The reviews for Beneath Madrid show that it’s a fast-paced thriller that makes readers want to turn the page for more. Did you know you could read the first few chapters for free and judge for yourself? Just click here or on the image below to find out if Beneath Madrid is worthy of becoming your next read:
What are readers saying about Beneath Madrid?
I always love to hear how readers react to my work and what patterns emerge from their feedback. And let’s face it, it’s even better when the feedback is as positive as the initial comments on my new novel, Beneath Madrid.
“Fast-paced” is definitely the word I hear most. Would you believe it? I was worried that the third person limited point of view would slow it down a little too much. But it looks like the short chapters and raw, sparse prose are paying off.
In terms of style and pacing, I’ve heard some comparisons to Dan Brown, Sidney Sheldon, and Chad Harbach, none of whom I’ve read before, so I can’t say I was emulating them. All three, however, are now on my to-read list.
Despite its fast pace, many readers have called Beneath Madrid a character study, making reference to personal demons and self-destruction. One reader even compared the main character’s self-destructive behavior to Switters in Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates by Tom Robbins, another book I haven’t read but would now like to one day.
Based on what I’ve heard so far, there’s reason to believe Beneath Madrid manages to bundle character depth (I’ve never been a big fan of paper-thin characters…so hooray!) with the addictiveness of a page-turner. If so, so be it. You, the reader, are the ultimate judge, so grab yourself a copy and post an honest review when you finish.
Here a few of Beneath Madrid‘s early reviews:
“I had read & enjoyed the short stories Guilt Trips so was pleased to learn of the first full novel by the same author. As an ex-pat living in the same city it had caught my attention & it didn’t let me down. There seem to be many facets, twists & layers to this well-written story. I read it in 3 sittings & thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a story of relationships, decisions, deception & the battle with your inner demons with a back-drop of some of Madrid’s unique history. In many ways this also could have been titled Guilt Trips too! A very impressive first novel.”
– pfwmadrid (Amazon)
“An enjoyable mix of genres: part character study of a flawed protagonist, part psychological thriller, and part mystery novel…with just enough wry humor to lighten an otherwise-dark tale. The narrative flows smoothly throughout, but really shines in the author’s depiction of Madrid — so much so that Madrid itself becomes a fully realized character within the story. The story itself is tightly wound, with few detours — despite this being his debut novel, Barker writes with the self-assurance of a seasoned novelist.”
– Anonymous Customer (Amazon)
“In an impressive first effort, Barker uses local history, conspiracy, and corruption as the backdrop to tell the tale of an outsider at a crossroads. A man pulled between what he wants, what is expected, and his own personal demons. I highly recommend Beneath Madrid. It makes for a great, quick, weekend read. I am also looking forward to what is coming next from this up-and-coming author.”
– B. Jones (Amazon)
“This was an easy reading, fast paced thriller that used history, social expectations, and a raw humanistic viewpoint to take you on a ride that will have you reading to find out what happens next.”
– Mark A Nickerson
Get Beneath Madrid on Amazon
My new novel, Beneath Madrid, is now available
Today’s the day, folks! My first novel, Beneath Madrid, is available in e-book and paperback on Amazon worldwide. You can grab a copy at your local Amazon site by clicking here.
I’d appreciate it if you could help me get the word out by sharing this post and telling any of your friends who would enjoy a good hybrid of psychological thriller & mystery.
While I’m at it, allow me to get up on my soapbox for a sec. Never let go of your dreams. They may morph, transform, and lead you down roads you never imagined as you navigate the adventure that is life, but they must never die.
Had I given up on my dreams, I would have never come to Spain, I would have never met my wife nor half the wonderful people around the world who have graced my life, and I certainly wouldn’t be writing this post today.
That’s all for now. Happy reading! getBook.at/beneathmadrid
My first novel, Beneath Madrid, coming May 12, 2016
You’ve read the headline right, folks! The novel I’ve been working hard to make a reality over the past few years has a firm release date, May 12. That’s May 12 of this year, I promise.
