The Tale of the Two Virgins

Book excerpt: It is 1963. When General Franco, right-wing leader of Spain, decides to take a short break in the small fishing town of Los Tidos – incognito, of course – a catalogue of events is set in motion that could never have been foreseen by his long-suffering security team. The outward appearance of Los Tidos is deceptive. Within the bougainvillea-clad exterior live a rich cast of characters, some of whom have love on their minds – others, murder. While local carpenter Jaime tries with limited success to find love using a dating agency, his friend Pepe plots to poison his harridan wife, and town drunk Uncle Pablo causes mischief wherever he goes. Pablo’s dog, Waldorf, becomes entangled in the poisoning plot with near-calamitous consequences and a honey trap intended to kidnap General Franco goes disastrously wrong when the honey in question mistakes Uncle Pablo for the Spanish dictator. And all the time, Los Tidos’ priest, Father Miguel, is worrying about where he might find two saintly figures for the town’s Feast of the Two Virgins – an event only celebrated in Los Tidos every 25 years... Set against the backdrop of 1960s Spain, The Tale of the Two Virgins is a rollicking tale of murderous plans, mistaken identities and convoluted affairs of the heart. It is ultimately a light, humorous read that will appeal to a wide range of readers.