Publisher's Weekly Review
Characters from The Shadow of the Wind and The Angel's Game reconvene in Zafon's newest literary thriller. When a stranger shows up at the struggling Sempere & Sons bookshop in Barcelona in 1957 to buy a rare and expensive volume, Daniel Sempere-the son-sets out to uncover the mysterious man's motives. The resulting mix of history and mystery drives this third installment in Zafon's cycle about the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a "sprawling labyrinth.like the trunk of an endless tree." What Daniel discovers will implicate those he loves, has lost, and loathes-from his soon-to-be-wed friend, Fermín; to Daniel's mother, Isabella, who died under questionable circumstances; his father; his wife, Bea, and infant son, Julian; and a host of schemers, torturers, corrupt governmental officials, writers, and lovers, many of whom have changed identities, hurriedly penned secret missives, and stashed keys to hidden treasures. Zafon's storytelling is deft and well-paced, and his vivid prose brings the cultural riches and political strife of Franco-era Spain to life. Though the book will undoubtedly please readers familiar with his other novels, as the introduction explains, the book is a "self-contained tale" capable of standing alone-something it does with aplomb. (July) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Library Journal Review
In this third installment of Zafon's "Cemetery of Forgotten Books" quartet (The Shadow of the Wind; The Angel's Game), readers journey to 1950s Barcelona, where Daniel Sempere and his wife, Bea, are celebrating their new son and their close friend Fermin is about to be married. But a stranger's visit to Daniel's bookshop threatens to expose secrets that go back to the early days of Franco's dictatorship. Focusing on the mysterious background of the charismatic Fermin, the novel pulls readers into the horrific conditions of a 1940s prison as it discloses the secrets that are coming back to haunt him. While the abrupt ending may initially disappoint some fans, the promise of a fourth book that will pull together all the story lines is a welcome one. Verdict The gorgeous language and complex relationships in this gothic adventure reflect the high level of writing readers have come to expect from Zafon. This darkly intriguing read is highly recommended for series fans and aficionados of gothic fiction. [See Prepub Alert, 2/27/12.]-Katie Lawrence, Chicago (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
