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The Intrigue
From the
New York Times
bestselling author of
Mexican Gothic
and
Velvet Was the Night
comes a sizzling noir about desire, danger, and greed, in which seduction is the ultimate con.
Handsome con artist Ulises has long charmed lonely women via letters to steal their money, but money is hard to come by in 1940s Mexico. Ulises knows his looks won't last forever, and he's desperate to get his hands on a real fortune.
He thinks he's found it when he captivates his newest correspondent, Perla, the owner of a small-town boardinghouse in picturesque Veracruz. But when he meets her, he finds something he didn't expect. The woman has a niece, Inés, who is as observant as she is desperate to escape her aunt’s household.
When Inés discovers Ulises' true intentions, she wants in on the scheme. They’ll convince her aunt that Ulises is a great catch, Perla will marry him, and her money will vanish. Easy, fast and clean.
But Perla is not the desperate, silly spinster Ulises imagines. She harbors secrets. And although Ulises does not believe in true romance, Inés is more alluring than he bargained on. Suddenly, a simple plan may become perilously complicated.
Venture into the streets of a small town where the patina of convention and good manners conceals a cauldron of avarice and lust.
Handsome con artist Ulises has long charmed lonely women via letters to steal their money, but money is hard to come by in 1940s Mexico. Ulises knows his looks won't last forever, and he's desperate to get his hands on a real fortune.
He thinks he's found it when he captivates his newest correspondent, Perla, the owner of a small-town boardinghouse in picturesque Veracruz. But when he meets her, he finds something he didn't expect. The woman has a niece, Inés, who is as observant as she is desperate to escape her aunt’s household.
When Inés discovers Ulises' true intentions, she wants in on the scheme. They’ll convince her aunt that Ulises is a great catch, Perla will marry him, and her money will vanish. Easy, fast and clean.
But Perla is not the desperate, silly spinster Ulises imagines. She harbors secrets. And although Ulises does not believe in true romance, Inés is more alluring than he bargained on. Suddenly, a simple plan may become perilously complicated.
Venture into the streets of a small town where the patina of convention and good manners conceals a cauldron of avarice and lust.
323 pages, Hardcover
First published July 14, 2026
About the author
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
171 books28.6k followersSilvia Moreno-Garcia is the author of several novels, including Mexican Gothic, Gods of Jade and Shadow and The Daughter of Doctor Moreau. She has also edited a number of anthologies, including the World Fantasy Award-winning She Walks in Shadows (a.k.a. Cthulhu's Daughters). Mexican by birth, Canadian by inclination.
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July 7, 2026What genre is this?
Noir/historical/drama. This is *not* horror. There are no fantastical elements. Please do not tag it as horror/gothic or anything similar.
Are there any fantastical elements?
Nope. See above.
What is this about?
It's 1943 in Mexico and a charming con artist who runs romance scams has found his latest target. Things might not work out as planned.
When it this out?
July 2026.
Is there a playlist?
Yes. See here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/57u...
Is there a book kit?
Yep. Download here: https://silviamoreno-garcia.com/wp-co...
Will this be available in the UK? In Spanish (or other languages)?
It will be out in the UK in July 2026 through Arcadia/Quercus. No translation rights for any languages have been sold.
Will this be available from Goldsboro as a limited edition with the sprayed edges? BOTM? Other book boxes?
Yes, you can find it via Goldsboro.
Noir/historical/drama. This is *not* horror. There are no fantastical elements. Please do not tag it as horror/gothic or anything similar.
Are there any fantastical elements?
Nope. See above.
What is this about?
It's 1943 in Mexico and a charming con artist who runs romance scams has found his latest target. Things might not work out as planned.
When it this out?
July 2026.
Is there a playlist?
Yes. See here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/57u...
Is there a book kit?
Yep. Download here: https://silviamoreno-garcia.com/wp-co...
Will this be available in the UK? In Spanish (or other languages)?
It will be out in the UK in July 2026 through Arcadia/Quercus. No translation rights for any languages have been sold.
Will this be available from Goldsboro as a limited edition with the sprayed edges? BOTM? Other book boxes?
Yes, you can find it via Goldsboro.
Read
January 7, 2026
Book Riot’s Most Anticipated Books of 2026:
Silvia Moreno-Garcia could write a guide on knitting sweaters for earthworms, and I'd be out here cheering, "Yesss, clothe the tiny invertebrates!" She has, of course, crafted an irresistible plot in a noir tale of desire, greed, and seduction. In 1940s Mexico, a handsome grifter charms women into giving him their money through letters. Intent on securing a bigger, more reliable bag when the letter scheme runs its course, he sets his sights on the owner of a boardinghouse in a small town in Veracruz. There are two holes in this plan: his intended victim's niece clocks him right away and wants in on the scheme as a means to escape this small town, and his victim is not the gullible mark he thinks she is... —Vanessa Diaz
Silvia Moreno-Garcia could write a guide on knitting sweaters for earthworms, and I'd be out here cheering, "Yesss, clothe the tiny invertebrates!" She has, of course, crafted an irresistible plot in a noir tale of desire, greed, and seduction. In 1940s Mexico, a handsome grifter charms women into giving him their money through letters. Intent on securing a bigger, more reliable bag when the letter scheme runs its course, he sets his sights on the owner of a boardinghouse in a small town in Veracruz. There are two holes in this plan: his intended victim's niece clocks him right away and wants in on the scheme as a means to escape this small town, and his victim is not the gullible mark he thinks she is... —Vanessa Diaz
July 3, 2026
Historical Noir Review🎧
I’m very sad to admit that The Intrigue was my first time reading this talented author’s work. As you can see… I have no excuse. She’s been sitting on my shelves.
First and foremost, this is not a horror novel nor a fantasy book. I would classify this as historical fiction/noir.
