A struggling writer discovers a hidden piece of Spanish history. Will it be his salvation or his downfall?
Donny, an American 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.
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What readers are saying:
“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