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The Queen of the Valley
Set amid Colombia’s unparalleled beauty and inspired by the real-life 1925 Cali earthquake, this riveting novel by the award-winning author of The Spanish Daughter plunges three strangers into a perilous search for the missing owner of a legendary hacienda—a man at the center of the explosive secrets each of them carries.
Driven and recklessly daring, Martin Sabater follows his lifelong dream of owning a cacao plantation in Valle del Cauca. But on the night of a spectacular gala, he disappears—and is never seen again. Now his hacienda is a budding Catholic hospital saving lives during an emerging epidemic. And novice nun “Sor Puri” is there to uncover the truth behind Martin’s disappearance. But her real identity—and her past with the heartbreakingly charismatic Martin—will put far more than her perilous search at risk.
A professional photographer, Lucas Ferreira is Martin’s best friend since boyhood. He has his own reasons for helping the determined, alluring nun. But what this reserved man won’t reveal about his thwarted dreams and unrequited passion could prove key to the past—or a lethal trap.
Martin was head nurse Sor Camila's only love—until an unfortunate mistake changed the course of her life forever. Now, Martin's home is an unexpected chance for her, Lucas, and Puri to set the past right. But with their secrets unearthing explosive memories and wrenching lies, can they survive the truth about Martin—and the consequences that will forever alter their destinies?
Driven and recklessly daring, Martin Sabater follows his lifelong dream of owning a cacao plantation in Valle del Cauca. But on the night of a spectacular gala, he disappears—and is never seen again. Now his hacienda is a budding Catholic hospital saving lives during an emerging epidemic. And novice nun “Sor Puri” is there to uncover the truth behind Martin’s disappearance. But her real identity—and her past with the heartbreakingly charismatic Martin—will put far more than her perilous search at risk.
A professional photographer, Lucas Ferreira is Martin’s best friend since boyhood. He has his own reasons for helping the determined, alluring nun. But what this reserved man won’t reveal about his thwarted dreams and unrequited passion could prove key to the past—or a lethal trap.
Martin was head nurse Sor Camila's only love—until an unfortunate mistake changed the course of her life forever. Now, Martin's home is an unexpected chance for her, Lucas, and Puri to set the past right. But with their secrets unearthing explosive memories and wrenching lies, can they survive the truth about Martin—and the consequences that will forever alter their destinies?
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 29, 2023
231 people are currently reading
15243 people want to read
About the author
Lorena Hughes
6 books557 followersLorena Hughes is the award-winning author of The Queen of the Valley, The Spanish Daughter and The Sisters of Alameda Street. Born and raised in Ecuador, she moved to the United States when she was eighteen. Her novels have earned acclaim from outlets such as The Washington Post, Ms. Magazine, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Woman's World, PopSugar and BuzzFeed. The Spanish Daughter was an Amazon Editors' Pick, a Publishers Marketplace Buzz Books selection, a Once Upon a Book Club pick, and a Reading Group Choices Most Popular Books of the Year. Lorena can be found online at Lorena-Hughes.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
August 23, 2023
3.75⭐️
Set in Columbia in 1925, during the Cali earthquake, the narrative of The Queen of Valley follows Maria Purificacion “Puri” de Lafont y Toledo as she travels to Colombia in search of Martin Sabater, with whom she shared history and who was her cacao supplier for her chocolate business. Martin owned his own cacao plantation and was in contact with Puri until recently. Martin’s most recent correspondence has Puri concerned for his wellbeing and when she arrives at his hacienda in the aftermath of an earthquake, barely escaping being attacked by miscreants on the way, she comes to know that Martin disappeared on the night of a fundraising gala held at his residence three months ago and is presumed dead. Puri, posing as a nun, finds a position helping take care of patients amid a cholera outbreak while she searches for clues that could lead her to the truth behind Martin’s disappearance. His hacienda has been converted into a hospital run by his childhood friend Dr. Farid Manzur, whose sister Sor Camila, a nun, is working as a nurse in the hospital. Another childhood friend of Martin’s, photographer Lucas Ferreira is also present on the premises, curious about what happened to Martin and on a personal quest for answers to questions about his own family history. The narrative follows Lucas, Puri and Camila as they try to make sense of what happened to Martin.
I really enjoyed The Spanish Daughter by Lorena Hughes and was eager to meet Puri and Martin once again and see how their story continued. The Queen of the Valley by Lorena Hughes Is a well-written novel. I enjoyed the setting and the suspenseful vibe. Combining elements of historical fiction with family drama and an intricately plotted mystery set amid the Cali earthquake of 1925, I found this to be an engrossing read. Presented from the perspectives of Lucas, Puri and Camila, the author deftly weaves past and present timelines into a well-rounded narrative. The pacing is a tad uneven but not so much that messes with the flow of the story., The mystery behind Martin’s disappearance was well crafted but with so many subplots and storylines in the mix, I thought the narrative got a tad convoluted which did detract from the overall reading experience and left me with some questions at the end. Overall, while I enjoyed the story, I did not find it as compelling as The Spanish Daughter.
Though this novel can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading The Spanish Daughter before picking this one up to fully appreciate Puri and Martin’s backstory.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Set in Columbia in 1925, during the Cali earthquake, the narrative of The Queen of Valley follows Maria Purificacion “Puri” de Lafont y Toledo as she travels to Colombia in search of Martin Sabater, with whom she shared history and who was her cacao supplier for her chocolate business. Martin owned his own cacao plantation and was in contact with Puri until recently. Martin’s most recent correspondence has Puri concerned for his wellbeing and when she arrives at his hacienda in the aftermath of an earthquake, barely escaping being attacked by miscreants on the way, she comes to know that Martin disappeared on the night of a fundraising gala held at his residence three months ago and is presumed dead. Puri, posing as a nun, finds a position helping take care of patients amid a cholera outbreak while she searches for clues that could lead her to the truth behind Martin’s disappearance. His hacienda has been converted into a hospital run by his childhood friend Dr. Farid Manzur, whose sister Sor Camila, a nun, is working as a nurse in the hospital. Another childhood friend of Martin’s, photographer Lucas Ferreira is also present on the premises, curious about what happened to Martin and on a personal quest for answers to questions about his own family history. The narrative follows Lucas, Puri and Camila as they try to make sense of what happened to Martin.
