Color of Evil by Armando Rodera Would Make Fantastic Criminal Minds Movie!

A feeling of panic, terror, and a vain attempt to hide it under a facade of indifference...The young woman went to great pains to hide her feelings, seeing her host smile at her, showing his perfect teeth. The steely glint of those cruel eyes jumped out at her again. She could see a strange color in them--the color of evil, perhaps. She had to fight for her life, just keeping up the charade would do her no good. Since he seemed to have the initiative, she would at least try to mess up his plans. She tried to think quickly and realized that screaming wouldn't be much use. It was completely dark outside in that remote village, with no neighbors nearby. No one would hear her cries for help. She had to find another solution, now that her handbag was no longer an option. He had snatched it from her in a playful way, like they were buddies. He had left it on a sideboard with the excuse that there was no need for her to carry it while he showed her the home.  He took her to his bedroom, telling her he was going to dig out his record collection. He knew it was an obvious trick, anothersomething lie am,ong the many he had told her. Blood images from movies and novels crowded his mind. The girl made the mistake of turning her back for a split second, and he took his opportunity. He attacked with lethal, almost feline speed. She felt no pain; all she wanted was to sleep, to forget everything. As she lost consciousness, she saw her attacker cheerfully wielding a syringe. He had injected her with something, but nothing mattered anymore. All went black, and the girl's strength left her. She was falling into a dark hole, deeper and deeper...She never woke up...

~~~

Color of Evil

By Armando Rodera

OMG! Call in the special unit for Criminal Minds! If they were ever going to make a full-length movie for that group to solve, this would be the case to use!

The two main officers in the novel were great characters; however, the psychopath that was working against "the world" on his mission was more than they could handle! So there were many different units involved in the case throughout Spain since the killer would travel and create his "vision" in many different places, some of which were based upon items he had read of something new happening, including a new specimen to be added to a pet shop... and a new exhibit of a ceiling mural at a local university.

It was in these two divisions
that Inspector Bermejo worked
without being official assigned
to either of them. Captain
Mardones knew how effective
Bermejo was...As a result, the
most dangerous cases dealt with
by the police...fell to
Bermejo...
~~~

Madrid, National Headquarters of the Judicial Police
Tired and fed up, he walked into his office, slammed the door behind him, and slumped into his easy chair. He took off his jacket and threw it unceremoniously against the desk. Inspector Bermejo was having a bad day and the headache that was beginning to pound at his temples did not bode well...He's had a hell of a time lately, though he shouldn't complain too much--at least he was alive and well...His partner had not been so fortunate.