It’s 1940’s Mexico. A handsome con artist, Ulises pulls his victims by mail correspondence. Perla invites him to her home after they’ve been in contact for a while, with hopes of getting better acquainted.
But, Perla’s niece and housemaid,Inés, is on to him. Will she spoil his plan? Or join him out of spiteful revenge?
Look, this was a little out of my comfort zone. I didn’t really know what to expect going in. In which, turned out to be a good thing! Because I was OBSESSED with this story! Her writing is incredibly rich. These characters were original and I felt it added so much to the book. We get a good sense of all the characters and the author allows us to empathize with each and every one of them. The dialect was some of my favorite! I need more just like it.
I started with the physical and then switched over to the audio at about 150 something pages. Honestly, the narrator sounded flat and like he was reading from a book…..so I would definitely recommend reading a physical copy. Either way, I really loved it and highly recommend it.
Ultimately, The Intrigue is about greed, desire, and the seduction to pull off the ultimate con. It’s a slow burn character driven novel and if that’s your jam, pre-order this bad boy right now! I hope you love it as much as I did.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date 7//14
Thank you to PRH Audio for the gifted copy.
I’m very sad to admit that The Intrigue was my first time reading this talented author’s work. As you can see… I have no excuse. She’s been sitting on my shelves.
First and foremost, this is not a horror novel nor a fantasy book. I would classify this as historical fiction/noir.
It’s 1940’s Mexico. A handsome con artist, Ulises pulls his victims by mail correspondence. Perla invites him to her home after they’ve been in contact for a while, with hopes of getting better acquainted.
But, Perla’s niece and housemaid,Inés, is on to him. Will she spoil his plan? Or join him out of spiteful revenge?
Look, this was a little out of my comfort zone. I didn’t really know what to expect going in. In which, turned out to be a good thing! Because I was OBSESSED with this story! Her writing is incredibly rich. These characters were original and I felt it added so much to the book. We get a good sense of all the characters and the author allows us to empathize with each and every one of them. The dialect was some of my favorite! I need more just like it.
I started with the physical and then switched over to the audio at about 150 something pages. Honestly, the narrator sounded flat and like he was reading from a book…..so I would definitely recommend reading a physical copy. Either way, I really loved it and highly recommend it.
Ultimately, The Intrigue is about greed, desire, and the seduction to pull off the ultimate con. It’s a slow burn character driven novel and if that’s your jam, pre-order this bad boy right now! I hope you love it as much as I did.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date 7//14
Thank you to PRH Audio for the gifted copy.
July 22, 2026
Set in 1940s Veracruz, Mexico, The Intrigue follows Ulises, a charming con man who travels from town to town targeting lonely women for their money. His next mark is Perla, a wealthy spinster who owns a guesthouse, but Perla’s niece, Ines, figures out his scheme and proposes they split the profits instead. She had her own history with her Aunt Perla that drives her to get out of her house.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s descriptive writing is, as always, excellent. She brings Veracruz to life, and the atmosphere is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Unlike her supernatural novels, this is a character-driven story more in the vein of The Beautiful Ones, my favorite by the author.
It’s clear from the beginning that Ulises and Ines aren’t meant to be admirable people, and perhaps the novel is intended as a study of the darker side of human nature. I just wished there had been a deeper exploration of their pasts than what we do get. Even Perla, who should inspire some sympathy for being the victim, is difficult to root for. But to be honest, I was hoping for a not so good ending for her. The story also had the melodramatic feel of a telenovela, which some readers may enjoy, but it wasn’t quite for me. But the “intrigue” of it all kept me reading, even though it was predictable. While I appreciated Moreno-Garcia’s writing, I found the story a bit dry and emotionally distant, and I kept hoping for a character arc that never quite happened for me. 2.75 stars
Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s descriptive writing is, as always, excellent. She brings Veracruz to life, and the atmosphere is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Unlike her supernatural novels, this is a character-driven story more in the vein of The Beautiful Ones, my favorite by the author.
It’s clear from the beginning that Ulises and Ines aren’t meant to be admirable people, and perhaps the novel is intended as a study of the darker side of human nature. I just wished there had been a deeper exploration of their pasts than what we do get. Even Perla, who should inspire some sympathy for being the victim, is difficult to root for. But to be honest, I was hoping for a not so good ending for her. The story also had the melodramatic feel of a telenovela, which some readers may enjoy, but it wasn’t quite for me. But the “intrigue” of it all kept me reading, even though it was predictable. While I appreciated Moreno-Garcia’s writing, I found the story a bit dry and emotionally distant, and I kept hoping for a character arc that never quite happened for me. 2.75 stars
July 20, 2026
Ulises Linares plies the lonely hearts columns of wartime Mexico City, courting widows through the mail with a silvered hairline and an equally silvered tongue. His epistolary hunting grounds route him toward Puerco Ahogado (not the dish), a mountain town fogged in perpetual chipichipi drizzle, and a room inside the crumbling guesthouse.
Perla Inclán runs that guesthouse on the fumes of her father's coffee empire, counting beans and pesos with matching stinginess. Her niece Inés serves supper, mends hems, and endures a status somewhere between family and unpaid staff, orphaned by a mother's fatal tumble down the very stairs she still dreams about. Ulises means to charm the aunt and instead ends up drawn toward the girl folding his stained jacket, obsidian eyes included.
Moreno-Garcia builds her intrigue slowly, letting us steep alongside Ulises as he tallies the value of chipped china and cracked fountains, weighing whether Perla's fortune justifies a longer stay.
A professor smuggles sherry past a locked cabinet. A suitor bribes the help for gossip. A dog gets banished for napping on a dead monsignor's settee. Then the plot turns bitter. A locked desk yields a forgotten father, an unclaimed inheritance, and a motive honed past any coffee grinder's edge. Sherry stops being a polite nightcap.