I really enjoyed The Spanish Daughter by Lorena Hughes and was eager to meet Puri and Martin once again and see how their story continued. The Queen of the Valley by Lorena Hughes Is a well-written novel. I enjoyed the setting and the suspenseful vibe. Combining elements of historical fiction with family drama and an intricately plotted mystery set amid the Cali earthquake of 1925, I found this to be an engrossing read. Presented from the perspectives of Lucas, Puri and Camila, the author deftly weaves past and present timelines into a well-rounded narrative. The pacing is a tad uneven but not so much that messes with the flow of the story., The mystery behind Martin’s disappearance was well crafted but with so many subplots and storylines in the mix, I thought the narrative got a tad convoluted which did detract from the overall reading experience and left me with some questions at the end. Overall, while I enjoyed the story, I did not find it as compelling as The Spanish Daughter.
Though this novel can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading The Spanish Daughter before picking this one up to fully appreciate Puri and Martin’s backstory.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
September 2, 2023
Martin Sabater owns a cocoa plantation called Valle del Cauca, in Columbia and he’s holding a gala spectacular, when he rides off into the night and disappears. His cocoa trees have been neglected and Martin’s hacienda is now a Catholic hospital run by Dr. Farid Manzur and there has been an outbreak of cholera and he and his nurses are trying to stop it from spreading.
Three months later Purificacion de Lafont is navigating Colombian back roads by car when an earthquake hits, it saves her from bandits and she takes on another woman’s identity. Posing as a nun Sor Puri arrives at the hacienda, she wants to find Martin, she’s keeping her real identity a secret and she knows him very well. Puri owns a chocolate store in Ecuador, she has a contract with Martin and has received her order of cocoa beans.
Lucas Ferreira is Martins friend, he’s a photographer and he wants to solve the mystery of what happened to his best mate. He finds Sor Puri the nun snooping around, he finds her annoying and offers to help her. The head nurse is a nun Sor Camila, she is the sister of Dr. Manzur, she made a mistake years ago and her family have been punishing her ever since.
With three people are all trying to find out what really happened to Martin Sabater, Lucas, Purificacion and Sor Camila, slowly they uncover clues, and it’s a story full of lies, dishonesty, infidelity, greed, secrets, hidden gems, illegitimate children, a love triangle and a family feud.
I received a copy of The Queen of the Valley by Lorena Hughes from Edelweiss and Kensington publishing in exchange for an honest review. Set in Columbia in 1925, during the Cali earthquake and the characters in the story have more than aftershocks to worry about!
A historical mystery about the disappearance of a charismatic man, everyone is hiding something and you have to piece it all together and to find out what really happened to Martin Sabater. I have read the previous novel The Spanish Daughter, it helped me workout the complexity of the characters in the new book, their connection to each other and I can understand why some readers have struggled to make sense of the narrative. The Queen of the Valley is a standalone novel, however I would suggest reading The Spanish Daughter first and four stars from me.
Three months later Purificacion de Lafont is navigating Colombian back roads by car when an earthquake hits, it saves her from bandits and she takes on another woman’s identity. Posing as a nun Sor Puri arrives at the hacienda, she wants to find Martin, she’s keeping her real identity a secret and she knows him very well. Puri owns a chocolate store in Ecuador, she has a contract with Martin and has received her order of cocoa beans.
Lucas Ferreira is Martins friend, he’s a photographer and he wants to solve the mystery of what happened to his best mate. He finds Sor Puri the nun snooping around, he finds her annoying and offers to help her. The head nurse is a nun Sor Camila, she is the sister of Dr. Manzur, she made a mistake years ago and her family have been punishing her ever since.
With three people are all trying to find out what really happened to Martin Sabater, Lucas, Purificacion and Sor Camila, slowly they uncover clues, and it’s a story full of lies, dishonesty, infidelity, greed, secrets, hidden gems, illegitimate children, a love triangle and a family feud.
I received a copy of The Queen of the Valley by Lorena Hughes from Edelweiss and Kensington publishing in exchange for an honest review. Set in Columbia in 1925, during the Cali earthquake and the characters in the story have more than aftershocks to worry about!
A historical mystery about the disappearance of a charismatic man, everyone is hiding something and you have to piece it all together and to find out what really happened to Martin Sabater. I have read the previous novel The Spanish Daughter, it helped me workout the complexity of the characters in the new book, their connection to each other and I can understand why some readers have struggled to make sense of the narrative. The Queen of the Valley is a standalone novel, however I would suggest reading The Spanish Daughter first and four stars from me.
September 28, 2023
This was a very interesting historical fiction story set in Columbia. I love when I find historical fiction stories that are about pieces of history I know little to nothing about so I was very intrigued by the description of this one. I will say the story took me a long time to really get into but once I did I devoured the last 3/4 of the book at once. The writing was good and the story was interesting. I love a story about a strong and independent woman and the main character of this story Puri definitely fits that. Puri is worried about her dear friend Martin (who doesn’t know he is the father to her young son). So when he has been missing for months she decides to go to his plantation to search for him and is surprised to find it has been turned into a temporary hospital. I hadn’t read this author before but I will definitely keep an eye out for more from her.
May 2, 2023
A vivid, intense story set in Colombia in the 1920s.
The book begins with a big gala trying to raise funds, which is a pinnacle for the story.
Three narrators, Camila, Puri & Lucas have short snappy chapters which bounce from period to period, starting early 1900s, and going up to 1925.
We learn how they are interconnected.
There might be a murder, there might be cheating, there might be theft.
