Antonia Scott, strong, incredibly intelligent, adept at her work, daughter of a cold British diplomat and a deceased Spanish mother, is the flawed protagonist of Red Queen. Her brilliant forensic mind has the ability to reconstruct and solve even the most perplexing murders. However, a severe trauma has caused this detective to not only stop working but even to stop leaving her bare apartment. After disgraced Police Inspector Jon Gutierrez from Bilbao is suspended and has criminal prosecution awaiting, he is offered a chance to reclaim his job by the head of a shadow organization. Their work is to perform undercover, secretive, “highly sensitive” criminal investigations. He is blackmailed with the dropping of charges and disappearance of evidence in exchange with a task: convince the obstinate, withdrawn shut-in Antonia to come out of her self-imposed confinement, protect her, and help her solve a sinister new case. This new case is a grisly, ceremonial murder: a young boy is found, posed in his family home, completely exsanguinated. A high-ranking executive, the daughter of the one of the wealthiest men in Spain, is kidnapped, and under threat of death. The one behind these crimes has even more macabre plans; the only person who can match minds with the murderer in order to solve these crimes and stop them in time? Antonia Scott…

With all the makings of a brilliant psychological thriller, Red Queen has the most breathless writing I’ve read in a long time. It is at once descriptive, witty, engaging, exciting, gory, and intelligent, and kept me interested and quickly turning pages right from the beginning. When the two flawed main characters together make an almost perfect whole, it is magic to read. Certainly Antonia and Jon are flawed, and in the beginning their working and personal relationship is more than rocky. One of the best parts of the story is that while over time they come to care deeply for each other, it doesn’t devolve into a cliché sappy romance because Antonia is faithfully married and Jon is openly, monogamously gay. There are sparks between them, but not necessarily good ones; however, as a team, they are a brilliant duo. I thoroughly enjoyed Juan Gomez-Jurado’s work, and I love that he lets the reader know at the very end of the book that Jon and Antonia will be back—he answered my unasked question. The greatest compliment that I can give beside voraciously reading a book is to hope that there will be a next one, and I most certainly did both with “Red Queen.” If you are a fan of crime, police procedurals, psychological thrillers and/or mystery/thrillers and don’t mind some gore along the way, be sure to pick up “Red Queen” or add it to your to-be-read list!

I’d like to thank NetGalley, Juan Gomez-Jurado, and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

LOVED this!

I'm all about a good Sherlock Holmes inspired story, and the crime-fighting duo, whether intentionally or not, reminded me a lot of Holmes and Watson. Antonia, with her genius intellect and her drug addiction, was the Holmes, and Jon was the Watson who keeps her on track.

I also found hints of Thomas Harris and Jeffrey Deaver in this book. Lots of twists and turns. The Madrid setting was fantastic and made me want to travel there!

Hoping that the next two books get translated fast or I'm going to have to brush up on my Spanish!

This is a translated thriller that has been compared to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I saw the comparisons with an unlikeable male investigator and intelligent young woman. However as a new thriller, it did not feel fresh. It was fine, but not particularly unique or remarkable.

I would only received to readers who love these particular kinds of thrillers and can't get enough of the subgenre.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

A murder. A kidnapping. A cop about to lose his job. And a woman capable of processing information like nobody else. These are the elements that kick off this incredibly well-crafted thriller.

Both the lead characters have their quirks but they work together in a natural manner—it doesn’t seem forced by the author.

The book is told in multiple POVs, which helps both move the plot forward. Though a quick page turner, there’s something so satisfying how the plot unfurls—and allows you just enough time to relish in a new reveal.

If you are looking for an action packed and cerebral thriller, this is a good one to pick up.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the advance reading copy of Red Queen.

About the book:
Antonia Scott—the daughter of a British diplomat and a Spanish mother—has a gifted forensic mind, whose ability to reconstruct crimes and solve baffling murders is legendary. But after a personal trauma, she's refused to continue her work or even leave her apartment.

