White King is the 3rd book in the series and I found it very hard to follow having not read the previous 2 books. Certain storylines and characters confused me without the background from books 1 & 2.

I enjoyed Juan Gómez-Jurado writing and storytelling. Scott Brick did a fantastic job with the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for letting me read this ARC and the opportunity to leave a review.

No! Tell me it’s not true — this cannot be over. This can’t be the last outing for Antonia Scott and Inspector Jon Gutierrez. The entire 3 book series has been exceptional in action and well constructed plots and I hate that the saga of the Red Queen is coming to an end.

I have loved the characters of Antonia and Jon as their relationship deepens through their attempts to solve the most heinous crimes and find some sort of justice. Not only are they unique in personality, they are also highly skilled in their jobs and focused on completing their missions. Now they face their adversary, Mr. White, who brings them full circle into his devious plans. He’s a nasty piece of work and another nemesis makes an appearance as well. It was hard to guess where this was going with all the twists and turns. I liked the writing style and the bits of humor that the author included to make me really care about Antonia and Jon. There’s just the barest bit at the end that could allow for further stories about these two. If only.

I suggest you read these from the beginning in order. And better if you can do it one after the other without suffering through the waiting for the translations from Spanish. Also catch the first book’s adaptation on streaming channels. I enjoyed it as well.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publisher. The book is narrated by the incomparable Scott Brick whose voice consistently elevates the novels he performs with his incredible range and talent. This is definitely one I highly recommend on audio for a completely absorbing experience.

4.5/5. Thank you to Netgalley, Mr. Gómez-Jurado, and the publisher for the ARC/ALC!

This was an excellently paced series, and the conclusion to the main trilogy is no different. The mystery of Mr. White, started in book one, reaches its final conclusion here, finally pulling the tension of the plot line to the near breaking point. Antonia's quest to find out the truth behind one of the greatest mysteries of her life finally comes to an end with a (near literal) explosion.

The many fibers of the rope that Gómez-Jurado brings together throughout all three books are neatly weaved by the end, leaving just enough of a hint at the future of our favorite duo. His characters are real people, even with their greater-than-life aspects, and you want to see them succeed. You want them happy, healthy, and preferably in one piece (no promises). I think that can be hard to do with a shorter crime drama like this, but Gómez-Jurado excelled at it.

The narrator for all three, Scott Brick, did an excellent job. Well-paced, well-voiced, and I could tell just by tone and inflection who was "speaking" through him. I'm glad all three books kept the same narrator because it would have been jarring to hear someone else.

Highly recommending this series (and already have!) to friends of mine who like this genre.

A fun and fast-paced wrap-up to this excellent trilogy in translation from Spanish. Antonia and Jon are a wonderful team, and their partnership was on full display in this novel. I was happy with Gómez-Jurado's handling of the storyline, and Scott Brick gave an excellent narration. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an audiobook review copy.

I found out very quickly that this book is part of a series and unfortunately I didn't read the other two books. There are a lot references to other storylines in the past, but as this is the third book, I found it hard to follow because I didn't understand what they meant. There's a lot of reference to characters that weren't really introduced in this book which made it confusing for me. I did also realize that the book is translated from another language and I'm not sure if it was the translation or a cultural difference but I found there were a lot of cliche and slang words that made me wince a bit.

The book starts off with a ton of action and suspense and continues that way throughout the story. The action and the fast pace really draw the reader in. The writing is very descriptive, the story is very well written and the characters seem to be well developed. I think the book may have worked better for me if I had read the other two books first, but I feel like this book fell short for me.

Scott Brick is amazing as always with the narration. I love the books that he narrates. He makes it easy to distinguish the characters. He builds up the pace for dramatic scenes and brings it back to normal when when needed. He really makes the characters come to life.

