Overview:
Weaving together romance with political intrigue, this enlightening mystery immerses the reader in an entertaining lover’s quest.
Synopsis:
A decade after the Spanish Civil War, a visitor is captivated by the country’s romantic allure. Richard falls for a Basque intern, who challenges his naïve perspective of Spain’s veiled turmoil. When Terese disappears, he desperately attempts to find her.
Years later, a discovery compels him to return. Forcing him to question their past relationship, Richard’s journey takes him beyond the grip of Franco’s conflicted legacy to discover the truth behind his lover’s disappearance.
Background:
Activists flocked to Spain to support democracy in 1936, at the start of the Spanish Civil War: the confrontation between fascism (Franco’s Nationalists) and democracy. The best analogy today is Ukraine after Putin’s invasion.
Return to Pamplona opens in 1949, during Franco’s subsequent dictatorship. The novel’s heartfelt story follows a lover’s quest as Franco’s conflicted legacy extends into the 21st century, revealing his regime disposed of thousands of dissenters. These ‘disappeared’ are still being discovered by loved ones. Is there any hope for reconciliation in Spain?