Customer Reviews

Blackout: An Inspector Espinosa Mystery (Inspector Espinosa Mysteries)

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"Blackout" is an excellent psychological thriller set in Rio de Janeiro that takes the reader on an extended and evocative ramble through one of the world's most interesting cities. The book's protagonist, Chief Inspector Espinosa of the Copacabana police district, is the star of the show and is interestingly presented as a sensitive/macho type, reluctantly moving into early middle age, but with all personal equipment--mind and body--functioning superbly.

The story begins with the unexplainable murder of a one-legged beggar on a rainy night in a part of town where the victim should not have logically been. No one knows who the man is, but early in the story it becomes clear that his death may have something to do with an upscale gathering of wealthy Cariocas in the same neighborhood. And thus begins an intriguing and zig-zagging investigation that features not only a satisfying procedure, but a terrific series of character profiles that include the protagonist, his police colleagues and an ample number of murder suspects. There is a second murder that is, if anything, considerably more shocking than the first (this is someone that the reader has come to know rather well by the middle of the book.) To say more would compromise the plot.

This is an altogether well done story with first rate characters. The bulk of the book is so good in fact, that I was left feeling that it deserved a somewhat better closing. For me, there weren't quite enough answers provided as to motivation for the killings. Other readers would probably disagree. If you enjoy international crime thrillers, you'll probably find this a very good read. A bonus here is that it is part of a series that seems destine to continue.

In Copacabana, Brazil, Detective Welber calls 12th Precinct Chief Inspector Espinosa to inform him an apparent homeless beggar with one leg was shot close up in the heart at the end of an affluent cul-de-sac. Espinosa goes to look at the corpse on Sao Joao Hill, but the murder makes no sense as there seems to be no motive to rob an indigent man incapable it appears to cause any harm with no witnesses since it occurred during a heavy downpour at night. Welber and Inspector Ramiro wonder why such an efficient professional hit on a helpless beggar timed to occur during THE SILENCE OF THE RAIN.

Still Espinosa refuses drop the case because three decades ago when he was thirteen he nicknamed this place Otto Street; the same spot where the murder of "Skinny" as they call the victim occurred. After talking to the night doorman of a nearby complex who found the body, Espinosa hones in on wealthy dinner guests who dined near the murder scene. He knows they are hiding something so he with his two associates exposes their cover-ups, but makes no progress on the homicide even as Espinosa knows the victim is not important to the brass to waste any more manpower on. When another more renowned homicide occurs, Espinoza believes there is a tie to Skinny, but even the Chief inspector concedes both murders seem to lack motives or witnesses.

BLACKOUT is a superb Brazilian police procedural, in which through Espinosa's dogged PURSUIT, readers obtain an insightful look through a WINDOW IN COPACABANA. The story line is terrific as the Chief Inspector uncovers clues that are either unrelated to his case or muddle the inquiry. Fans of the series will relish this strong entry as Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza continues to provide some the of the sub-genre's best whodunits.

Harriet Klausner

The good Senhor Garcia-Roza's done it again -- in spades! Having been to Rio a few time, walking the very same streets and reliving the wonderful life in Ipanema, Leblon, Cocapabana and the Lagoa, this writer is an amazing master-of-the-understatement. Have read all his books, so far, and along with the great novelist Jorge Amado, Brasil's given the world muito entertainment! Theatre of the mind? You stop reading, smile, analyze, and go on; he's fun. Incidentally, it's great having some Tom Jobim on the stereo, along with Quarteto em Cy, Oscar Castro-Neves, Os Cariocas, Celia Vax, Joao Donato and even the transplanted musicians like Idriss Boudrioua (from Paris originally, featured quite often at the Allegro Bistro on Ribiero) supplying background music as you read. Good stuff!

Inspector Espinosa reminds me of Hercule Poirot: persistent, methodical and very deferential to the upper-middle class Brazilian folks who are the suspects in this mystery. He's also a bit like Columbo, always in your waiting room with just one more question. A lower-class man is shot at night during a heavy rainstorm in a ritzy neighborhood. There are no clues. No witnesses, no shell casing, no fingerprints, no footprints, no tire tracks. Inspector Espinosa does his work by talking with suspects and gauging their reactions. The plot focuses on an architect, his psychiatrist wife and his female assistant. The architect seems to be a suspect and then the architect's wife is murdered. And, let's put it this way: the multiple relations among these three characters gives new meaning to the term "love triangle." Lots of local color from the book's setting in the high-rises of the Copacabana neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro.

I've rapidly devoured the series to this point and give up my highest praise. Inspector Espinosa is not a run of the mill detective. He relies on intuition rather than logic.

The writing is sharp. The setting of Copacabana is wonderful. This series is on par or maybe better than any of Mankell, Donna Leon, Michael Connelly, Lehane. The only current series I would put above this is from Camilleri.

BLACKOUT continues the Chief Inspector Espinosa series, set in Rio, and is one of the best in the series. A homeless man with one-leg is found dead, shot in the heart, in a cul-de-sac of very expensive homes. A dinner party had been held the night the man was killed and the police interview the guests. From that point the story unfolds, revealing a childhood trauma, mistaken identity, false identities, a second murder and the mental unraveling of one of the guests. The story is complicated and the conclusion is even more so. Garcia-Roza is well-worth reading.

I've read all Inspector Espinosa mystery novels to date, and this may very well be my favorite yet.

I have read every one of Mr. Garcia Rozas novels since the page turning "A window in Copacabana" and this one was just as exciting as the rest. If you enjoy a good crime mystery, then buy this book. It's an easy but intelligent read with wonderful twists and turns. inspector Espinoza is awesome.