The Intriguing World of Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Embrace the thrill of suspense fiction as summer draws to a close. Silvia Moreno-Garcia, known for blending genres, delivers another captivating story with The Intrigue, set in 1940s Mexico. This noir novel, released by Penguin Random House, captures attention with its elegant yet sinister style, sparking thoughts of a black-and-white film adaptation.

The plot follows Ulises, a con artist who preys upon wealthy women through magazine ads. Perla, who owns a mansion-turned-boarding-house in Veracruz, invites him over, and he sees an opportunity. However, Perla’s niece, Inés, poses a threat to his scheme. Inés questions Ulises’ motives, wondering why a man resembling Tyrone Power would court her austere aunt. She yearns to escape Perla’s control and despises the idea of being a ‘delicate flower.’

I will escort her, Perla declared firmly. Ladies from good families are like delicate flowers, which must be carefully pressed inside a good book.

Inés, holding her fork tightly, imagines using it against her aunt, reflecting on how pressed flowers become lifeless. The Intrigue twists with double and triple-crosses, challenging assumptions until the very end.

Richard Russo’s Crime Debut

Under the Falls, a first crime thriller from Richard Russo, also published by Penguin Random House, was initially intended as a TV script. Set in Stone Mountain, New York, it unfolds a noir-inspired story where the past lingers.

The plot centers on Tyler Sinclair, a country-rock star returning to his hometown after an 18-year absence. This time, he attends a fundraiser for an old friend, nicknamed ‘Doc,’ paralyzed during their youth. Doc reveals that the locals resent Tyler’s success, believing he profits from their lives without sharing the spoils.

It’s not just that you made all that money, Doc explains. It’s that you made it writing songs about us. About our lives.

The concert spirals into a tragedy with multiple deaths, prompting Tyler and others to unravel Stone Mountain’s secrets. Beyond the crime narrative, Russo’s strength lies in his portrayal of working-class America and the limited prospects in areas like Stone Mountain.

George Pelecanos’ Return to D.C.

George Pelecanos revives his crime series with The Blue Flame from Cardinal. African American private investigator Derek Strange makes a comeback after a 14-year hiatus. Known for his work on shows like The Wire and Treme, Pelecanos continues his exploration of Washington, D.C.’s underbelly.

The story follows Strange as he investigates two murders among a once-close group of friends. Pelecanos crafts an intriguing narrative of D.C. beyond the tourist havens, including rowhouse neighborhoods and the D.C. Central Detention Facility.

The title, The Blue Flame, represents Strange’s persistent curiosity, a trait that keeps him a compelling figure in crime fiction.