The Dead

Vengeance of Memory #3

by Mark Oldfield

MADRID, 1982.
Comandante Leopoldo Guzmán has decided it is time to disappear. Franco is dead and there's no place in the new order for the former head of the tyrant's secret police. But first, Guzmán needs money. Luckily, blackmail has always come easily to him – after all, he knows where the bodies are.

And so he should. He buried them.

MADRID, 2010.
Fifteen tangled corpses in a disused mine, three bound skeletons in a sealed cellar – a trail of dead that has led forensic investigator Ana María Galíndez to one Comandante Leopoldo Guzmán.

Guzmán himself disappeared decades ago but she fears his toxic legacy lives on. Her investigation has revealed a dark conspiracy born amid the corruption of Franco's dictatorship, a conspiracy that after decades in the shadows is finally ready to bloom.

592 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 10, 2017

About the author

Wrote my first book in 1979. It was nearly my last. I went off to live in Paris and later Spain because I thought that was what writers did. Later I realised that writers had to write as well.

Going to Spain however, has been a constant inspiration and I've been a regular visitor there since 1976 - the year after dictator Francisco Franco died. Most of the events in The Sentinel are based either on documented incidents or anecdotal evidence from conversations with Spaniards.

As well as writing, I worked for a long time as a criminological researcher and taught at various universities.

Six years ago I began to write in earnest and the result was 'The Sentinel' the first volume of the 'Vengeance of Memory' trilogy in which events of the past can still affect present day life - sometimes with lethal effects.

Reviews

[Tanya Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great third book following the life of Guzman. On buying I was a little concerned that this book might be a rushed conclusion to the first two. How very wrong, the author maintained the credibility of the characters and storyline from start to finish , and what a finish. I can’t say too much about the plot as it may well take the enjoyment away from others as they watch the saga unfold, I will however say that Guzman still has his dark side and his humor, I am always impressed when an author can make me like someone who is so morally questionable and I do like Guzman, probably more than the female protagonist.

Well done Mark, I do hope we have more writings from you and soon, we will soon be entering summer here in Spain and I’ll need a few good reads for the hammock!

[Alma (retirement at last) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Although I enjoyed reading this 3rd and final volume of the series, I felt there was much repetitiveness about drinking, skulking in doorways and lots more characters added to the storyline which sometimes made it very confusing.
It basically followed the same lines as the previous 2 novels in the series but on different timelines, explaining that even though the name of the political parties change, greed and power stay the same.

[Moravian1297 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Given the headache of complaints I'd made in my review of the first instalment of this trilogy, I was as surprised as anyone that I was actually quite enjoying this third episode, with most of the previous gripes either ironed out or I'd numbed my senses to them, but............. but then I reached the climax of this yarn, or I should say, anticlimax!
Oh dear, I'll not go into too much detail because of spoilers (even though a five year old would have already worked it out long before that point!), suffice to say that the big reveal wouldn't have looked out of place in an episode of Scooby Doo!
".......and I would have gotten away with it, if it wasn't for you pesky lesbians!"
"........y me hubiera salido con la mía, si no fuera por ustedes, lesbianas molestas!"

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent finale to a gripping trilogy. A pity that we had to wait so long for the conclusion. I think that I might go back and read all three books as a binge read.
The author cleverly interweaves many different time lines without losing the reader and provides both a historical account of Spain during and after the Civil war and a really good page turning thriller.

[Prashanna Yonghang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didnt know this was #3 in the trilogy.Must say,its been awhile since I last read a toe-curling,heart thumping thriller.Brilliant writing with plots and twists that completely enthralls you.I was rooting for Guzman throughout because although he is a hard man,he's got principles.He is a character that grows on you.

[Richard Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pulp fiction but a very clever plot and an interesting (if morally flawed) main character. A super read.

[Paul Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guzmán is a fine villain - with moments where it's not black and white - plus some of the best one-liners that despite the death etc., can't help but make you laugh.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final part of the trilogy and, for me, a slightly disappointing end. However, it was still an enjoyable read. Some things are still left unclear, which I found disappointing.

[Kees Kamphuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding conclusion to the trilogy

Fast paced, well writtìn , giving a deep insight into to Franco era and its ultimate demise. Good reading for historical fiction lovers.