A guilty pleasure read. This book had a lot to enjoy BUT so many issues that I think if it was published today the reception would be very different. 

There is overt hypersexualiation of women on almost every page, misogyny and fetishisaton. Initially these were so over the top I wondered if it would be explored by the author and used to critique misogyny in the books society - I was wrong it seemed to just be the authors humour. He does try to weave in issues like domestic violence/control, but these feel so surface and are so swiftly followed by commenting on what the characters tits look like, it felt like he was rather missing the point. Instead using it as a plot device so the women can try to escape to the arms of their lovers. The female characters aren't fleshed out at all, and can be summed up by brief descriptions i.e. the blind sexy one, the frumpy domestic servant (whos fanciability is seen as comic), the sexy sister of the best friend and the older troubled sexy woman. 

Pros: transports you back to Barcelona in the 1940's. Dark academia vibes and a good old fashioned mystery. I think I would have enjoyed this more when I was younger but it still felt like a bit of a treat to read now. Could be good for anyone visiting Barcelona with main character energy particularly in the autumn/winter, who wants to imagine themselves in swirling mist and mystery. Brilliant descriptive writing and world building. 

Overall still a memorable read which will stick with me. But I wouldn't recommend it to anyone without making them aware of its issues.