Author Ibon Martín has returned to the literary scene with his latest standalone novel, Bajamar, marking a departure from his previous series featuring the ertzaina Ane Cestero.
The new work shifts the focus to a family physician who relocates to the coastal town of Lekeitio to recover from professional burnout, only to become entangled in a local crime, noticiasdenavarra.com reported.
Martín, born in Donostia in 1976, stated he felt "a certain vertigo" moving away from the Cestero universe after eight novels. He expressed that he is "very happy" with the reception of this fresh start, noting that he had no intention of continuing the previous series.
The decision to end the Cestero era was deliberate for the author. Martín emphasized that he enjoyed the experience of building a new world from scratch, free from the "legacy or baggage of the past."
Despite the attachment readers have to his previous characters, the author confirmed he has no plans to resurrect them. "I think it is good that she rests now, and, of course, I have no intention of resurrecting her," Martín told noticiasdenavarra.com.
The novel uses Lekeitio as a backdrop to explore themes of mass tourism and its impact on small coastal communities. Martín chose the town for its geographic isolation and the authentic maritime atmosphere it retains, particularly during the winter months.
The story follows the protagonist, Jon Aguirre, who returns to the town where he spent his childhood summers. He finds that the reality of the location has shifted, with locals expressing frustration toward the influx of visitors. The author noted that this tension reflects a broader debate occurring across the Basque coast and Spain regarding the sustainability of current tourism levels.
A central element of the narrative is the character of Sua, a border collie that accompanies the physician. Martín observed that the dog’s role grew significantly during the writing process, eventually becoming a vital part of the story’s emotional core.
The book also incorporates local folklore, specifically the presence of lamias in the Lea River. These traditional elements, combined with the atmosphere of rural surveillance, serve to heighten the suspense within the plot.
While Martín continues to be a regular participant at the Pamplona Negra festival, which he described as the "best" in Spain, he is already looking toward his next project. After completing nine thrillers, he indicated a desire to return to historical fiction. "The body is asking me to return to the historical novel in a more leisurely way," the author stated.
Is Bajamar part of a series?
No, it is a standalone, self-contained novel that marks a total departure from the author’s previous series featuring Ane Cestero.
Why did the author choose Lekeitio as the setting?
Martín selected the town to address the issue of mass tourism and its impact on local life, noting that the town’s size and maritime character provided the ideal environment for the story’s themes.
Will the protagonist, Jon Aguirre, appear in future books?
Martín stated that his next project will likely not feature Jon Aguirre, as he intends to pivot toward the historical fiction genre for his upcoming work.