Two grifters, one professional and one born of pure domestic grievance, discover a shared talent for deception. Their courtship plays out in stolen glances over canasta and midnight visits meant to look accidental.
Ulises came for an easy mark and got outmatched by an amateur armed with a garden full of toxic seeds. Inés, raised on Nepomuceno's Greek myths, absorbs lessons about ambitious mortals and vengeful gods far better than her Latin conjugations.
Moreno-Garcia frames her romance against a Mexico caught between blackout drills and society pages, a country performing patriotism at cocktail parties while black market sugar changes hands under the counter. The historical texture stays stitched into the plotting instead of floating above it. Every period detail, from swastika flagged cars to rationed sugar, deepens the moral rot Ulises and Inés are about to commit.
If you are hoping for a tidy romance you should adjust your expectations. This courtship runs on poison and property law, and Moreno-Garcia clearly enjoys watching her spinster heroine reveal claws keener than any suitor imagined. The novel percolates instead of racing, favoring atmosphere and slow building dread over pulpy speed.
A gothic confidence game, brewed strong, served scalding, and best enjoyed without sugar. 3 ½ stars.
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❤️ 🇮🇱
Perla Inclán runs that guesthouse on the fumes of her father's coffee empire, counting beans and pesos with matching stinginess. Her niece Inés serves supper, mends hems, and endures a status somewhere between family and unpaid staff, orphaned by a mother's fatal tumble down the very stairs she still dreams about. Ulises means to charm the aunt and instead ends up drawn toward the girl folding his stained jacket, obsidian eyes included.
Moreno-Garcia builds her intrigue slowly, letting us steep alongside Ulises as he tallies the value of chipped china and cracked fountains, weighing whether Perla's fortune justifies a longer stay.
A professor smuggles sherry past a locked cabinet. A suitor bribes the help for gossip. A dog gets banished for napping on a dead monsignor's settee. Then the plot turns bitter. A locked desk yields a forgotten father, an unclaimed inheritance, and a motive honed past any coffee grinder's edge. Sherry stops being a polite nightcap.
Two grifters, one professional and one born of pure domestic grievance, discover a shared talent for deception. Their courtship plays out in stolen glances over canasta and midnight visits meant to look accidental.
Ulises came for an easy mark and got outmatched by an amateur armed with a garden full of toxic seeds. Inés, raised on Nepomuceno's Greek myths, absorbs lessons about ambitious mortals and vengeful gods far better than her Latin conjugations.
Moreno-Garcia frames her romance against a Mexico caught between blackout drills and society pages, a country performing patriotism at cocktail parties while black market sugar changes hands under the counter. The historical texture stays stitched into the plotting instead of floating above it. Every period detail, from swastika flagged cars to rationed sugar, deepens the moral rot Ulises and Inés are about to commit.
If you are hoping for a tidy romance you should adjust your expectations. This courtship runs on poison and property law, and Moreno-Garcia clearly enjoys watching her spinster heroine reveal claws keener than any suitor imagined. The novel percolates instead of racing, favoring atmosphere and slow building dread over pulpy speed.
A gothic confidence game, brewed strong, served scalding, and best enjoyed without sugar. 3 ½ stars.
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❤️ 🇮🇱
August 1, 2026
From one of my favorite authors comes another historical noir novel, this time much sexier than I usually expect from her!
Set in 1940's Mexico, a con man named Ulises preys on lonely older women by writing letters through a lonely hearts newspaper column, but this time he might be in deeper than he realized. Perla is a single older woman who runs a boarding house in a small town with her niece. Ines is desperate to escape her aunt and move to Mexico City, but doesn't have the resources to do it. She quickly figures out what Ulises is up to and wants in on the scheme. But there are layers of family secrets and there will be murders before the book is finished...
This does a great job of highlighting the moral and financial constraints placed on women at the time, especially from more gentrified families. They had few options, often had to rely on men for financial survival, and were disallowed sexual promiscuity. Moreno-Garcia does a great job writing complex female characters and this novel is no exception. Noir isn't my favorite genre by this was great. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
Set in 1940's Mexico, a con man named Ulises preys on lonely older women by writing letters through a lonely hearts newspaper column, but this time he might be in deeper than he realized. Perla is a single older woman who runs a boarding house in a small town with her niece. Ines is desperate to escape her aunt and move to Mexico City, but doesn't have the resources to do it. She quickly figures out what Ulises is up to and wants in on the scheme. But there are layers of family secrets and there will be murders before the book is finished...
This does a great job of highlighting the moral and financial constraints placed on women at the time, especially from more gentrified families. They had few options, often had to rely on men for financial survival, and were disallowed sexual promiscuity. Moreno-Garcia does a great job writing complex female characters and this novel is no exception. Noir isn't my favorite genre by this was great. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
Did Not Finish
July 24, 2026DNF at 30%. The writing was fabulous, the plot was just taking too long to develop. Slow burn was unfortunately too slow for me.
No rating since I didn’t make it more than halfway.
No rating since I didn’t make it more than halfway.
December 2, 2025
This was such a good book with themes of desire, greed, and cons! Ulises is an interesting character and a sneaky con artist but young Ines throws him off his game when he targets Perla, her aunt. As the plot evolved I found myself paranoid of who could be trusted and what everyone’s intentions really were. There were definitely twists and it made this book very hard to put down! I read it in a matter of hours because I was so hooked on the plot. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 27, 2026
Silvia Moreno-Garcia loves noir, and loves to write about different parts of Mexican history. (See her previous book 'Silver Nitrate'). In this book, set in 1943, she writes about a con man coming to a small mountain town to inveigle a spinster to marry him, or to get her money any other way.