I have not yet read anything by Lorena, but this really is a stellar book. It sucks you in, and paints a beautiful and vivid landscape. The three narrators are all very well developed and layered. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. Ok I didn’t realize this was a sequel to “the Spanish daughter” until I read the acknowledgments, apparently it’s a great stand alone book as well.
Thanks to Netgalley for the earc.
The book begins with a big gala trying to raise funds, which is a pinnacle for the story.
Three narrators, Camila, Puri & Lucas have short snappy chapters which bounce from period to period, starting early 1900s, and going up to 1925.
We learn how they are interconnected.
There might be a murder, there might be cheating, there might be theft.
I have not yet read anything by Lorena, but this really is a stellar book. It sucks you in, and paints a beautiful and vivid landscape. The three narrators are all very well developed and layered. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. Ok I didn’t realize this was a sequel to “the Spanish daughter” until I read the acknowledgments, apparently it’s a great stand alone book as well.
Thanks to Netgalley for the earc.
July 22, 2023
This is the first Lorena Hughes book I have read but it won’t be the last! It was a captivating historical fiction set in Colombia in 1925. The author paints a vivid and lush landscape as the three main characters search for the truth behind the strange disappearance of a man they each have a strong connection to. I enjoyed reading the chapters told from each of these characters point of view and seeing how the mystery builds and then unravels at the conclusion. Full of mystery, family drama, hidden secrets and a dash of romance. A very engaging read. I didn’t realize The Spanish Daughter introduced Puri but will now add that to my “want to read” list. Thank you Goodreads and Kensington Books for the chance to read this advanced copy of The Queen of the Valley.
January 31, 2024
La reina del valle de Lorena Hughes es un misterio histórico inspirado en el terremoto de Cali de 1925 en Colombia. La historia está contada desde el punto de vista de tres personajes que tienen vínculos con un hombre carismático e influyente, Martín Sabater, propietario de una próspera plantación de cacao.
Esta historia sigue a Purificación (Puri) mientras viaja a Colombia para encontrar a Martín Sabater, quien suministra cacao para su tienda de chocolate y con el que le unealgo más que una amistad. En el camino, su coche es abordado por bandidos, pero ella se pone un hábito de monja y apenas escapa. Al llegar a la hacienda de Martin, descubre que ha sido entregada a un amigo de la infancia de Martin, el Dr. Farid Manzur, quien llegó a un hospital durante la epidemia de cólera después de un terremoto.
Si bien he disfrutado leyendo esta historia, sentí que el ritmo necesitaba ser más equilibrado. La primera mitad de la historia es rápida, se ralentizó en el medio y terminó de forma un poco apresurada.
Este libro no lo considero la segunda parte de La hija española, se podría leer independiente ya que a lo largo del libro te va informando bien sobre los personajes y los hechos importantes que sucedieron en el libro anterior.
Disfruté mucho más de la anterior novela pero de igual modo Puri sigue siendo esa mujer audaz que ha aprendido a vivir con determinación, muchas veces tratando de llenar los espacios dejados por aquellos que marcaron su vida.
En conclusión, un libro cargado de misterio, romance e intriga que si bien es cierto que no ha sido para mi como su anterior novela ,me ha resultado tan entretenida que apenas me ha durado un par de tardes ya que quería averiguar que había sido de la extraña desaparición del carismático Martín.
Esta historia sigue a Purificación (Puri) mientras viaja a Colombia para encontrar a Martín Sabater, quien suministra cacao para su tienda de chocolate y con el que le unealgo más que una amistad. En el camino, su coche es abordado por bandidos, pero ella se pone un hábito de monja y apenas escapa. Al llegar a la hacienda de Martin, descubre que ha sido entregada a un amigo de la infancia de Martin, el Dr. Farid Manzur, quien llegó a un hospital durante la epidemia de cólera después de un terremoto.
Si bien he disfrutado leyendo esta historia, sentí que el ritmo necesitaba ser más equilibrado. La primera mitad de la historia es rápida, se ralentizó en el medio y terminó de forma un poco apresurada.
Este libro no lo considero la segunda parte de La hija española, se podría leer independiente ya que a lo largo del libro te va informando bien sobre los personajes y los hechos importantes que sucedieron en el libro anterior.
Disfruté mucho más de la anterior novela pero de igual modo Puri sigue siendo esa mujer audaz que ha aprendido a vivir con determinación, muchas veces tratando de llenar los espacios dejados por aquellos que marcaron su vida.
En conclusión, un libro cargado de misterio, romance e intriga que si bien es cierto que no ha sido para mi como su anterior novela ,me ha resultado tan entretenida que apenas me ha durado un par de tardes ya que quería averiguar que había sido de la extraña desaparición del carismático Martín.
August 11, 2023
With rich storytelling set in 1925 Columbia, The Queen of Valley takes the reader back in time following a group of friends from a prestigious high school to their lives as adults as they find themselves at a Hacienda that is owned by one of the friends, Martin Sabater. Martin had disappeared during a fund raiser for the school and this event helps cause a chain reaction that makes up the evolving tale.
Martin had bought the old Hacienda and became a cacao farmer. He was involved with selling his cacao to Camilla, a widower who also happened to have his child. Martin, being a ladies' man had many women he cultivated, which caused serious problems from his other friends, who for their own reasons held strong feelings about Martin. One being the doctor running the hospital Farid, and Lucas who came to photograph the event.
Innocently, Camilla heads to the Hacienda, as she had stopped hearing from Martin, and is in need of his cacao. She gets caught up in a horrible accident and ends up at the Hacienda as it was turned into a hospital by one of the friends during a Cholera outbreak. There are nuns at the hospital, and she is able to stay on and pretend to be a worker. She is not the only one pretending.
The story switches backward and forward as we learn more details about our characters, their families, and even the great earthquake that happens during the story. The writing is tight, and often the book reads like a good mystery always with a little clue to keep you going. I think it is light historical fiction, but overall it is an enjoyable read and gives the reader a great sense of how varied the people of Columbia are and how life used to be.
