Mater Dolorosa - by Jurica Pavicic (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A masterful psychological mystery novel about the unbearable weight of maternal love, and the silences that shape a nation. In the quiet aftermath of Split's tourist season, the city is shaken by the brutal murder of 17-year-old Viktorija.

As the investigation unfolds, suspicion falls on Mario, a withdrawn young man whose mother, Katja, and sister, Ines, grapple with the possibility of his guilt. Katja's maternal instincts drive her to shield her son at all costs, while Ines is torn between loyalty and a quest for truth. Through the perspectives of Katja, Ines, and the diligent yet overlooked detective Zvone, Mater Dolorosa delves into the complexities of familial bonds, moral dilemmas, and the shadows of Croatia's past. Jurica Pavičic crafts a haunting narrative that intertwines personal tragedy with societal critique, painting a portrait of a nation still healing from its historical wounds.

Review Quotes

Mater Dolorosa

"A powerful and haunting novel of family and guilt." - Le Monde

"A lingering family tragedy impossible to forget." - Le Figaro Magazine

"Sensitive, intelligent, and devastating." - France Inter

"A noir novel of rare elegance." - Benzine Magazine

Red Water

"This finely engineered, haunting novel has been deservedly garlanded with awards." --Financial Times

"Among the best crime fiction of 2025 so far: an outstanding novel."--Times/Sunday Times

"A brilliant cocktail of mystery and recent history, compellingly told."--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Author Jurica Pavičic is a Croatian writer, scriptwriter, and journalist. Born in 1965 and living in Split, Croatia, he has written seven novels, two collections of short stories, and essays on film, Dalmatia, and the Mediterranean world. His work has been translated into five languages. Red Water, published by Bitter Lemon Press in April 2025, was his first novel to be translated into English.Translator Matt Robinson, born in the UK in 1978, moved to Belgrade in 2000 and worked as a foreign correspondent for Reuters. He now lives in Ljubljana, Slovenia, working as a freelance editor and literary translator. He translated Red Water for Bitter Lemon Press.