"An exceptional novel which should appeal to a wide audience of readers--not just mystery readers. It certainly should be considered for a Barry Best Mystery Award. And it should appear on a lot of 'Best of 2002' lists as well. It will certainly be on mine . . . The narrative will stay with me for some time . . . I thought that this finely translated novel was like that of another great Spanish crime writer, Carlos Ruiz Zafón's The Shadow of the Wind, in that they both combined elements of a good crime novel with elements of praiseworthy mainstream fiction--dare I say 'great literature'? . . . I'll be first in line to read any sequels."
--George Easter, Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine (cover feature and review)

"Asks big questions about justice, revenge and whether literature can change lives."
--Los Angeles Times

"Javier Cercas has created an almost unique character in the history of contemporary western crime writing . . . One hell of a back story . . . Part-investigative procedural, part-contemporary noir, Even the Darkest Night is at heart a revenge tragedy, a story of multiple betrayals and loyalties with a Cercas-trademark meditation on redemption."
--CrimeReads

"Cercas delivers masterful storytelling here, weaving a compelling drama . . . Moving . . . A winning choice for both literary--and crime-fiction book groups."
--Booklist (starred)

"Engrossing . . . Suspenseful . . . Fans of literary detective novels ought to take a look."
--Publishers Weekly

U.K.
"Even the Darkest Night is the first in what promises to be an excellent series . . . History casts a long shadow over this tale of political and personal loyalties."
--Guardian

"It stays in the memory . . . Cercas perfectly captures the fearful mood of a town in rural Catalonia after the crime."
--The Sunday Times

"Striking."
--Financial Times

"A wonderful novel. I look forward to many more Melchor stories."
--The Tablet

Spain
"Cercas has spun an agile story whose mystery plot grips the reader right from the start and keeps the tension high until the end-game."
--El Cultural

"Impeccable . . . Cercas is unafraid to explore his characters' emotions, which, instead of toning down the narrative, deepens its impact."
--El Periódico

"From beginning to end, this is a tense whodunit."
--La Vanguardia

France
"Could it be that this series is as wide-ranging and addictive as Les Misérables?"
--Le Monde

"A novel that impresses with its power."
--Le Figaro

"Leaves you breathless until the last page."
--Télérama

"A resounding success . . . Cercas once again proves himself a remarkable storyteller."
--Les Echos

"Cercas weaves a formidable story, admirably served by his unparalleled ability to embrace the world through the most intimate details . . . He wonderfully explores and dissects the psychology of each of his characters, from the purest feelings to the deepest darkness."
--Page des Libraires

"A fabulous novel . . . Such powerful and luminous writing."
--Le Point

"Exquisite, perfectly successful."
--Sudouest

Ireland
"Beautifully written, this is an immersive examination of the moral and emotional strains brought about by a heinous crime."
--Irish Independent

Italy
"Once again, a masterful lesson on what the novel is and what the novel could be in the course of this troubled century."
--TTL, La Stampa