Martin had bought the old Hacienda and became a cacao farmer. He was involved with selling his cacao to Camilla, a widower who also happened to have his child. Martin, being a ladies' man had many women he cultivated, which caused serious problems from his other friends, who for their own reasons held strong feelings about Martin. One being the doctor running the hospital Farid, and Lucas who came to photograph the event.
Innocently, Camilla heads to the Hacienda, as she had stopped hearing from Martin, and is in need of his cacao. She gets caught up in a horrible accident and ends up at the Hacienda as it was turned into a hospital by one of the friends during a Cholera outbreak. There are nuns at the hospital, and she is able to stay on and pretend to be a worker. She is not the only one pretending.
The story switches backward and forward as we learn more details about our characters, their families, and even the great earthquake that happens during the story. The writing is tight, and often the book reads like a good mystery always with a little clue to keep you going. I think it is light historical fiction, but overall it is an enjoyable read and gives the reader a great sense of how varied the people of Columbia are and how life used to be.
February 19, 2024
3,5 estrellas
July 9, 2024
This book was a complicated end to the book: The Spanish Daughter. Not very believable.
January 30, 2024
3.5⭐
I loved the mystery but missed the chocolate. I liked The Spanish Daughter better.
I loved the mystery but missed the chocolate. I liked The Spanish Daughter better.
November 28, 2023
Music was powerful. It could feel you with longing or pain, but it could also uplift your spirit, transport you. And the melody Basi was playing did just that.
We needed this. We needed a moment of joy in the midst of so much grief.
I wanted to like this book so much! But the writing felt clunky to me and I couldn't get into the story. There were perhaps too many characters and while this was a stand alone book, it's clear that it's a sequel to The Spanish Daughter and readers of that book would have gained some insight into these characters. It just wasn't for me, though your mileage may vary. (But what a gorgeous cover!)
*I was gifted an ARC of this book*
We needed this. We needed a moment of joy in the midst of so much grief.
I wanted to like this book so much! But the writing felt clunky to me and I couldn't get into the story. There were perhaps too many characters and while this was a stand alone book, it's clear that it's a sequel to The Spanish Daughter and readers of that book would have gained some insight into these characters. It just wasn't for me, though your mileage may vary. (But what a gorgeous cover!)
*I was gifted an ARC of this book*
August 26, 2023
I loved this mystery! I found the Spanish daughter a few months ago and found that there was going to be a sequel! Writing my first review because I loved this continuation so much!
July 25, 2023
I was fortunate to get an advance copy of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this story with all its intrigue and a story that takes many unexpected twists and turns as the mystery unfolds. Lucas, Puri and Camila each tell their stories that provide the background surrounding the mystery of what happened before and after the mysterious death or disappearance of Martin Sabater the night of a fundraiser gala at Martin's cocoa estate. Soon after that event the plantation is converted into a hospital run by Martin's longtime friend Dr Farid, his sister Camila is there as a nun running the sick ward during a cholera epidemic. Puri traveled to the estate to find out what happened to Martin because communication from him had stopped and on the way experienced violence, the death of her fellow travelers and a great earthquake. To protect herself she wore the habit of a nun who died so that she could travel in greater safety and upon arrival works as if she were really a nun in the hospital at the estate in order to unravel the mystery of what happened to Martin. She is assigned the duty to care for Lucas, the long time friend of Martin, Farid and Camila. Lucas is also determined to find out what really happened the night of the gala. He and Puri team up to investigate.
This is quite an interesting story. If I would recommend one thing it would be to include a short glossary at the end of the book for some of the Spanish words used in italics. Although I read some books in Spanish they were not all familiar words to me or other English readers. My other recommendation is to publish this book in Spanish too. I think this book would be of interest to international markets.
This is quite an interesting story. If I would recommend one thing it would be to include a short glossary at the end of the book for some of the Spanish words used in italics. Although I read some books in Spanish they were not all familiar words to me or other English readers. My other recommendation is to publish this book in Spanish too. I think this book would be of interest to international markets.
July 13, 2023
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
This turned out to be of little to no interest to me personally pretty quickly. I wouldn't say there's necessarily anything bad about the writing; I simply could not get into the story. That is solely a matter of my own personal taste and not a commentary of any kind on whether or not anyone else might enjoy the book, since it seems to be pretty highly reviewed. I will be passing this on to someone else who will hopefully be able to appreciate it more than I could.
This turned out to be of little to no interest to me personally pretty quickly. I wouldn't say there's necessarily anything bad about the writing; I simply could not get into the story. That is solely a matter of my own personal taste and not a commentary of any kind on whether or not anyone else might enjoy the book, since it seems to be pretty highly reviewed. I will be passing this on to someone else who will hopefully be able to appreciate it more than I could.
July 21, 2024
Interesante de principio a fin.
La reina del valle es una maravilla de lectura, lo he disfrutado mucho, un libro lleno de intriga y con muchos giros y tramas donde de nuevo Puri haciendo honor a su valentía y decisión descubrirá lo que pasó con Martín Sabater haciendo todo lo necesario.
Como en La hija española, que es el libro anterior, este personaje me ha encantado, es divertida, con una mente ágil, inteligente y muy decidida. En esta ocasión también es muy generosa ayudando a los demás, con todo el riesgo que supone entre otras cosas una enfermedad como el cólera, está muy bien escrito y sus sentimientos muy bien reflejados en todo momento, ese miedo a estar haciendo algo malo, a no volver a ver a su hijo, enfrentarse a todas las pérdidas que han ido sucediendo.
Esta contado en primera persona, en este volumen por Puri, Lucas y Camila, de forma alternativa, pero sin ningún orden establecido, aunque si hay más capítulos contados por Puri que por los otros dos personajes.
Las historias de Camila y Lucas me han parecido también muy interesantes y con muchos giros, para nada son lo que parecen a simple vista y ha sido un gusto ir conociendo de su propia voz sus vidas y sentimientos.
En resumen, me ha gustado bastante, solo le pongo una pega, me he encontrado con muchas erratas y me sabe fatal, ya que no se lo merece.
