Almodovar meets Orwell in this acclaimed, fast-paced contemporary noir novel exposing the most shameful secrets of the Franco era.

"First published in French under the title Mala vida by the Librairie Gâenâerale Franøcaise"--Title page verso.

Finalist for the Grand Prix des Lectrices d’Elle and winner of the Prix Plaidoiries pour un polar at the Festival Clameur(s) of Dijon

“A diabolically forceful crime novel that takes all the noir tropes and uses them in foreign territory to great effect.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Gritty and very realisitic . . . A fine novel of crime and conspiracy.”—Booklist

"If Orwell had met Almódovar, he would have written something like this."—Le Point

"Marc Fernandez proves himself to be a fearless storyteller, smartly blending historical fact with a crime fiction plot."—Le Monde, M (the magazine)

"Succeeds diabolically."—Paris Match

"Breathless and chilling."—VSD

"The plot, at the intersection of contemporary politics and history, unfolds with a growing sense of pleasure and exoticism. The characters' color and verve is reminiscent of Almodovar."—Le Progrès

"Efficacious. Well put-together with just enough humor and bruised feelings: a good read."—Alsace

"Like a cross between a crime novel and reportage, the story of this dark and little known period during the Franco years cries out with truth."—Point de Vue

“Mala Vida is riveting in its adaptation of historical realities into a thriller atmosphere . . . often with the rhythm of a ticking stopwatch.”—Foreword Reviews