Winter in Madrid Paperback – 22 Sept. 2016

For anyone interested in the more recent history of Spain, this is a very worthwhile read. The setting, characters and plot line are excellent, no “punches are pulled” in covering the background and the epilogue and notes at the end are informative. A good book.

The characters were believable, in depth and well-placed in the plot especially as it drew to a close.I felt some of the more minor characters' brutality could have beenbetter explained .All in all a good read .

This was a very professionally written book with good believable characters; it is long so there is time to set the scene and the characters in a way that makes them come alive. It is set in Spain in the late 1930's and provides much in depth information about the Spanish civil war and their position relating to WW11 without at any time being boring whilst imparting this information. I really felt I was living in Spain in that period and could understand the trials the Spanish had to face. As this was background to the story it wasn't tedious to read as maybe an actual history book would be but I still learnt the information for which I was glad. As I read so many free kindle stories that are over the minute they are finished I was glad to have read something with more bite to it. The ending has some sad moments but in the circumstances it would probably have been unrealistic if it hadn't. I really enjoyed reading it and will remember this author in the way one remembers Hemmingway which from me is a complement indeed, this could and should become a classic.

Being fascinated by Spain, and having had the fortune to live there, I was interested in a novel set during the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War.Firstly, this was fiction. I had to take some of the Spanish stereotypes with a pinch of salt - as well as the exaggerated characters and stereotypes of those who were communist, capitalist etc.The plot was well crafted, and complex. Unlike other reviewers, I found the plot was fairly quick despite it's length, and there were plenty of twists and turns to keep you occupied.My main problem, as hinted above, was with the characterisation and writing style. I did not find the love stories convincing, and Barbara felt like a contrived conception written by a male writing as how a woman "should sound". All characters felt a little bland, and not convincing, and thus I was unable to form an attachment to them. The plot itself was interesting, but seemed to unravel towards its climax, which was distinctly unsatisfying.Nevertheless, whilst not Booker-prize material, the story was entertaining overall, and a good old fashioned thriller-type yarn. It will not take your breath away, but is an enjoyable read nonetheless.

A fascinating read, very different from the Shardlake series, with a lot of very interesting fictitious characters as well as an interesting take on some historical ones.

Good book great author what more can I say

A gripping tale, expertly researched, and brilliantly crafted.

Historical and carefully-researched, but never difficult to read. The atmosphere of the time and place were wonderfully evoked and the characters (male and female, important and minor) all seemed very real. I was happily absorbed in reading, though the story is quite sad (what else could it be, given the context?)This writer has an unusual ability to see things from many points of view (i.e. to explain why people think about things as they do, and often in conflicting ways), and to write with affection and understanding about the different characters in the story.The plot was good and moved along nicely - plenty was happening, to keep me interested. Great stuff!