"For starters, I don't know much. A
couple disappeared in the mountains
and the Civil Guard, going against
their usual policy, have begun their
investigation...The young lovers' car
was found at the top of a hill with its
doors open and no signs of violence."
~~~

Madrid, Newspaper Editorial Office
Miriam Monfort rushed through the door with her heart in her throat. But her boss would have no grounds to give her a hard time because, despite the collision she'd just had, she wasn't late... [But that wasn't what he'd had in mind--now she was interviewing with Jaine Pinilla and got the job...]

Parador de Plasencia
His superior's departure left Bermejo
feeling a little uneasy. He didn't particularly like the Civil Guard officer,
but it was his job to follow orders..
"Sergeant Roncero will accompany you.
He's one of my best officers. He's a very hard-working young man, college-educated, computer-savvy, and bilingual....As if by magic, the door opened and the kid appeared. He was about six feet three inches...with the intelligent eyes hidden behind know-it-all glasses.

Coincidentally, I thought that three of the actors in Criminal Minds were very close in personality of the three main characters. Monfort and Roncero had known each other before this case...In fact, Roncero had been in love with her, but had been too shy to press it... This relationship makes for very erotic yet horrible scenes that will be hard to read but that which is part of a climactic ending like no other! There are other erotic scenes throughout the killer's activities...

I loved the music and buildings, even if the English trailer translation hasn't been made yet! don't you?!

He lay down in a doorway, away from prying eyes believing that someone pursued him. But there was nobody, The presence was there stuck to him like a shadow. He couldn't see it, but he could clearly hear words that he would not forget.
"Get up, you miserable lowlife," cried the invisible Being. "You will not accomplish anything with tears. Teach that bastard a lesson and show me that you can be a loyal servant.
"Who are you?" he whimpered, terrified. "What do you want from me?"
"I am your Master now, and you must obey me. From this moment on, you will never allow anyone to walk all over you again. I want to see your courage once more, like when you slaughtered your mother's murderers. If you serve me faithfully, I will take you into my bosom.
"Then that's what I will do, Lord. I will obey you always," still distressed but mustering his strength."

The Sky of Salamanca

Now the key thing about my review is that I'm purposely not going too much into what was happening on the part of this very real psychopath. Be aware that there are many "results" of violent activities as the victim(s) are discovered. I have found that I don't watch Criminal Minds as I did when it first started. I love the whole cast, but the violence seemed to get more extreme than it had been. So if you too do not enjoy this program because of the violence, you should know this book is probably worse than any you have seen on that program...Mainly because the man was on a mission, and was moving fast and quickly to accomplish all th, at he wanted to do for his...Master...

Bermejo and Roncero quickly made a great team, especially when Roncero began to understand and do research more to know why victims were selected and why they were left as they were... Just think, I could have been selected to start off the whole thing: So, yes, astrology was part, but not all of the puzzle...After all, why would it begin with Pisces...and move backwards... Aquarius, Capricorn.. Why?!

Roncero was beginning to put it all together, but not soon enough...they were now down to Cancer!

The background for the puzzle was totally new for me, so I was thoroughly involved in trying to follow Roncero's thinking...but, there was no way that I even began to understand...and before I knew it...the last three individuals were being pulled together for the fantastic climatic ending that you will just not believe... In fact, many of the "scenes" left by the murderer may confuse you even more! Aside from the horrific violence, this was an amazing story with an amazing villain! I did enjoy the three main characters, even though I was surprised at what took place at the ending. Whew!

I loved this -- Exciting, Inventive,  Creatively designed to engage, but confuse through page after page... I was overwhelmed by the audacity of the villain, even knowing he was a serial killer, you had to realize that he was brilliant in his planning... Until, he started getting...too involved, shall we say?

Even with the violence, Lovers of suspense thrillers should check this one out!  

Highly recommended!


GABixlerReviews

I was born in Madrid, Spain, on a hot summer's day in 1972. From an early age I always had a love of reading, beginning with children's collections like the Famous Five and The Happy Hollisters, before delving fearlessly into the adventures of Jules Verne, Alexandre Dumas and Emilio Salgari.
I graduated in IT and Telecoms Engineering in my home town and for nearly a decade I worked in the technology sector, until five years ago I decided to turn my career on its head, seeking a profession that would enable me to improve my quality of life and above all make time for my great passion: literature.
I have now published several novels in Spanish, my mother tongue: "El color de la maldad" (Color of Evil, the best-selling crime thriller in Spanish on Amazon.com in 2012 and 2013); "La rebeldía del alma" (The rebellion of the Soul), a daring and original story of suspense, drama and romance with a dash of Noir (this book was global number one on Amazon.es and is now the top romantic suspense novel in Spanish on Amazon.com); "Juego de identidades" (Game of Identities), a fast-paced action-packed adventure thriller across two continents, which has been very well received by critics and readers. And finally, the novel "Caos absoluto" (Absolute Chaos), a dystopian crime thriller with an important social undertone. It is a book with which I aim to entertain, while also making readers reflect on our society and the corruption in politics and the economy.
My book "El enigma de los vencidos" (The Enigma of the Defeated), an adventure and mystery novel with a historical setting, was published digitally and in print by Ediciones B, one of Spain's most prestigious publishers, and is also available in the USA through Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.
I have also published my first non-fiction work, in digital format only. The book is entitled "La llave del éxito. Consigue destacar en Amazon: Marketing para escritores" (The Key to Success. Stand out on Amazon: Marketing for writers), a book that can appeal to all readers, as well as independent writers.
In spring 2014, thanks to the international success of my crime thriller in Spanish, "El color de la maldad", Thomas & Mercer will publish the English version of this book, to be entitled "Color of Evil".
I am also a reader, content manager and freelance consultant on various projects, with a particular focus on Internet marketing and new technologies applied to publishing and culture. I am also a contributor to Getafe Negro, Madrid's crime fiction festival.
http://www.armandorodera.com
http://vivenciasdeunescritornovel.blogspot.com
http://www.culturadigital.es
https://twitter.com/ArmandoRodera
https://www.facebook.com/armando.rodera
https://www.facebook.com/colorofevil

Fun Folk Mystery with Poor Title and Cover - So Check it Out!

Portrait of Sebastian de Morra, Court Jester by Diego Velazquez
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_Sebasti%C3%A1n_de_Morra

The market area was square-shaped, Consuelo’s shop having a corner position. Being L-shaped, it was only accessible from one side and whilst Sergio followed her round to the corner of the counter, she suddenly stopped. 
Three trays of chicken parts in front of his face made it difficult for Sergio to see where he was going and he immediately careered into Consuelo’s back, almost dropping his load. 
“Oh my God!” she shouted. “Oh, I’m terribly sorry, señora. I didn’t see you! Are you okay?”...

His delivery made, Sergio departed. Consuelo stood behind the counter and gave him a royal wave and one of those toothpaste-commercial smiles, made brighter by the reflection of the neon light through the perfectly clean metal showcase in front of her. 
She watched Sergio walk through the market. Some other shop owners were busy opening their shops and arranging their deliveries, something she also needed to sort out. Suddenly, Consuelo froze on the spot. She could not believe what she had just seen. She dared not look down. Was she actually standing on it? The thought made her heart jump.   After a few seconds, she stepped to the left. She took a deep breath and stared down at the floor again. And … there it was. A face! 
On the floor in the middle of her chicken shop!   
She looked up again, stared into space for a while and then looked at Pedro’s photo. “Oh my God!” she said. What was it? Who was it? How long has it been there? Was it there when she came in this morning or had it appeared right now? Had it actually appeared out of nowhere or had someone put it there? If so, who and why? What on earth was this thing? she thought...
She checked to make sure nobody was looking and disappeared under the counter again. She looked at the face from further away than before. Slowly it became clearer that it could not be the Virgin Mary. Firstly, and most significantly, it had a big bushy beard, or rather a goatee including the upper lip mustache part, which twirled upwards at the ends.   So if it was not the Virgin Mary, who was it? She moved on to the next theme of religious apparitions: Jesus. But why would He manifest himself on the floor of her poultry shop? Could that be a good thing or a bad thing? she asked herself.