The con man calls himself Ulises, and he learned the trade from his father who died just a couple years prior. It turns out Ulises is not nearly as good. But he's handsome and glib, and is trying to move beyond penny-ante cons. This is the one he hopes sets him up for life.
The spinster, Perla, is a part of the moneyed class in this small town, and has a live-in niece who is the bastard child of Perla's dead sister. The niece is expected to live with Perla until she dies, and Perla treats the niece, Inés, with disdain. Inés chafes at her treatment but is dirt poor and has no other place to go. Then Ulises arrives at Perla's invitation after corresponding with him through personal ads in the magazines.
The stage is set with the important characters for an intriguing novel. Perla is imperious but harbors secrets and vices, Ulises is a little out of his depth but charming, and Inés is wondering if this is her chance to break free. It all comes together into an unexpected noir-ish ending. Yes, people die, but probably not who the reader would expect.
I didn't like this book as much as I did 'Silver Nitrate', partly because I found the Mexican movie business of the mid-20th century more interesting than life in a small town in Veracruz. Still, there are plenty of secrets, sultry looks and some surprisingly graphic sex moments, while everyone tries to figure out how to carve a life for themselves out of this town. One of the sub-themes is the rigid class structure of the time and how people were locked into their roles, both socially and economically.
Sometimes Moreno-Garcia writes fantasy novels, but this is not one. This is a straight historical fiction noir almost entirely set in a small Mexican town. For a book with a fantasy element, see her previous book, 'The Bewitching'.
The con man calls himself Ulises, and he learned the trade from his father who died just a couple years prior. It turns out Ulises is not nearly as good. But he's handsome and glib, and is trying to move beyond penny-ante cons. This is the one he hopes sets him up for life.
The spinster, Perla, is a part of the moneyed class in this small town, and has a live-in niece who is the bastard child of Perla's dead sister. The niece is expected to live with Perla until she dies, and Perla treats the niece, Inés, with disdain. Inés chafes at her treatment but is dirt poor and has no other place to go. Then Ulises arrives at Perla's invitation after corresponding with him through personal ads in the magazines.
The stage is set with the important characters for an intriguing novel. Perla is imperious but harbors secrets and vices, Ulises is a little out of his depth but charming, and Inés is wondering if this is her chance to break free. It all comes together into an unexpected noir-ish ending. Yes, people die, but probably not who the reader would expect.
I didn't like this book as much as I did 'Silver Nitrate', partly because I found the Mexican movie business of the mid-20th century more interesting than life in a small town in Veracruz. Still, there are plenty of secrets, sultry looks and some surprisingly graphic sex moments, while everyone tries to figure out how to carve a life for themselves out of this town. One of the sub-themes is the rigid class structure of the time and how people were locked into their roles, both socially and economically.
Sometimes Moreno-Garcia writes fantasy novels, but this is not one. This is a straight historical fiction noir almost entirely set in a small Mexican town. For a book with a fantasy element, see her previous book, 'The Bewitching'.
December 1, 2025
(Disclaimer: I received the ARC from the publisher, but this has in no way influenced my review. My thoughts are entirely unbiased and honest.)
Absolutely floored with how this author consistently makes you feel immersed with the setting and genre she chooses her story to have.
Not really a spoiler but I was fully convinced that Puerco Ahogado was a real place until the Notes chapter revealed otherwise.
I'm rating this 4.25 because I found the character-building and its story progression better compared to the previous releases. Last book of hers I really enjoyed was The Beautiful Ones.
This book is kind of its edgier cousin with all the killing, kissing (and more), and just the overall darker themes rooted in class struggles and patriarchy.
Perla aka the Bigger Baddie is a very well-written villain. She sucks so bad hahaha
(I've been reading Silvia Moreno-Garcias' works before Mexican Gothic.)
I daresay Inés and Ulises may be the most romantic pairing this author ever wrote and kind of the healthiest dkdkfk
(Her other main characters tend to have.... questionable dynamics.)
To be honest, the best thing about this book really is the doggie named, Diógenes huhu and if you know you know
Absolutely floored with how this author consistently makes you feel immersed with the setting and genre she chooses her story to have.
Not really a spoiler but I was fully convinced that Puerco Ahogado was a real place until the Notes chapter revealed otherwise.
I'm rating this 4.25 because I found the character-building and its story progression better compared to the previous releases. Last book of hers I really enjoyed was The Beautiful Ones.
This book is kind of its edgier cousin with all the killing, kissing (and more), and just the overall darker themes rooted in class struggles and patriarchy.
Perla aka the Bigger Baddie is a very well-written villain. She sucks so bad hahaha
(I've been reading Silvia Moreno-Garcias' works before Mexican Gothic.)
I daresay Inés and Ulises may be the most romantic pairing this author ever wrote and kind of the healthiest dkdkfk
(Her other main characters tend to have.... questionable dynamics.)
To be honest, the best thing about this book really is the doggie named, Diógenes huhu and if you know you know
July 17, 2026
4.25⭐️ but thinking if it should be 4.5🤨
Thank you @delreybooks and @prhaudio for the free ARC + audiobook ♡
.
ׂCatch Me if You Can set in the dank outskirts of Mexico City.
.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Da5NUfTEa5i/
.
The pacing in this one is a bit slower, but the writing is beautiful, and allows you to sink into the vibrant culture that is 1940s Mexico, on the cusp of world war and in a time where people still pen letters in correspondence.
.
Ulises is a con man making his living scamming lonely women. This alone should have made me hate him, but his next mark Perla is so deplorable that I almost started rooting for him 🙈😝
.
However the star of the book is Inés, Perla’s niece, coming of age, seeking adventure and independence, who discovers the con, and springs into cahoots with Ulises.
.
