The Summer Snow

"Pawel's splendid historical series . . . takes an inspired turn in The Summer Snow. "-Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review  "In addition to strong characterizations and a witty sense of humor, [Pawel] explores the inherent tension of a detective trying to seek the truth in a country that regularly suppresses it."- Christian Science Monitor "This is another winner."- Detroit Free Press  "A triumph of characterization, suspense and atmosphere. . . . This beguiling novel will richly reward lovers of both mysteries and mainstream literary fiction."- Publishers Weekly (starred review)  In the city of Granada, Spain, bastion of the conservative Catholic aristocracy, fear of the red menace remains strong in 1945. One rich, elderly lady summons the police to her home almost once a week, sure Communists are plotting against her. She changes her will almost as often. When she is found dead, the long-suffering police can't believe that she really may have been murdered. But as her latest will has vanished, the death must be investigated.  Influence is exerted to have Lieutenant Carlos Tejada Alonso y Leon transferred temporarily from Potes, in the northern mountains, to take charge because the old lady is his grandaunt. And one of the chief suspects is his father. The family expects Tejada to exonerate its members, but Tejada is a man who puts duty first. Â

Rebecca Pawel lives in New York City and is pursuing a PhD in English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University. Her widely praised first novel, Death of a Nationalist, won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and was a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist, as well as a best book of the year in the Chicago Tribune, Publishers Weekly and Detroit Free Press.