Jon Gutierrez, a police officer in Bilbao—disgraced, suspended, and about to face criminal charges—is offered a chance to salvage his career by a secretive organization that works in the shadows to direct criminal investigations of a highly sensitive nature. All he has to do is succeed where many others have failed: Convince a recalcitrant Antonia to come out of her self-imposed retirement, protecting her and helping her investigate a new, terrifying case.

The case is a macabre, ritualistic murder—a teen-aged boy from a wealthy family whose body was found without a drop of blood left in it. But the murder is just the start. A high-ranking executive and daughter of one of the richest men in Spain is kidnapped, a crime which is tied to the previous murder. Behind them both is a hidden mastermind with even more sinister plans. And the only person with a chance to see the connections, solve the crimes, and successfully match wits with the killer before tragedy strikes again... is Antonia Scott.
I had heard a lot about this book. Great storyline, good character development, and very well written. However it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I did enjoy reading it though. 3.75 out of 5 ⭐️

An unlikely duo partner to solve a ritualistic crime in this exciting Spanish thriller.

We meet disgraced Inspector Jon Gutiérrez, who faces criminal charges for planting evidence. Suspended and with his career at a precipice, he gets a lifeline from a secret organization should he convince the reclusive Antonia Scott to come out of her retirement. Antonia is “the smartest person in the world,” touting a gifted forensic mind and perfect recall. Fraught with personal trauma, she contemplates suicide for exactly three minutes a day, and never leaves the confines of her barren apartment.

It’s the macabre and ritualistic murder of a teen boy that rouses interest and awakens her gift. Left without a drop of blood, Jon and Antonia forge a tremulous partnership to track down the sinister mastermind. Then the daughter of one of the richest men in Spain is kidnapped, and a connection to the murder escalates their search.

Across and below the Spanish streets a chase ensues, as dueling investigative groups clash, and time begins to expire.

Echoes of Lisbeth Salander resound in the fascinating, brilliantly minded Antonia, but it’s the motley pairing of her and Jon that shines. That dynamic, coupled with dark humor and the propulsive, frenetic pacing of the narrative, make this a fresh, fun and addictive thriller to read.

Red Queen (Reina Roja) is the first of a trilogy, so the good news is that there’s more to come—Loba Negra (Black Wolf) and Rey Blanco (White King). I’m already excited!

There has been a lot of hype surrounding this book and its release so I knew that I wanted to pick it up immediately. The Red Queen had a lot of potential for me in its plot device; however, it didn't necessarily live up to it for me. I know this book is going to end up being a series and that you will discover more details surrounding the main characters but I was left with too many questions after finishing this book. Questions that I feel should have been wrapped up by the end.

I think this book will appeal to people who want a quick, fast read with action and are willing to wait for the next installment.

The one piece I did love was Antonia's character. I will be curious to see who plays her part in the series that are currently working on for television.

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read an early copy!

Antonia Scott, half Spanish and half English has an amazing forensic mind gifted with retentive memory and an incredibly logical mind. She works for a European law enforcement agency with ties to Interpol. A personal tragedy has somewhat dimmed her light but she has been tasked with investigating a series of horrific bizarre murders involving some of Europe's wealthiest families. Her assigned partner this time in the field is Jon Gutierrez, a disgraced, suspended renegade officer from Bilboa. This novel, a best seller in Spain, featured a very unique concept and one of the most interesting and unique protagonists since Steig Larson. The narrative was quite intellectual presenting a lot of facts on a wide range of topics as the investigation progressed. The at times combative hostile interaction between Jon and Antonia, two strangers with opposing mind sets thrown together as a team added tension. As the investigation continues they develop a grudging respect and commitment. This tightly plotted narrative featured plenty of red herrings and unexpected twists on the road to resolution. I understand this is the first entry in a trilogy and this reader is anticipating the next adventure with two compelling investigators. A very different crime thriller that I eally enjoyed.

