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Chief Inspector Max Cámara #2
A Death in Valencia
Max Camara is feeling low. Ominous cracks have appeared in the walls of his flat; the body of a well-known paella chef has been washed up on the beach; there are rows and threats about abortion clinics; the town hall is set on demolishing El Cabanyal, the colourful fisherman's quarter on Valencia's sea-front. As Cámara untangles these threads, he stumbles into a web of corruption and violence, uncovering deep animosities and hidden secrets, and forcing himself to question his own doubts and desires.
Starring the determined Cámara, with his love of flamenco and brandy, and occasional doped-out high, A Death in Valencia delves into issues that rouse unruly passions and divide the Spanish people today.
Starring the determined Cámara, with his love of flamenco and brandy, and occasional doped-out high, A Death in Valencia delves into issues that rouse unruly passions and divide the Spanish people today.
224 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2012
14 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Jason Webster
29 books97 followersJason Webster is a highly acclaimed Anglo-American author and authority on Spain whose work ranges from biography to travel, crime fiction and history. His books have sold in over a dozen countries, including the US, the UK and China, and have been nominated both for the Guardian First Book Award and the Crime Writers’ Association New Blood Dagger Award. He has been favourably compared with writers such as Bruce Chatwin (The Daily Mail), Gerald Brenan (El País) and Ernest Hemingway (Sunday Telegraph).
Webster was born near San Francisco and brought up in the UK, Germany and Italy. After finishing a degree in Arabic and Islamic History at the University of Oxford, he worked as an editor at the BBC World Service for several years before becoming a full-time writer and moving to Spain. He is married to the flamenco dancer Salud and they have two sons. They currently divide their time between Valencia and the UK.
Webster was born near San Francisco and brought up in the UK, Germany and Italy. After finishing a degree in Arabic and Islamic History at the University of Oxford, he worked as an editor at the BBC World Service for several years before becoming a full-time writer and moving to Spain. He is married to the flamenco dancer Salud and they have two sons. They currently divide their time between Valencia and the UK.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 2, 2016
This was a great crime fiction story located in Valencia. Chief Inspector Max Camara is hunting a murderer who has killed a renowned local paella chef who washed up on the local beach. There is plenty of intrigue and political corruption as it emerges that he was heavily involved in fighting the development plans for the local area that would have closed his business and home.
In the meantime, Camara's flat and the building he lives in collapses. Two people die and everyone is out to evade blame and avoid paying compensation of any kind. A local abortionist is kidnapped in a fevered atmosphere where the pope is shortly to visit and the police are implicated. In a twisted trail, Camara finds connections between the murder and the kidnapping. Camara determinedly investigates despite being homeless.
This is an intricately plotted story that kept me gripped throughout. Where the book really excels is in its ability to bring Valencia alive as a location both historically and culturally. Spain's dark history of the Civil War scars its relatively recent emergence as a democracy. There are forces at play that would like to go back to Franco's time and this includes the Catholic Church. There is so much corruption politically that it is an essential part of the book. The characters feel real and complex. I am pleased to have discovered Jason Webster as a new author.
In the meantime, Camara's flat and the building he lives in collapses. Two people die and everyone is out to evade blame and avoid paying compensation of any kind. A local abortionist is kidnapped in a fevered atmosphere where the pope is shortly to visit and the police are implicated. In a twisted trail, Camara finds connections between the murder and the kidnapping. Camara determinedly investigates despite being homeless.
This is an intricately plotted story that kept me gripped throughout. Where the book really excels is in its ability to bring Valencia alive as a location both historically and culturally. Spain's dark history of the Civil War scars its relatively recent emergence as a democracy. There are forces at play that would like to go back to Franco's time and this includes the Catholic Church. There is so much corruption politically that it is an essential part of the book. The characters feel real and complex. I am pleased to have discovered Jason Webster as a new author.
July 20, 2020
I enjoyed the local color (paella, etc.), but didn't find the rest of the book too exciting. I had a hard time keeping track of the male characters, most of whom (good or bad) seemed interchangeable. The only memorable one was the dead one!
August 29, 2012
A deep mystery in Sunny Valencia, dark & quirky characters, flashing with insight. A fine read.
August 13, 2020
I'm a huge fan of Jason Webster's non-fiction books such as Violencia - a thoroughly accessible introduction to Spanish history. I also know Valencia quite well, so marry the two in a detective story set in the city and that's holiday reading sorted. Only it didn't quite live up to my expectations. The cast of characters slightly confused me and the plot(s) even more so. I willingly enough turned the pages, but I wasn't drawn in enough to feel I want to read any other books in the series.
May 25, 2017
Local government backhanders, rogue lawmen and retrograde religious nuts would normally provide an excellent backbone for a juicy thriller. Not really here. Mostly because they're being investigated by Max Camara, the most flaccid hard-boiled detective of the genre. He smokes skunk! He recites pithy little rhyming proverbs! He has ex-girlfriends! He lives in a shithole! Dull dull dull.