But is one of them going to double cross the other or will it blossom into a forbidden romance?! I really didn’t know which way I wanted it to go, as things spiraled darker and darker to the point of no return.
.
Nothing like her priors that I have read, but still one that tickled my senses, unique and compelling. I think this will have mixed reviews bc of the literary noir feel and pacing but it worked for me.
.
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။|• 🎧 Decent audio production, but not my favorite of all time. I felt the narrator a bit dry at times, and wished we had a diff voice for the female characters.
Thank you @delreybooks and @prhaudio for the free ARC + audiobook ♡
.
ׂCatch Me if You Can set in the dank outskirts of Mexico City.
.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Da5NUfTEa5i/
.
The pacing in this one is a bit slower, but the writing is beautiful, and allows you to sink into the vibrant culture that is 1940s Mexico, on the cusp of world war and in a time where people still pen letters in correspondence.
.
Ulises is a con man making his living scamming lonely women. This alone should have made me hate him, but his next mark Perla is so deplorable that I almost started rooting for him 🙈😝
.
However the star of the book is Inés, Perla’s niece, coming of age, seeking adventure and independence, who discovers the con, and springs into cahoots with Ulises.
.
But is one of them going to double cross the other or will it blossom into a forbidden romance?! I really didn’t know which way I wanted it to go, as things spiraled darker and darker to the point of no return.
.
Nothing like her priors that I have read, but still one that tickled my senses, unique and compelling. I think this will have mixed reviews bc of the literary noir feel and pacing but it worked for me.
.
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။|• 🎧 Decent audio production, but not my favorite of all time. I felt the narrator a bit dry at times, and wished we had a diff voice for the female characters.
July 30, 2026
4⭐️ | This book further confirmed for me that I’d read anything Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes.
I love how she explores different genres in her novels, and this one is a gripping mix of noir and costumbrista.
Set in 1940s Mexico, the story follows a conman who swindles lonely women through mail correspondence. In his latest scam, he travels to a small mountain town to attempt to win over the unmarried matriarch of a respected family and things don’t quite go according to plan.
I love a morally gray character, and this book features a whole cast of them. The writing was artful and engrossing and I truly felt transported in time to the small town of Puerco Ahogado, where customs and status are everything, and the residents go to extreme lengths to maintain appearances. I especially liked the exploration of decay underneath these façades. I’d recommend this book to fans of noir and historical fiction, especially if you’re looking for a well written book featuring moral ambiguity.
Thank you to Del Rey and Silvia Moreno-Garcia for sharing the advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.
I love how she explores different genres in her novels, and this one is a gripping mix of noir and costumbrista.
Set in 1940s Mexico, the story follows a conman who swindles lonely women through mail correspondence. In his latest scam, he travels to a small mountain town to attempt to win over the unmarried matriarch of a respected family and things don’t quite go according to plan.
I love a morally gray character, and this book features a whole cast of them. The writing was artful and engrossing and I truly felt transported in time to the small town of Puerco Ahogado, where customs and status are everything, and the residents go to extreme lengths to maintain appearances. I especially liked the exploration of decay underneath these façades. I’d recommend this book to fans of noir and historical fiction, especially if you’re looking for a well written book featuring moral ambiguity.
Thank you to Del Rey and Silvia Moreno-Garcia for sharing the advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.
July 16, 2026
This is a painful two-star review. I read Moreno-Garcia's last novel, 'The Bewitching', and was, well, bewitched by her writing. The quality of prose is not lacking in 'The Intrigue', certainly. However, the story itself I found lacking. I am the type of reader that craves conflict and mystery, and I felt that this novel lacked either. I found myself thinking it felt like a bad soap opera, only to find out in the author notes that it was entirely intentional. I fear that, to really hit that campy telenovela mark, it needed a lot more outrageousness. This story felt entirely bland, predictable, and glacially slow moving. It made me very sad to have enjoyed it as little as I did.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me the Advanced Reader Copy.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me the Advanced Reader Copy.
December 13, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for the eArc in exchange for an honest review!
This was honestly such a great book with some brilliantly written characters that really evoked some deep feelings out of me. Ulises is such an interesting main character and you really feel for him throughout his scam marriage to Perla, who by the way is INSANE and I don't care about her upbringing— it doesn't justify the shit she's done to Ines.
As the plot continued, I really found myself wondering how it was all going to come together and I was still flipping through pages continuously as the plot thickened - none of this felt like filler and my interest was piqued throughout.
I definitely recommend giving this noir a go!
This was honestly such a great book with some brilliantly written characters that really evoked some deep feelings out of me. Ulises is such an interesting main character and you really feel for him throughout his scam marriage to Perla, who by the way is INSANE and I don't care about her upbringing— it doesn't justify the shit she's done to Ines.
As the plot continued, I really found myself wondering how it was all going to come together and I was still flipping through pages continuously as the plot thickened - none of this felt like filler and my interest was piqued throughout.
I definitely recommend giving this noir a go!
April 27, 2026
I really enjoyed this new book from Silvia Moreno-Garcia. She's an autobuy author for me, so I was looking forward to The Intrigue. It is very much a Gothic Noir.
Think 1940s Noir movies, small town hiding secrets and jealousy, morally grey characters, an attractive grifter, pacts to murder, and ruthless femme fatales, then mix in vintage telenovelas, classism, WWII Mexico and set it in a dank, crumbling mansion.
I ate it up! I love old Film Noir, like Double Indemnity and The Postman Always Rings Twice.
The only thing I didn't love about this book is the cover, but that is just a quibble. Thanks to Del Ray and @netgalley for the ARC.
Think 1940s Noir movies, small town hiding secrets and jealousy, morally grey characters, an attractive grifter, pacts to murder, and ruthless femme fatales, then mix in vintage telenovelas, classism, WWII Mexico and set it in a dank, crumbling mansion.
