Customer Reviews

A Window in Copacabana: An Inspector Espinosa Mystery (Inspector Espinosa Mysteries)

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The three policemen found shot to death execution-style over the course of a few hot summer days in Rio de Janeiro had more in common than the circumstances of their deaths. Each of the men, importantly, had had sufficient cash to support a mistress and keep a separate apartment intended for their assignations--a sure sign that the officers had been on the take. Investigating their deaths and the corruption that may have led to the murders is the unhappy task of Detective Espinosa, chief of Rio's 12th district, a somewhat melancholy character who tries vainly to combat the encroaching boredom of his increasingly routine work by walking to and from his apartment by different routes.

Given its challenges, Espinosa's latest case provides at least a temporary respite from tedium, particularly when the mistresses of the dead policemen prove to be in peril themselves. Two of the three women are murdered at once, and Espinosa undertakes to protect the third. One woman's death--she falls from a tenth-floor window--is witnessed by a neighbor watching from her apartment across the street, a happenstance which provides the police with one of their few clues and gives author Garcia-Roza his book's title.

A Window in Copacabana, translated into English from the original Portuguese, is the fourth book in Garcia-Roza's Detective Espinosa series. The peculiar circumstances of the murders under investigation and the surprising identity of the killer make the novel a good mystery. But what sets the book apart is the mood it sets--the languid air of a city in the tropics--and the philosophical, bibliophilic Espinosa, whose character emerges slowly, without fanfare, as the story progresses. Mystery readers, and anyone enticed by a Copacabana setting, should give the series a look.

Reviewed by Debra Hamel, author of Trying Neaira: The True Story of a Courtesan's Scandalous Life in Ancient Greece

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. It has all the components one wants in a mystery: interesting and well developed characters, exotic setting, and a plot that is a surprise without any contrivance or lack of credibility. The narrative is very well written and involves both suspense and crime detection. It also delves into personal relationships and soul searching. Overall it's an excellent mystery.

"A Window in Copacabana" is unlike any other police crime story; Inspector Espinosa is unlike other chiefs of precincts. The story is set in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

How this novel differs from others is its shocking absence of description. I have often heard readers say that they didn't complete certain books because of too much description or others say they skip it. On the other hand, I love description because it takes me into another place or another time. Without it, this novel could have been set in my city, except for the beach and the neighborhood names--Copacabana being the notable one. When Espinosa walks down the streets, I can picture certain streets in my city that have ethnic flair. This lack of description is certainly not a deleterious factor, but it is an odd one.

Written by "distinguished academic" Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza, the novel indeed reflects the academic mind in its studied logic and understated contemplative thinking demonstrated by Espinosa. In fact, the critic from Amazon likened Garcia-Roza's style to Hitchcock in the use of that subtle yet maddening building of suspense. The danger just oozes out from the pages, yet we never see it. The story ends with the guilty person evading punishment--for now. For we know Insp. Espinosa is on the case.

The story revolves around the murder, execution-style, of three ordinary, unobtrusive police officers, followed by the murder of two of their three mistresses. The third eludes murder by hiding and seeking Espinosa's help. (Perhaps the acquisition of mistresses with no one, not even the wives, blinking is a characteristic of Brazilian culture. This does not seem to be common in my city!)

Then the title character adds a new element to the investigation: she saw one of the mistresses being thrown out of her tenth floor apartment, which is just across the way from her tenth floor apartment. She also adds an element to Espinosa's life--she seduces him. Again, it is presented so matter of fact. To my surprise, all three women in the story kiss him fully on the mouth as if this is a normal greeting. The women include his longstanding lover with neither interested in marriage, Serena, the title character who witnesses this key murder from her window in the Copacabana neighborhood, and the last mistress, who tries to elude the assassin.

When I finished the book, I wasn't sure whether or not I would recommend it, but after writing this review, I see just how interesting the novel is and how it does reflect another culture and a police chief's way of solving a crime. It also shows, apparently, a different attitude toward capture of a criminal, especially one who killed police officers: all in due time. For those who find description an impediment to the forward progress of a crime story, this book was written for you.

Note: The book jacket shown above differs from mine, which depicts inside the window of the title and looking across the beach to that hill. The picture on my copy is much more subtle and effective.

Three murders, very much alike. Three policemen dead, shot at close range. Who is the killer? Why is he targeting cops? This is for Inspector Espinosa of Rio de Janiero's 12th precinct to find out. Is it personal, someone the policemen had been involved with, arrested? Is it revenge against the police in general? Or is it about drugs or dirty cops?