'Duende' was inspirational in its embrace of class A drugs, sashaying gypsies and feckless misbehaviour. Spain as anti-hero. Flamenco as dark force rather than postcard image. Just occasionally that comes through in this novel, the food descriptions are salivatory, the tour of Valencia interesting, though had I not lived there for a couple of years I don't know whether it would have held my attention.
The main problem is this: Camara, although supposedly the best man in the force, really isn't that good. The investigation seems to run in parallel to his actions, rather than being driven by them. His antagonistic superiors and corrupt officials, never pose any threat to him. His investigation provides us with background information while the central mystery solves itself. On the Spanish intrigue, The Spanish Game by Charles Cumming was much better, even if it wasn't that great either.
Not so much flawed hero as flawed policeperson. Won't be coming back for any more of this.
'Duende' was inspirational in its embrace of class A drugs, sashaying gypsies and feckless misbehaviour. Spain as anti-hero. Flamenco as dark force rather than postcard image. Just occasionally that comes through in this novel, the food descriptions are salivatory, the tour of Valencia interesting, though had I not lived there for a couple of years I don't know whether it would have held my attention.
The main problem is this: Camara, although supposedly the best man in the force, really isn't that good. The investigation seems to run in parallel to his actions, rather than being driven by them. His antagonistic superiors and corrupt officials, never pose any threat to him. His investigation provides us with background information while the central mystery solves itself. On the Spanish intrigue, The Spanish Game by Charles Cumming was much better, even if it wasn't that great either.
Not so much flawed hero as flawed policeperson. Won't be coming back for any more of this.
June 5, 2019
Less about investigating a murder than the personal problems and tribulations of Max (who was pretty typical of the "this is not an ordinary policeman" characters) which I did not find interesting, much less compelling so I skipped over much of the anguish and introspection. An unfortunate side effect was to kill any desire I had of ever visiting Valencia - a venal, corrupt, disintegrating city that probably has no redeeming features. What a shame that that's the impression given. Was all this negativity necessary?
May 7, 2019
A good storyline based on a real issue in the Cabanyal area of Valencia, Spain highlights Town Hall actions to buy out and otherwise get rid of residential properties to make way for current development to remake the neighborhood into their vision. A local pressure group Plataforma Salvem el Cabanyal was fighting the effort and referenced in acknowledgements along with their website:www.cabanyal.com in 2012 when this book was written. I did not realize it at the time I was reading it but this is the second of six in the Chief Inspector Max Camara series. This gives me hope as the ending was a surprise and I feared there would be no more.
One of the victims in Jason Webster's tale was a prized chef known for his unbeatable paella who was resisting the powers that be in effort to keep his restaurant, business and neighborhood in tact. The story goes to great length explaining the hierarchy that distinguishes the four policing powers ranging from the locales (on the bottom of the ladder) to the Nationales at the top who typically engage in major crimes in larger towns and cities each with their own inner corruption circle complicating any coordination or sharing of information. That each division was, in fact, a threat to the others is suggested in Max's thoughts while in the midst of a police chase: " Part of the problem of being a chief inspector, and being expected to get others to do the running around for you. But this was the kind of police work, on the move, adrenalin rushing, chasing his man down. Or in this case, scampering blindly to avoid the biggest problem a policeman ever faced--other policemen."
The descriptive detail such as "life-giving" clutter that the author describes as conspicuously absent when the Chief Inspector Max Camara inspects the supposed apartment of kidnapping victim abortionist Sofia for clues was a delight to read. A diary is, nonetheless, uncovered providing light to the investigation to follow.
Max's approach is nontraditional, outside of Department guidelines, and away from his newly assigned mandated agency-wide duties secondary to Valencia's the expected arrival of the Pope. Max pursues along his own path with encounters with his immediate superior Maldonado though with ultimate praise from his superior Pardo. His revolutionary grandfather Hillario provides guidance and inspiration from near and far. Spanish Proverbs dot the rhetoric throughout which I presume originate with him such as "He who wants to catch the big fish has to get wet." "You can't hide a big sin forever."
I loved the references to food and drink common to the local culture such as cafe cortado and paella served with rabbit and how one distinguishes a bodega from a restaurant. I also found the British terminology such as emergency sponge bob and kitchen and bathroom cupboards interesting and unexpected due to the Spanish setting but knowing the author's life made it understandable. Max Camara reminded me of Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole character in his coping mechanisms drugs replacing alcohol, brilliant mind, challenging relationships and both grieving a tragic past loss page 182 hints at a murdered sister and crumbling family. I have not read the first in this series so insight may have already been provided as to the source of pain.
Interesting commentary made of the news media from Maz's perspective:" "Inflaming, depressing, or exciting, all it ever did was pull at our lower emotions, . . . . .rarely passing on truly useful information." Equally applicable today as it was in 2012.
I highly recommend to fans of mysteries within an international context revolving around one super hero if you will.
