The Andalucian Friend
A Novel
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3.7 • 103 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
Enemies are everywhere in this monumental international crime thriller that Brad Thor calls "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo meets The Sopranos."
Hector Guzman has fooled many women. With his quiet charm, easy smile, and smooth demeanor it's easy to fall into his trap, and Sophie Brinkmann, a widowed single mother, is no exception. She quickly learns, though, that his sleek façade masks something sinister.
Guzman is the head of a powerful international crime ring with a reach into drugs and weaponry that extends from Europe to South America. His interests are under siege by a ruthless German syndicate who will stop at nothing to stake its claim. But the Guzmans are a family of fighters and will wage war to protect what’s rightfully theirs. When Sophie is unwittingly caught in the crossfire, she must summon everything within her to navigate the intricate web of moral ambiguity, deadly obsession, and craven gamesmanship.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
S derberg's excellent debut, the first in a projected trilogy, chronicles a global turf war among Spanish drug runners, German gangsters, Russian hit men, and Swedish cops. Caught up in this chaos is nurse Sophie Brinkmann, whose life since the death of her husband has revolved around her 15-year-old son and her work at a Stockholm hospital. A patient of hers, Hector Guzman, unleashes long-dormant emotions by taking her to restaurants and a poetry reading, as well as by introducing her to his family. Hector, a Spanish publisher, also leads a crime syndicate, which has ties to a transatlantic drug trade and is at war with rival gangs. Sophie becomes the target of Gunilla Strandberg and her unscrupulous squad of police detectives, who will do anything to get at Hector. The jam-packed plot's big-picture view of politics, business, and an international crime ring illustrates how being surrounded by violence affects individuals. While Sophie is an innocent, she is no pushover. Her inner resolve helps her maneuver in precarious situations. Fans of Nordic thrillers will find much to like.
Customer Reviews
Good - recommend to all
I enjoyed the book. It took a bit longer to hook me than other mystery adventure stories. The ending was better than some other books of its type. I suspect there is a sequel in the works - looking forward to it.
The Andalusian Friend
Great book-I’ve found another favorite author!
Intense and intelligent
It's hard to believe this is a first novel, but then when I saw the screenwriting credit in the author's bio, that explained a lot. The reader must pay close attention as the international cast unfolds. The characters are rich and the plot complex. This is a thriller that I couldn't get out of my mind during the day. I'm sure it will be with me for some time as I continue to deliberate this great read.