Set against the backdrop of 1960s Spain The Tale of the Two Virgins moves from one hilarious moment to the next taking in poisonous plots, mistaken identities and convoluted affairs of the heart.
When Spanish Dictator General Franco decides to take a short break in the small fishing town of Los Tidos - incognito of course - a catalogue of events is set in motion that could never have been foreseen by his long-suffering security chief.
The outward appearance of Los Tidos is deceptive. Behind the tranquil flow of everyday life are a mixed bag of characters, some of whom have love on their minds - and others, murder.
While local carpenter Jaime tries to find the girl of his dreams by using a dating agency, hen-pecked friend Pepe schemes to do away with his nagging wife Conchita and, meanwhile, town drunk Uncle Pablo causes mischief wherever he goes.
Uncle Pablo's dog, Waldorf, becomes entangled in the poisoning plot with near-calamitous consequences and a honey trap intended to kidnap Franco goes disastrously wrong when the honey in question kidnaps Uncle Pablo instead.
And all the time, Los Tidos's priest, Father Miguel, is worrying about where he might find two saintly figures for the town's Feast of the Two Virgins, an event only celebrated in Los Tidos every twenty five years.
Review from Goodreads
A clever, fun and well written farce. Reminiscent of John Steinbeck's more humorous tales (Tortilla Flats, Cannery Row).
This is the kind of farcical story that is rarely seen today. A case of mistaken identity, missed connections, oddball characters... and a stray dog who seems at times to be an agent of fate. I literally laughed out loud while reading this book.
I recommend The Tale of the Two Virgins to all readers.