One of the victims in Jason Webster's tale was a prized chef known for his unbeatable paella who was resisting the powers that be in effort to keep his restaurant, business and neighborhood in tact. The story goes to great length explaining the hierarchy that distinguishes the four policing powers ranging from the locales (on the bottom of the ladder) to the Nationales at the top who typically engage in major crimes in larger towns and cities each with their own inner corruption circle complicating any coordination or sharing of information. That each division was, in fact, a threat to the others is suggested in Max's thoughts while in the midst of a police chase: " Part of the problem of being a chief inspector, and being expected to get others to do the running around for you. But this was the kind of police work, on the move, adrenalin rushing, chasing his man down. Or in this case, scampering blindly to avoid the biggest problem a policeman ever faced--other policemen."
The descriptive detail such as "life-giving" clutter that the author describes as conspicuously absent when the Chief Inspector Max Camara inspects the supposed apartment of kidnapping victim abortionist Sofia for clues was a delight to read. A diary is, nonetheless, uncovered providing light to the investigation to follow.
Max's approach is nontraditional, outside of Department guidelines, and away from his newly assigned mandated agency-wide duties secondary to Valencia's the expected arrival of the Pope. Max pursues along his own path with encounters with his immediate superior Maldonado though with ultimate praise from his superior Pardo. His revolutionary grandfather Hillario provides guidance and inspiration from near and far. Spanish Proverbs dot the rhetoric throughout which I presume originate with him such as "He who wants to catch the big fish has to get wet." "You can't hide a big sin forever."
I loved the references to food and drink common to the local culture such as cafe cortado and paella served with rabbit and how one distinguishes a bodega from a restaurant. I also found the British terminology such as emergency sponge bob and kitchen and bathroom cupboards interesting and unexpected due to the Spanish setting but knowing the author's life made it understandable. Max Camara reminded me of Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole character in his coping mechanisms drugs replacing alcohol, brilliant mind, challenging relationships and both grieving a tragic past loss page 182 hints at a murdered sister and crumbling family. I have not read the first in this series so insight may have already been provided as to the source of pain.
Interesting commentary made of the news media from Maz's perspective:" "Inflaming, depressing, or exciting, all it ever did was pull at our lower emotions, . . . . .rarely passing on truly useful information." Equally applicable today as it was in 2012.
I highly recommend to fans of mysteries within an international context revolving around one super hero if you will.
Read
December 25, 2022A Death in Valencia is the seconding outing of Chief Inspector Max Cámara. I greatly enjoyed the first one, Or the Bull Kills You, but I often leave gaps between books in a series. It’s partly because I like having something to look forward to and partly as I’m nervous about not having enough distance and the earlier book overshadowing it.
This time though I couldn’t resist. It’s probably because at the time of writing (at the end of April) it’s been raining solid for days. And curiosity I think has got the better of me.
Or the Bull Kills You is set around bullring and the community that surrounds and supports it. This gives Webster a ready made cast in several ways as you need people that fit roles in that environment and you can play those against each other. And when you take away that setting does Cámara stand on his own?
In many ways A Death in Valencia is a better book because the scaffolding of the bullring is removed leaving Cámara and his supporting cast to deal with another death in a new set of circumstances. I was a little worried at the start as Cámara seemed to be bumbling along a little too aimlessly but Webster lays down another thread and starts weaving them together, which is when it moves from interesting to exciting as Cámara really gets to shine.
This though is not a police procedural by numbers and there isn’t a standard checklist that our Chief Inspector goes through and this is even highlighted when he is ordered to play nice and do things by the book and then he wilfully disobeys. And this is what is endearing about this new Spanish detective. He’s shambling, anarchic and fascinating to follow.
The murder itself is the death of a local paella chef whose discovery is an illustration of the complexities of the Spanish policing system (which are luckily outlined as a note before chapter one). Not only does Cámara have to deal with different agencies he’s caught up with town hall’s demolition of El Cabanyal, the colourful fisherman’s quarter. And then there is abortion clinics and the imminent arrival of the Pope.
If listed all the dramatic elements and twists in A Death in Valencia could seem, not obvious, at least guaranteed to create tension and could boil over into either melodrama or farce. But Webster sails the troubled waters with a swan’s eloquence regardless of what’s being thrown into the soup of this tale. They are handled with a light touch so they flavour the direction and politics but the issues never dominate. Though they pull Cámara in interesting and unexpected directions.
That isn’t to say that it’s without colour. There is a great cast of supporting characters, some are regulars and likely to turn up hopefully in future books and others only playing their part here but each make their mark.
If you like your detectives a little strange and shambling around a warm and colourful location you can’t go far wrong with Chief Inspector Max Cámara
This time though I couldn’t resist. It’s probably because at the time of writing (at the end of April) it’s been raining solid for days. And curiosity I think has got the better of me.
Or the Bull Kills You is set around bullring and the community that surrounds and supports it. This gives Webster a ready made cast in several ways as you need people that fit roles in that environment and you can play those against each other. And when you take away that setting does Cámara stand on his own?
In many ways A Death in Valencia is a better book because the scaffolding of the bullring is removed leaving Cámara and his supporting cast to deal with another death in a new set of circumstances. I was a little worried at the start as Cámara seemed to be bumbling along a little too aimlessly but Webster lays down another thread and starts weaving them together, which is when it moves from interesting to exciting as Cámara really gets to shine.
This though is not a police procedural by numbers and there isn’t a standard checklist that our Chief Inspector goes through and this is even highlighted when he is ordered to play nice and do things by the book and then he wilfully disobeys. And this is what is endearing about this new Spanish detective. He’s shambling, anarchic and fascinating to follow.
The murder itself is the death of a local paella chef whose discovery is an illustration of the complexities of the Spanish policing system (which are luckily outlined as a note before chapter one). Not only does Cámara have to deal with different agencies he’s caught up with town hall’s demolition of El Cabanyal, the colourful fisherman’s quarter. And then there is abortion clinics and the imminent arrival of the Pope.
If listed all the dramatic elements and twists in A Death in Valencia could seem, not obvious, at least guaranteed to create tension and could boil over into either melodrama or farce. But Webster sails the troubled waters with a swan’s eloquence regardless of what’s being thrown into the soup of this tale. They are handled with a light touch so they flavour the direction and politics but the issues never dominate. Though they pull Cámara in interesting and unexpected directions.
That isn’t to say that it’s without colour. There is a great cast of supporting characters, some are regulars and likely to turn up hopefully in future books and others only playing their part here but each make their mark.
If you like your detectives a little strange and shambling around a warm and colourful location you can’t go far wrong with Chief Inspector Max Cámara
August 20, 2025
Not many commercial authors are willing to write an abortion subplot into their genre fiction. Webster took a risk, and boy, does it pay off! I love genre fiction that does not flinch away from complexity. This author not only doesn't flinch, he goes head-on down the rabbit hole of grey areas. And I'm not just talking about the typical police procedural grey area with the cop who has PTSD or loses his temper. I'm talking about the murky grey area of feelings. Right or wrong, we feel what we feel. This author knows that in his core, and he allows his MC to experience that.
I enjoyed how this mystery merges lots of different threads into the plot -- from the subway construction outside the MC's apartment, to the murder of a celebrated paella chef, to the legacy of Franco, the kidnapping of an abortion provider, and the Pope's visit to Valencia. There's politics, history, culture, mystery, and inner struggle. What's not to like in this series?
I'd probably label this 'upmarket' fiction because it is slower than most genre novels, and the plot doesn't take top billing. The MC is tasked with solving a crime, but to me, the key draw in the book is the MC's journey. He is in a dark place when the book starts, and it only gets darker as the story continues. He takes a lot of personal blows, and his reactions to that are so real. He is not a perfect character, but he does try to figure himself out & that makes him a really appealing MC to follow along with. The author lavishes so much attention on his MC, that there's no room really for well-drawn side characters. I hope in future books, he spends a little more time developing Max's sidekick, and while it's satisfying to see how Max's police rival gets taken down a peg, I'd love to see a bit more complexity in the character development. Overall, this is a book centered on Max Camara, and every other person in the book is just a shadow of who they are. Fortunately, Max's story is incredibly interesting.
I am SO upset that the next book in the series does not appear to be out on eBook. While the mysteries in this story are resolved, Max's inner journey ends on a cliffhanger. I hope the publisher releases the eBook version soon.
I enjoyed how this mystery merges lots of different threads into the plot -- from the subway construction outside the MC's apartment, to the murder of a celebrated paella chef, to the legacy of Franco, the kidnapping of an abortion provider, and the Pope's visit to Valencia. There's politics, history, culture, mystery, and inner struggle. What's not to like in this series?
I'd probably label this 'upmarket' fiction because it is slower than most genre novels, and the plot doesn't take top billing. The MC is tasked with solving a crime, but to me, the key draw in the book is the MC's journey. He is in a dark place when the book starts, and it only gets darker as the story continues. He takes a lot of personal blows, and his reactions to that are so real. He is not a perfect character, but he does try to figure himself out & that makes him a really appealing MC to follow along with. The author lavishes so much attention on his MC, that there's no room really for well-drawn side characters. I hope in future books, he spends a little more time developing Max's sidekick, and while it's satisfying to see how Max's police rival gets taken down a peg, I'd love to see a bit more complexity in the character development. Overall, this is a book centered on Max Camara, and every other person in the book is just a shadow of who they are. Fortunately, Max's story is incredibly interesting.
I am SO upset that the next book in the series does not appear to be out on eBook. While the mysteries in this story are resolved, Max's inner journey ends on a cliffhanger. I hope the publisher releases the eBook version soon.
June 11, 2021
Interesting setting (Valencia), interesting background (developers want to tear down the quaint old fishermen's quarter and adopt dirty tactics) but I found Inspector Max Camara to be a cliche. A maverick policeman, a loner with a chequered sentimental history. Where an American noir protagonist would slurp whisky or rye or bourbon, he smokes dope. Where an American would listen to jazz, he's a Flamenco afficionado. Fighting against city hall, a secret sympathy for the underdog...
The book starts with the discovery of the corpse of a famous paella chef. Then the city's most well-known abortionist disappears, just as the city is getting ready for a visit from the Pope. Camara, blundering around in Valencia after his apartment building has collapsed, connects the two events. The reader can see the solution coming a mile off - there are not that many suspects, and the book feels contrived to have Max have a personal connection to both the paella chef and the abortion provider. I can't say that I really connected with Max, who seems to be either depressed or high.
The book starts with the discovery of the corpse of a famous paella chef. Then the city's most well-known abortionist disappears, just as the city is getting ready for a visit from the Pope. Camara, blundering around in Valencia after his apartment building has collapsed, connects the two events. The reader can see the solution coming a mile off - there are not that many suspects, and the book feels contrived to have Max have a personal connection to both the paella chef and the abortion provider. I can't say that I really connected with Max, who seems to be either depressed or high.
January 25, 2021
2.5 rounded up. Had the makings of a good book as the setting of Valencia is vividly created, but weak dialogue between male characters who are awkwardly cliched kind of spoilt it. That’s 2 from this series I’ve read and il leave it now. Webster’s non fiction is far better.
June 9, 2021
Introduces the reader to Valencia. Well written, and enjoyable to read. However,the main character is a bit like many other police detectives in fiction, good at his job, bad at being where he should be and reporting in . Will probably read other titles by the author
August 2, 2018
Humanitarian and hard-edged
November 21, 2018
Good murder mystery evocatively set in the wonderful city of Valencia
February 16, 2021
Good, I’ll be reading the next in series ASAP. Slightly slow start.
June 24, 2023
Detective stories are not my thing. I am interested in Valencia and was interested in the descriptions.
June 13, 2025
4 stars cause it’s based in Valencia. If it was Alicante, it would’ve been 3.
Do we really need another straight white cis-male main character leading us through abortion crisis? Mam, please.
Do we really need another straight white cis-male main character leading us through abortion crisis? Mam, please.
June 23, 2013
American born, Britain-raised author Jason Webster resides in Spain and was first known as a travel writer. With the creation of Chief Inspector Max Camara, Webster set off in new directions. His first crime novel Or the Bull Kills You, was well received. A Death in Valencia is his second, and my first try with Max.
Webster paints a vivid mural depicting a deeply Catholic, very corrupt city of Valencia on the southern Mediterranean coast – touted as the paella capital of the world. Upon this canvas Webster writes a solid, intriguing mystery that unfolds in an old salt-of-the-earth district down by the port that is under siege from politicians’ dreams of modern legacy projects and developers’ wrecking balls.
Max Camara is chief homicide inspector with the Policia National. Leave aside murderers, Camara’s natural enemies are the Guardia Civil. PN is primarily “liberal”; Guardia is primarily right wing, with historical roots straight to Franco. Max is not categorical, but that’s how it basically divides.
The story starts out as an investigation into the murder of a revered paella chef - possibly over his political opposition to City Hall’s relentless razing of the old port area in favor of concrete towers. It soon evolves into a left/right battle between PN and Guardia, with the kidnapping of a high-profile abortionist at the heart of it. Rogue elements within the Guardia are suspected. It all unfolds on the eve of the Pope’s visit to Valencia in the midst of a stultifying July heat wave. Of course the two threads are tied – it is for Inspector Camara to figure out how and why.
The jumping off point, the murder, finds Max Camara heart-sick over an abortion that personally touched his life – and desperately missing the woman who chose this route, then left him. The story barely gets going when he comes home to find his apartment building, in the targeted district, sunk in the rubble beneath poorly built streets. Thus Max is operating under layers of personal pressure and stress: He’s an open-minded man struggling to accept the fact of a woman’s right to choose. He detests the retro right wing elements pulling strings within the Guardia and at City Hall. He is angry over the loss of a neighbor and her child when the apartment collapses. And he loved the murdered chef’s paella.
Webster creates a colorful supporting cast of cops, both good and bad; denizens of the old quarter that is being systematically destroyed; and self-serving city politicians. Max Camara’s partner Paco Torres provides a good foil to Max’s dilemmas. Max’s anarchist grandpa Hilario is a great spiritual adviser to a messed up policeman with too much pressure from too many different directions. Hilario is only ever a voice on the telephone, but their chats are perfect for dark, realistic humor and good advice. One wishes there was more of Hilario – like his name, he is quite funny. He adds refreshing dimension.
Still, Max Camara’s personal flaws keep him interesting - in many ways, more interesting than the plot. Though it touches on several topical issues and perspectives defining modern Spain, the plot is curiously “meat and potatoes” - i.e., strong in its elements, and deftly woven; but the manner in which this story plays out is something you’ve read before. Or more likely seen. Yes, for me this another mystery novel that seems too much like a movie I’ve seen too many times. Which doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. But I wanted it to be something different and it wasn’t. Not fair? Sorry.
For me, the most compelling element of A Death in Valencia is the city itself. From a writer's perspective, it is interesting how deeply felt, expertly rendered atmospherics can carry a story. Then again, Webster made his mark as a travel writer. He is a master at seeing the color and the societal topography of Spain. I hope he can reach the same level with his crime fiction – in my opinion, he has not quite got there with this one.
3 stars
I will certainly try Or the Bull Kills You in hopes that I was wrong about my feelings about A Death in Valencia. And I hope there will be more - and more deeply realized - Max Camara mysteries forthcoming. Because I love the colors and flavors of Spain.
Webster paints a vivid mural depicting a deeply Catholic, very corrupt city of Valencia on the southern Mediterranean coast – touted as the paella capital of the world. Upon this canvas Webster writes a solid, intriguing mystery that unfolds in an old salt-of-the-earth district down by the port that is under siege from politicians’ dreams of modern legacy projects and developers’ wrecking balls.
Max Camara is chief homicide inspector with the Policia National. Leave aside murderers, Camara’s natural enemies are the Guardia Civil. PN is primarily “liberal”; Guardia is primarily right wing, with historical roots straight to Franco. Max is not categorical, but that’s how it basically divides.
The story starts out as an investigation into the murder of a revered paella chef - possibly over his political opposition to City Hall’s relentless razing of the old port area in favor of concrete towers. It soon evolves into a left/right battle between PN and Guardia, with the kidnapping of a high-profile abortionist at the heart of it. Rogue elements within the Guardia are suspected. It all unfolds on the eve of the Pope’s visit to Valencia in the midst of a stultifying July heat wave. Of course the two threads are tied – it is for Inspector Camara to figure out how and why.
The jumping off point, the murder, finds Max Camara heart-sick over an abortion that personally touched his life – and desperately missing the woman who chose this route, then left him. The story barely gets going when he comes home to find his apartment building, in the targeted district, sunk in the rubble beneath poorly built streets. Thus Max is operating under layers of personal pressure and stress: He’s an open-minded man struggling to accept the fact of a woman’s right to choose. He detests the retro right wing elements pulling strings within the Guardia and at City Hall. He is angry over the loss of a neighbor and her child when the apartment collapses. And he loved the murdered chef’s paella.
Webster creates a colorful supporting cast of cops, both good and bad; denizens of the old quarter that is being systematically destroyed; and self-serving city politicians. Max Camara’s partner Paco Torres provides a good foil to Max’s dilemmas. Max’s anarchist grandpa Hilario is a great spiritual adviser to a messed up policeman with too much pressure from too many different directions. Hilario is only ever a voice on the telephone, but their chats are perfect for dark, realistic humor and good advice. One wishes there was more of Hilario – like his name, he is quite funny. He adds refreshing dimension.
Still, Max Camara’s personal flaws keep him interesting - in many ways, more interesting than the plot. Though it touches on several topical issues and perspectives defining modern Spain, the plot is curiously “meat and potatoes” - i.e., strong in its elements, and deftly woven; but the manner in which this story plays out is something you’ve read before. Or more likely seen. Yes, for me this another mystery novel that seems too much like a movie I’ve seen too many times. Which doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. But I wanted it to be something different and it wasn’t. Not fair? Sorry.
For me, the most compelling element of A Death in Valencia is the city itself. From a writer's perspective, it is interesting how deeply felt, expertly rendered atmospherics can carry a story. Then again, Webster made his mark as a travel writer. He is a master at seeing the color and the societal topography of Spain. I hope he can reach the same level with his crime fiction – in my opinion, he has not quite got there with this one.
3 stars
I will certainly try Or the Bull Kills You in hopes that I was wrong about my feelings about A Death in Valencia. And I hope there will be more - and more deeply realized - Max Camara mysteries forthcoming. Because I love the colors and flavors of Spain.
February 10, 2020
An enjoyable and fairly harmless police procedural. Big on Valencian atmosphere. Chiefly remarkable for me and Oli giving each other books by the same author for Christmas.
August 18, 2012
I won a copy of A Death in Valencia in a GoodReads give-away.
I usually select books based on A - the author (if I've enjoyed their previous books) B - the book's blurb (if it sounds intriguing) or
C - recommendation from friends/family (but usually, I'm the one making recommendations). I entered to give-away based on the book's blurb as I had never heard of Jason Webster.
But now that I have, I'll keep my eyes open looking for more of his books...and I hope there will be a lot more.
At just over 200 pages, it wasn't (for me) a real fast read as there were a lot of characters/organizations to keep up with that would receive a mention as introduction, then pop back up 20 - 30 pages later as part of the story. While a cheat sheet would have helped, I couldn't be bothered and had to backtrack several times to understand this "newest twist". I did push "bed time" back a couple of hours so I could finish reading.
I got a very good sense of Valencia, Spain in the reading of this book but in many ways was reminded of Andrea Camilleri's Italy and his Inspector Montalbano. Max Camara is a darker and more "political" version, but his impatience with the bureaucracy and irreverant attitude are the same as Montalbano's. Both Montalbano & Camara very much enjoy their food, wine and women. I liked his grandfather and the Spanish proverbs sprinkled through the book.
Overall, a very good "twisty" story, likeable and unlikeable characters, and a good sense of contemporary Spanish life. I will definitely be looking for more from Jason Webster.
I usually select books based on A - the author (if I've enjoyed their previous books) B - the book's blurb (if it sounds intriguing) or
C - recommendation from friends/family (but usually, I'm the one making recommendations). I entered to give-away based on the book's blurb as I had never heard of Jason Webster.
But now that I have, I'll keep my eyes open looking for more of his books...and I hope there will be a lot more.
At just over 200 pages, it wasn't (for me) a real fast read as there were a lot of characters/organizations to keep up with that would receive a mention as introduction, then pop back up 20 - 30 pages later as part of the story. While a cheat sheet would have helped, I couldn't be bothered and had to backtrack several times to understand this "newest twist". I did push "bed time" back a couple of hours so I could finish reading.
I got a very good sense of Valencia, Spain in the reading of this book but in many ways was reminded of Andrea Camilleri's Italy and his Inspector Montalbano. Max Camara is a darker and more "political" version, but his impatience with the bureaucracy and irreverant attitude are the same as Montalbano's. Both Montalbano & Camara very much enjoy their food, wine and women. I liked his grandfather and the Spanish proverbs sprinkled through the book.
Overall, a very good "twisty" story, likeable and unlikeable characters, and a good sense of contemporary Spanish life. I will definitely be looking for more from Jason Webster.
August 25, 2015
This is a book about more than a singular death, it is an exploration of the nature of death and what constitutes murder. Max Cámara, the Valencia detective introduced in Or The Bull Kills You, cannot sleep: his street is being dug up as the new Metro line is being built, the summer heat pulsates, and Valencia is crazy as it prepares for the arrival of the Pope.
The city buzzes with pro- and anti-Catholic emotions, with pro-life and pro-choice campaigners lining up their arguments for the Pope. Meanwhile the police force prepares security for the visit, as a developer is ripping up the old fisherman’s quarter El Cabanyal to build new apartment blocks. On the first page, a dead body is washed up on the shore. A well-known paella chef.
Max has eaten the chef’s paella but is taken off the case to help hunt for a kidnapped woman, a gynaecologist who performs abortions. The eve of the Pope’s visit is the worst possible time for this to happen. As always seems to happen in crime novels, two seemingly separate incidents are linked. The link, in this case, is carefully plotted so I didn’t spot it until the end. For me, this is a deeper more intelligent novel than the first in the Max Cámara series [there are now four], perhaps because the author is settling into the genre and the character.
I must add that Valencia simply rocks in this book, it comes alive off the page, the heat, the tension, the grief. I can smell the summer dust.
The city buzzes with pro- and anti-Catholic emotions, with pro-life and pro-choice campaigners lining up their arguments for the Pope. Meanwhile the police force prepares security for the visit, as a developer is ripping up the old fisherman’s quarter El Cabanyal to build new apartment blocks. On the first page, a dead body is washed up on the shore. A well-known paella chef.
Max has eaten the chef’s paella but is taken off the case to help hunt for a kidnapped woman, a gynaecologist who performs abortions. The eve of the Pope’s visit is the worst possible time for this to happen. As always seems to happen in crime novels, two seemingly separate incidents are linked. The link, in this case, is carefully plotted so I didn’t spot it until the end. For me, this is a deeper more intelligent novel than the first in the Max Cámara series [there are now four], perhaps because the author is settling into the genre and the character.
I must add that Valencia simply rocks in this book, it comes alive off the page, the heat, the tension, the grief. I can smell the summer dust.
November 18, 2015
I found this book surprisingly hard going for much of it's length. It is well written and has a good deal to say about modern Spain and the attitudes and rivalries which compete there, but as a story it took a very long time to get going and by page 100 I thought it was heading for 3 stars at best. In fact it picked up quite well and the second half of the book did draw me in and made it worth reading.
I think my problem with the book is that it is largely about Spanish politics: the struggle between the relatively new democracy there and those who want to return it to a deeply reactionary Franco-style state, the influence of the Church, corruption in the police and government and so on. It's well enough done, but doesn't leave a lot of room for plot and character (although I did find Camara himself to be rather well drawn.) Given what seemed like rather long periods away from the investigation of the crimes I also found that I had forgotten who various witnesses, suspects and so on were by the time they reappeared, which isn't something I usually have a hard time with.
Once things began to move and gel together a little I did enjoy the book (although I could have done without the cliché-ed Cornered Killer Climax) and have given it four stars for that reason and because I liked the writing which is unobtrusive, unpretentious and enjoyable. You need to be prepared for a long slog in the first half of the book, though, so I can only give this a qualified recommendation.
I think my problem with the book is that it is largely about Spanish politics: the struggle between the relatively new democracy there and those who want to return it to a deeply reactionary Franco-style state, the influence of the Church, corruption in the police and government and so on. It's well enough done, but doesn't leave a lot of room for plot and character (although I did find Camara himself to be rather well drawn.) Given what seemed like rather long periods away from the investigation of the crimes I also found that I had forgotten who various witnesses, suspects and so on were by the time they reappeared, which isn't something I usually have a hard time with.