I ate it up! I love old Film Noir, like Double Indemnity and The Postman Always Rings Twice.
The only thing I didn't love about this book is the cover, but that is just a quibble. Thanks to Del Ray and @netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was just pure mess and I loved almost every second of it
December 6, 2025
This novel is noir at its finest—a genre that already fascinates me with its moral ambiguity, and here the author wields it with near-perfect precision. Intrigue has everything I love about noir—dark, morally tangled, constantly forcing you to question every character’s choices and every line between right and wrong. I’m obsessed with how noir stories dig into the shadows of people, and this book truly lives there. The author doesn’t just explore ambiguity— she revels in it, and it’s honestly breathtaking to watch unfold this whole drama with such an emotionally rich cast of characters.
The psychological depth is astonishing. I loved how intricately the book explores the inner workings of each character—their motives, their flaws, and the complex web of family dynamics that shape who they become.
This book is so beautifully crafted with lush, poetic writing that really just places you inside the town where everything is unravelling and you feel like you’re right there with the characters because the writing is so atmospheric.
There’s one character who was absolutely insufferable, and honestly? It takes real talent to evoke that kind of visceral reaction. And yet, almost paradoxically, I found myself rooting for the happiness of two other characters despite their undeniable crimes. The emotional conflict, the tension, and the empathy this book manages to inspire are remarkable.
Overall, this was a stunning, absorbing, and emotionally sharp novel—one I’m going to be thinking about for a long time.
The psychological depth is astonishing. I loved how intricately the book explores the inner workings of each character—their motives, their flaws, and the complex web of family dynamics that shape who they become.
This book is so beautifully crafted with lush, poetic writing that really just places you inside the town where everything is unravelling and you feel like you’re right there with the characters because the writing is so atmospheric.
There’s one character who was absolutely insufferable, and honestly? It takes real talent to evoke that kind of visceral reaction. And yet, almost paradoxically, I found myself rooting for the happiness of two other characters despite their undeniable crimes. The emotional conflict, the tension, and the empathy this book manages to inspire are remarkable.
Overall, this was a stunning, absorbing, and emotionally sharp novel—one I’m going to be thinking about for a long time.
July 20, 2026
Some novels announce their menace with a scream. This one does it with a smile, a pressed linen suit, and a glass of sherry poured a little too early in the afternoon. The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia trades the haunted mansions and monsters of her earlier work for something more ordinary and, in its own way, far more unsettling: three people in a shabby boardinghouse, each certain they are the smartest liar in the room.
The Premise: A Con Man Arrives, and the House Bites Back
The year is 1943. Ulises is an aging charmer who works the lonely hearts columns of Mexican magazines, seducing solitary women by post and vanishing with whatever cash he can pry loose. Broke and rattled by wartime air-raid drills in Mexico City, he picks the cheaper of two train tickets and steps off in Puerco Ahogado, a fog-wrapped mountain town in Veracruz, to court Perla Inclán, a fortyish spinster who runs a faded guesthouse built on a coffee fortune that dried up decades ago.
His plan is simple. Marry the money, drain it, disappear. What he does not plan for is Inés, Perla's niece, a seamstress with obsidian eyes and a knack for reading a man the way she reads a bolt of cloth. When Inés works out exactly what Ulises is, she does not raise the alarm. She asks for a cut. From that handshake forward, the novel becomes a slow, delicious tightening of a knot, because a guesthouse is a small world, and everyone in it is watching everyone else.
That setup is where the book earns its title. The plot of The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a nest of schemes folded inside schemes, and the pleasure lies in watching who miscalculates first.
The Characters: Nobody Here Is Innocent
Moreno-Garcia's sharpest choice is refusing to hand you a hero. Each of the three leads is vain, wounded, and self-justifying, and each is rendered with enough interior life that you understand them even while you distrust them.
Ulises is a wonderful creation, a man coasting on a fading face and his dead father's rules for the small con. He believes himself a gentleman thief and keeps discovering he is neither as clever nor as cold as he pretends.
Inés is the engine of the book. Caged, unpaid, treated as a servant with a surname, she carries a furious intelligence and a hunger for a life beyond the guesthouse walls. Her sardonic edge gives the prose its bite.
Perla is the quiet triumph. She could have been a stock spinster. Instead she is proud, calculating, cruel, and pitiable, a woman shaped by a tyrant father and by choices she made to survive genteel poverty. The novel hands her a full past, told in vivid present-tense flashbacks, and those chapters may be the strongest writing in the whole book.
The supporting cast pulls its weight too. Nepomuceno, the drunken old professor who quotes Poe and Dante and became the closest thing Inés has to a father, is tender and funny. Cándido, the town lawyer forever circling Perla with legalistic marriage proposals, is odious in exactly the right measure.
The Setting: Decay You Can Smell
If you have read Mexican Gothic, you know Moreno-Garcia can make a house feel like a living antagonist, and she does it again here through accumulation rather than the supernatural. The Inclán guesthouse is all beeswax and moth-eaten carpets, chipped piano keys, a dry fountain choked with leaves, and butterflies pinned fading in their shadow boxes. Puerco Ahogado itself, perched on a volcanic slope and veiled in a permanent drizzle called the chipichipi, becomes a character: humid, gossipy, class-obsessed, beautiful, and quietly suffocating.
The period detail is where the author's research and craft show plainly. This is 1940s Mexico rendered with real authority, from wartime blackout drills and swastika-flagged socialites to lonely hearts magazines, coffee-baron history, and the rigid courtship rituals of the port. It reads as lived-in, never like a costume.
