Blackout: An Inspector Espinosa Mystery (Inspector Espinosa Mysteries)

Blackout: An Inspector Espinosa Mystery (Inspector Espinosa Mysteries)
by Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza

Blackout: An Inspector Espinosa Mystery (Inspector Espinosa Mysteries)
List Price: $25.00
Our Price: $9.50
You Save: $15.50 (62%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $8.75 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


(Click here)
Buy this book at online book store in your country
Canada | UK | Germany | France

Book Summary Information

Author: Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2008-08-05
ISBN: 0805079602
Number of pages: 256
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Book Reviews of Blackout: An Inspector Espinosa Mystery (Inspector Espinosa Mysteries)

Book Review: Murder and sexual intrigue in an exotic locale
Summary: 4 Stars

"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.

Summary of Blackout: An Inspector Espinosa Mystery (Inspector Espinosa Mysteries)

The murder of an anonymous beggar on a cobblestone street in the wealthy precincts of Copacabana haunts Inspector Espinosa in this "beguiling" series (The New York Times Book Review)

With no witnesses and no weapon, it seems like the case of the one-legged homeless man found lying in a cul-de-sac on S?o Jo?o Hill, shot through the heart, will remain unsolved. But Chief Inspector Espinosa can't shake thoughts of the hapless victim-who would target a penniless man who posed no physical threat? Focusing his incisive mind and characteristically unhurried inquiry on a group of affluent guests who dined at a nearby mansion on the stormy night of the murder, Espinosa carefully interrogates his way into the lives of his suspects, exposing lies, cover-ups-and further mysteries.

When the body of a prominent young urbanite is discovered in a scandalous state of undress, Espinosa must find the unlikely connections between two murders with no apparent witnesses or motive. Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza turns up the heat in this novel, supplementing his seductive prose with psychological twists and steamy secrets that lead to the unexpected climax.?

Contemporary Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in Contemporary Books
Swan Peak: A Dave Robicheaux Novel ImageSwan Peak: A Dave Robicheaux Novel
by James Lee Burke
Simon & Schuster; Published: 2008-07-08; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.97
Price in other shops: $25.95
The Road (Oprah's Book Club) ImageThe Road (Oprah's Book Club)
by Cormac McCarthy
Vintage Books; Published: 2007-03-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.25
Price in other shops: $14.95
Water for Elephants: A Novel ImageWater for Elephants: A Novel
by Sara Gruen
Algonquin Books; Published: 2007-04-09; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.69
Price in other shops: $13.95
Love the One You're With ImageLove the One You're With
by Emily Giffin
St. Martin's Press; Published: 2008-05-13; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.00
Price in other shops: $24.95
Chasing Harry Winston: A Novel ImageChasing Harry Winston: A Novel
by Lauren Weisberger
Simon & Schuster; Published: 2008-05-27; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.75
Price in other shops: $25.95
The Host: A Novel ImageThe Host: A Novel
by Stephenie Meyer
Little, Brown and Company; Published: 2008-05-06; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $14.23
Price in other shops: $25.99
The Last Patriot: A Thriller ImageThe Last Patriot: A Thriller
by Brad Thor
Atria Books; Published: 2008-07-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.00
Price in other shops: $26.00
Fearless Fourteen (Stephanie Plum, No. 14) ImageFearless Fourteen (Stephanie Plum, No. 14)
by Janet Evanovich
St. Martin's Press; Published: 2008-06-17; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $9.94
Price in other shops: $27.95
The Beach House ImageThe Beach House
by Jane Green
Viking Adult; Published: 2008-06-17; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.90
Price in other shops: $24.95
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel ImageThe Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel
by David Wroblewski
Ecco; Published: 2008-06-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $13.89
Price in other shops: $25.95
Similar Books and other products
Pursuit: An Inspector Espinosa Mystery (Inspector Espinosa Mysteries) ImagePursuit: An Inspector Espinosa Mystery (Inspector Espinosa Mysteries)
by Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza
Henry Holt and Co.; Published: 2006-01-24; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $4.59
Price in other shops: $24.00
Southwesterly Wind: An Inspector Espinosa Mystery (Inspector Espinosa Mysteries) ImageSouthwesterly Wind: An Inspector Espinosa Mystery (Inspector Espinosa Mysteries)
by Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza
Picador; Published: 2005-01-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.50
Price in other shops: $13.00
Havana Gold: The Havana Quartet ImageHavana Gold: The Havana Quartet
by Leonardo Padura
Bitter Lemon Press; Published: 2008-06-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.95
Price in other shops: $14.95
A Window in Copacabana: An Inspector Espinosa Mystery (Inspector Espinosa Mysteries) ImageA Window in Copacabana: An Inspector Espinosa Mystery (Inspector Espinosa Mysteries)
by Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza
Picador; Published: 2006-01-24; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.50
Price in other shops: $15.00
Mind's Eye: An Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery (Inspector Van Veeteren Mysteries) ImageMind's Eye: An Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery (Inspector Van Veeteren Mysteries)
by Hakan Nesser
Pantheon; Published: 2008-06-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.98
Price in other shops: $22.95
Vita Nuova ImageVita Nuova
by Magdalen Nabb
Soho Crime; Published: 2008-06-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $13.94
Price in other shops: $24.00
The Spies of Warsaw: A Novel ImageThe Spies of Warsaw: A Novel
by Alan Furst
Random House; Published: 2008-06-03; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $10.00
Price in other shops: $25.00
Curse of the Pogo Stick (Dr. Siri Paiboun) ImageCurse of the Pogo Stick (Dr. Siri Paiboun)
by Colin Cotterill
Soho Crime; Published: 2008-07-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $13.99
Price in other shops: $24.00
The Girl of His Dreams (A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery) ImageThe Girl of His Dreams (A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery)
by Donna Leon
Atlantic Monthly Press; Published: 2008-05-13; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $13.45
Price in other shops: $24.00
The Paper Moon (Inspector Montalbano Mysteries) ImageThe Paper Moon (Inspector Montalbano Mysteries)
by Andrea Camilleri
Penguin (Non-Classics); Published: 2008-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.00
Price in other shops: $13.00
Book store. Illustrated catalog of books on different categories