The Fifth Column

The murder of an American member of the International Brigade training in a village deep in the heart of Republican Spain has implications which soon stretch far beyond a single death.

As mutual suspicions spread amongst the various groups which make up the brigade, it seems as if the unit - which is desperately needed for the defence of Madrid - is about to disintegrate. And so it is that Paco Ruiz is once more called upon to revert to his pre-war role as homicide detective.

Why do some of the peasants seem glad the brigadista who came to defend them is dead? Why does the Lincoln's commander insist that the murderer must have come from outside the village, when it is obvious to Paco that he did not? And how great is the danger that before the case is over Paco will lose Cindy Walker - the woman he loves - to her old college professor?

As the clock relentlessly ticks away, Paco struggles with one of the most complex cases of his career, never realising that he too, has been marked for death.

'Beautifully crafted detective story in a very unusual setting ... Perfectly drawn characters. Impossible to put down. Highly recommend this book and want to read everything else this author has written' - Amazon review

'Fast paced, twists in the plot kept me guessing, all set against the awful cruelty and chaos of the civil war' - Amazon review

'As the Spanish Civil war starts to unfold, ex-Inspector Ruiz has another murder to solve. This was a very entertaining read, packed with historical insight' - Goodreads review

James Garcia Woods was educated at the universities of Wales, Manchester and Oxford and taught in England, Iran and Spain before becoming a full-time writer. He lives on the Costa Blanca with his partner, one cat, two dogs and countless fruit trees.