: The head of the Forensics department, a fan-favorite secondary character known for providing moments of sharp insight.
: Drawing from her background in medicine, Fernández builds characters with rich, believable nuances.
Las cinco patas del gato (2022) is the ninth installment in the acclaimed Inspector Salazar series by M.J. Fernández, the pseudonym for former physician Mercedes Julieta Fernández Hurtado. This entry in the Spanish crime fiction saga follows Inspector Néstor Salazar as he navigates a brutal murder in the city of Haro, balancing a complex professional case with significant personal turmoil. Plot Summary
The narrative begins with the brutal murder of Amanda, a young university student found dead in a local guesthouse in Haro. As Salazar and Sub-inspector Telmo Álvarez investigate, they are met with more questions than answers:
: Shortly after Amanda's death, the disappearance of a minor adds urgency to an already strained police force. Key Characters
: The investigation forces Salazar to work outside his typical jurisdiction, leading him into a tangled web of intrigue in Logroño.
: The author is noted for a clear, fluid writing style that avoids unnecessary artifice.
Critics and readers on platforms like Goodreads and Amazon highlight Fernández’s ability to blend realistic police procedures with emotional depth.
