The Book Of Murder
Guillermo Martinez
Sonia Soto, Translator
Reviewed by Cordelia Frances Biddle
Guillermo Martinez's THE BOOK OF MURDER is a marvelously retro psychological drama. Set in Buenos Aires, the city is merely a grainy, gray backdrop for the taut war of words fought between two authors, one internationally lauded, one struggling - and yes, gripped with professional and personal envy. At the heart of their clash is the mysterious and vulnerable Luciana B., a Hitchcockian vision if there ever was one. If Joseph Cotten or Ray Milland loomed up at her side, I wouldn't have been remotely surprised.
Martinez maintains his noir sense of déjà vu by removing all references to our electronics-riddled world. Instead of employing cell phones and text messages, the two authors and the lovely Luciana play out their peculiar and sinister game with antiquated props such as a Bakelite telephone in a coffee bar. And, of course, letters.
The questions posed in THE BOOK OF MURDER are fairly obvious. Who is sane? Who is not? When does fascination become obsession? How and in what guise does that obsession transmute itself into vengeance and murder? Or does it?
It's that final conundrum that turns Martinez's novella on its ear, and makes THE BOOK OF MURDER a labyrinthine tale within a tale within a tale.
Order THE BOOK OF MURDER from
Amazon
About the Reviewer:
Cordelia Frances Biddle is the author of a critically-acclaimed mystery series set in mid-nineteenth century Philadelphia. THE CONJURER was the debut title; DECEPTION'S DAUGHTER is the second installment to feature Martha Beale. It was named an IMBA "Killer Book". Prior to devoting herself to history in its most villainous forms, she penned the pseudonymous Crossword Mysteries Series with her husband, Steve Zettler. The name they chose was Nero Blanc. There were twelve titles in all.
Order DECEPTION'S DAUGHTER from
Amazon