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The Girl From Barcelona
by Peter Woodbridge
The first instalment of the gripping Daniela’s Story trilogy offers readers a captivating journey into the dark realms of espionage and betrayal. Intricately woven around the profound Arabic saying, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” it introduces us to Daniela, a young woman unwittingly entangled in a web of suspense and deception.
In an unexpected turn of events, Daniela discovers a harrowing truth about her family’s demise. Initially misled by her uncle, Raphael Robles, a respected figure in Spain’s counterterrorism force, she learns that her parents and brother were casualties of the tragic Atocha train station bombing. This revelation is further compounded by a chilling secret: her uncle is a covert operative for al-Rashid, the notorious leader of al-Qaeda and the architect behind the massacre.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Spain, from the iconic Sagrada Familia in Barcelona to the bustling streets of Madrid, the story takes a dramatic turn when Daniela’s fiance is brutally murdered. The ensuing investigation by Catalan police detectives leads to a tense clash with the federal forces of Madrid, hinting at deeper layers of conspiracy and knowledge far beyond what is publicly disclosed. Detective Inspector Antonio Valls, embroiled in the case, finds himself unprepared for the complex web spun by Daniela and the staggering events that unfold.
“The Girl from Barcelona” promises to be an exhilarating read, masterfully blending elements of suspense, espionage, and emotional depth. This novel is poised to captivate readers, leaving them eagerly anticipating the next chapters in Daniela’s intense and enigmatic journey.
Published by FriesenPress on 2022-07-21
Daniela's Story
Born in England, Peter Woodbridge left school at age 15 and began work as a booking clerk for British Rail, where he developed a love for steam engines.
Continuing his studies through night school, Peter won two scholarships that led him to a B. Sc. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Reading, followed by an M. Sc. in Business Administration from the University of Bradford.
He began his professional career as an agricultural industries analyst, ultimately providing policy and planning advice to senior levels of industry and government in North America, Asia and Europe. This took him to far-flung locations including tea estates in Uganda, cotton plantations in Ethiopia and tropical hardwood forests in the South Pacific—eventually settling in Canada, where his consulting practice produced numerous leading-edge strategic analyses for the global forest products industry.
Now retired from his consulting practice, Peter has returned to his first love—writing. The Girl From Barcelona is his first published novel.
Outside of writing, Peter loves hiking in the mountains of British Columbia and Arizona, the relaxed lifestyle in Barcelona and travelling. He played rugby throughout his school days, later representing his university, eventually lapsing into social rugby in adult recreation leagues until his body begged him to stop.
An avid fan of English and European football, he sinks into abject misery every time his beloved Reading FC is beaten by lesser teams… which is often. It drives him back to writing.
