Leonardo Padura (b. 1955) is a Cuban writer, author of a series of detective novels, for which he received literary awards in Germany, Spain, Austria, France and other countries. The hero of Padura's book series, policeman Mario Conde, who dreams of becoming a writer and meeting the most beautiful woman in the world, this time investigates the murder of a young teacher who worked at the same school where he himself once graduated. In the spring, hot southern winds blow into Cuba - this usually happens during Lent, and the events happening around are not inferior in cruelty and destructive power to the raging elements: they break people's destinies, shatter dreams and hopes. An unexpectedly wide range of people are drawn into crime. In 2004, the book “Evil Winds Blow in Lent” was recognized in Austria as the best detective novel of the year.