gripping saga of suspense, intrigue, and action set in Spain that will put your instincts to the test. Shocking crimes, unrelenting investigations, and lurking danger on every page. Do you dare to discover the truth?
The Color of Evil is an immersive psychological thriller packed with tension and twists. You won’t be able to put it down. This fast-paced novel is a deep exploration of a ruthless killer’s mind and how far we’re willing to go to confront pure evil.
This novel was previously published in English by Thomas & Mercer. This is a new, fully revised edition with a new translation.
Content contains graphic violence and depictions of sexual assault. Intended for mature audiences.
449 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 24, 2026
74 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Armando Rodera
39 books49 followersArmando Rodera (Madrid, 1972) is a Spanish author specializing in crime fiction, thrillers, and suspense novels. A passionate reader from an early age, he was deeply influenced by classic adventure writers such as Jules Verne, Alexandre Dumas, and Emilio Salgari, an influence still reflected in the pace and narrative drive of his work.
Although he initially trained in Telecommunications and Computer Engineering and spent nearly a decade working in the technology sector, Rodera eventually chose to leave that career behind to focus entirely on writing.
He made his literary debut in 2012 with 'El enigma de los vencidos'. His subsequent novels include 'La rebeldía del alma', which reached number one on Amazon Spain; 'Juego de identidades', an action-packed international thriller; 'Caos absoluto', a dystopian police novel with strong social undertones, and 'La posada del viajero', one of Spain’s best-selling eBooks in 2016.
In recent years, Rodera has strengthened his reputation as a thriller writer with titles such as 'El Pastor', an international thriller set in New York that explores the rise of white supremacism, and 'Regreso a Sad Hill', a suspense novel blending family drama and social commentary, set in the iconic filming locations of 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'.
He is currently the author of the Bermejo & Roncero crime series, a police procedural saga featuring complex investigations, international organized crime, institutional corruption, and psychologically driven killers. The series currently consists of four novels, with an additional installment forthcoming.
The series is now being released internationally in English, with four titles available for order or pre-order, marking the beginning of Rodera’s expansion into the English-speaking market.
Although he initially trained in Telecommunications and Computer Engineering and spent nearly a decade working in the technology sector, Rodera eventually chose to leave that career behind to focus entirely on writing.
He made his literary debut in 2012 with 'El enigma de los vencidos'. His subsequent novels include 'La rebeldía del alma', which reached number one on Amazon Spain; 'Juego de identidades', an action-packed international thriller; 'Caos absoluto', a dystopian police novel with strong social undertones, and 'La posada del viajero', one of Spain’s best-selling eBooks in 2016.
In recent years, Rodera has strengthened his reputation as a thriller writer with titles such as 'El Pastor', an international thriller set in New York that explores the rise of white supremacism, and 'Regreso a Sad Hill', a suspense novel blending family drama and social commentary, set in the iconic filming locations of 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'.
He is currently the author of the Bermejo & Roncero crime series, a police procedural saga featuring complex investigations, international organized crime, institutional corruption, and psychologically driven killers. The series currently consists of four novels, with an additional installment forthcoming.
The series is now being released internationally in English, with four titles available for order or pre-order, marking the beginning of Rodera’s expansion into the English-speaking market.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 16, 2026
The Color of Evil is a dark and intense psychological crime thriller that plunges readers into a chilling battle between calculated brutality and relentless investigation. Set across Spain, the novel introduces Detective Francisco Bermejo of the Madrid Police Department, a man burdened by personal struggles who finds himself facing far more than a routine missing persons case. What begins as the disappearance of a young couple quickly spirals into a horrifying sequence of carefully staged murders marked by symbolism and psychological manipulation.
Rodera crafts a methodical antagonist whose crimes are designed not only to kill but to communicate. The symbolic placement of victims creates an unsettling pattern, turning the investigation into a cerebral duel. Sergeant Roncero, a young psychologist assisting in the case, adds depth to the narrative with behavioral insight that contrasts Bermejo’s hardened instincts. Their dynamic—strained yet necessary—strengthens the story and gives emotional grounding to the procedural elements.
The tension escalates as the crimes expand beyond Madrid to other regions of Spain, increasing media scrutiny and political pressure. Journalist Miriam Monfort’s involvement adds another layer of urgency, raising the stakes both professionally and personally for the investigators.
This is not a light read. The novel embraces disturbing themes and maintains a grim atmosphere throughout. However, for fans of gritty European crime fiction and psychologically driven thrillers, it offers suspense, layered characterization, and a complex antagonist whose motives unfold gradually.
Fast-paced and unsettling, The Color of Evil sets the foundation for what promises to be a gripping crime series.
Rodera crafts a methodical antagonist whose crimes are designed not only to kill but to communicate. The symbolic placement of victims creates an unsettling pattern, turning the investigation into a cerebral duel. Sergeant Roncero, a young psychologist assisting in the case, adds depth to the narrative with behavioral insight that contrasts Bermejo’s hardened instincts. Their dynamic—strained yet necessary—strengthens the story and gives emotional grounding to the procedural elements.
The tension escalates as the crimes expand beyond Madrid to other regions of Spain, increasing media scrutiny and political pressure. Journalist Miriam Monfort’s involvement adds another layer of urgency, raising the stakes both professionally and personally for the investigators.
This is not a light read. The novel embraces disturbing themes and maintains a grim atmosphere throughout. However, for fans of gritty European crime fiction and psychologically driven thrillers, it offers suspense, layered characterization, and a complex antagonist whose motives unfold gradually.
Fast-paced and unsettling, The Color of Evil sets the foundation for what promises to be a gripping crime series.
March 18, 2026
This was a gripping book, playing out like an intense movie with two detectives hot on the trail of a vicious murderer. The story takes readers across Spain, with the killer leaving behind a trail of gruesome murders, and the detectives always being one step behind him. While I thought I knew exactly who the killer was, I couldn’t have been more surprised when his identity was revealed. Overall, the characters were vivid, making them very realistic. Though this book was on the long side, it was still a real page-turner, and I would highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews