So far, 2023 has been a good year for thrillers, and Red Queen is outstanding. Originally published in Spain in 2018, it has gained a worldwide following and is now available in English. Juan Gomez-Jurado has introduced a detecting duo and a cast of characters as fascinating as any I have ever read. Inspector Jon Gutierrez of the Madrid Police is in hot water, not for the first time. He is a clothes-horse, despite being barrel-chested and overweight. Gutierrez also still lives with his mother and is gay, neither of which makes him popular on the force. This time he may have finally ruined his career by planting evidence on a pimp and drug dealer. Gutierrez did it to help one of the pimp's girls get loose from his influence. The girl, however, filmed it and put it on social media. Suspended without pay and with Internal Affairs on his heels, he has no idea what to do. Then he receives a phone call from someone only known as the "Mentor," who offers him an opportunity to resurrect his career.

The "Mentor" is part of a shadowy organization that pursues the worst of criminals, serial killers, killers-for-hire, and terrorists. "Mentor" wants him to meet with a former operative, half-English, half-Spanish Antonia Scott. She is a genius forensic expert with a mind like a high-functioning computer. They need her to solve several high-profile kidnappings of influential and wealthy people and the death of one of the children of the families involved. Antonia, however, has refused since her husband was shot and has been in a coma for three years. Her father has taken her young son away and assumed custody of him. She only leaves her apartment to go and sit with her husband in the hospital every night. Her life has collapsed, and she blames herself. The killer was after her, not her husband. Gutierrez has a tall order to get her out of her apartment, but the situation escalates when Carla Ortiz, the daughter of one of the world's wealthiest men, is kidnapped. There is no ransom demand, at least financially, but the families involved are not forthcoming about the orders made. Carla has only 40 hours left to live.

There is non-stop action in Red Queen, kidnappings, car chases, subterranean pursuits, bombings, and encounters with some of the worst people one could imagine. If you aren't afraid of shadowy international organizations who think they have the right to decide the fate of everyone, you will be after reading this novel. Through skillful character-building, Juan Gomez-Jurado has written a story of love, friendship, and healing. I can't wait for the next book in this trilogy.

I received the audiobook of Red Queen from McMillan Audio and NetGalley. It was superbly narrated by Scott Brick, who I was aware of, but this is the first time I heard him. I will be on the lookout for his work in the future. The opinions are my own. So far, 2023 has been a good year for thrillers, and Red Queen is outstanding. Originally published in Spain in 2018, it has gained a worldwide following and is now available in English. Juan Gomez-Jurado has introduced a detecting duo and a cast of characters as fascinating as any I have ever read. Inspector Jon Gutierrez of the Madrid Police is in hot water, not for the first time. He is a clothes-horse, despite being barrel-chested and overweight. Gutierrez also still lives with his mother and is gay, neither of which makes him popular on the force. This time he may have finally ruined his career by planting evidence on a pimp and drug dealer. Gutierrez did it to help one of the pimp's girls get loose from his influence. The girl, however, filmed it and put it on social media. Suspended without pay and with Internal Affairs on his heels, he has no idea what to do. Then he receives a phone call from someone only known as the "Mentor," who offers him an opportunity to resurrect his career.

The "Mentor" is part of a shadowy organization that pursues the worst of criminals, serial killers, killers-for-hire, and terrorists. "Mentor" wants him to meet with a former operative, half-English, half-Spanish Antonia Scott. She is a genius forensic expert with a mind like a high-functioning computer. They need her to solve several high-profile kidnappings of influential and wealthy people and the death of one of the children of the families involved. Antonia, however, has refused since her husband was shot and has been in a coma for three years. Her father has taken her young son away and assumed custody of him. She only leaves her apartment to go and sit with her husband in the hospital every night. Her life has collapsed, and she blames herself. The killer was after her, not her husband. Gutierrez has a tall order to get her out of her apartment, but the situation escalates when Carla Ortiz, the daughter of one of the world's wealthiest men, is kidnapped. There is no ransom demand, at least financially, but the families involved are not forthcoming about the orders made. Carla has only 40 hours left to live.

There is non-stop action in Red Queen, kidnappings, car chases, subterranean pursuits, bombings, and encounters with some of the worst people one could imagine. If you aren't afraid of shadowy international organizations who think they have the right to decide the fate of everyone, you will be after reading this novel. Through skillful character-building, Juan Gomez-Jurado has written a story of love, friendship, and healing. I can't wait for the next book in this trilogy.

I received the audiobook of Red Queen from McMillan Audio and NetGalley. It was superbly narrated by Scott Brick, who I was aware of, but this is the first time I heard him. I will be on the lookout for his work in the future. The opinions are my own.

Red Queen
by Juan Gómez-Jurado
Narrated by Scott Brick

Rating: 4.3/5.0

Red Queen is a fantastic introduction to what I hope will be a series featuring two very intriguing characters, Antonia Scott and Jon Gutiérrez. This international thriller is already quite popular to Spanish readers and is only now being introduced to English readers. I also heard that it's set to become a series on Amazon Prime, which I cannot wait for! It's written a bit differently than the typical English-spoken novels that at least I am used to. I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Scott Brick is a powerhouse narrator that I've listened to many times before. Right off the bat, the narration drew me to this book, having not been familiar with Juan Gómez-Jurado, who is already a best-selling and highly well-known Spanish language author. The description/summary brought me in the rest of the way. This is the story of a disgraced police inspector and Antonia Scott, a woman with, shall we say, a unique intuition that lends well to solving crimes. There is a murderer on the loose. He's targeting the wealthy for some reason. Thankfully, Mentor, who is the one behind an organization that is funding Antonia and Jon's investigation, has seemingly unlimited funds and power to assist them in getting to the bottom of things, if only they can keep themselves alive....

I'm looking forward to more books in the series and will most definitely be watching the series when it comes to Amazon Prime.

Thank you so much to #NetGalley, #MacmillanAudio and the author for the chance to listen to and review this ARC!

I really enjoyed this story. I liked that the main characters were different from the usual and also different from each other. Yet, they worked together well. The story was interesting and also different from other stories that I've read. There were a couple of small things that didn't make 100% sense to me. However, I was able to overlook those details and appreciate the story. The book ended with an opening for the next in series and I am looking forward to reading it to see where the story takes us.

I had the audio version of this book. It was narrated by Scott Brick, so of course I loved it. However, the story had a similar feel to the Orphan X series, so I had to take a moment to adjust my expectations. Once I got past that, it was excellent and I fully intend to listen to the rest of the series once they are available.

At the end of the audio there is an interview between Scott Brick and the author, Juan Gómez-Jurado. It is worth sticking around to listen to it. There were some interesting insights to the book.

Characters in “Red Queen” by Juan Gómez-Jurado, arrive on the page with complicated and “unclean” pasts. They feel they live in a world full of the incompetent, the egotistical, and the just plain stupid; readers immediately want to know everything about them.
It is Sunday evening in Spain, close to dinnertime. A teen-aged boy from a wealthy family is found dead, and yet there are no signs of violence. His body has been totally drained of blood, and not a drop of blood can be found in the pristine home. Solving this horrific crime will be complex, demanding, and will require a special investigative team.

Antonia Scott is unbearable, secretive, bossy, and has terrible taste in food. She is unpredictable and probably as mad as a hatter. However, when she smiles, her face lights up like a Christmas tree. She also has a gifted forensic mind, and her ability to reconstruct crimes and solve baffling murders is legendary. Jon Gutiérrez is forty-three, hates to climb stairs, and can lift 293 kilos. He is a suspended police officer about to face criminal charges when he is offered a chance to salvage his career. He must team up with the temperamental Scott to crack an unsolvable case. They will work not as police officers, but will instead, investigate outside normal channels as experts from the super-secret “Red Queen Project,” a highly classified organization that investigates crimes of a highly sensitive nature.
The murder of the teen-aged boy is macabre and ritualistic, but this is just the start. An heiress of one of the richest men in Spain is kidnapped, and this crime is tied to the previous murder. The mastermind behind these crimes might just have even more sinister plans. Antonia Scott can certainly match wits with the killer and solve the crimes, but can Jon Gutiérrez keep her focused and on task in order to make the connections before there is another death?
“Red Queen” is fast-paced and filled with tension, intrigue, and secrecy. I also listened to “Red Queen” as an audio book narrated by Scott Brick. Brick has a multi-dimensional voice that is melodic, reassuring, and matter of fact, but at other times cautionary, unsettling, and alarming. There is urgency in the narration, a tone of anticipation and yet dread of what is to come. The audio version provides a very different experience than the printed book. Both are exciting with non-stop action and reaction.
I received a review copy of “Red Queen” from Juan Gómez-Jurado, Scott Brick, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio. Readers frantically turn the pages and yet are afraid of what might come next.
“Red Queen” is now available in print, as an e-book, and on audio from independent bookstores, online booksellers, retail stores, public libraries, and anywhere you get your books.

Rating: 4.25/5⭐️
Pub Day: Today!

This is the first book in thriller trilogy set in Spain.

I found the concept of a highly focused individual able to skillfully analyze a situation and “solve for x” to be incredibly interesting. I read this one in record time thanks to the complex storyline and some very intense moments that kept me on the edge of my seat! Red Queen is an elaborate murder mystery that I think a lot of people are going to enjoy.

I did a combo or print and audio and can easily recommended either!

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the alc exchange for an honest review!

Red Queen by Juan Gomez-Jurado has been a bestseller internationally since 2018, and I can see why! Antonia Scott (half British-half Spanish) is a terrific character, a super-intelligent woman who has experienced a good deal of personal trauma. Jon Guttierez is a Spanish police officer who is in a bit of disgrace and he is offered an opportunity to make the problem go away if he works with Antonia, who doesn’t want to work at all. They wind up being an amazing team. The mystery is complex and I loved all the Spanish atmosphere. If you enjoy thrillers with great characters, don’t miss this one.

I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient. Scott Brick does his usual fabulous job with the narration. The audiobook also includes a lovely conversation between Brick and the author.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook and to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. I can’t wait for the rest of the series to be translated into English!

All opinions are my own.

Red Queen by Juan Gomez-Jurado is a mystery thriller with a Sherlock and John esque relationship between the two main protagonists.
Antonia Scott is the brilliant mind and Jon Gutierrez is the morally motivated cop. Jon is under investigation and is blackmailed into helping Antonia Scott solve a murder.
I liked the partnership between the two and how well they worked together. Scott very quickly became a favorite.
The narrator did a great job and I am looking forward to the rest of the series becoming available in English.

Thrillers aren’t my normal reading wheelhouse. But I was intrigued by the setting in Spain, largely around Madrid, the features of Antonia’s character as an outsider brilliant investigator, and the secret crime unit. Some of the dialogue and delivery didn’t work for me in the middle. But readers who like sarcastic, scornful characters will not feel that way. An unexpected twist reinvested my interest and accelerated the final third. All of the characters’ flaws are consistently on full display making some of them hard to connect with for me. Though I appreciated the ways the female characters strayed from the traditional victim mold common to this genre. Readers who enjoy thrillers focused on serial killers and looking for international flavor will enjoy this #book. Originally published in Spain, USA readers can look for it 3/14/2023.

Thanks to #netgalley for the opportunity to read this audiobook title.

I had the chance to duel read and listen to the audio version of Red Queen. Even though the narrator, Scott Brick, did a fantastic job theatrically telling this story, this was something I should've physically read instead. It's nothing against Brick. Showmanship at its best! But personally, I connected better with eyes on a page.

The story was different from what I expected. What intrigued me the most about the synopsis is that we would get a story based on a super-intelligent woman who could solve crimes in ways an average person couldn't fathom. This wasn't a catfish situation; we did get that in the story, but she turned out more reclused than I thought. The book is also riddled with multiple POVs that did not break up by chapters. Reading it would be fine, but listening to audio may need to be clarified for some people.

Overall I rated this story 3-stars. The story had its ups and downs, comedic and sad moments. Antonia Scott is a very interesting character, and I liked seeing her paired with soon-to-be ex-cop Jon Guiterrez. I'm still on the fence about checking out the second installment of the Antonia Scott series, but I will be checking out the television series when it comes out!

This book was great and hooked me right from the beginning! I am now invested and can't wait for the next one to come out! I want to know where the story is going and who is out to get Antonia. I love the partnership between Antonia and Jon and can't wait to see what ruckus their partnership begets!

I enjoyed the read. There was nothing spectacularly new here. It’s a “I got out but I keep getting pulled back in” kind of book. It was a fairly quick read, though sometimes slowed down with backstory that was important but sometimes felt wedged in. It could be the translation. Either way, still a solid crime story.

Red Queen is a newly translated book by Juan Gomez-Jurado.

"Antonia Scott is not a policewoman or a lawyer. But she solves the hard crimes - the ones that regular law enforcement can't solve. She's been hiding in her apartment for a long time when she hears footsteps again. She knows their coming to ask for her help again. Except this might be the case to pull her back."

I like the concept in this book. Disgraced cop just trying to put away a bad guy - gets caught taking a short cut and now he's suspended. Civilian that's able to process a lot of information at once. Press reporter looking for any story to bring him attention. A horrific murder and kidnapping. And a psychopathic bad guy with unknown motives. All of that should make for a great story. But it mostly falls short because of the flashbacks and numerous backstories. Cut that out and this might be a compelling read. But with them, there is no momentum to the narrative.

Scott Brick does a great job with the audiobook narration but even his great performance can't save the herky-jerky pace of the story

There's another author that writes like this and I have a friend that loves his books. So if you like a lot of back story, you may enjoy this one

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Minotaur Books for the advanced copy.

Thank you NetGalley Macmillan audio and the author for the #gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review. As a mood reader I proplbably should have put it aaide as i read too many thrillers back to back and forced myself to listen to this one. It was ok i had seen it around for awhile so was shocked that this was up to listen. PERFECT narration done so well. I may try and listen again when im craving a twisty thriller.

Red Queen is a gritty, smart, fast-paced crime novel that hooked me right from the start. The narrator's voice and pronunciation suited the book well, although there were some sections that (I felt) didn't' warrant the dramatic flair he added to his narration.

I look forward to reading the other books in the series. I want to spend more time with Antonia Scott.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a free copy for review!

I was hooked by the description of Red Queen by Juan Gomez Jurado, and when I saw Scott Brick was the narrator, I knew I had to read it. Red Queen is a thriller mixed with a little bit of science fiction and a secret agency (the kind people like to use letters for) and the relationship between a police officer and his unconventional partner. So, if that type of story interests you then this should be the next book you pick up.

This book starts off with the murder of a teenage boy. The murder is so high profile that the regular police department cannot be used, so the off books agency is called in to use their Red Queen program. That is where a disgraced police officer, John Gutierrez comes in. He is forced to encourage a “retired” agent, Antonia Scott, to return to the fold. Everyone else has failed to get Antonia Scott out of retirement, so to save his own life he must succeed where everyone else has failed. Antonia must help solve this case. This is the first step in the journey for Antonia, John, and the Red Queen program.

Red Queen is a thrilling ride especially because the murders keep piling up. There are also kidnappings in this story. Antonia and John need their wits and must find a way to work together so they can prevent any additional murders. Will they accomplish this goal? Can Antonia and John overcome their differences? Will the Red Queen program continue? Who is behind the macabre murders that keep occurring? Will Antonia and John be able to save the kidnap victims before it is too late? Can Mentor, the supervisor of the Red Queen Program, keep Antonia as an agent? These questions and so many more will be answered in this Trilogy. Yes, you heard right. This is only book one to this masterfully written story.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the relationship that developed between Antonia and John. It is built on trust and respect. There will be no romance between Antonia and John here as she is married. But that is what I enjoyed about this book; it was just a good foundational friendship between partners. The character development was phenomenal. The mixture of science fiction and genetics was amazing. And the thrills kept me on my toes. I cannot forget the talent of Scott Brick. He is such a great narrator, and this was no exception.

I highly recommend this book and look forward to the Spanish to English translation of Book 2 and Book 3. This book never had a dull moment and I really wish my Spanish were better so I could jump right into Book 2 and Book 3 now. Stay tuned to the end of the narration there is a great insight into the book, its beginning, and the future of the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for allowing me to read this story in advance in exchange for my opinion.

Facing a 1600 mile road trip, the audio version of Red Queen landed in my NetGalley inbox and boy am I glad it did! Not since the team of Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist (The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo) have a pair of international crime sleuths kept me on the edge of my (car) seat with such suspense.

Forensic genius Antonia Scott has become reclusive as a result of a personal tragedy but she is coerced out of retirement by a compelling case. The background of her training and her personal story are as curious as they are horrifying. Enter Jon Gutierrez, a disgraced Bilbao police officer who has a single chance to revive his reputation and his career but the cost could be insurmountable. A criminal mastermind tethers these two together, and the web of deceit of the adjacent cast of characters had me guessing at every turn.

