The Fifth Column

I like the background of SPanish Civil War. Characters are interesting. plots were ok, but a little contrived but worth reading

This book felt contrived. The first two were really good, and I feel like this one was a let down. It feels unfinished in a number of ways. Maybe there are more books to come in the series and that’s why the ending of this book feels like more of a sudden drop than the other two.That said, the resolution of the interpersonal conflicts developed between the main characters is non-existent and that lack of resolution is highly unsatisfying. After devoting much time and space to developing the conflicts, one is ignored completely but the characters are fine with each other, and the other is “resolved” in approximately 5 minutes of the book’s time.

This series is a good whodunit set in the Spanish civil war.. The characters are very believable and the description of the life during this time very interesting.

I really enjoyed the 3rd outing for Inspector Ruiz. In this book he is forced to take Cindy as interpreter to a new potential battle ground . As ever the local details are excellent . In addition there the author has a good go at how difficult it was to integrate the " International brigade " into the local forces . Many questions of Race/Creed/ even political outlook manage to pervade this book ; mostly very well done.I wasn't sure that all the new characters worked and the ending was a bit abrupt and even a tad unlikely. Even so ,a very good read at a fair price. Where possible I would suggest potential new readers to try and read these in order .

An intelligent, engrossing book. The third of the series, it extended the narrative set by the previous books increasing the insight into the main characters and also the Spanish Civil War. It had me reaching for the maps and the historical background to the conflict, something I do if I am drawn into an historical and cultural drama such as this.Garcia Woods has worked out intelligent, themes and rationales for his ex police inspector. Clever and believable plot, exotic (being Spain in 1930s) and tense. I thoroughly recommend but begin with ‘A Murder of no Consequence’

I am enjoying these Paco Ruiz books. Their setting, Spain during the Civil War, makes them quite different from most crime novels and gives an interesting incite into those times. The book ends with the detective reflecting on whether he wants to survive a war in which the wrong side will almost certainly will win. We know that it did. It will be interesting to see where the author takes his protagonist next.

Paco Ruiz rides again and the stories just get better and better,In a world gone completely mad, one man`s quest for justice transcending ideologies continues. Not a detective series any more but a profound meditation on unimportant truths of life. It's also a riveting page turned that like the others I finished in practically one session

I enjoyed the book. It was very engaging and the plot was interesting, particularly interesting is the contextual information about the Spanish civil war. The characters were believable and the plot was gripping.