The Prose and the Slow Burn
Moreno-Garcia writes with a controlled sensuality, plain when she wants a scalpel and lush when she wants atmosphere. She favors irony over melodrama. The book keeps you close through shifting points of view, letting you sit inside each schemer's rationalizations, and much of the tension comes from watching three unreliable people misjudge one another in a house where privacy does not exist.
This is a novel of nerves rather than gunfire. Fans expecting the propulsive pace of a modern thriller should know that The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia takes its time, and that patience is the price of admission.
What Works, and Where It Wobbles
No book lands every note, and an honest review should say so. Here is the balance sheet.
What lands beautifully:
Atmosphere and place. The setting is immersive and specific, one of the finest things about the book.
Perla's backstory. The flashback chapters give the novel its emotional weight and moral complexity.
The moral murk. Three untrustworthy leads make for genuine suspense, since you cannot predict who will betray whom.
Voice. Inés's dry wit and the barbed dialogue keep the pages turning.
Where it stumbles for some readers:
The pacing sags in the middle. Once the scheme is set, a stretch of the book circles the same beats before the tension spikes again.
The romance runs cool. The attraction between two of the leads is written with deliberate iciness, which suits the theme but leaves the "sizzling" promised on the jacket feeling more like a low simmer.
A late shift in gears asks a lot of the reader's sympathy and may divide people, depending on how much villainy they will follow.
None of this sinks the book. It simply keeps a very good novel from being a flawless one.
The Verdict
The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a smart, atmospheric slice of domestic noir that rewards readers who savor character over speed. It asks an uncomfortable question, which is whether a person raised inside a cage can climb out without becoming something monstrous, and it refuses to give a tidy answer. Come for the con. Stay for the rot beneath the good manners.
The Premise: A Con Man Arrives, and the House Bites Back
The year is 1943. Ulises is an aging charmer who works the lonely hearts columns of Mexican magazines, seducing solitary women by post and vanishing with whatever cash he can pry loose. Broke and rattled by wartime air-raid drills in Mexico City, he picks the cheaper of two train tickets and steps off in Puerco Ahogado, a fog-wrapped mountain town in Veracruz, to court Perla Inclán, a fortyish spinster who runs a faded guesthouse built on a coffee fortune that dried up decades ago.
His plan is simple. Marry the money, drain it, disappear. What he does not plan for is Inés, Perla's niece, a seamstress with obsidian eyes and a knack for reading a man the way she reads a bolt of cloth. When Inés works out exactly what Ulises is, she does not raise the alarm. She asks for a cut. From that handshake forward, the novel becomes a slow, delicious tightening of a knot, because a guesthouse is a small world, and everyone in it is watching everyone else.
That setup is where the book earns its title. The plot of The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a nest of schemes folded inside schemes, and the pleasure lies in watching who miscalculates first.
The Characters: Nobody Here Is Innocent
Moreno-Garcia's sharpest choice is refusing to hand you a hero. Each of the three leads is vain, wounded, and self-justifying, and each is rendered with enough interior life that you understand them even while you distrust them.
Ulises is a wonderful creation, a man coasting on a fading face and his dead father's rules for the small con. He believes himself a gentleman thief and keeps discovering he is neither as clever nor as cold as he pretends.
Inés is the engine of the book. Caged, unpaid, treated as a servant with a surname, she carries a furious intelligence and a hunger for a life beyond the guesthouse walls. Her sardonic edge gives the prose its bite.
Perla is the quiet triumph. She could have been a stock spinster. Instead she is proud, calculating, cruel, and pitiable, a woman shaped by a tyrant father and by choices she made to survive genteel poverty. The novel hands her a full past, told in vivid present-tense flashbacks, and those chapters may be the strongest writing in the whole book.
The supporting cast pulls its weight too. Nepomuceno, the drunken old professor who quotes Poe and Dante and became the closest thing Inés has to a father, is tender and funny. Cándido, the town lawyer forever circling Perla with legalistic marriage proposals, is odious in exactly the right measure.
The Setting: Decay You Can Smell
If you have read Mexican Gothic, you know Moreno-Garcia can make a house feel like a living antagonist, and she does it again here through accumulation rather than the supernatural. The Inclán guesthouse is all beeswax and moth-eaten carpets, chipped piano keys, a dry fountain choked with leaves, and butterflies pinned fading in their shadow boxes. Puerco Ahogado itself, perched on a volcanic slope and veiled in a permanent drizzle called the chipichipi, becomes a character: humid, gossipy, class-obsessed, beautiful, and quietly suffocating.
The period detail is where the author's research and craft show plainly. This is 1940s Mexico rendered with real authority, from wartime blackout drills and swastika-flagged socialites to lonely hearts magazines, coffee-baron history, and the rigid courtship rituals of the port. It reads as lived-in, never like a costume.
The Prose and the Slow Burn
Moreno-Garcia writes with a controlled sensuality, plain when she wants a scalpel and lush when she wants atmosphere. She favors irony over melodrama. The book keeps you close through shifting points of view, letting you sit inside each schemer's rationalizations, and much of the tension comes from watching three unreliable people misjudge one another in a house where privacy does not exist.
This is a novel of nerves rather than gunfire. Fans expecting the propulsive pace of a modern thriller should know that The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia takes its time, and that patience is the price of admission.
What Works, and Where It Wobbles
No book lands every note, and an honest review should say so. Here is the balance sheet.
What lands beautifully:
Atmosphere and place. The setting is immersive and specific, one of the finest things about the book.
Perla's backstory. The flashback chapters give the novel its emotional weight and moral complexity.
The moral murk. Three untrustworthy leads make for genuine suspense, since you cannot predict who will betray whom.
Voice. Inés's dry wit and the barbed dialogue keep the pages turning.
Where it stumbles for some readers:
The pacing sags in the middle. Once the scheme is set, a stretch of the book circles the same beats before the tension spikes again.
