In southern Catalonia's Terra Alta, a young police officer, Melchor Marín, investigates the brutal murder of a local business family. The crime plot opens onto Cercas's recurring concerns with justice, revenge, and the possibility of renewal after a damaged past.

A murder investigation begins to test the border between justice and revenge.

An autofictional novel in which a writer looks for joy after success, travel, the deaths of his parents, divorce, a new relationship, and his bond with his children. It moves between confession and fiction to search for hope beyond loss.

It moves through memories of sorrow while still reaching toward joy.