Once things began to move and gel together a little I did enjoy the book (although I could have done without the cliché-ed Cornered Killer Climax) and have given it four stars for that reason and because I liked the writing which is unobtrusive, unpretentious and enjoyable. You need to be prepared for a long slog in the first half of the book, though, so I can only give this a qualified recommendation.
January 23, 2013
Second in the Max Camara series and just as fast paced as the first. While Or The Bull Kills you dealt with bullfighting and its culture old and new. This second book features paella and anti or pro abortion clinics as the main flow coming to a head during a visit by the Pope, all threads that weave in and out again present the various government and municipal authorities playing major roles. Various police groups ...not often working together.....town hall again with its reign over the city wrecking havoc to old sections making way for new. This time Max is truly at his wits end being homeless but it does not slow him down nor does the lingering depression he has apparently suffered since book one's outcome. He is determination personified, often to his own peril.
This writer makes me think of Donna Leon and her marvelous books set in Venice. A city I love. While she shows the elegance combined with the underbelly of the city she long ago embraced as home and its dysfunction and leaves me still loving it best, Jason Webster who is also an expat of long standing that has truly studied his new home and loves it, leaves me quite nervous to ever visit Valencia let alone set foot in Spain again!
But I cannot wait for another in this series......
This writer makes me think of Donna Leon and her marvelous books set in Venice. A city I love. While she shows the elegance combined with the underbelly of the city she long ago embraced as home and its dysfunction and leaves me still loving it best, Jason Webster who is also an expat of long standing that has truly studied his new home and loves it, leaves me quite nervous to ever visit Valencia let alone set foot in Spain again!
But I cannot wait for another in this series......
August 15, 2013
I'm a big fan of Mr. Webster, having read Duende, Andalus and Guerra. So naturally, I couldn't resist the lure of "A Death In Valencia"
I enjoyed the story. Some original stuff: the death of a paella chef, the protagonist's apartment collapsing, an insight into Valencia's murky world of politics and venal characters clinging onto memories of Franco's fifty year reign.
However, I've given it three stars, mostly because I felt the characters were a little shallow. I found it difficult to form an impression of Max Camara, i.e. what makes him tick etc and a strong antagonist wasn't evident in the book. Some aspects of dialogue felt a little unrealistic and wooden too.
Even so, the setting and pace proved to be a good page turner and the conclusion a little unexpected.
Also it's good to note, that a good thriller doesn't have to be a bloated 500 plus pages.
Looking forward to "Or the Bull Kills You."
I enjoyed the story. Some original stuff: the death of a paella chef, the protagonist's apartment collapsing, an insight into Valencia's murky world of politics and venal characters clinging onto memories of Franco's fifty year reign.
However, I've given it three stars, mostly because I felt the characters were a little shallow. I found it difficult to form an impression of Max Camara, i.e. what makes him tick etc and a strong antagonist wasn't evident in the book. Some aspects of dialogue felt a little unrealistic and wooden too.
Even so, the setting and pace proved to be a good page turner and the conclusion a little unexpected.
Also it's good to note, that a good thriller doesn't have to be a bloated 500 plus pages.
Looking forward to "Or the Bull Kills You."
Read
March 20, 2013#2 mystery novel with max cAmara, murder detective in valencia with the national police (as opposed to the guardia civil, the local police and the rural police and the army secret police) and deals with abortion, coastal development , valenician and national politic, the pope visiting, how to make paella, and murder of course. a bit more coherent than his 1st mystery ('the bull kills you" ) and we understand a bit more why this cop smokes massive amounts of dope, and booze and pills, and everybody hates him and it is entirely mutual. still though, lots of holes in plot, useless details, unmanageable seeming logistics, so even though publishers weekly gives it star (very good sign of quality book) i give it only 3.
July 29, 2013
The main character is a 40-ish, weed-smoking chief inspector suffering from depression and mysterious women problems that never quite get resolved. The plot deals with socio-economic, religious and political issues that end with an overly explained but expected solution. The best part of the book is that I learned the different categories of paella in the Valencian dialect: bo (good), rebo (very good), mel (excellent) and de categoria (extraordinary). There is nothing lower than bo because there is no such things as a bad paella:) I enjoyed the sidekick of the main character - Torres.
November 12, 2012
3 1/2 stars. My first Jason Webster book. He paints a picture of Valencia that feels so real, one I can really see. He wastes no words but puts in what is needed. Camara is a complex character, not all good. He is a good homicide detective. I do not like his drug use. Hopefully he will find love in future books.
December 8, 2012
Not a bad book. Just not my style. I had a tough time getting through the book because I didn't care about the detective, the dead guy, the Pope or anyone else in the book. The politics just didn't do it for me.
Read
November 25, 2012Valencia's top paella chef has been murdered. The leading abortionist has disappeared, maybe at the hands of the Guardia. Max Camara, the Policia Nacional's most bitter and cynical homicide detective is on the case.
April 7, 2013
An interesting mystery set in Valencia, Spain. A restaurant owner has been murdered and there could be connections to City Hall or an unscrupulous construction company. In order to solve the case it will be necessary to research events from the past.
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