After finishing the book, I can really see the close relationship that Antonia has with Jon but I've never read/listened to a book with so many pet names between people in a working relationship. It may just be me, but pet names like sweetie, angel, and honey make me cringe and there were so many instances of this that it made me want to turn the book off. It may just be a translation difference, but it didn't work for me. I'm giving it 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars because the writing, detail and concept really are great, I personally just had a hard time with some of the nuances in the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

White King is the third book in @juangomezjurado’s Red Queen series. This series is an action packed international crime thriller trilogy that follows Antonia Scott a highly and specially trained spy. This third book has us racing around with Antonia and her partner, Jon, as they attempt to take down Mister White.

I highly recommend this book and series if you love:
👀 international settings (Madrid Spain)
👀 fast pace and tons of action
👀 tough female protagonists
👀 unique investigations
👀 spy novels

If you’re reading a series that combines the hyper intelligent sleuthing of Sherlock Holmes with the sarcastic police procedural of the John Corey series, but it also includes mysterious killers and political intrigue… then you’re probably reading the latest thriller from Juan Gomez-Jurado.

White King is the third installment in the Anita Scott series that features a highly trained forensic investigator with the secretive Red Queen program. After the devastating events of the previous two books, Anita must face off with the man who has been tormenting her for years. With Mr. White finally exposing himself, the stakes could not be higher. When her protector and friend, Inspector Jon Guiterrez is kidnapped, Anita sends what’s left of her family into hiding. To get Jon back, she will do anything… including playing Mr. White’s psychotic games that will pit her against everything she’s previously held dear.

There is no shortage of great series in the thrillerverse, but few come along and capture my attention and interest like this one has. I won’t say it’s my favorite series of all time, but it’s my favorite new series since the English language translations came out three years ago.

Gomez-Jurado has the sharp wit and sarcastic leanings that only a long time journalist can bring to the page. The investigative nature of the plotlines are detailed enough to feel authentic, but do not get bogged down in the details like you'd more often see in a Hollywood blockbuster, creating a perfect balance of realism and suspended disbelief.

These three books have brought in so many of the qualities I love in a wider range of subgenres and manages to expertly stitch them together to weave a masterfully entertaining story that is high intensity at times as well as deeply introspective at others. I cannot recommend this series enough.

White King, the final book in the trilogy, wrapped everything up perfectly, including plot points that I didn't realize were important from the earlier books. Jon and Antonia are back, and the stakes could not be higher. This book had a great mix of mystery, adventure, and character development. I give The narrator was great, especially when the POV was Jon's. The White King 5/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the opportunity to review White King by Juan Gomez Jurado

It was awesome being back in Antonia Scott’s world. Now that I’m really thinking about this she might just be my favorite female detective. Her story has so much depth to it and her mind is like Sherlock’s but even more intense.

This is the final book in the Red Queen trilogy and every step of it was very entertaining with a truly fantastic twist at the end.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the alc via Netgalley

I tore through all three of the books in this series in six weeks. This series was INCREDIBLE. The narrator is one of the best narrators I’ve ever heard. He really brought life to the characters, especially Jon. But really, the author did a fantastic job of doing that himself! Jon and Antonia were so easy to get attached to, and Antonia was originally portrayed as an unlikeable, and completely unreliable character. But I LOVED her, especially her and Jon together. They were a powerhouse team. Now that the series is over, I’m so sad that I won’t get to read about them anymore. The closer I got to the end, the more I wanted it to drag out. It was so action packed though, I couldn’t stop listening. There’s good news though. I can see the ending setting up nicely for a future spin off. I won’t give away why, but it’ll be clear once you get to the end. I cannot speak highly enough about this series! Do yourself a favor and buy all of these books now!

Huge thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

The narrator is great! Awesome finish to the Red Queen trilogy. Wraps up the mysteries from the first 2 books and adds new cases.

White King is a superb, edge-of-your-seat forensic thriller and the third (and perhaps final) installment in Juan Gómez-Jurado’s internationally bestselling Antonia Scott Red Queen trilogy. Jurado’s storytelling is spellbinding, weaving fantastic characters—both protagonists and antagonists—into a riveting narrative that will leave you gasping at the unbelievable ending.