La reina del valle es una maravilla de lectura, lo he disfrutado mucho, un libro lleno de intriga y con muchos giros y tramas donde de nuevo Puri haciendo honor a su valentía y decisión descubrirá lo que pasó con Martín Sabater haciendo todo lo necesario.
Como en La hija española, que es el libro anterior, este personaje me ha encantado, es divertida, con una mente ágil, inteligente y muy decidida. En esta ocasión también es muy generosa ayudando a los demás, con todo el riesgo que supone entre otras cosas una enfermedad como el cólera, está muy bien escrito y sus sentimientos muy bien reflejados en todo momento, ese miedo a estar haciendo algo malo, a no volver a ver a su hijo, enfrentarse a todas las pérdidas que han ido sucediendo.
Esta contado en primera persona, en este volumen por Puri, Lucas y Camila, de forma alternativa, pero sin ningún orden establecido, aunque si hay más capítulos contados por Puri que por los otros dos personajes.
Las historias de Camila y Lucas me han parecido también muy interesantes y con muchos giros, para nada son lo que parecen a simple vista y ha sido un gusto ir conociendo de su propia voz sus vidas y sentimientos.
En resumen, me ha gustado bastante, solo le pongo una pega, me he encontrado con muchas erratas y me sabe fatal, ya que no se lo merece.
May 5, 2024
Primera vez que leo a esta autora y no será la última.
En la "Reina del valle" me he encontrado una historia que se centra en una desaparición, la de Martín Sabater, una noche de fiesta en su hacienda.
Alrededor de ese hecho, iremos conociendo a los personajes y la historia irá creciendo poco a poco, entretejiendo historias, aumentando el misterio en torno a esa desaparición y a la vida de los habitantes de la hacienda.
Varias personalidades con sombras y luces en estos personajes que nos irán mostrando sus caras e historias personales a medida que avanzamos en el libro.
Mi personaje favorito, como no, Puri. Una mujer valiente, incansable hasta averiguar qué ha pasado con Martín.
Secretos, traiciones, celos, envidias y amor se mezclan en una historia de investigación de un misterio que va de menos a más, hasta terminar con un final sorprendente.
Como os digo, me ha encantado y os la recomiendo muchísimo. Vale la pena leerla y conocer a Puri.
En la "Reina del valle" me he encontrado una historia que se centra en una desaparición, la de Martín Sabater, una noche de fiesta en su hacienda.
Alrededor de ese hecho, iremos conociendo a los personajes y la historia irá creciendo poco a poco, entretejiendo historias, aumentando el misterio en torno a esa desaparición y a la vida de los habitantes de la hacienda.
Varias personalidades con sombras y luces en estos personajes que nos irán mostrando sus caras e historias personales a medida que avanzamos en el libro.
Mi personaje favorito, como no, Puri. Una mujer valiente, incansable hasta averiguar qué ha pasado con Martín.
Secretos, traiciones, celos, envidias y amor se mezclan en una historia de investigación de un misterio que va de menos a más, hasta terminar con un final sorprendente.
Como os digo, me ha encantado y os la recomiendo muchísimo. Vale la pena leerla y conocer a Puri.
June 4, 2024
The very definition of a telenovela but in book form. How did Martin have not one - not two - but THREE women put their lives in shambles for him? I have no recollection of how I found this book but I don’t regret it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2024
I enjoyed reading the continuation of Puri’s story. There was, suspense, drama and love. I am very happy with the way the story ended.
May 31, 2025
3.5, had a hard time with all the spanish names.
January 20, 2025
A perfect book to take my mind off of a very sad, dark and dreary day. It took me a while to get into it but once I did, the story kept me completely engaged. If it were an option, I would have rated this book 3-1/2 stars.
May 7, 2023
The Queen of the Valley is an epic tale that features high intrigue and an intricate plot line. Hughes' lush writing transports the reader back to 1925 Colombia, directly following a horrific earthquake. Main character Puri (who also appeared in The Spanish Daughter) continues with her schemes to unravel confounding mysteries. Hughes adds her delightful sense of humor to the dramatic novel, and the pages whiz by. Ultimately a novel about love and betrayal, The Queen of the Valley tugs at your heart strings and keeps you rooting for Puri. Highly recommend.
July 31, 2023
This is the first book I read by Lorena Hughes. It should be noted that this is a continuation of her book, The Spanish Daughter. It can be read as a standalone book. I didn’t read Spanish Daughter and enjoyed this without feeling lost.
The story is told in three voices: Lucas, Camila and Puri. It focuses on the disappearance of Martin. How the characters intertwine and slowly reveals the details each hold to Martin. There is a gala, secrets, love and betrayal, earthquakes and cholera epidemic. What more can you ask for? You want details? Well I hate to give up too much. I will say it is beautifully written and I fell right into the story. I wanted to know what happened to Martin and each one of the voices telling me the story. It’s a good read. If you enjoy a historical fiction story this is for you.
I will pick up a copy of The Spanish Daughter in the near future.
Thank you to Kensington Books and Between the Chapters for this ARC. Looking forward to reading more of this author.
The story is told in three voices: Lucas, Camila and Puri. It focuses on the disappearance of Martin. How the characters intertwine and slowly reveals the details each hold to Martin. There is a gala, secrets, love and betrayal, earthquakes and cholera epidemic. What more can you ask for? You want details? Well I hate to give up too much. I will say it is beautifully written and I fell right into the story. I wanted to know what happened to Martin and each one of the voices telling me the story. It’s a good read. If you enjoy a historical fiction story this is for you.
I will pick up a copy of The Spanish Daughter in the near future.
Thank you to Kensington Books and Between the Chapters for this ARC. Looking forward to reading more of this author.
September 4, 2023
Доста объркано начало, което си продължава объркано нататък. Едно след друго следват лица, които идват от някъде, без обяснение какви са и защо са там.... Нямам намерение да губя повече от времето си с нея.
