THE ROOM OF LOST STEPS wraps up the Theo Sterling duology that began with THE PALACE AT THE END OF THE SEA. The author, Simon Tolkien, is the grandson of the late, great J. R. R. Tolkien. But this novel is no fantasy.

Those who are unfamiliar with the people and places behind the Spanish Civil War will receive both an education and an indoctrination in this hard-hitting work that never shies away from the brutality and controversy behind it. Theo Sterling is an American who grew up during the Depression and is now living in Barcelona, along with his mother, Elena, and stepfather, Andrew. He also has been reunited with his one true love, Maria.

"THE ROOM OF LOST STEPS is a must-read for those who enjoy true historical fiction. In the very capable hands of Simon Tolkien, this dark period in Spain’s history is brought to vivid life before our eyes."

The action begins in 1936, just prior to the outbreak of skirmishes between the Fascists and the Communists, among others. This also is happening in conjunction with the events surrounding WWII, where there is fear that Hitler and Mussolini may be behind General Francisco Franco in his march to take over Spain. We all know that this will be successful as Franco ruled as their dictator until his death in 1975.

Everything is changing in Theo’s life, and not for the better. He loses his beloved Maria to a military Fascist bully named Primitivo, who swept her away after killing off her ex. Before Theo can contemplate any attempt to win back his lost love, he must deal with his family, who wishes to leave Spain as the uprising is beginning. Theo has no desire to depart as he not only still pines for Maria but also has been given the opportunity from his former track coach to join the Olympics as a potential participant. Of course, the war will change all of this.

In a move made out of desperation, Theo briefly joins up with the Fascist forces to be near Maria. Of course, this means he will be around Primitivo, who eventually will out him as a traitor. This forces Theo into an unavoidable choice to flee Spain before he is killed in some barbaric way. So he gets on a ship headed to London where he reunites with Andrew, who has devastating news for him.

Theo settles in Oxford and, while there, takes up with his old friend, Esmond, who also happened to be in Spain at the start of the war. Their discussions, from opposite perspectives of the skirmish, reignite in Theo the desire to be back there on the front lines, making a difference and hopefully finding Maria. He returns to a vastly different-looking Spain as he interacts with many of the conflict’s famous and semi-famous figures.

THE ROOM OF LOST STEPS is a must-read for those who enjoy true historical fiction. In the very capable hands of Simon Tolkien, this dark period in Spain’s history is brought to vivid life before our eyes. The result is a work that reads like a high-octane thriller and is impossible to look away from.