Picture a Spanish storyteller who turned her hometown into the pulsing heart of a global thriller sensation—meet Eva García Sáenz de Urturi! Born in Vitoria, Spain, this bestselling author swapped optometry for crafting gripping novels that blend mystery, history, and the dark allure of human nature. Her White City Trilogy has captivated millions, making her a literary force to reckon with.
With a knack for weaving complex narratives against the rich tapestry of Spanish culture, Eva’s stories are like a late-night binge you can’t pause. From self-publishing her debut to winning the prestigious Planeta Prize, her journey is as thrilling as her books. Let’s dive into the world of Eva García Sáenz!
The Making of Eva García Sáenz
Born on August 20, 1972, in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Eva García Sáenz de Urturi moved to Alicante at fifteen, where she’s lived ever since. With a degree in Optics and Optometry, she spent a decade in the optical sector before teaching at the University of Alicante. But literature was her true calling—sparked at fourteen when a teacher encouraged her to keep a diary. Early storytelling awards hinted at her future, and after three years of research, she burst onto the scene with her self-published debut in 2012.
Eva García Sáenz’s Unforgettable Stories
Eva’s first novel, La saga de los longevos (The Immortal Collection), was a 2012 sales phenomenon, blending historical intrigue with immortal family secrets. Its sequel, Los hijos de Adán (The Sons of Adam), and the historical novel Pasaje a Tahití (Passage to Tahiti) followed in 2014, showcasing her versatility. But it was the White City Trilogy—El silencio de la ciudad blanca (The Silence of the White City), Los ritos del agua (The Water Rituals), and Los señores del tiempo (The Lords of Time)—that skyrocketed her fame. Set in Vitoria, these thrillers follow Inspector Unai López de Ayala, aka Kraken, as he unravels ritualistic murders tied to the city’s past.
Her 2020 novel Aquitania, a historical thriller about Eleanor of Aquitaine, clinched the Planeta Prize, proving her mastery across genres. Eva’s style is a heady mix of fast-paced plotting, rich historical detail, and psychological depth, with Vitoria’s streets practically a character in her tales. Her latest works, like El ángel de la ciudad, take Kraken to Venice, keeping readers hooked with art, legend, and suspense.
Why Eva García Sáenz Matters
Eva García Sáenz has redefined Spanish crime fiction, selling over four million books and reaching readers in more than forty countries. Translated into over twenty languages, her White City Trilogy inspired a 2019 Netflix film and Vitoria city tours, cementing her cultural impact. Awards like the 2018 Fiction Book of the Year and the 2019 Golden Bullet for best foreign crime novel highlight her global influence. By blending history, mystery, and local flavor, she invites readers to explore Spain’s soul through a thrilling lens.
- Birth Date: August 20, 1972
- Key Works: White City Trilogy, Aquitania, The Immortal Collection
- Awards: Planeta Prize (2020), Golden Bullet (2019)
Snag The Silence of the White City and dive into Eva García Sáenz’s thrilling world of mystery and history!