When Michael Virtue learns his close friend and colleague, Mason, is dead, he is deeply shaken, and when his wife and children leave only days later, he is thrown asunder. First come obsessive memories of his failure on a trip he took to solve the mystery of his uncle, Robert, presumed lost in the Spanish Civil War; then, he is inexplicably drawn to Mason's enigmatic girlfriend, Delia, whom he'd never met before Mason's death. Who is this woman and why, after she appears at his home one evening, does he find himself "married" to her, and on a flight to Spain with forged passports? Immediately, their time in Spain is full with involvements and events both complicated and difficult; Michael finds a friend, Maria del Carmen; Delia finds a lover, both struggle. Delia is clearly running from something dire. Michael can see only his quest. Separate paths take them to a juncture outside the village of La Jolla de Malaga where Michael and Delia reach respective resolutions.
Will Michael solve the mystery of his Uncle Robert's disappearance? Will Delia continue running and, should she? Will Maria del Carmen and the villagers of La Jolla de Malaga prevail in the covert continuation of the erstwhile civil war, or will the evil that lingers decades after any civil war ostensibly ends, proceed unchecked?
Industry Reviews
A varied cast of characters is haunted by the lingering shadows of the Spanish Civil War in Averett's historical novel. The author deftly limns each characters wounds: Michael is obsessed with ferreting out the truth about his uncle; Eugenio, an increasingly deranged military officer, seeks revenge for the murder of a family member; and both Delia and Carmen nurse damaged souls. Via quietly intense and emotionally resonant prose, readers are immersed in a world of psychological distress and mystery..A page-turning drama about trauma and obsession.. Kirkus Reviews
"An intense cultural drama that explores the logic of loyalty through an historical lens, The Small Hours is a reflective and revelatory work of historical fiction. A patient yet arresting story of alienation, patriotism, and the irrationality of love, this is an immersive and unpredictable novel that deserves a wide audience for its finely crafted detail of both setting and character, and timeless themes that resonate strongly today." Self-Publishing Review
Michael Virtue's search for his uncle, who disappeared during the Spanish Civil War, leads him to Andalusia, where he uncovers family secrets and confronts the lasting impact of war and loss. His journey intertwines with the lives of other characters, revealing a complex tapestry of personal tragedies and resilience across generations. In The Small Hours Averett has crafted a unique story that stays with the reader for quite some time after they have put the book down. Bookster
