Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of Red April
Mystery & Thriller· Peru

Red April

by Santiago Roncagliolo
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
#119,986of 99,626 books
Published 2006Spanish
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

Published in 2006, Red April established Santiago Roncagliolo as one of the defining voices in mystery & thriller. Set during the aftermath of the Shining Path insurgency in Peru, this thriller follows a prosecutor investigating a series of gruesome murders. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a web of political intrigue and corruption. Roncagliolo's novel is a gripping exploration of the moral complexities and human cost of political violence, earning critical acclaim for its suspenseful narrative and insightful social commentary. Themes of political violence, corruption, justice run through the work. The book has received recognition from Alfaguara Prize 2006.

Book Details

AuthorSantiago Roncagliolo
Published2006
Country of Origin🇵🇪 Peru
LanguageSpanish
Category🔍 Mystery & Thriller
ISBN978-0307388674
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

🔍 Mystery & Thriller

Suspenseful fiction built around crime, detection, and hidden truths.

Explore all Mystery & Thriller books →
Country of Origin

🇵🇪 Peru

This book is part of Peru's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Peru →

Editorial Assessment

Santiago Roncagliolo published Red April in 2006, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of mystery & thriller from Peru. The book's treatment of political violence, corruption, justice, fear accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Critics and institutions have consistently placed Red April among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Alfaguara Prize 2006. Our aggregate score of 30/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes Red April is how it handles its central concerns — political violence, corruption, justice, fear — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Santiago Roncagliolo's role in the literature of Peru is well established. Red April can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

NYT Best Sellers
notable · global
20090
✍️
About the Author
Santiago Roncagliolo
Peru
View Author →

Santiago Roncagliolo is a Peru author whose work in mystery & thriller has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

The Happiness Blueprint
New Release by Peter Burchardt
The Happiness Blueprint
Your Evolutionary Guide to Joy, Purpose, and Lasting Well-Being
Happiness isn’t a destination — it’s a blueprint written in your DNA.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Piranesi
fantasy

Piranesi

Susanna Clarke· 2020
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score94/100
Cover of A Brief History of Seven Killings
literary-fiction

A Brief History of Seven Killings

Marlon James· 2015
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score89/100
Cover of The Glorious Heresies
literary-fiction

The Glorious Heresies

Lisa McInerney· 2015
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score89/100
Cover of The Luminaries
mystery-thriller

The Luminaries

Eleanor Catton· 2013
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score87/100
Cover of The Sympathizer
literary-fiction

The Sympathizer

Viet Thanh Nguyen· 2016
★Pulitzer Prize
Editorial Score81/100
Cover of We Need to Talk About Kevin
literary-fiction

We Need to Talk About Kevin

Lionel Shriver· 2005
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score81/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Red April about?

Set during the aftermath of the Shining Path insurgency in Peru, this thriller follows a prosecutor investigating a series of gruesome murders. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a web of political intrigue and corruption. Roncagliolo's novel is a gripping exploration of the moral complexities and human cost of political violence, earning critical acclaim for its suspenseful narrative and insightful social commentary.

Who wrote Red April?

Red April was written by Santiago Roncagliolo, from Peru. First published in 2006.

What awards has Red April won?

Red April has received the following recognition: Alfaguara Prize 2006.

Is Red April worth reading?

Red April is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in political violence, corruption, justice.

Where can I buy Red April?

You can buy Red April on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Red April?

Red April is classified as Mystery & Thriller. Suspenseful fiction built around crime, detection, and hidden truths.

What country is Red April from?

Red April originates from Peru's literary tradition. Explore more books from Peru on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

🔍More Mystery & ThrillerBrowse all Mystery & Thriller books🇵🇪Books from Peru🇵🇪 Peru literature📅2000s BooksPublished in the 2000s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time