~~~

Two Cats and a
 Chicken Shop Mystery

By C. R. Martinez

This title works for the content, but just doesn't help to really describe what is going on... C. R. Martinez has written somewhat of a folk tale, creating a "treasure hunt-type mystery" novel, but then throws a curve ball--a somewhat startling end that will shake readers for a moment...

Then when it sinks in, I think you'll chuckle and say, "well played..."

Maria Consuelo García Gómez,

 or simply Consuelo as most people  called her, 

was a sixty-two year old widow from Madrid

. For the last thirty-four years,

 she had been working at the Mercado de La Cebada, 

a traditional food market in the centre of town.

 Although she was not exactly pleased when they

 announced that she had to work another five years

 instead of two before she could retire,

 she did not really have any plans for this new phase

 of her life either. The market gave her 

the routine she needed and she wondered

 what she would do without it. 

Unfortunately, business was not going well

 and there were rumours that the market could

 soon be demolished. In that case, she really

 would not know what to do. Not only Consuelo, 

therefore, was waiting for a miracle – 

a miracle that was about to happen.

~~~

Consuela is an older widow who now runs a small shop in Madrid. Her shop is one of those that specializes in selling poultry, while others do the same in small enclosed areas--much like our lunch areas in large malls here in America...

Since her husband died, she worries more about being able to sell enough to keep her shop, since it is her only income. Plus it has been rumored that the mercadode may be demolished to make room for a new modern store!

Although it has been many years, she still misses her husband, but, more, she is lonely... Her shop is small, so mostly she waits for deliveries and customers and, of course, the gossip from the other vendors... She's not really into gossip, but it does pass the time and is almost unavoidable with one neighbor in particular... A somewhat dull life and she knows it... Her best friend and cousin one day asks if she will take his cat, who has caused problems with allergies in the family, so she now has a new friend, Antonio, who is helping with her loneliness! But Antonio becomes part of the mystery!

She was totally unprepared, though, for what happened when she arrived at her shop one morning... There was a face on her floor!

It appeared to be painted and she puzzled over it, then decided to just wash it off! That worked...

Until the next day when it was there... And the next... And the next!

Finally, she could not hold it inside of herself, but couldn't think who she could talk to. So she visited a psychic who read the cards for her. That gave her a list of things that could be happening in the future. But then, she did tell her best friend and cousin because by then Antonio had fallen out of the window! And there was another clue!

Now you know that I have to include that via pictures! Consuelo learned that tiger cats are known to have

http://pinterest.com/jcatz/

an M on their heads for
Mohammed I, who was saved
by a tiger cat...a good example of the historical tidbits readers will find!)

But one day Antonio got out of the window and finally when Consuelo found him in the garage under cars, he was so dirty she had to wash him!

When she did, she noticed that the M was very changed and his fur was lighter... the outer lines were gone or much lighter and it now seemed to look more like a V!

Clues were coming from every where, or at least that's what Consuela felt she had to assume, because she couldn't be sure what was important and what was not! And I must say that Consuela did a fine job of finding those clues and turning them into possible reasons that picture was on the floor in her shop! Finally, her cousin had been told and one day he came back with a bag that had a very similar image! It was of Sebastian, the Court Jester once painted by Velazquez!

Now the mystery was even more frustrating! Why would this picture be in her shop! And then she learned about the Belmez House! A home in another Spanish town where this type of picture had appeared on the walls as well as the floors and had been investigated for years by paranormal experts!

Now an interesting thing happened one day when one of her customers mentioned to her that he knew her brother and they began talking...Consuela had for a long time wanted to talk more to him so when she had the chance, she did! Even inviting him home to see the change to the cat!

Consuela now had a partner in her quest to discover what was going to happen!

The identification of Sebastian led to whether the picture was there to indicate Velazquez...for there was a mystery about where he was buried. Visits to the museum, researching books, talking to professionals all led them further in this mystery... Hey, I'm stopping cause you'll never be able to pull it all together from this brief overview. Needless to say, I enjoyed it...

Right in the middle of a mystery, readers will be taken into Spanish history and will learn quite a bit about several of their well-known artists...  Don't expect to solve this mystery...but if you see a face on your floor, wall, or even ceiling...just be careful--be very careful...and don't drink the tea...LOL


GABixlerReviews

This is an older trailer for Christmas last year, but still a good overview!

C.R. Martínez is the pen name of an Austrian author who worked in humanitarian aid before moving to Spain. The author currently works as an English teacher in Madrid.

Contact the author:
twocatsandachickenshopmystery at gmail.com