December 26, 2023
The Queen of the Valley is set in 1925 in Colombia at the time of the violent Cali earthquake.
The story opens at the Hacienda La Reina with a dinner to raise funds for the school that Martin Sabater, the owner of the Hacienda and its cacao plantation, Lucas Ferreira, a photographer, Farid Manzur, a well-known doctor, and Farid’s embittered sister Camila, a nun, all attended. After the dinner and plenty to drink, Martin is pressured to show off his new Andalusian mare, and he rides out with a group of friends. He never returns.
Puri travels to Cali to find Martin, who was unaware that he was the father of her child, and to find out how his cacao plantation is faring. She owns a chocolate shop and is disturbed by the apparent shortage of her key ingredient.
After the earthquake, things rapidly go awry for Puri, and she is forced to disguise herself as a nun to avoid the attention of highwaymen. When she finally arrives at the plantation, she learns about Martin, and discovers that the homestead is now being used as a hospital under the management of Dr. Manzur. With an outbreak of cholera in the area, no one questions her credentials as a nun and she’s put to work as a nurse. One of her patients is Lucas who was injured in the earthquake. She is distraught to hear of Martin’s supposed death and she is sure that there is more to the story than a drunken horse-ride.
In the midst of all this, there is the issue of the missing emeralds that Martin had apparently stolen from the owner whom hoped he would become an investor in the emerald mine.
The story is related in first person by three of the characters—Puri, Lucas, and Camila. Each has a different perspective as a result of background and history, and each is suspicious of the others. However, Lucas and Puri combine to try to discover the story behind Martin’s disappearance and how Manzur has come to control the estate.
One of the attractions of the book is that we learn the stories of each of the strongly-drawn characters going back to their school days, and, indeed, the mystery at the heart of the novel goes back that far also.
The sense of place and the dynamics of a small town of that era are convincing and give us a glimpse of the history and culture of that period in South America.
The story opens at the Hacienda La Reina with a dinner to raise funds for the school that Martin Sabater, the owner of the Hacienda and its cacao plantation, Lucas Ferreira, a photographer, Farid Manzur, a well-known doctor, and Farid’s embittered sister Camila, a nun, all attended. After the dinner and plenty to drink, Martin is pressured to show off his new Andalusian mare, and he rides out with a group of friends. He never returns.
Puri travels to Cali to find Martin, who was unaware that he was the father of her child, and to find out how his cacao plantation is faring. She owns a chocolate shop and is disturbed by the apparent shortage of her key ingredient.
After the earthquake, things rapidly go awry for Puri, and she is forced to disguise herself as a nun to avoid the attention of highwaymen. When she finally arrives at the plantation, she learns about Martin, and discovers that the homestead is now being used as a hospital under the management of Dr. Manzur. With an outbreak of cholera in the area, no one questions her credentials as a nun and she’s put to work as a nurse. One of her patients is Lucas who was injured in the earthquake. She is distraught to hear of Martin’s supposed death and she is sure that there is more to the story than a drunken horse-ride.
In the midst of all this, there is the issue of the missing emeralds that Martin had apparently stolen from the owner whom hoped he would become an investor in the emerald mine.
The story is related in first person by three of the characters—Puri, Lucas, and Camila. Each has a different perspective as a result of background and history, and each is suspicious of the others. However, Lucas and Puri combine to try to discover the story behind Martin’s disappearance and how Manzur has come to control the estate.
One of the attractions of the book is that we learn the stories of each of the strongly-drawn characters going back to their school days, and, indeed, the mystery at the heart of the novel goes back that far also.
The sense of place and the dynamics of a small town of that era are convincing and give us a glimpse of the history and culture of that period in South America.
May 24, 2023
Fate is a combination of choice and chance. But a determined soul creates a fuller life from the ashes.
Lorena Hughes creates a worldwind of adventure and intrigue in The Queen of the Valley. Although this one can be read as a standalone, seek out her novel The Spanish Daughter which introduces us to these multi-faceted characters.
Traveling alone, Puri faces many hardships as she leaves Ecuador for Valle del Cauca in Columbia. Originally from Spain, Puri knows her experiences have been measured in miles. She became a widow after leaving Sevilla. Her five year old son, Cristobal, remains in Ecuador with family. Puri is on a mission.
Her destination is a cacao plantation near El Paraiso. Puri owns a fine chocolate store in Ecuador where she is renowned for her delicacies. She is under contract with Martin Sabater, a successful cacao exporter. But word has reached her that Martin has gone missing after a gala held one evening at his plantation. The stories of Martin's fate are back and forth with details. Puri is determined to locate Martin. They've had deeply held secrets from the past.
Fate steps in as Puri gets closer to the plantation. Traveling in a rented car in 1925 will take you on back roads with bandits awaiting your arrival. And add to that the heavy tremors of an earthquake that destroyed homes and the roads in Cali. Puri barely makes it to the plantation. She disguises herself as a nun in order to find out more information on Martin.
A cholera epidemic breaks out and Puri finds herself assisting at the local hospital. One of the last persons to see Martin was Dr. Farid Manzur. Puri, known as Sor Puri now, moves about the hospital. The cast of characters involved in multiple cover-ups is well done by Lorena Hughes.
The Queen of the Valley is infused with so many hidden secrets. Each individual has a connection to Martin in a particular way......and not all of them are aboveboard. The storyline is intense with humans and nature clashing continuously. And Puri? She'll keep you guessing.....
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Kensington Books and to Lorena Hughes for the opportunity.
Lorena Hughes creates a worldwind of adventure and intrigue in The Queen of the Valley. Although this one can be read as a standalone, seek out her novel The Spanish Daughter which introduces us to these multi-faceted characters.
Traveling alone, Puri faces many hardships as she leaves Ecuador for Valle del Cauca in Columbia. Originally from Spain, Puri knows her experiences have been measured in miles. She became a widow after leaving Sevilla. Her five year old son, Cristobal, remains in Ecuador with family. Puri is on a mission.