Antonia Scott, the protagonist and the crux of the top-secret Red Queen project that solves the most dangerous crimes in the EU, is back in action. This time, she must save her partner and protector, Inspector Jon Gutiérrez, from the devious ploys of her nemesis, Mr. White. To save Gutiérrez, she must solve cold cases while staying one step ahead of a madman whose final objective remains unclear. As Scott and Gutiérrez race around Madrid at top speed, their paths may lead them away from those they truly care about, while also steering them toward something so unexpected that even Scott’s gifted mind may struggle to stay ahead.

If you have time—and I highly recommend you make time—read Jurado’s trilogy: Red Queen, Black Wolf, and White King. If you’re a fan of thrillers like Greaney’s Gray Man and Hurwitz’s Orphan X, you won’t be able to get enough of this series. However, be prepared for a bit of a cliffhanger at the end of White King. Is Mr. White still a threat? Is the Red Queen program still needed? Is Jurado hinting at another Antonia Scott thriller to come?

Stunning conclusion to the Red Queen Trilogy - this entire series is a winner, with White King coming out with all the Whizz-Bangs, fireworks and pomp of a season finale. Entirely engaging!
Antonia and John, two somewhat ill fitting puzzle pieces of people come together at the start of the series to form a somewhat unlikely, but also somewhat predictable partnership. She's socially repellent, but brilliant - so useful to a secret project. He's socially cued in and affable enough to put up with and protect Antonia. Both find each other infuriating, but neither has a lot of other options. Both highly relatable, and yet, not so relatable that the reader feels they could actually "be" the characters. What makes these books just a cut above all the other thrillers and police novels is the way the author interjects with spot on observations about human nature, how language shapes our understanding of our world, and human interactions, the price we pay for them and what we gain. Add in these small leitmotifs that make a reader feel like they are in on a secret joke, and this entire series is a winner,
White King is a fantastic addition. Gomez-Jurado takes us - without delay- but with lots of suspense and anxiety- to a satisfying and surprisingly gentle conclusion that left me on the edge of my seat until about the last 4 minutes. I actually was found standing in the kitchen with a fresh cup of coffee shouting out NOOOOOOOOO. I never do this. I'm not prone to too much excitement within the pages of a book (and I'm completely lying here of course) but let me just say the ending was unexpected, perfect and far kinder than I had hoped for.
Scott Brick has an audiobook legacy of over 800 books narrated. He wasn't known to me, but his theatre training shows, and he injects suspense, humor and anticipation as he read this in a way that added much depth to the narrative. I adore that he doesn't rely on accents or high squeaky voices, but more on using the space between words that allowed me to really catch the implied humor and implied undertones of the novel.

The 3rd and final book in the Red Queen series, translated from Spanish featuring Antonia Scott and police officer John Gutierrez. These books are fast paced, full of action and suspense, making them so easy to binge read.

The narrator, Scott Brick, is brilliants as always. Whenever I see he is reading a book I know that I am in for a real treat. He has a way of bringing the story to life and really makes you invested in the book.

I love the relationship between Antonia and John. Their banter makes me laugh while they are so protective of each other. Both characters are so broken, they make a fabulous team to stop the bad guys across Spain.

The story is always surprising and never predictable. I am going to miss their adventures.

Thanks so much to Macmillan Audio for my early listening copy

This book is too dependent upon you having read a previous book. It was really hard to follow. I could not complete it.

No spoilers. A hard-hitting, gritty, tense crime thriller with depth and heart.
An extraordinary, vulnerable woman whose mental abilities help her to solve otherwise unsolvable crimes and a huge gay police detective face horrific crimes and chilling threats.

As soon as I discovered this ALC, I got the first two books. This series is even better than I anticipated. The White King continues storylines from the previous two books and provides a stunning finish.

I strongly recommend reading these three books in order. The relationship dynamics are among the treasures of this series.

The translation is fantastic, smooth and natural. This is one of my favorite audiobook performances. The Scott Brick's expressive and versatile narration enhanced the novel’s immersive effect.

Juan Gómez-Jurado delivers complex, wonderfully vivid characters, high suspense, fantastic pacing, and an extraordinary plot. White King is intense, moving, brutal, and tender. This audiobook kept me enthralled to the end.

