This book takes a real, strange moment from Portuguese history and turns it into a gripping story. It’s set in 1914, a tense time just as World War I is about to begin.

The Story

A man named João António is found dead on a beach near Ponta Delgada, in the Azores. The police quickly call it an accidental drowning. But the body was found right next to the summer house of Theóphilo Braga—a huge public figure who is both a respected poet and the President of Portugal. That’s a pretty big coincidence.

Enter Delfim de Brito Guimarães, a sharp journalist (and the author writing himself into the story). He thinks something is off. As he investigates, he uncovers a web of local gossip, political enemies who disliked Braga, and whispers about a secret, troubled past. Woven through it all is the old Azorean legend of the Crisfal, a mystical bird whose cry is said to foretell death or deep sorrow. The question hangs in the air: is this just a tragic accident, or is there a darker story connected to the nation's most famous intellectual?

Why You Should Read It

What I loved most was how this book pulls you in two directions. On one hand, you get this great detective narrative where you're following the clues with the journalist. On the other, it's a brilliant character study of Theóphilo Braga. Here's a man who helped shape modern Portugal, suddenly vulnerable and living under a cloud of suspicion in his own community. The book makes you feel the weight of his isolation and the frustration of being judged by whispers instead of facts. The legend of the Crisfal isn't just a spooky detail; it becomes a powerful symbol for the fear and rumors that can haunt a person.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect pick for anyone who enjoys historical fiction that reads like a mystery. You don't need to be an expert in Portuguese history to get swept up in it. The story does the work for you, painting a clear picture of the time and place. It’s for readers who like seeing famous figures in their unguarded, human moments, and for anyone who appreciates a plot that makes you wonder what’s true right up to the end. Think of it as a smart, atmospheric page-turner that brings a slice of the past to vivid life.