Velvet Was the Night

by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

4 out of 5

Synopsis

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.

Velvet Was the Night is an edgy, simmering historical novel for lovers of smoky noirs and anti-heroes.

Review

Maite and Elvis couldn't be more different, but they are in a race to find out what happened to a missing girl, and some dangerous photos.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Maite is a thirty-year-old spinster, living alone, and working a dead-end job in Mexico City in 1971. She is quite happy with her little life, and never reads the papers, or gets involved in the growing tensions around her.

When she (begrudgingly) agrees to look after her neighbours cat, Maite is in the middle of a mystery when the neighbour doesn't return.

Elvis is early twenties, and has gone between several gangs and cults. He is now a Hawk, working for El Mago, doing whatever needs to be done.

He's a bit smarter than his fellow thugs, and he's been given a new job - to hunt down a missing girl, and find the photos that could turn things into a political war.

This is the first book I've read by Silvia Moreno-Garcia that didn't include magic or mythology, but this is a really strong historical novel. She really builds the tensions at the time, and the conflicting points of view - from Elvis and the gangsters; to Ruben and the protesters; to little old Maite, who sticks her head in the sand and gets on with life.

I thought that the first half was quite slow, as you build the cast and their motives. Nothing really happens, and I thought that was amplified by the fact that our main characters weren't involved in driving the story forward.

Elvis is blindly following El Mago's orders; and Maite is being steered around by her new friend Ruben.

In the beginning, I found Maite quite unlikeable. She's a compulsive liar and kleptomaniac, which isn't as exciting as it sounds.

Maite lies to her colleagues, fabricating romantic encounters, and creating an exciting fantasy life; but she is quick to belittle the life choices of other women around her. She's dull, and blinkered. She's generally unhappy with her life, but won't do anything about it.

On the other hand, our other narrator Elvis was a sweetie. Despite all the horrible things he's witnessed, knowing what he does about gangs; he is still soft and naive, in a way that is completely believable. He wants to trust the people around him, the brothers he has made; and El Mago who he has grown to worship; believing that it is all for some greater good.

As the story progressed, and the mystery surrounding missing Leonora got deeper, I was hooked.

More players, and more dangers appear. And I eventually found Maite's disconnected way of viewing things quite endearing, in its own way.

I loved the lack of romance in this book. It felt fresh, and unwilling to bend the story to create a HEA.

It was so realistic, following Maite who assesses the new men her life for romantic potential. Measuring them up against her favourite 'Secret Romance' comics, and her disappointment when they don't tick all of her boxes.

I liked the building connection she has with Ruben, and I've got to say the end made me laugh.

Overall, despite the slow start, I really enjoyed this book; and I would read more of the author's noir stories.

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