A masterful psychological mystery novel about the unbearable weight of maternal love, and the silences that shape a nation. In the quiet aftermath of Split's tourist season, the city is shaken by the brutal murder of 17-year-old Viktorija.

As the investigation unfolds, suspicion falls on Mario, a withdrawn young man whose mother, Katja, and sister, Ines, grapple with the possibility of his guilt. Katja's maternal instincts drive her to shield her son at all costs, while Ines is torn between loyalty and a quest for truth. Through the perspectives of Katja, Ines, and the diligent yet overlooked detective Zvone, Mater Dolorosa delves into the complexities of familial bonds, moral dilemmas, and the shadows of Croatia's past. Jurica Pavičić crafts a haunting narrative that intertwines personal tragedy with societal critique, painting a portrait of a nation still healing from its historical wounds.