An unlikely pair, Antonia and Jon, are a compelling detective duo in Red Queen. This thriller had a great plot, eccentric characters and a compulsive pull to keep reading to the end. Can't wait to read more books in this series.

Thank you Minotaur Books for the complimentary copy.

Red Queen is the first of (what I assume will become) a series featuring an sherlockian crime analyst, Antonia Scott, and her new partner, “disgraced” cop, Jon Gutierrez. I found the character of Antonia fascinating and the book was a fast thrilling read. At times, I did find the plot a bit confusing but that could be in part due to translation Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read and review.

I tried so hard to get into this book but it was just not for me. I think that it will find it's audience out there, just it wasn't something I really enjoyed.

Red Queen? Isn’t it a fantasy book?

Nope, it’s a thriller, and a really good thriller, in fact.

Juan Gómez-Jurado, where is the author from

A foreign thriller? No thanks. It must be full of weird names and references I don’t get.

I totally get where you’re coming from, but hear me out. Red Queen may not be an American thriller, but it’s definitely worth a read. And don’t let foreign names intimidate you. They are super easy to read, believe me.

Let me give you a book review and present 5 reasons why you should read Red Queen by Juan Gómez-Jurado.

Summary of Red Queen
1. Antonia Scott and the rest of the crew
2. Intricate Plot
3. Engaging Writing Style
4. Red Queen will launch on Prime Video in 2023
5. Great Translation
More about Juan Gómez-Jurado
Opinion

SUMMARY OF RED QUEEN
Red Queen is the first installment of the trilogy about Antonia Scott by Spanish writer Juan Gómez-Jurado. Antonia Scott, a skilled police profiler, is called upon by the Spanish authorities to investigate a series of kidnappings targeting minors from influential Spanish families.

The kidnappers demand a peculiar exchange – instead of money, they want the families to make a public statement, or the victims will face dire consequences.

The Red Queen is not the antagonist in the story but a European, intergovernmental secretive organization that solves high-profile cases, and Antonia is part of it.

As Antonia and her team race against time to catch the kidnappers, you will be taken on a thrilling ride through Spain and the rest of Europe.

The story contains shocking secrets and unexpected twists, leaving you gasping for air.

1. ANTONIA SCOTT AND THE REST OF THE CREW
Unlike your typical heroine, Antonia is a tough, eccentric woman who lives in a sparsely furnished apartment and doesn’t enjoy being around people due to her personal trauma. However, Antonia’s genius-level intelligence is unparalleled, and her ability to solve even the most complex cases is truly impressive.

Even more remarkable is that Antonia is not a policewoman or a lawyer. Yet, she has successfully solved dozens of cases. With her unique personality traits and exceptional intelligence, Antonia is a character you will never forget. The best part is that Red Queen is the first book in the Antonia Scott’s thriller series!

Jon is a police inspector who takes his job very seriously and has a past that he’s trying to make up for. But what sets Jon apart is his big heart, even though he’s insecure about his appearance. One thing Jon is sure about, though, is his sexuality – he’s openly gay and proud of it.

Now, who is the hidden mastermind of the story? I can’t tell you because it would spoil your reading, but at the end of the book, the villain’s identity is revealed after some truly thrilling scenes. This villain has appeared in previous novels by Gómez-Jurado and will continue to appear in the upcoming installments of the trilogy. Trust me, this villain will make a comeback… And he is really evil and just as intelligent as Antonia.


2. INTRICATE PLOT
Red Queen’s fast-paced, action-packed storyline keeps readers guessing until the end. I don’t want to spoil any surprises because the less you know beforehand, the more exciting it will be. This story is filled with unexpected twists and turns, which makes it both thrilling and unpredictable.

The plot of Red Queen is intricately woven, with clues and hints being dropped throughout the story that lead to an unexpected conclusion. The plot points keep readers guessing until the very end, making for a thrilling read.

Additionally, various subplots throughout the book eventually come together to reveal one of the most entertaining and unexpected endings of recent times.

3. ENGAGING WRITING STYLE
Juan Gómez-Jurado’s writing style is engaging and easy to follow, making Red Queen a page-turner from beginning to end. His use of short chapters and alternating perspectives keeps the story moving briskly, making it difficult to put down.

When I was reading, I thought: “One more chapter, and then I’ll go to sleep,” But then I ended up reading another and another…

Moreover, the novel is not just a series of crime scenes. Gómez-Jurado manages the internal timing of the novel very well. As an example, I suggest that the reader pay close attention to the explosion scene in chapter 29, crafted with such detail that it slows down the pace of the narration.

4. RED QUEEN WILL LAUNCH ON PRIME VIDEO IN 2023
Amazon Prime acquired the TV rights for the novel, and filming for the series began on August 18th, 2022. The series will likely appear on the digital platform in the second half of 2023.

Here is an excerpt from the press release by the producers.

With an IQ of 242, Antonia Scott is officially the smartest person on Earth. Her intelligence earned her the nickname “Red Queen” in a secret and experimental police project. However, what seemed like a gift became a curse, and she lost everything. When the son of a powerful magnate is grotesquely murdered in his mansion, and the daughter of the richest man in Spain is kidnapped, the Red Queen organization is set in motion. Mentor, Antonia’s former boss, turns to Jon Gutierrez, a temperamental Basque police officer on the verge of being expelled from the force, to reactivate Antonia. The twisted cat-and-mouse game that Jon and Antonia find themselves in during their investigation also reveals that they admire and complement each other almost as much as they irritate each other.


5. GREAT TRANSLATION
Red Queen is a best-selling book in the Spanish-speaking world, having sold more than 2.5 million copies. So it is no surprise that the novel has been translated into over 23 languages.

I read the book in Spanish a couple of years ago and always wondered when the English version would come out. The day has finally come. Nick Caistor is the translator, and he did a great job because he captured the essence and excitement of the original Spanish novel.

The translator put a lot of effort into ensuring the story reads smoothly and naturally in English while staying true to the author’s style and voice. Furthermore, as I said while talking about Gómez-Jurado’s style, the original novel has a direct, easy-to-follow language, which helps the translation.

Something that contributes to the good translation of Red Queen is that the characters’ names and places are simple and easy to remember, such as Antonia, Jon, Clara, Mentor, Marcos, and Sandra, and many others. This makes it easier for readers to follow the story without getting lost in complicated or unfamiliar names.

MORE ABOUT JUAN GÓMEZ-JURADO
Born and raised in Madrid, he studied journalism at the Complutense University of Madrid. Before becoming a full-time writer, he was a journalist for several Spanish newspapers and magazines. He’s known for his gripping thrillers that are often compared to the works of Dan Brown and James Patterson.

He has published a dozen novels in Spanish, five of which have been translated into English. His books have been translated into over forty languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. He has been compared to Dan Brown and John Grisham for his ability to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

He is the ideal author for publishers due to his prolific writing, high sales, outgoing and charming personality, and enjoyment of public attention, simplifying promotion efforts. He even has a very popular podcast! Check out Gómez-Jurado’s Instagram and see for yourself.

OPINION
Personally, I absolutely loved the novel, and I highly recommend it. I am certain that English-speaking readers will really enjoy it. The structure, character, and plot development are all familiar, only the setting is different.

This is one book that leaves you wanting more, especially because of the characters. Antonia and Jon form a lovable couple, and by the end of the book, you feel like they are your friends.

This is a great chance to enter the world of Gómez-Jurado.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This is a great read for fans of the thriller/crime fiction genre, with a very unique "detective" character. I can see the parallels to Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, though I'd argue there was less rage here. I also enjoyed the setting in various parts of Spain. It felt a little long, but I was glad I made it through.

RED QUEEN by Juan Gomez-Jurado
Translated by: Nick Caistor
Published: 3/14/2023 by Minotaur Books
384 pages


A tour de force police procedural that quickly evolves into a mystery-thriller … begging the reader to want more immediately. This thankfully is the first book in a quirky trilogy that has been recently translated from Spanish and has won international awards. Introduced is the reluctant female detective Antonio Scott, as compelling and unconventional as Stieg Larsson’s Lisbeth Salander The daughter of a British diplomat and a Spanish mother, possesses a rare intelligence and mind that sees what few others can. From simple observation of a crime scene she is able to solve baffling murders. Her skills are legendary, however she works for a shadowing international agency, known as the “Red Queen Project” ,but has withdrawn her participation after her husband was shot and lays in coma in a hospital bed. Her days are filled by camping out at his bedside, while isolating herself in the evening in her lonely apartment …. apparently contemplating suicide. The Red Queen project operates outside the conventional law enforcement agencies and answers to no higher authority, and units exists in multiple countries, hidden from public scrutiny and social media. They specialize in dealing with serial killers, pedophiles, terrorist and lonewolfs and have no ties to hierarchies or bureaucracy to deal with. …. with the only intermediary being, code name: Mentor. In the field the team is composed of a Red Queen and a shield bearer.
The shield bearer in this case will be Inspector Jon Gutierrez, an overweight gay cop whose career is in jeopardy after planting heroin to gain a conviction. Jon is contacted by Mentor. If he is able to persuade Antonio to return to working with the Red Queen project his misconduct issues will disappear and he will be reinstated, without a blemish on his record. With much effort he accomplishes the task that has baffled many before him.
Six days ago a boy vanished from his school, after asking to go to the bathroom. The father is the chairman of Europe’s largest bank. Antonio and Jon are taken to a luxurious house in an obviously influential neighborhood. The crime scene: the boy is sitting upright on the richly appointed sofa, with white shirt and pants without shoes or socks. He appears impossibly thin with almost translucent pale skin. One leg is crossed over the other, with the right hand resting on the knee, while the left hand holds a glass of blackish liquid. His eyes are wide open, and his mouth is obscenely hanging open, in a parody of a smile, with a trail of blood oozing from his mouth. The staging is disgusting! Antonio calmly deduces the following …. cause of death was hypovolemic shock and hypoxemia without evidence of violence or defensive wounds. She surmises his death was slow and painful, while he was bleed to death, most likely by the killer placing a tube into the carotid and slowly draining him dry. Other parts of the puzzle, include the victim being anointed with oil in his hair and a small piece of paper referring to Psalm 23. Antonio and Jon will conduct an investigation outside the purview of local enforcement. Before long a second crime occurs under just as bizarre a set of circumstances, and suggesting a possible linkage. Carla Ortiz, the daughter of the world’s richest man is kidnapped. Ransom has no relevance to the kidnapper’s demands.
Juan Gomez-Jurado proves to be a masterful storyteller as he weaves multiple plot twists together in a race against time while impending danger escalates to victim and investigators.
Unexpected explosions with grisly splatter intensify the intrigue as the last quarter of the book turns into a frenetic page turner. The reader cannot help but long for further cases involving the unlikely duo of Antonio and Jon .. who have grown to form an unbreakable bond.
I personally look forward to the translations of further volumes in this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.

I can see why this has sold 2 million copies in Spain. WOW. This is probably the best thriller I've read in a year or more. Its layered and complex yet still easy to digest. I'm thrilled this is a series as I will be reading the entirety of it.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Red Queen has a different concept and is the first in a series. The setting is in Europe, in Spain. There are some cultural and government aspects which are unique. I really like the main characters.

Jon is an gay police detective who got caught planting evidence. He's a good guy and working to fight the bad guys but he got frustrated and tried to cheat to get rid of a pimp who was beating the young girl. He is very fond of his mother and her cooking. Rather than putting him in jail, they have him work with Antonia.

