Review - Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

 

 

Title: Velvet Was the Night

Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Pages: 288

Publisher: Del Rey

Release Date: 17th August 2021

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic comes a “delicious, twisted treat for lovers of noir” about a daydreaming secretary, a lonesome enforcer, and the mystery of a missing woman they’re both desperate to find.

1970s, Mexico City. Maite is a secretary who lives for one thing: the latest issue of Secret Romance. While student protests and political unrest consume the city, Maite escapes into stories of passion and danger.

Her next-door neighbor, Leonora, a beautiful art student, seems to live a life of intrigue and romance that Maite envies. When Leonora disappears under suspicious circumstances, Maite finds herself searching for the missing woman—and journeying deeper into Leonora’s secret life of student radicals and dissidents.

Meanwhile, someone else is also looking for Leonora at the behest of his boss, a shadowy figure who commands goon squads dedicated to squashing political activists. Elvis is an eccentric criminal who longs to escape his own life: He loathes violence and loves old movies and rock ’n’ roll. But as Elvis searches for the missing woman, he comes to observe Maite from a distance—and grows more and more obsessed with this woman who shares his love of music and the unspoken loneliness of his heart.

Now as Maite and Elvis come closer to discovering the truth behind Leonora’s disappearance, they can no longer escape the danger that threatens to consume their lives, with hitmen, government agents, and Russian spies all aiming to protect Leonora’s secrets—at gunpoint.

 

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My Review:

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley*

 

 

Maite is a secretary in 1970s Mexico City. Unhappy with her daily life, she finds escape in music and through reading romance comics.

Elvis is a criminal who works as part of a gang but doesn't like getting his hands dirty and dreams of more.

When Maite's neighbour, Leonora, goes missing, Maite is drawn into the search to find her which will become more dangerous than she could have imagined.

Elvis is also involved in the search for Leonora, and finds himself observing her neighbour, Maite.

Can Maite or Elvis find Leonora?

Will they survive the search?

 

As a fan of the author, I wanted to read this novel as soon as I heard about it, especially as it's described as an historical-noir.

Maite was an OK protagonist. I did find her relatable at times, but I also struggled to fully connect with her. However, I did feel sorry for her with the way she was treated by her mother and sister.

I preferred Elvis as a character and found him more interesting, rooting for him more.

The setting was interesting, especially as I didn't know anything about that period of history in Mexico.

The plot was enjoyable, but I predicted several things that happened. However, while I wasn't gripped, I never lost interest and was intrigued to see how the novel would end.

The writing style was easy to follow, and I love how different the author's novels all are.

I am a little bit disappointed that I didn't enjoy this more, but, for me, this didn't quite live up to its potential.

 

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.