The Secret of Vesalius

This is a gothic horror thriller with echoes of Frankenstein, set in the bustle of 19th century Barcelona, with its old port, myriad of alleyways, dank underground tunnels where dark deeds flourish. It begins in 1888, in Oxford, where Daniel Amat is on the cusp on achieving his dreams of a post in the Ancient Languages faculty and engaged to marry Alexandra, the daughter of Sir Edward Warren, the head of the faculty. Seven years ago, Daniel left Barcelona, his home, in the the aftermath of a tragic fire which killed his brother and Angela, the woman he was engaged to, although he loved Irene, her sister. He can forsee no circumstances that would see his return to Barcelona until he receives a telegram informing him of the death of his father.

With the World Fair being staged in Barcelona soon, Daniel returns for his father's funeral where he meets some familiar faces including Irene, the woman he ran out, now married to Bertomeu Adell, and Bernat Fleixa, a journalist who had been working on a story with his father. A number of strangely mutilated macabre corpses of women and girls have been discovered, and dark rumours fly of ancient curses and the return of the mythic black hound. Daniel's plan for a quick return to Oxford are scuppered by the knowledge that his father was murdered and the recovery of a notebook belonging to Dr Frederic Homs that his father had hidden in the tunnels. Pau Gilbert is a medical student training to be a surgeon. He has many secrets to keep safe and a number of enemies. Daniel is advised by many to leave the city and drop his inquiries into his father's death, but he is not to be put off. Daniel, Fleixa and Pau come together to explore the dark mysteries that pervade Barcelona and the work of Andreas Vesalius, a sixteenth century anatomist, that is motivating an insane serial killer to commit horrific crimes. However, the group find themselves in deadly danger as Daniel stands accused of being behind the murders and finds his quest leads a little too close to home for comfort.

This is a great and atmospheric debut novel with echoes of The Shadow of the Wind. However, I think, whilst its a wonderful read, it does not quite reach those standards. The plotting and the story would need to be more seamless and less laboured on occasions. That does not mean this is not a worthy read, because it is, it evokes the old Barcelona beautifully, capturing the uneasy and febrile mood that sweeps through and the tensions that grow prior to the World Fair. I was particularly enamoured by Pau Gilbert, a gifted medic and the courage he displays. This is a story of twists that effortlessly takes us into a Barcelona riddled with menacing forces and desperate poverty. A novel that I so enjoyed reading and recommend. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.

Set in Barcelona in the late 19th century this is a Gothic thriller which turns the city into a mythic labyrinth, with a series of murders and mutilations being our introduction to the action as Daniel, now an Oxford academic, is summoned back to the city and finds himself in the tunnels beneath the city. There is an ancient curse, and links to Daniel's own past.
A gripping thriller, I'm not surprised this has been translated into so many languages. Not one for the Barcelona tourist board!

I found this to be an un-put-downable story and enjoyed every word of it, finishing it in two evenings. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy the story for its originality and detail but oddly perhaps the translator (Thomas Bunstead ) did a great job in convincing me that I was actually doing a simultaneous translation from Spanish in my own head, rather than reading his words! This added another dimension for me and not one that I've experienced before in a translated work.

Was surprised to discover this to be a début novel as it's so accomplished in it's structure and storyline. I can't imaging that this will be a "one off" and so I am very much looking forward to Jordi Llobregat's next novel.

Stunning debut for this author excellently translated from Spanish by Thomas Bunstead.
We travel from a mutilated body washed up near the sewers of Barcelona to the hallowed walls of Oxford University where Daniel Amat is celebrating a Professorship, an engagement to the daughter of his mentor Sir Edward Warren -also the Dean of his faculty. He feels he is able to put his past way beyond reach.
However a letter from Barcelona announcing his father's death takes him back to the city where a fire destroyed his home and killed members of his family and yet a past love Irene is still haunting him.
This gothic tale mixes images of Jack the Ripper with the hideous plans of a mad academic creating a monster such as in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Llobregat effortlessly builds the plot with stunning twists and turns and the introduction of seemingly minor characters all weave into the tale of ancient physicians such as Vesalius (of the title) and Galen. Those Daniel meets for the first time mingle with new friends who he must convince of his motives and innocence.
It is a tale of death for which Daniel must seek the killer as they are implicated in avenging his father's involvement in wider plots. The very underbelly of a cultural European city on the cusp of the new century add to the interest and as well as a good yarn I learnt a lot!

Rarely do I time the reading of books with the appropriate season but I managed it flawlessly with The Secret of Vesalius. What a perfect read for Halloween! Gothic horror at its best which ably brings to mind the acclaimed The Shadow of the Wind. There are striking similarities in the smooth and beautiful prose plus the otherworldly nature of the story. If you loved Carlos Ruiz Zafon's book, you must read this!

Daniel innocently returns in 1888 to Barcelona for his father's funeral. Much happens while there and he remains far longer than intended to unearth an even greater mystery than he bargained for. This is a classic thriller with the ability to make your skin crawl. Nothing chills the soul quite like a dark and spooky book when colder weather descends and darkness encroaches fast upon the day. Tucked into a warm bed, The Secret of Vesalius is the perfect companion sharing its wealth of gore, tension, fear, mystery and adventure.

Thanks Quercus Books and netgalley for this ARC.

Twisted experiments, family secrets, and demonic possession. This is one of those books that keep you on the edge of your seat with excitement.

Super gothic novel complete with a Frankenstein style villain and a typical hero,a masquerading medical student and crusading journalist thrown together in a plot around the Barcelona world fair. Told at breakneck speed with many a twist and turn the entertainment never flags. Excellent!

A really atmospheric thriller set in Barcelon circa 1888. Was there really a devil hound tearing flesh from its victim or perhaps a more plausible explanation? Frankly, Barcelona will never be the same again for me unless I can get the stench of the sewers off my clothes! For some of the novel is set down in the labyrinths below the city in a twilight zone. Will the rats get you or the storm surges, or maybe the poor underclasses who inhabit the rancid depths? Quite a good twist at the end of the novel which I didn't see coming.
Whoever translated the book from its native language did a sterling job.

A beautifully written unusual book set in atmospheric Barcelona. Barcelona is so well described I could imagine walking along las Rambles. A very clever plot which is brilliantly put together to produce a very memorable story. This is a gripping thriller that I want to read again to see what I missed the first time.