It’s certainly been an adventure since I decided to make my dream of writing a novel a reality some five years ago. As a matter of fact, Beneath Madrid, the novel I’m releasing in May, is the third one I’ve worked on during that time. The first two were false starts that I now know will become novels one day but were victims of the flawed methodologies of a novice writer.
Fortunately, I gathered the will power to try for a third time starting in the summer of 2014, discovered a routine that clicked, and saw the project through to its end. The result is a rather dark psychological thriller with some touches of mystery that’s not only set in Madrid but gives Madrid a voice of its own and, subject to interpretation, even makes it the story’s antagonist.
In fact, Madrid plays such a strong role in this book that I decided it was only fitting to launch it close to May 15, which is the annual festival in honor of the city’s patron saint, San Isidro.
Without further ado, here’s a sneak peek at the full print cover and synopsis:
A struggling American writer in Madrid gets a novel idea sure to put his life and relationship back on track. But his research soon pits him against a murderous housing developer and his own personal demons.
Donny, an American expat teaching English in the Madrid, Spain of the Great Recession, is a recovering addict who’s spent the last ten years struggling to write a novel. To fulfill his lifelong dream, he’s put everything else on hold, including his friendships, career, and starting a family with Alba, the woman who rescued him from his vices.
One day, he spots the remains of a water supply tunnel dating back to the height of the Spanish Empire at a construction site across the street. The discovery becomes an obsession that fuels inspiration for a new novel, but Donny realizes the only way to write the story, and unblock his life and relationship, is to live it.
So Donny embarks on a murky adventure that brings him face-to-face with Madrid’s seedy temptations, his own addictions, a seductive politician, and a murderous housing developer intent on keeping the water supply tunnel a secret. Can he navigate his way through the dangers, expose the archaeological crimes, and live happily ever after with Alba? Or will he lose Alba, his sanity, or worse yet, his life?
Beneath Madrid, Jason Paul Barker’s stunning debut novel, explores the inner struggle pitting our true selves against whom society has preordained us to be. Dreams and desire clash with conformity in this layered psychological thriller that will not only leave you guessing what’s real and what’s fiction, but wondering how much of our lives are scripted…and by whom.
Just as in his short story collection, Guilt Trips, Barker weaves an accessible, yet emotionally charged and disturbing, tale that will appeal to both readers of page-turning mystery thrillers and more demanding readers of literary fiction alike.
Get Beneath Madrid to find out Donny’s fate today!
Thanks for all the support
Releasing a short story collection prior to my debut novel never was part of the original plan, but in hindsight I realize it was the right thing to do. The overwhelmingly positive response to Guilt Trips, which came out about a month and a half ago, and all the congratulatory messages I’ve received have provided more than enough fuel for me to plow through revisions on my novel.
Thank you all for providing the much-needed courage and motivation to get me to that next release date!
Just released! Guilt Trips, my debut short story collection
In the midst of revisions for my debut novel, I’ve decided not to let 2013 come to a close without launching something.
Guilt Trips is a collection of six short stories written mostly between 2008 and 2013. The stories in this collection alternate between horror and more introspective, melancholic fiction, while the settings encompass both my native Indiana and my current home in Spain.
The style and tone of the stories contained in Guilt Trips are fairly representative of what’s to come in my upcoming novel, so I feel this collection is a good primer for what’s just over the horizon.
Guilt Trips is available in both eBook and paperback at Amazon.
Can young Alex learn to appreciate his roots? Will Danny take advantage of a golden opportunity to beat his grandfather at checkers? Can a local myth defeat reason? Will Alberto take the blame for his generation’s flaws? Has Arantxa’s obsession with her career erased her ability to feel? Where will carnal desire lead two buddies on a night out?
Guilt Trips is Jason Paul Barker’s debut collection of six short stories ranging from horror to the introspective.