Antonia is a government operative with a high IQ. She works for a clandestine unit, which also drugs her to improve her performance. The unit hides everything when she is involved in a case. She is excellent with her deductions. I always enjoy a smart protagonist. I do like the personal stories we get about Jon and Antonia as they get to know each other and work together.

There are plenty of other characters who are less likeable. There is a aging journalist, the head of a special police unit, Antonia's father, and of course, the villains of the story, to name a few.

There have been abductions and murders of high profile children of wealthy people. But the killer is not demanding a ransom. Antonia and Jon investigate and work to solve the case with many distractions and red tape. They are willing to think and work outside the box, to figure things out and take down the bad guys. In this way, Jon is a perfect fit for the team.

The process was tough and some terrible things happened but the solution was mostly satisfying. There are a few minor loose ends but since this is the start of the Antonia Scott series I think we will learn more in future books. I'm excited to see there are at least two more books.

I really liked this one. It takes a little bit to take off, but wow, does it get the blood pumping once all the characters and pieces are in place.
Disgraced police officer, Jon Gutierrez, is given one chance to put a dumb, altruistic mistake behind him and save his career. His main task is to get Antonia Scott to show up at a specific location. The problem is that Antonia does not want to deal with the world and steadfastly refuses to have anything to do with the cases she used to take on before tragedy struck her family. But the case is too mystifying and heartbreaking for Antonio or Jon to let go of when a second person is in danger and there's still a chance to rescue her alive. It's a race against time, egos, and secrets that gets darker and more interesting by the page turn.
The only reason I'm not rating this higher is that it gets a bit too gory and descriptive in the violent scenes for my tastes, but I can understand why it's done and will admit that it's done in a tasteful manner that helps move the story.
Props to the English translation of the very Spanish book because it's expertly done. If it wasn't for the very Spanish locales and some minor details that the hyper-curious might get distracted by, I don't feel like I'm losing much of the story.


Happy thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the wonderfully twisty read!

Red Queen by Juan Gómez-Jurado

The first in a trilogy that has now sold more than two million copies in the original Spanish.

Antonia Scott—the daughter of a British diplomat and a Spanish mother—has a gifted forensic mind, whose ability to reconstruct crimes and solve baffling murders is legendary. But after a personal trauma, she's refused to continue her work or even leave her apartment.

Jon Gutierrez, a police officer in Bilbao—disgraced, suspended, and about to face criminal charges—is offered a chance to salvage his career by a secretive organization that works in the shadows to direct criminal investigations of a highly sensitive nature. All he has to do is succeed where many others have failed: Convince a recalcitrant Antonia to come out of her self-imposed retirement, protecting her and helping her investigate a new, terrifying case.

I really enjoyed this story that was a great balance of intriguing character development and interesting plot turns. It's a mid-paced thriller that continues to reveal layers throughout the entire story. I wanted to keep coming back to find out what would happen next, and I will definitely be reading the second in the trilogy as soon as it's available. While the story in Red Queen came to a satisfying conclusion, there are plenty of threads to continue to unravel.

I enjoyed the narrator, Scott Brick, although once in a while it feels a little like a radio announcer.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for a free copy of Red Queen for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own. #NetGalley

I picked up RED QUEEN after hearing it compared to THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO. Like the beloved heroine Lisbeth Salander, Antonia Scott is an intriguing and equally strong female protagonist.

The story follows officers Jon Gutierrez and Antonia Scott as they seek to solve two murders while both navigating messy personal situations. I enjoyed the dynamic between Jon & Antonia and will be curious to see how it develops as this book is slated to be a trilogy.

The story was action-packed but also contained flashbacks that took me out of the present-day timeline that I was invested in which was my only qualm. I haven’t read many books in translation and it was a fun experience knowing that this book has been well-received by Spanish readers.

RATING: 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4 stars)
PUB DATE: March 14, 2023

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so good. Great characters with a fast paced plot. A dark and fun thriller for fans of Jo Nesbø and Stieg Larsson.