Darkness in Velez-Malaga

by Paul S. Bradley

In the third book of the Andalusian Mystery Series, DI Leon Prado with translators, American videographer Amanda Salisbury, and ex-British soldier Phillip Armitage, continue their hunt for an elusive criminal mastermind and investigate an intriguing new case in the world of Flamenco.
Salome Mendosa was adopted as a baby and knows nothing of her roots. Her idyllic life as one of Spain’s top Flamenco dancers is turned upside down when she is invited to a lawyer’s office in the ancient town of Vélez-Málaga to receive information concerning her birth family. Desperate but nervous to learn of her heritage, she begs Amanda Salisbury, her former college roommate, to accompany her.
Salome’s ancestors were not as angelic as she’d wished for. A poisonous legend concerning her late grandfather leads them on a dangerous journey back to the horrors of the Spanish Civil War, pits them against the local gypsy community, and seriously strains their relationship.

347 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2020

About the author

Paul S Bradley, originally from London, England, has lived in Nerja, Spain since 1992 where he established a marketing agency to help Spanish businesses sharpen their communications to the rapidly growing number of foreign visitors. He's traveled extensively around the Iberian Peninsula visiting most of the ancient cities and hundreds of wine bodegas. In the early years he published lifestyle and property magazines, guide books and travelogues in English, German and Spanish. More recently, groups of discerning Alumni groups of Americans and Canadians have enjoyed his tour director services. He's lectured about Living in Spain and bullfighting, and has appeared on local Radio and TV. The Andalusian Mystery Series draws on his own experiences as a voluntary translator in hospitals and police stations. Darkness in Malaga is his debut novel.

Reviews

[Gabriel Soll · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I loved the second book of this series, I did not love this one. I think what I missed most, and what I had expected, was a more nuanced look at the cultural elements woven into the story. Instead themes and characters surrounding Flamenco and Gypsy culture were not highlighted or discussed in the way I had wanted. Perhaps I was spoiled by the discussion of bull fighting in Book 2? I enjoyed the story, but found some of the dialogue a little stilted and the plot points a little convenient. That being said, I am VERY much looking forward to the culmination of the series coming out later this month ( Jan 2021).