“There will be no more Elena Blanco novels.” The three “fathers” of the sagacious and tortured police inspector, the authors of the pseudonym Carmen Mola, reiterate this without a shadow of doubt or tears: Agustín Martínez, Antonio Mercero and Jorge Díaz. Far from nostalgia and pain, they said goodbye to their legendary character with joy, drinks and music.
They did it by singing ‘Azzurro’, by Adriano Celentano, in a karaoke in the Las Letras neighborhood of Madrid, the ‘Cheers’, a musical refuge for the fifty-year-old inspector at the head of the Case Analysis Brigade (BAC), a police group the elite that disappears with her. Daughter of a wealthy family, addicted to grappa and karaoke and with a disturbing past, ‘Los Mola’ dedicated five novels to her with which they broke the market.
Since the novel arrived in bookstores in Spain, Latin America and the United States in September, it has sold more than 250,000 copies, been translated into five languages and leads the sales charts.
Mercero, Díaz and Martínez definitively close the collective detective adventure that began in the spring of 2017 and which crystallized in 2018 with ‘The Gypsy Bride’, a bombshell that changed the panorama of the detective novel and which was followed by ‘The Purple Network’, “The Child”, “The Mothers” and “The Clan”. The aim is to “provoke strong sensations and surprise readers”, fans who number more than three million and who need not worry. “Camen Mola will survive Elena Blanco”, they confirm.
The “three tenors” of the detective novel kept the authorship of Elena Blanco’s novels a secret until they became winners of the Planeta Prize and their million euros in cash with “La Bestia” in October 2021.
Working well together, the three authors carried out their personal projects, both fiction and screenplays. The trio has close appointments with the reader: Martínez in February, Díaz in the spring and Mercero after the summer.
“The Beast,” the gruesome historical thriller set in Madrid in the late 19th century, is the trio’s best-selling novel. In 2023 they publish ‘El Infierno’, a disturbing intrigue developed in the dark world of slavery that takes place between Cuba and Madrid.
More than a hundred writers and friends of “los Mola” joined Blanco’s musical farewell, such as Alice Kellen, Megan Maxwell, Sandra Miró, Eva Orúe and Santiago Díaz.
What impact did Elena Blanco’s character have on modern Spanish literature?
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, everyone, to this exclusive interview on Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with an expert in the field of literature and cultural analysis, Dr. Sofia Elena. We’re diving into the fascinating farewell to the character of Elena Blanco, the iconic inspector from the Carmen Mola pseudonym. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Elena.
Dr. Sofia Elena (DSE): Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
TNE: Let’s begin with the announcement that there will be no more Elena Blanco novels. The three authors behind Carmen Mola seem to have moved on from this beloved character not with sorrow, but with joy. What does this say about the evolving relationship between authors and their characters?
DSE: That’s a great question! For many authors, characters can feel like extensions of themselves. However, this farewell celebration—complete with karaoke and drinks—suggests that these writers embrace the chapter of their lives that this character represented. It highlights a certain freedom and closure, allowing them to explore new creative avenues without being shackled to a singular narrative.
TNE: It’s interesting to note how they celebrated this farewell. Singing ‘Azzurro’ in a karaoke bar called Cheers reflects a sense of community and nostalgia. How does this celebratory send-off speak to the cultural context within which these characters were created?
DSE: Absolutely! Karaoke, as a cultural phenomenon, is often associated with sharing joy and expressing oneself freely. By choosing this setting, they honored not only the character’s story but also the collective experience of readers who connected with her. The location in Madrid’s Las Letras neighborhood also adds layers, as it’s a historical area rich in literary tradition. It embodies the spirit of both celebration and farewell, tied deeply to Spanish culture.
TNE: The authors have indicated that Elena Blanco’s saga has broken market records, with more than 250,000 copies sold. What do you think contributed to the commercial success of these novels?
DSE: The success can be attributed to multiple factors. Firstly, Elena Blanco is a complex character with a rich backstory; readers are drawn to her tortured nature and relatable flaws, such as her struggles with addiction. Secondly, the writing style of Carmen Mola resonates with contemporary themes while being rooted in traditional noir. Plus, having a female detective in a male-dominated genre adds a unique perspective that likely appealed to a diverse audience.
TNE: You mentioned her complexities. Elena’s background as a daughter of a wealthy family who is also troubled is compelling. How do you think this dichotomy affects readers’ perceptions of her as a character?
DSE: It creates a relatable tension! Readers often find themselves drawn to characters who face significant struggles, especially when those struggles are rooted in contrasting backgrounds. Elena’s wealth brings privilege, but it also comes with its own set of challenges, such as societal expectations and familial pressures. This duality makes her more human and relatable, allowing readers to see pieces of their own lives reflected in her story.
TNE: Despite this celebratory goodbye, can we expect these authors to return to the literary landscape with new characters or stories? What do you think their next steps might be?
DSE: Given their success and the creative energy evident in their farewell, I wouldn’t be surprised if they dive into entirely new projects. They may want to explore different genres or even create new characters that give them the same joy that Elena did. The artistic process thrives on reinvention, and they’re in a prime position to surprise us all.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Elena, for your insights on this intriguing farewell and the legacy of Elena Blanco. It’s a mix of joy and reflection that both authors and readers can appreciate.
DSE: Thank you! It was great to discuss such a significant moment in the literary world with you.
TNE: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay with us at Time.news for more engaging discussions on literature and culture!