Another Man

In this unusual psychological novel (Leslie Croxford's third), a melancholy English academic who has lost too many years in dim libraries and basement archives, journeys to a pueblo on the southern Spanish coast to celebrate the publication of his first book.

Haunted by a sense of inner emptiness, Frank Ward struggles to reconcile with his tormented past. He is aided in this by a series of intense encounters, as well as by an unexpected plunge into researching the life of so-called "good Nazi", Albert Speer – whose traumatised former driver had sought refuge in the village after spending the post-war years as a Russian prisoner of war.

Speer and his driver, though deceased, continue to influence attitudes and events in the pueblo. They do this in ways that become more and more concrete as Frank develops ties with several of the locals – including the cheerful owner of his pensión; a malevolent archaeologist; an Argentine pianist and his estranged wife ... and Paloma, the latter's captivating daughter with whom Frank discovers he shares a shattering emotional loss.

Another Man is a carefully braided story of emotional wounding, regret, innocence and experience, unfinished business and the long journey to free one's true self from the constraints of doubt, pain and fear.