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Vengeance of Memory #2
The Exile
San Sebastian, 1954: Comandante Guzmán, Franco's one-time favorite secret policeman, is out of favor and exiled to the Basque country. Guzmán was last here during the war, heading a platoon of bloodthirsty irregulars. He'd rather forget that. But, up in the hills, he'll find he hasn't been forgotten at all. Madrid, 2010: Forensic Investigator Ana María Galindez has been sent to the Basque country, where three skeletons have been found in a sealed cellar. In the debris surrounding them she finds a scimitar, stamped with a Capitán Leopoldo Guzmán. Guzmán's name is the key to unlocking Spain's darkest secrets. But, as Galindez will discover, Guzmán's name is also a death sentence.
- GenresFiction
592 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2015
5 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Mark Oldfield
7 books25 followersWrote my first book in 1979. It was nearly my last. I went off to live in Paris and later Spain because I thought that was what writers did. Later I realised that writers had to write as well.
Going to Spain however, has been a constant inspiration and I've been a regular visitor there since 1976 - the year after dictator Francisco Franco died. Most of the events in The Sentinel are based either on documented incidents or anecdotal evidence from conversations with Spaniards.
As well as writing, I worked for a long time as a criminological researcher and taught at various universities.
Six years ago I began to write in earnest and the result was 'The Sentinel' the first volume of the 'Vengeance of Memory' trilogy in which events of the past can still affect present day life - sometimes with lethal effects.
Going to Spain however, has been a constant inspiration and I've been a regular visitor there since 1976 - the year after dictator Francisco Franco died. Most of the events in The Sentinel are based either on documented incidents or anecdotal evidence from conversations with Spaniards.
As well as writing, I worked for a long time as a criminological researcher and taught at various universities.
Six years ago I began to write in earnest and the result was 'The Sentinel' the first volume of the 'Vengeance of Memory' trilogy in which events of the past can still affect present day life - sometimes with lethal effects.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 25, 2015
The Exile 4 stars
Mark Oldfield
A slow burner
Comandante Guzman is a nasty man and heads up the Brigada Especial. He thinks nothing of taking a life in the most brutal way. Man, woman, child. It’s irrelevant to him. He has a job to do but his prime objective is to look after number 1.
The story is set in Spain in the 30s, 50s and the early 21st century. Guzman is the main character and the person who draws all the threads together throughout the story. He has been sent to the Basque region with all the issues related to the struggle for independence which this suggests. As such the topic is current and bang up to date. Guzman of course wants to be recalled to Madrid and so is motivated to succeed by whatever means.
Essentially the narrative is about whether his sins will ultimately find him out. In 2010 forensic investigator Ana Maria Galindez is on his case but the more she uncovers the more she realises that their lives are inextricably linked.
The story is very well written but not without its irritations. It’s difficult to get into the story and hopping around the decades doesn’t help the flow of the storyline. Additionally the author insists on dropping Spanish words into the text which neither add anything to the atmosphere nor help the understanding, especially if the reader doesn’t speak the language. However the anti-hero is strangely likeable as he sticks rigidly to his principles.
The twist at the end suggests that a sequel will follow shortly and it’s eagerly anticipated.
mr zorg
Best Selling Crime Thrillers received a copy of the book for review.
Mark Oldfield
A slow burner
Comandante Guzman is a nasty man and heads up the Brigada Especial. He thinks nothing of taking a life in the most brutal way. Man, woman, child. It’s irrelevant to him. He has a job to do but his prime objective is to look after number 1.
The story is set in Spain in the 30s, 50s and the early 21st century. Guzman is the main character and the person who draws all the threads together throughout the story. He has been sent to the Basque region with all the issues related to the struggle for independence which this suggests. As such the topic is current and bang up to date. Guzman of course wants to be recalled to Madrid and so is motivated to succeed by whatever means.
Essentially the narrative is about whether his sins will ultimately find him out. In 2010 forensic investigator Ana Maria Galindez is on his case but the more she uncovers the more she realises that their lives are inextricably linked.
The story is very well written but not without its irritations. It’s difficult to get into the story and hopping around the decades doesn’t help the flow of the storyline. Additionally the author insists on dropping Spanish words into the text which neither add anything to the atmosphere nor help the understanding, especially if the reader doesn’t speak the language. However the anti-hero is strangely likeable as he sticks rigidly to his principles.
The twist at the end suggests that a sequel will follow shortly and it’s eagerly anticipated.
mr zorg
Best Selling Crime Thrillers received a copy of the book for review.
September 13, 2015
The Exile by Mark Oldfield is superbly told, and with a fine villain at its heart, this is a remarkable second thriller.
October 16, 2015
Guzman is back and with a vengeance! Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series (The Sentinel) I was looking forward to volume 2 and I wasn't disappointed. OK, I didn't find the story line quite as compelling as The Sentinel's but The Exile still kept me turning the pages deep into the night. Guzman is a ruthless monster but he is redeemed (almost) by his wicked, black sense of humour. I strongly recommend this book but if you haven't read The Sentinel start first with that.
March 12, 2016
A well written novel with a balanced mix of flash back and modern times. Cant wait for the next book
December 13, 2021
Guzman has now been sent to the Basque Country to try and eradicate vermin that goes by the name El Lobo and who is hell bent in trying to rouse the Basques once more to cause havoc and mayhem against Spanish authorities.
Guzman also needs to find as many of their ‘Cells’ as possible so they cannot recruit more supporters.
As the reader knows from the first in the series, Guzman is not a man to cross.
This novel covers double jeopardy, mad Generals, traitorous friends and unexplained occurrences from the past.
I loved this novel and would have given it a 5 but the number of characters in this one sometimes confused me and I had to think long and hard as to where they fitted in to the story. However, it will not stop me reading the final book especially as this one ends on a cliffhanger.
Guzman also needs to find as many of their ‘Cells’ as possible so they cannot recruit more supporters.
As the reader knows from the first in the series, Guzman is not a man to cross.
This novel covers double jeopardy, mad Generals, traitorous friends and unexplained occurrences from the past.
I loved this novel and would have given it a 5 but the number of characters in this one sometimes confused me and I had to think long and hard as to where they fitted in to the story. However, it will not stop me reading the final book especially as this one ends on a cliffhanger.
March 19, 2021
The second in the trilogy and still keeping my interest in the characters and what might happen to them. Set in a different part of Spain and at a time removed from the Civil War, which still has an influence on the characters.
April 13, 2018
Exciting!!!!! fast moving and chilling. The characters and plot is hard at times, still want MORE!!!
March 22, 2020
Very good and gripping although I got a little confused with some of the characters as the story is in three different timeframes! Can't wait to read the third one!
May 4, 2016
There was nothing to tell me that this was #2 of a trilogy, or I would not have picked it up in the library. I won't be looking for #3. It's brutal; few of the characters have any redeeming features, and the ending was, of course, hugely unsatisfactory.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews