Crime Novels Set in Spain That Are Perfect for Mystery Fans

Being a crime novel reader you must have felt that many crime fictions are backed in Spain. Well, given the history of Spain, that’s understandable. Crime novels set in Spain touch the elements of thrill and suspense in a unique way. 

Imagine a story about love, pain, and mystery. And it is the fictional characters that are connecting the dots of real-world scenarios. It would be the Merryland of readers.

With that in mind, below are some hand-picked recommendations of crime novels that you’ll fall in love with.

10 Most Thrilling Reads Based in Spain

You might need to grab your coffee before you pick any of these.

#1 Love and Death at the Encierro

Author: Hal Graff

Love and Death at the Encierro is part of the Harold Gatewood Mystery Series. Harold begins his journey to fulfil a lifelong dream since his childhood. He travels to Spain to enjoy the grand festival of San Toro de Lidia. Little did he have a clue what was about to happen!

Life started to feel lively once again when he met a beautiful model. But with love comes the past and dangerous present of his companion. A series of mysterious events start to dance in front of him. Girlfriend’s Ex, Political espionage, international terrorist organization, Operation Ice Chest, and whatnot! All these events lead to surprising endings that change the life of Harold Gatewood forever.

#2 The Shadow of the Wind

Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Next is The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos. The story revolves around a boy, Daniel Sempere. His one visit to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books changes the course of the rest of his life. He falls in love with the works of Julian Carax and starts wondering about his life.

Daniel starts his hunt to discover more works of Julian. In the process, it reaches to point where things start to become complicated. He starts to wonder how it could be possible for someone to have such a mysterious and dark life. But as he continues to dig deeper, the riddle gets more and more complicated.

Set in 1940s Barcelona, The Shadow of the Wind combines the elements of fiction and a live environment to deliver a classical thriller experience.

#3 Or the Bull Kills You

Author: Jason Webster

If you are a fan of Detectives and Investigations, this book might be the winner.

Things start to intensify when Detective Max Camara, an officer from Guardia Civil, gets his dream assignment - the investigation of a Murder case! But not an ordinary one.

When the detective arrives at the scene of the crime, it appears to be a bullfighting accident. However, when he investigates further, he finds himself in the hot waters of Spain’s age-old dark practices, traditions, and morality.

What should win? Culture and Traditions or Morality? And is it worth winning after all?

#4 The Summer of Dead Toys

Author: Antonio Hill

When you are looking for a classical crime read, you can’t miss a psychological thriller!

Well, if you are in, you should pick The Summer of Dead Toys! 

Life was never been easier for Inspector Hector Salgado! What first appeared to be a mere death accident, things started to swirl when he found evidence of the city’s elite. Yes, you guessed it right! A corruption in the roots of the system.

The inspector’s life gets really troubled when he has to fight outside world problems and his troubled past concurrently. 

“The Summer of Dead” is a perfect mix of troubled past, corruption, and power.

#5  Love and Death in Barcelona

Author: Hall Graff

Next in the bucket is “Love and Death in Barcelona.” It is the 26th book in the Harold Gatewood Mystery Series.

Harold, who by now is accustomed to solving international mysteries, finds himself in the complex web of love, betrayal, and political strings once again. As he swore to bring justice, the countdown towards his destruction starts.

He must plan well to face the powerful figures responsible for the corruption and murder. Surely, that’s the task of a mystery solver! But not when a whole other storm of disturbing emotions is going on inside. 

#6 Death of a Nationalist

Author: Rebecca Pawel

Spain is one of the best locations for a crime novel, especially for scenarios such as post-Civil War.

The community is divided into Nationalists and Republicans. Both are facing the same severe repercussions of World War II. Guardia Civil is in charge of containing the situation in Madrid. Amidst all this chaos, Tejada, a Guardia Civil Officer, finds a dead body. A dead body of his best friend. He confronts the suspected lady, who appears to be the killer. But when Tejada learns the dark secrets, he takes an oath to seek justice. 

Will he be able to seek justice? What does it take to seek justice, after all?

The “Death of a Nationalist” brings mystery and historical fiction in a beautiful way.

#7 The Infatuations

Author: Javier Marias

Regarded as one of the best crime novels set in Spain! Javier Marias, the award-winning Spanish writer, brings her inner imaginations and infatuations candidly to the book “The Infatuations.”

Life takes surprising turns when Maria Dolz notices a man stabbed to death in the streets. Though she didn’t know him personally, but had developed a special relationship when she used to stop at the cafe for breakfast.

Maria goes to offer condolences to the widow but falls in love with a man who has complex strings attached the the murder.

The book combines the elements of metaphysical inquiry and murder mystery, making it a fantastic read.

#8 Even the Darkest Night

Author: Javier Cercas

The author of Soldiers of Salamis, Javier Cercas, is an excellent writer to brings amazing and thrilling reads. Javier presented the story of a young cop, Melchor Marin, who once was a prisoner himself. Being associated with the Columbian Drug Cartel, he was sent to jail during his teenage.

He vows to change his life, become a cop, and get his assignment to solve a double murder mystery. He comes across certain incidents that let him question the brim existence of truth.

“Even the Darkest Night” is one of the best Crime novels set in Spain. You should give it a read!

#9 The Man in the Tricorn Hat

Author: Delano Ames

There is no doubt that Delano Ames was one of the best American writers of detective stories of his time.

The Man in the Tricorn Hat talks about the young and brilliant cop Juan Liorca. While in a Spanish village for a Fiesta, she discovers a murder. However, it’s not her area of operation, but a murder is a murder, and a cop is a cop.

Still, it is fine to get involved in such cases because of moral duties, but the story takes a whole new narrative when she falls in love with the prime suspect. 

#10 The Impatient Alchemist

Author: Lorenzo Silva

Murder mysteries are not easy to solve, and if the victim is unidentifiable, all you get are dead ends. Civil Guard Sergeant Ruben Bevilacqua shall find a way to get at least one lead toward solving the case. But getting that is surely not something an impatient alchemist can do!

The book is also directed as a thriller movie and received 5.9/10 ratings.

Wrap Up

What makes a crime mystery a good read is the connections to real-life scenarios. The books that we just discussed will surely keep you entertained throughout the weekends. And if you love reading crime, thriller, love, and passion-based books, you should definitely check the works of Halgraff Books. He has published 93 books, out of which 26 volumes are in the Harold Gatewood mystery series.