Historical novel set in France (and Scotland)
Mystery set in Barcelona, CATALONIA
2nd October 2024
Black Storms by Teresa Solana, mystery set in Barcelona, Spain
TR: Peter Bush
Black Storms by Teresa Solana is set in modern-day Barcelona. The book takes its title from a revolutionary hymn. Solana uses the physical menace of the thunderstorms that echo through the book to reflect both the immediate danger of a murderer on the loose in the city and also the oppressive authority of Franco and the Spanish Civil War that forms the historical backdrop to the story.
Catalan Police Deputy Inspector Norma Forester is the main character in an extensive cast. When a professor of modern history, Francesc Parellada, is murdered in an apparently motiveless attack in his own university study, Norma is called upon to take charge of the case. Her boss is relying on her to get results quickly.
What is striking is that the idea of haste has a different meaning for Norma and her colleagues than is often seen in police procedural novels, where relationships and even personal wellbeing are cast aside and police work 24/7 to solve the crime. By contrast, the Catalan police carefully observe lunchtime, clock off at the end of office hours and resent being called in outside hours, even when a second murder takes place. The author uses this change of pace cleverly to create tension.
I loved the book’s quirky humour, which contrasts sharply with the very serious, unresolved issues about the Civil War that still cause enormous grief the Catalan people to this day.
This is Solana’s first book about Norma, who is the latest in a line of women in her family named after opera characters. Norma feels that her career trajectory is being blocked by her boss, Superintendent Mistral. Norma faces additional challenges: she has a colourful extended family to deal with in addition to her job, including a wayward teenage daughter, Violeta; Violeta’s gay father and his boyfriend; Norma’s mother, grandmother* and sometimes her aunt – who is an extremely unconventional nun. Norma also has a loving husband, Octavi Claramunt, who is a forensic pathologist, and they frequently work together. Uninvited, the other family members are keen to contribute to solving the crime and indeed they do, in the most unexpected ways.
The author appears to reveal the identity of the murderer very early on, but the intrigue continues. The true reasons for the murder are not revealed until the final pages and even then there are more revelations to come. It is both gripping and entertaining.
The setting for this book has to be Barcelona, due to the Spanish Civil War theme that runs through it. The author describes the city with affection but not without criticism. She deals with historical facts but also modern issues of importance to Catalans, such as the repurposing of beloved buildings and the issue of over-tourism that is currently animating the citizens. The level of detail is such that you can follow the characters steps through the city, through its famous streets and squares, and areas that are less well-known to casual visitors.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am grateful that is has been translated from Catalan to English by Peter Bush, which allows English speakers like me to enjoy it.
A couple of niggles: I was confused by Senda being referred to in some places as Norma’s great-grandmother and in others as her grandmother – I think the latter is correct. Also that judge and magistrate are used interchangeably in the text. Nevertheless, a very enjoyable book and I hope to be able to review Norma’s future adventures.
Sue for the TripFiction Team
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