The unstoppable pen of the distinguished Elia Barceló

“In each of the novels, I wanted to address one of the crimes committed against women historically. Choosing only four was difficult, but I tried to choose the biggest issues, and the one I was missing was the one in the fourth book, which deals with psychological and physical abuse, especially when you close the door to your house,” Barceló stated during the presentation in Asturias.

The Alicante-born author, one of the most prestigious voices in Spanish fantasy, delves into the young adult thriller and debuts a story that connects the epistolary tradition with the current challenges of social media.

Experience the suspense with Elia Barceló in an addictive thriller you won't be able to put down. To what extent do we have the power to decide our own history?
And that of others?

Una mentira peligrosa (A dangerous lie), the new novel by Elia Barceló, considered one of the most versatile writers of contemporary Spanish fiction and an undisputed reference in the fantasy genre, now delves into the young adult thriller with a work that addresses one of the most pressing issues of our time: the destructive power of misinformation in the digital world and its impact on the lives of young people.

The novel tells the story of Jaime Martínez, a 17-year-old student who moves alone to Valencia to finish high school while his parents work abroad. His life takes an unexpected turn when he receives a mysterious letter addressed to another Jaime Martínez who previously lived in his apartment. His decision to respond by pretending to be that other person triggers a series of events that place him at the center of a scandal that will make him reflect on the boundaries between reality and fiction, truth and lies. Using the French epistolary novel Dangerous Liaisons as an academic backdrop, Barceló establishes a masterful parallel between the aristocratic deceptions of the 18th century and the digital manipulations of the 21st century.

The book

When Jaime Martínez begins his new life in Valencia, at a different school and far from his parents, he doesn't expect his world to take such a turn.

A mysterious letter from a stranger addressed to him, a scandal from his past will return to stir consciences, and an unexpected event will put Jaime in the eye of the storm.

In the world of social media, as in the world of letters, everything can change overnight, and a small lie can escape our control and become very dangerous.

About the author

Elia Barceló was born in Elda, Alicante, in 1957. She is considered one of the most versatile writers in Spanish fiction and is one of the most prestigious authors in the fields of fantasy and science fiction. She has published more than thirty novels and around ninety short stories, both in Spain and abroad. Winner of numerous awards, her work has been translated into twenty-two languages, receiving enormous critical and public acclaim. She is the author of highly successful works such as El color del silencio (The Color of Silence), El secreto del orfebre (The Goldsmith's Secret), Las largas sombras (Long Shadows), El eco de la piel (The Echo of Skin), La noche de plata (Silver Night) and Disfraces terribles (Terrible Costumes). For many years, she was a professor of Hispanic Studies at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. She now devotes herself to writing full-time.