Counterfeit

by Guillermo Valcárcel, Kit Maude (Translator), Thom Rivera (Reader)

Rare antiquities, forgery, betrayal, and murder. It’s all part of the game. Antique salvager, counterfeiter, and former art forger Jota knows his newest commission pays suspiciously well, but it’s too easy to turn down. All he has to do is find an old clock that apparently has disappeared after being sold in the auction of a bankrupt estate. In Madrid’s El Rastro market, where whisper networks of shady and ambitious hustlers promise generous rewards for minimal favors, what sounds too good to be true usually is, but the last thing Jota is expecting to uncover is his own past. His investigation draws him back into a circle of old acquaintances—including Diego, his former partner in crime, and Diego’s daughter, Laura. When Diego shows interest in the seemingly worthless clock, Laura’s curiosity is piqued, and when he’s killed in connection with the timepiece, she becomes obsessed with finding his murderers. Together Laura and Jota set out to hunt for the mysterious memento, but they have little idea just how much danger they’re in. The deeper they go, the darker, and bloodier, things get. In a world this deceptive and mazelike—a world Jota knows all too well—the only thing he and Laura can trust in is their instinct for survival.

Genres: Fiction

Audio CD

Published May 14, 2019

About the author

Guillermo Valcárcel was born in Madrid. He worked in the construction industry by day and studied filmmaking at night until 2008, when he moved to Costa Rica, where he currently lives and works as a filmmaker. He also dedicates his time to writing and illustrating. He is the author of another thriller, Counterfeit, as well as The Wave That Hit Spain, an influential essay that launched his writing career.

(amazon)

Reviews

[Roxanne Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Counterfeit is a Spanish thriller that has been translated and published by Amazon Crossing. I've had good luck discovering new international authors via Amazon Crossing (because, unfortunately, I only speak English) and found the the premise of Counterfeit intriguing. An antique hunter and counterfeiter is commissioned to find an old clock; his hunt through the markets in Madrid leads to old partners and enemies. The story was slow to engage me, moving along at what I found to be ponderous pace. I made it about 25% of the way through and I'm still confused by the storyline. Jota's past is hinted at, but never clearly revealed, and I'm unsure how everyone relates to each other. At this point, I don't think I will finish the book; perhaps I'll pick it up again at some point, but right now it's not something that I'd recommend.

I received a digital ARC via a goodreads giveaway.

[Ileana Renfroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Counterfeit is the first book I have read from this author. It has all of the qualities to make this a great novel - forgery, betrayal, suspense, and of course murder. Bravo!

I this novel we find antique salvager, counterfeiter, and former art forger Jota on a job. All he has to do is find an old clock. As he digs deeper he comes across old acquaintances one of which is Diego his former partner in crime. There is danger all around. Will he find the item he is looking for and survive?

This is really a well-written story that is easy to follow and has some great well-crafted characters. I received this book from Netgalley for my honest opinion and I'm hoping to read more from this author. Great work!

[Kathy Stibal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. There are lots of twists, turns & unexpected situations that made me want to continue reading. Some parts of the book are very violent and hard to read. The end of the book was not really an end to the story. The author leaves you with questions that haven't any answers.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complicated novel of intrigue, shadowy bad guys and shocking surprises that deftly navigate this outrageous whodunit.. The action is fast paced, and there’s enough lies and danger to satisfy the most demanding fans. !!
5 Stars !!

[Steve Price · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible

A real waste of time. Another tough guy versus the bad guys. So predictable and boring. This one did not deliver like I had hoped.

[Cecily · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. Repetitive, convoluted, not engaging.

[Russ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Flat. Maybe the translation was a little too stiff and literal, but really nothing could have saved this snoozer. I think it was trying to be a contemporary The Maltese Falcon with goons sneaking around and threatening each other over an antique. But it failed. The main character was kind of a jerk. Characters tended to overreact to each other’s sentences, suddenly breaking into verbal altercations or a whole different course of action based on a minor comment. Not recommended.

[Gary Van Cott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my usual genre. Frankly I thought this book was pointless but I read it through non the less.