Her destination is a cacao plantation near El Paraiso. Puri owns a fine chocolate store in Ecuador where she is renowned for her delicacies. She is under contract with Martin Sabater, a successful cacao exporter. But word has reached her that Martin has gone missing after a gala held one evening at his plantation. The stories of Martin's fate are back and forth with details. Puri is determined to locate Martin. They've had deeply held secrets from the past.
Fate steps in as Puri gets closer to the plantation. Traveling in a rented car in 1925 will take you on back roads with bandits awaiting your arrival. And add to that the heavy tremors of an earthquake that destroyed homes and the roads in Cali. Puri barely makes it to the plantation. She disguises herself as a nun in order to find out more information on Martin.
A cholera epidemic breaks out and Puri finds herself assisting at the local hospital. One of the last persons to see Martin was Dr. Farid Manzur. Puri, known as Sor Puri now, moves about the hospital. The cast of characters involved in multiple cover-ups is well done by Lorena Hughes.
The Queen of the Valley is infused with so many hidden secrets. Each individual has a connection to Martin in a particular way......and not all of them are aboveboard. The storyline is intense with humans and nature clashing continuously. And Puri? She'll keep you guessing.....
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Kensington Books and to Lorena Hughes for the opportunity.
August 27, 2023
I received an Advanced Reader’s Edition of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
I was mainly enticed by the setting of this book and was looking forward to being immersed in the atmosphere of early 20th century Colombia. Beyond that, the blurb was a bit lost on me. I expected a mystery and intriguing characters and that was enough for me. I think it’s a hit on all of those accounts and I only ended up having a couple of minor grievances with it.
For one, the first 20-ish percent of the book felt slightly clunky to me. The chapters are short and switch between three main POVs, with whom I didn’t feel an immediate connection, so it took me a few chapters to really start feeling engaged with the characters and plot. Once I got to that point, though, I was locked in.
There is also quite a bit of information to absorb: character names, clues/leads, subplots, etc, due to us spending a lot of time with the characters, learning about them/diving into their backstories, and also because of the way the investigation pieces together. I didn’t really struggle to keep track of everything, because I was thoroughly enjoying the ride, but it does make the narrative feel kind of cluttered at times and the urgency of solving the mystery of Martin’s disappearance would somewhat ebb. Plus, with all the story threads, the climax and conclusion end up going down in a bit of a chaotic rush. For the most part, I’m satisfied with the way things end, if a little sad, but I do think it could have been better paced.
To note, about halfway through reading, I learned that the author’s other book, The Spanish Daughter, is actually a sort of prequel to this one, as it follows one of the main characters, Puri, during events a few years prior to the events of The Queen of the Valley. There are a couple of references to and characters from the previous book, and it seems like some things are connected (particularly Puri’s history with Martin), but I ultimately didn’t feel like I was missing anything essential to understanding and enjoying this story.
I was mainly enticed by the setting of this book and was looking forward to being immersed in the atmosphere of early 20th century Colombia. Beyond that, the blurb was a bit lost on me. I expected a mystery and intriguing characters and that was enough for me. I think it’s a hit on all of those accounts and I only ended up having a couple of minor grievances with it.
For one, the first 20-ish percent of the book felt slightly clunky to me. The chapters are short and switch between three main POVs, with whom I didn’t feel an immediate connection, so it took me a few chapters to really start feeling engaged with the characters and plot. Once I got to that point, though, I was locked in.
There is also quite a bit of information to absorb: character names, clues/leads, subplots, etc, due to us spending a lot of time with the characters, learning about them/diving into their backstories, and also because of the way the investigation pieces together. I didn’t really struggle to keep track of everything, because I was thoroughly enjoying the ride, but it does make the narrative feel kind of cluttered at times and the urgency of solving the mystery of Martin’s disappearance would somewhat ebb. Plus, with all the story threads, the climax and conclusion end up going down in a bit of a chaotic rush. For the most part, I’m satisfied with the way things end, if a little sad, but I do think it could have been better paced.
To note, about halfway through reading, I learned that the author’s other book, The Spanish Daughter, is actually a sort of prequel to this one, as it follows one of the main characters, Puri, during events a few years prior to the events of The Queen of the Valley. There are a couple of references to and characters from the previous book, and it seems like some things are connected (particularly Puri’s history with Martin), but I ultimately didn’t feel like I was missing anything essential to understanding and enjoying this story.
January 26, 2024
My instinct is to say this was a very fun read, but it wasn't ALL fun: there are definitely difficult and traumatic events throughout, including a sexual assault, attempted murder, actual murder, and a cholera epidemic. Oh and an earthquake, but that wasn't quite as traumatic to read about, even though it is a real historical event and was doubtless extremely traumatic for the survivors.
Yet it's still a fun read. We're back with Puri, the spunky heroine from Hughes' last book, and she is still just as spunky years later. The action is set this time in Colombia, as Puri tries to track down her lover, Martín, whom we met in the previous novel. Martín is also the father of her child, a child whom Puri has to leave behind for the duration of this novel while she goes on what turns out to be a wild adventure. As always, Hughes has done meticulous research as the historical backdrop for events. There is so little historical fiction (in English) set in South America, other than Allende, it seems. I really appreciate these novels for helping me understand more of the history of that continent.
The family members and lovers in this novel are all tied up in a knot that Puri has to untangle, as well as finding her own place in it. As they fight and scheme and love and mix up their salt and sugar, they have to avoid the cholera that is the ever-present enemy in the background. The cast of characters is wide — I occasionally lost track of who's who, although only with the more peripheral characters. It was enjoyable to meet Lucas and especially Sor Camila. (My Palestinian father-in-law is credited in this book, and knowing he was part of her historical research made reading those parts extra fun.)
I don't know if there will be further stories that follow this cast of characters, but it was enjoyable to meet them and I keep wondering what might happen next. For those who survive. (Ominous music plays in background.)