Highly recommended for seasoned readers of thrillers and crime fiction. Thank you, Macmillan Audio, for the ALC for consideration. These opinions are solely my own.

I really really like the premise for this series and it is definitely a series I would watch (will look for it on Amazon asap). Some of it is a hard sell, but I love the Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty dynamic between Mr White and Antonia. I read book 1, didn’t get the chance to read book 2, and jumped right into this one so I fully acknowledge there’s pieces of the story I’m missing, but I still felt like I understood the moving pieces and appreciated the authors creativity.

White King by Juan Gómez-Jurado was an audiobook listen narrated by Scott Brick. I loved this so much. 5 outstanding ⭐️ for originality and beautiful, relatable relationships. I felt everything and I loved Scott Brick as a narrator. He was phenomenal and perfect for this series. This author has a talent like no other when it comes to plots and a close intensity of characters, action and mystery. This was definitely my favorite of his to date and I highly recommend it. So good.
Thanks Macmillan Audio via NetGalley.

“White King” is the translation of Juan Gómez-Jurado’s 2020 internationally best selling “Rey Blanco,” the final part of the “Red Queen/Reina Roja” trilogy. This is the final in a series featuring Antonia Scott (Spanish mom/ British dad), an incredibly talented forensic criminologist who needed to be coaxed out of a self-imposed retirement in the first book by Inspector Jon Gutiérrez, who is her bodyguard/companion/“shield bearer.” She can easily be described as a less Goth Lisbeth Salander, although it’s mainly Antonia’s mind, not any computer skills, that she can weaponize.

I would definitely recommend that you read the first two installments before diving into “White King.” The multinational agency that Antonia and Jon work for has no name, but it operates alongside law enforcement (with incredible resources) to solve unusual cases. Each participating nation has a chosen “Red Queen” (like the “off with your head” Red Queen of “Alice in Wonderland” - the monarch who insists you have to run in order to stay in place). Antonia, Spain’s Red Queen, was given unique training and then she guides the investigations with her special skills. Her mind works at ultra speed and she had taken red and blue pills (ala The Matrix) to often keep from crashing. In the last book, she had decided to wean herself from the pills and resolve the unfinished business that complicated her life — the near murder of her husband, Marcos, that put him in a coma and also estranged her from their son Jorge.

As the story begins, Antonia finally decides to end her husband’s life support and is grieving (in her own detached way) when Jon is kidnapped. Other Red Queens and international project members are under attack; a bomb in Germany kills five. The Dutch shield bearer killed his Queen. The French Queen and her shield bearer have disappeared.

During all the books, Antonia has sensed an immensely evil, but unprovable, mastermind shadowing her. He finally reveals himself as Mr. White, who will save Jon if she can “solve three crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice.” Jon is released, but has a bomb implanted in his neck. Solutions to the crimes involve tight deadlines (like solving a supposedly closed case and finding the real murderer in six hours).

There's a good reason that Juan Gómez-Jurado has 10 million international readers. This series is one of most loved thriller trilogies in the world and unfortunately it took too long to have it translated into English. The author has already completed another trilogy (part of the Red Queen universe), that I desperately want translated as soon as possible. The action is non-stop. This is truly a world class thriller. 5 stars!

I had read and loved both “Red Queen” and “Black Wolf.” This time I was graced with access to both the ebook and audiobook, so I decided to switch off between the two, beginning the first third via audio. I have never heard Scott Brick’s narration before, but his tone for this story was always as if he was shouting, acting too strident or too excited or too suspicious for what was actually written. There are times when an actor’s voice is welcome, but Mr. Brick was way too theatrical for me. I read the next 20% and then returned to the audiobook. After only a few more chapters I realized I was correct — the presentation was theatrically annoying and I read the last third. So, 2.5 stars for the audiobook, 5 stars for the written version. READ THIS THRILLER; you might be put off by the narration of the audiobook.

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES The Other Woman has green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): MAYBE I question if hydrangea and wisteria bloom at the same time in Spain (in the US, wisteria is early spring and hydrangeas are late summer.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for advanced reader and listener copies!