A Body in Barcelona

October 31, 2016
British author Webster’s tense fifth Max Cámara novel (after Bloody Med) takes the Valencia-based chief inspector to Barcelona, where the long-held desire of Catalonians for independence from Spain seems to be reaching the boiling point. Commissioner Pardo, Cámara’s boss, assigns him and Inspector Torres to investigate the politically sensitive murder of 10-year-old Fermín Capilla Romero, illegitimate son of billionaire Alfonso Segarra. After reading crime scene notes and interviewing Segarra, Cámara and Torres are still clueless, until an intelligence informant called Carlos directs them toward a connection between Segarra’s late wife, Dona Francisca Grau, and Col. José Terreros of the Veteran Legionarios’ Welfare Association. Political maneuvering, assassination, and a key celebration at Barcelona’s iconic basilica, Sagrada Familia, all point toward a violent climax. Webster’s thriller plays out like a blind chess match where all the pieces are gray, not black and white. Agent: Peter Robinson, Rogers, Coleridge & White (U.K.).