Yet it's still a fun read. We're back with Puri, the spunky heroine from Hughes' last book, and she is still just as spunky years later. The action is set this time in Colombia, as Puri tries to track down her lover, Martín, whom we met in the previous novel. Martín is also the father of her child, a child whom Puri has to leave behind for the duration of this novel while she goes on what turns out to be a wild adventure. As always, Hughes has done meticulous research as the historical backdrop for events. There is so little historical fiction (in English) set in South America, other than Allende, it seems. I really appreciate these novels for helping me understand more of the history of that continent.
The family members and lovers in this novel are all tied up in a knot that Puri has to untangle, as well as finding her own place in it. As they fight and scheme and love and mix up their salt and sugar, they have to avoid the cholera that is the ever-present enemy in the background. The cast of characters is wide — I occasionally lost track of who's who, although only with the more peripheral characters. It was enjoyable to meet Lucas and especially Sor Camila. (My Palestinian father-in-law is credited in this book, and knowing he was part of her historical research made reading those parts extra fun.)
I don't know if there will be further stories that follow this cast of characters, but it was enjoyable to meet them and I keep wondering what might happen next. For those who survive. (Ominous music plays in background.)
August 3, 2023
Received the ARC, thank you very much! No spoilers. I did not read the prequel to this and felt it could stand alone as its own book just the same.
It was actually the first mystery I have ever read and at first I didnt like it but after about the third chapter I really began to enjoy it. I liked how the author uses each chapter as a characters perspective, so you get to see each persons perspective or what they were doing during an event, like understanding where they each were in a place and time. It was also interesting because you felt more connected to that character when they spoke in first person about their inner thoughts and memories. I read this while sunbathing and it tied in nicely with having empathy for the women of that time, what they wore and how dreadfully hot it truly was being clothed often head to toe.
The book mainly follows the adventures of a woman trying to find out where the father of her child has disappeared to, if he was actually dead or alive somewhere. Along the way she dons a disguise to get into the hacienda that he owned which had been converted to a cholera hospital. Why was it converted to that and how did they manage to accomplish that? She meets another person who is also there, searching for clues to his own unique mystery that has ties to this place. They become friends and have a shared reason for finding out the truth. The author beautifully ties in pieces of information so that it comes in waves, which really felt like a mystery you would see on a TV series. I found myself excited to read each next chapter to see what the next person was doing or thinking, trying to fit together the puzzle. I can see now why people enjoy mysteries. So from a novice in these types of novels, I truly enjoyed it and had very few preconceived ideas of what mystery novels entail.
It was actually the first mystery I have ever read and at first I didnt like it but after about the third chapter I really began to enjoy it. I liked how the author uses each chapter as a characters perspective, so you get to see each persons perspective or what they were doing during an event, like understanding where they each were in a place and time. It was also interesting because you felt more connected to that character when they spoke in first person about their inner thoughts and memories. I read this while sunbathing and it tied in nicely with having empathy for the women of that time, what they wore and how dreadfully hot it truly was being clothed often head to toe.
The book mainly follows the adventures of a woman trying to find out where the father of her child has disappeared to, if he was actually dead or alive somewhere. Along the way she dons a disguise to get into the hacienda that he owned which had been converted to a cholera hospital. Why was it converted to that and how did they manage to accomplish that? She meets another person who is also there, searching for clues to his own unique mystery that has ties to this place. They become friends and have a shared reason for finding out the truth. The author beautifully ties in pieces of information so that it comes in waves, which really felt like a mystery you would see on a TV series. I found myself excited to read each next chapter to see what the next person was doing or thinking, trying to fit together the puzzle. I can see now why people enjoy mysteries. So from a novice in these types of novels, I truly enjoyed it and had very few preconceived ideas of what mystery novels entail.
July 11, 2024
The Queen of the Valley" is the second installment in a series that began with "The Spanish Daughter." While I was informed that this book could be read as a standalone, in hindsight, I realized that having read the first book would have provided valuable context. There are numerous references and "Easter eggs" from "The Spanish Daughter" that left me scratching my head, wondering if I missed crucial details.
One of the book's strong points is its vivid depiction of 1920s Colombia. The rich historical setting and the portrayal of the diverse communities that called Colombia home during this period added a unique and engaging backdrop to the story.
However, I found the narrative to be somewhat cluttered with too many characters and several side stories that felt unnecessary. This abundance of subplots made it difficult to stay focused on the main story line and often detracted from the overall pacing of the book. The plethora of characters sometimes made it challenging to keep track of who was who and how they were relevant to the central plot.
In terms of enjoyment, "The Queen of the Valley" was an okay read for me. While I appreciated the historical setting and the insights into Colombian society of the 1920s, the overabundance of characters and side stories lessened my overall engagement with the book. For these reasons, I would be hesitant to recommend it to others, especially those who have not read "The Spanish Daughter."
In conclusion, while "The Queen of the Valley" has its merits, particularly in its historical and cultural depictions, it might be best enjoyed by readers who have first experienced "The Spanish Daughter." This prior context would likely enhance the understanding and enjoyment of the story's many layers and references.
One of the book's strong points is its vivid depiction of 1920s Colombia. The rich historical setting and the portrayal of the diverse communities that called Colombia home during this period added a unique and engaging backdrop to the story.
However, I found the narrative to be somewhat cluttered with too many characters and several side stories that felt unnecessary. This abundance of subplots made it difficult to stay focused on the main story line and often detracted from the overall pacing of the book. The plethora of characters sometimes made it challenging to keep track of who was who and how they were relevant to the central plot.
In terms of enjoyment, "The Queen of the Valley" was an okay read for me. While I appreciated the historical setting and the insights into Colombian society of the 1920s, the overabundance of characters and side stories lessened my overall engagement with the book. For these reasons, I would be hesitant to recommend it to others, especially those who have not read "The Spanish Daughter."
In conclusion, while "The Queen of the Valley" has its merits, particularly in its historical and cultural depictions, it might be best enjoyed by readers who have first experienced "The Spanish Daughter." This prior context would likely enhance the understanding and enjoyment of the story's many layers and references.
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