It doesn't take long for Espinosa to figure out he's not going to quickly solve this difficult case. The killer leaves no clues. Then a woman involved with one of the murdered officers is found dead. Was she killed by the same man? And to make matters worse, charming Serena, the wife of a government official all of a sudden is obsessed with Inspector Espinosa and his case. Why?

Mr. Garcia-Rosa has penned a mystery that will grab you from the get go and keep you till the end. Suspense is the order of the day here and this writer sure knows his stock and trade. The story will keep you guessing right to the twist in the tale, the surprise ending. I loved this story and I know you will too.

Inspector Espinosa takes on another investigation. His fellow cops are being murdered and there seems to be no obvious explanation nor connection. But hang in there, Espinosa is a tough and cleaver detective and figures it all out in the end, but with plenty of surprises along the way. Again, this series of stories by Garcia-Roza is an entertaining offering and readers will not be disappointed. It is enough like classic cop fiction to be familiar; but it also is strange enough to introduce the reader to Brazilian culture and climate. Enjoy!

One after another, three policemen are murdered in Rio, throwing the force into an uproar. Soon after, their mistresses are targeted for death. Clearly an assassin is at work, obliterating any evidence of conspiracy between the policemen and their mistresses. Head of the 12th Precinct, Inspector Espinoza soon scents the odor of corruption and assembles a task force of a select few. When the murder of the third mistress is averted only by mistaken identity, Espinoza is determined to uncover whatever corruption pollutes his department, find the killer and protect the third woman, who remains at large, hiding from her would-be assailant with Espinoza's help. A phone call brings another woman into the picture, a witness who saw the last victim fall from the window of her apartment. Unfortunately, the witness, a diplomat's wife, thinks she may have been observed by the murderer, making her another potential victim.

Things come in threes for Espinoza, three policemen, three females killed, and the three woman suddenly in his life: his lover, Irene; Celeste, the victim who escaped; and the seductive witness, Serena. Irene has long been Espinoza's love interest, a woman who fascinates the inspector, but the other two have come to his attention through the spate of recent murders. Faced with a complicated mystery that doesn't bode well for the 12th precinct or the police department in general, the need to protect the innocent and a recent concern for the direction of his days, Espinoza is kept busy in both his personal and professional life. A thorough and logical detective, the inspector is more than capable of solving the murders with the help of his trusted assistants, deconstructing the crimes and separating the guilty from the innocent. In this exotic locale, Espinoza tackles his his work with a passion matched by his romance with Irene, the fascinating lady who has captured his affections. With the sights and sounds of Rio as a background, Espinoza is a natural, moving through the streets of a city where death never takes a holiday. Luan Gaines/2006.

The third assassination has shaken up the Rio de Janeiro police force because they are the targets of this brazen serial killer who shoots his victims from close range but so far has selected bottom of the barrel officers as targets. The killer twists his pattern when he next murders the two mistresses of the dead cops; he went for three but tossed the wrong woman out the window leaving one mistress alive who perhaps can identify this culprit that is if she can be found.

12th Precinct Inspector Espinosa heads the investigation that seems to be going nowhere. However, unlike his superiors who insist on he concentrate on the serial killer, Espinosa searches for the vanished mistress Celeste Cardoso not only in the hope she can provide information leading to the capture of the murderer but also to keep her safe. He also finds a witness step forward as the married Serena Rodes insists she saw the killer toss the victim out the window. Though trying to remain faithful to his Irene and stop the low keyed but deadly killing machine, Espinosa is sidetracked on both counts as the two women he vows to protect seem to compete on who can get him in bed first.

WINDOW IN COPACABANA is a terrific police procedural serial killer thriller as unique a tale as a reader will find and not just because of the location. The story line is action-packed as Espinosa works on the case in his crusty take no prisoners manner while finding the women quite the distracter (will he or will he not is the question). Luis Alfredo Garcia-Roza paints a fantastic who-done-it in a world filled with dishonesty and avarice.

Harriet Klausner

As usual, shipping and delivery condition were excellent. I absolutely love the characters and how real they are presented, as human beings. I think the writing helps one learn about the country and the people living there...along with the culture. A good light-hearted read (though, it's not a book that my mother might tolerate as some of the scenes and implications are a tad too read for her 91 years).

Strong points: interesting and unusual setting in Rio, good pace and atmospherics. Weak points: main character is a flawed, ornery man 'with a history', similar to many detective novel protagonists, but ultimately not as likeable or sympathetic as I prefer in this genre.

Every time I need to make a comment for another Inspector Espinosa mystery i find I run out of words. Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza is a masterful storyteller. The complex psychology of the characters reflects his daytime job as a Professor of Psychology, and the descriptions of the Copacabana life are completely accurate. I spend part of every week in his locale and I find myself wanting to see Inspector Espinosa and greet him.