The Angel's Game (2008) is a prequel to Carlos Ruiz Zafón's beloved novel The Shadow of the Wind, returning readers to the atmospheric Cemetery of Forgotten Books and the Sempere & Sons bookshop in Barcelona's Raval district. Translated by Lucia Graves and published in English in 2009, the novel broke all Spanish publishing records with an initial print run of one million copies. Set in 1920s-1930s Barcelona, it follows struggling crime writer David Martin, who is lured by a mysterious French editor, Andreas Corelli, into writing a revolutionary religious book with the power to change hearts and minds. As Martin delves into the work, he uncovers dark secrets about his haunted mansion, including a locked room with photographs and letters hinting at the previous owner's mysterious death, while navigating complex relationships with his patron Pedro Vidal, Cristina, and his admirer Isabella. The book was a commercial success, topping Maclean's Magazine's hardcover fiction list in July 2009 and earning praise from USA Today for its "multi-layered confection" of love, magical realism, and a love affair with Barcelona. However, critical reception was mixed, with some reviewers like Andrew Reimer and Aravind Adiga criticizing a messy climax and clichéd elements, though they acknowledged Zafón's skillful use of the city's Gothic and Modern architecture.