{"title":"Ben Pastor","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to our collection dedicated to the captivating works of \u003cem\u003eBen Pastor\u003c\/em\u003e, an acclaimed name in the realm of crime and thriller fiction. Renowned for her intricate storytelling and masterful weaving of historical contexts with thrilling narratives, Pastor's novels are a must-read for enthusiasts of the genre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong her celebrated works is \u003cem\u003eThe Horseman's Song\u003c\/em\u003e, a gripping tale set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War, where espionage and mystery intertwine. This novel is a testament to Pastor's adeptness at combining historical events with suspenseful plots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDelve into \u003cem\u003eThe Road to Ithaca\u003c\/em\u003e, where intrigue and investigation come to the fore as we follow a compelling narrative rich with tension and unexpected turns. It's a journey that keeps readers on the edge of their seats while offering deep insights into human nature and morality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnother standout in Pastor's repertoire is \u003cem\u003eThe Venus of Salo\u003c\/em\u003e. This book continues her tradition of crafting complex characters and thrilling journeys, set against meticulously researched historical backdrops, inviting readers to explore the darker corners of post-war Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for lovers of intelligent crime novels infused with historical detail, Ben Pastor’s books promise a reading experience that challenges the intellect and stirs the imagination. Dive into her world, where history and mystery walk hand in hand.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-horsemans-song-by-ben-pastor-9781912242115","title":"The Horseman's Song","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpain, July 1937. The tragic prelude to World War II is played out in the civil war between Spanish nationalists and republicans. Among Franco's volunteers is Martin Bora, the twenty-something German officer and detective. Presently assigned to the Spanish Foreign Legion, Bora lives the tragedy around him as an epic, between idealism and youthful \u003cem\u003erecklessness.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDoubts about his mission in Spain arise when Bora happens on the body of Federico García Lorca, a brilliant poet, progressive and homosexual. Who murdered him? Why? The official version does not convince Bora, who, intoxicated by the mystery, begins a perilous investigation. His inquiry paradoxically proceeds alongside that of Walton, his opposite number with the International Brigades. Soon the German and the New Englander join forces, and their cooperation will not only culminate in a thrilling chase after a murderer but also in an existential face-to-face between two adversaries forever changed by their encounter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHistorical accounts tell us that Lorca was arrested and executed by Franco's troops under circumstances that remain largely unknown. To this day, his body has not been found.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/em\u003e, Starred Review:\u003c\/strong\u003e Set in 1937, Pastor's outstanding sixth mystery featuring German investigator Martin Bora makes effective use of the death of Federico García Lorca, the celebrated poet, during the Spanish Civil War. Pastor does an excellent job of creating a backstory for her lead that fits in well with the previous books.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTop Ten Adult Fiction for February chosen by \u003cem\u003eIndependent Booksellers Affiliate Programme\u003c\/em\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full of danger, suspense and historical intrigue this is crime fiction at its very best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eNB Literary Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Horseman's Song\u003c\/em\u003e is an accomplished historical thriller set in Spain in 1937. This novel is confidently plotted and the tempo is judged to perfection...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eForeword Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pastor's writing is thick with atmosphere; one can taste the dust and blood of the region... Pastor weaves a poignant, convincing portrait of life during wartime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMidwest Book Review\u003c\/em\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e An expertly crafted mystery by a master of the genre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47072740245740,"sku":"9781912242115","price":24.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/23175433482868.jpg?v=1765129202"},{"product_id":"the-road-to-ithaca-by-ben-pastor-9781908524805","title":"The Road to Ithaca","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn May 1941, Wehrmacht officer Bora is sent to Crete, recently occupied by the German army, and must investigate the brutal murder of a Red Cross representative befriended by SS-Chief Himmler. All the clues lead to a platoon of trigger-happy German paratroopers, but the truth may be more complex.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBora takes to the mountains of Crete to solve the case, navigating his way between local bandits and foreign resistance fighters. Carrying Joyce's \u003ci\u003eUlysses\u003c\/i\u003e in his pocket, Bora starts a perilous odyssey of his own, complicated by the presence of his female travel companion, a Texas-born archaeologist with a proverbial curl on her forehead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47072810696940,"sku":"9781908524805","price":24.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/6e7dba1fb7461a832ecfdbcfa2a1d031.jpg?v=1765187081"},{"product_id":"the-venus-of-salo-by-ben-pastor-9781916725065","title":"The Venus of Salo","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOctober 1944, in the Republic of Salò, a German puppet state in the north of Italy and the last fascist stronghold in the country. Colonel Martin Bora of the Wehrmacht must investigate the theft of a precious painting of Venus by Titian, stolen with uncanny ease from a local residence. While Bora's inquiry proceeds among many difficulties, the discovery of three dead bodies throws an even more sinister light on the scene.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCaught in an unforeseeable web of events, hounded by the Gestapo, hopelessly in love with an enigmatic, real-flesh \u003cem\u003eVenus\u003c\/em\u003e, Bora must resort to all his courage and ability not only to solve the mystery and expose the perpetrator, but also, in a breath-taking crescendo, to try to save himself from the firing squad.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47072924860652,"sku":"9781916725065","price":49.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/11833353482870.jpg?v=1765133141"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/ben-pastor.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}