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Why did detective novels become popular in Spain after the 1970s?
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Spanish literature
St. Luke, illuminated page from the Beatus Apocalypse, Mozarabic, 975; in the Gerona Cathedral, Spain.
In the context of Spanish literature, the detective novel rose to prominence after the 1970s primarily due to the influence of the writer Manuel Vázquez Montalbán.
While the genre had long been established internationally, its specific surge in popularity within Spain during this period is attributed to his work, which helped cement the detective story as a significant form in the Spanish literary landscape. Following this shift, other contemporary authors, such as Arturo Pérez-Reverte, further developed the genre by incorporating elements of intellectual thrillers and historical fiction, contributing to its continued success and international reach.