At times the flashbacks filling in the backstory were jumpy and often took me out of the main plot line, but this did little to dissuade me from pressing on. From the Spanish countryside to the Madrid underground, the plot takes some wild turns as the backstory spools out, all while the clock is ticking for a number of unsuspecting victims.
Not to be missed at the end of the audiobook are the author notes and the fascinating interview with narrator Scott Brick, one of my favorite performers. Mr. brick even promises to continue voicing the next two books in the series and I cannot wait for more! The beloved trilogy first published in Spain is set to be a big splash on our shores and has already been optioned for a streaming series coming to your screen this year.

Thank you NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

My thanks to Net Galley, Macmillan Audio and Minotaur Books for an advanced copy of this audiobook.
**Pub Day March 14, 2023.

Antonia Scott has a gifted forensic mind but refuses to leave her apartment.

Jon Gutierrez, a police officer in Bilbao Spain and 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 convince Antonia to come out of her apartment to help with this complicated case.

The case begins with a teen boy found without a drop of blood in him - who would do this sort of thing? The daughter of one of the richest men in Spain is kidnapped. As Gutierrez digs deeper, he sees a connection to the two cases but only Antonia can help.

The author is a powerful narrator who was perfect for this audio book. As I often say, don't miss the Author's Note. And in this audio, don't miss the narrator Scott Brick's interview with the author. Both of these extras are very enlightening!

ISBN
9781250853677 (ISBN10: 1250853672)
Language
English

DNF at 21%

As usual, Scott Brick does a tremendous job. However, I think I would have liked this more with a female narrator … maybe.

The translator did an outstanding job as well. I like that he left Mexican jargon intact and also left names of places, etc. Still in Spanish. It was a very thoughtful translation that left the book as a Spanish novel for English readers.

Why DNF? I am very hit or miss (more miss) with spy novels and high action thrillers. I struggled to become interested; largely due to the fact there is so much backstory. It is not obvious this was intended to be a series and all the setup was too much for me. I may try to read it again some day if I’m in the mood for this type of story. I did think how the person was killed “in the case” was both original and supremely fascinating.

Thanks netgalley for my ARC.

I was not expecting such a beautiful mix of The Da Vinci Code and The Gurl With the Dragon Tattoo but "Red Queen" stunned and left me anxiously awaiting the next installment.

The Red Queen program is an off the books agency that was designed to solve high level, difficult cases. No one knows about them as they work under the guise of any agency that clears the tape for them. In this, an inspector on the way out of the force, after planting evidence to get a really bad dude off the street is told by a mysterious fixer to visit loner, Antonia Scott. Like many before him Inspector Jon tries to convince Antonia to re-enter the queen program, he just happens to be the first success.

With a dad kid and the kidnapped daughter of the world's richest man, these two are up against the clock. This thrill ride is led by a quirky, intelligent, introverted, young Antonia Scott with demons in her own closet she is faced with solving the demoms of others. There are so many layers, personalities and twisting turns this was a true pleasure to read.

A new favorite off the books program, move over Jason Bourne, Antonia Scott is back!

WOW! Red Queen grabs hold of you from the first page and never lets go. Inspector John Gutierrez and Antonia Scott make an incredible Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson type team and I so look forward to seeing their next adventure. The bizarre death of the teenage son of the head of the biggest bank in Spain is only slightly outpaced by the disappearance of the daughter of one of Spain's richest men. But surprise after surprise pop up as the reluctant John and the recalictrant try to unravel the tangled web of clues to find the criminal mastermind behind both crimes. The relationship between John and Antonia is charming and humorous, and thankfully free of cliché as there is zero romantic attraction between them (Antonia is married, though her husband is in a coma) and John isn't into women. While both have their major character flaws, it's impossible not to cheer them on as they track down the killer.

As usual, Scott Brick does an incredible job narrating the audiobook, and his voice and inflection give it just the right feel. My only criticism is that his voicing for John and Antonia were sometimes so similar that it was difficult to tell who was speaking, especially during exchanges where there were few, if any, dialogue tags. But I cruised right through this book, eager to find out what the next chapter held.

Thank you to the author, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. Highly recommend!