The romance runs cool. The attraction between two of the leads is written with deliberate iciness, which suits the theme but leaves the "sizzling" promised on the jacket feeling more like a low simmer.
A late shift in gears asks a lot of the reader's sympathy and may divide people, depending on how much villainy they will follow.
None of this sinks the book. It simply keeps a very good novel from being a flawless one.
The Verdict
The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a smart, atmospheric slice of domestic noir that rewards readers who savor character over speed. It asks an uncomfortable question, which is whether a person raised inside a cage can climb out without becoming something monstrous, and it refuses to give a tidy answer. Come for the con. Stay for the rot beneath the good manners.
July 15, 2026
This was such a juicy story - a scam artist who romances older, wealthier women and runs off with their money is down on his luck. Very much a "this is my last chance" scenario. He finds an unlikely partner in crime as they get deeper and deeper into trouble.
I loved the feeling of place that Moreno-Garcia evokes and the tension throughout the novel made through character choices and plot threads. I think I am at the point now that I will read anything this author puts out, every single one is a hit. Her writing is always compulsively readable and the stories themselves are so rich.
I loved the feeling of place that Moreno-Garcia evokes and the tension throughout the novel made through character choices and plot threads. I think I am at the point now that I will read anything this author puts out, every single one is a hit. Her writing is always compulsively readable and the stories themselves are so rich.
July 15, 2026
Silvia Moreno-Garcia is one of my favorite authors for a reason. Her female characters have a yearning that feels so real and desperate. In The Intrigue, Inès is stuck taking care of her aunt, who won’t let her work and restricts her every movement. Born out of an illicit relationship and a town scandal, Inès is trapped by her lack of money and the social obligations and requirements of Mexican women in 1940s small-town Mexico. Enter Ulises, a con man trying to swindle her aunt. He’s attractive but also restricted by his own abilities and the grief of his father’s death.
The Mexico that Moreno-Garcia depicts is beautiful, limiting, and forlorn. But it is also full of possibility. I recognize that Mexico as a historian but also as a Mexican woman living abroad. I always find that her depictions of Mexico, even historical Mexico, really speak to the immigrant’s nostalgia.
I love immersing myself in the stories of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and loved the journey of The Intrigue.
I read an Advance Reader's Copy that I received for free via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The Mexico that Moreno-Garcia depicts is beautiful, limiting, and forlorn. But it is also full of possibility. I recognize that Mexico as a historian but also as a Mexican woman living abroad. I always find that her depictions of Mexico, even historical Mexico, really speak to the immigrant’s nostalgia.
I love immersing myself in the stories of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and loved the journey of The Intrigue.
I read an Advance Reader's Copy that I received for free via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
July 15, 2026
The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a fantastic noir novel and I loved it. Ulises is a conman a Casanova. Making his money off women. His partner in crime was his dad, but he died a couple years ago, and Ulises is down to his last pesos. He does still have women that send him money to help him out because they believe he is their prince charming who will be coming to save them. Ulises feels he is finally on to a big enough score when he finds Perla. Unfortunately, Perla's niece figures out Ulises game and she demands a cut. She will help him, but wants half the take. What is Ines' game? She provides good and unexpected help to Ulises and he begins to have complicated feelings about the situation he finds himself in. Our characters are well drawn and this story moves at a good pace. I highly recommend this read. Thank you so much Net Galley for this e-arc. I loved it. 4.5 stars.
July 18, 2026
I almost dnf’d this book many times. I pushed through hoping the storyline would pick up but it never really did. It felt like a story I kept waiting to develop but never really did until the very end. I almost feel like I could have read the first few and last few pages and it would have been enough.
July 2, 2026
Did anything actually happen in this book?
There were fleeting moments when I almost got drawn in, and then they were gone. The whole book seemed to be one big prologue. I am much more interested in the characters as they are in the prologue than I was in any chapter throughout the book itself.
This was well written, but a well written story without a story line is still a story without a storyline.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There were fleeting moments when I almost got drawn in, and then they were gone. The whole book seemed to be one big prologue. I am much more interested in the characters as they are in the prologue than I was in any chapter throughout the book itself.
This was well written, but a well written story without a story line is still a story without a storyline.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received The Intrigue as an ARC from NetGalley, and as someone who adores Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing and has read almost all of her work, I was very excited to dive into this one.
As always, Moreno-Garcia’s prose is a pleasure to read—elegant, confident, and atmospheric. Her command of language remains the strongest aspect of the novel, and even when the story wasn’t fully working for me, I still found myself appreciating her voice on the page.
That said, The Intrigue ultimately didn’t resonate with me. The novel feels at least 100 pages shorter than it needs to be (at least in my opinion). I yearned for more development...
Ines’ role in helping Ulises woo and seduce Perla is glossed over when it should have been explored in depth, and the emotional arc between Ulises and Ines felt rushed. Their growing connection needed more space to breathe in order to feel earned. I struggled to fully invest in the characters and their relationships, even though the premise had potential.
Overall, while The Intrigue didn’t quite work for me on a narrative or emotional level, but fans of Moreno-Garcia’s writing style and/or noirs/dramas will still find plenty to enjoy, of course.
This is just my take on the ARC. I’ll continue reading her work, as she is one of my all-time favorite authors. It was truly a pleasure staring 2026 with a gem.
As always, Moreno-Garcia’s prose is a pleasure to read—elegant, confident, and atmospheric. Her command of language remains the strongest aspect of the novel, and even when the story wasn’t fully working for me, I still found myself appreciating her voice on the page.
That said, The Intrigue ultimately didn’t resonate with me. The novel feels at least 100 pages shorter than it needs to be (at least in my opinion). I yearned for more development...
Ines’ role in helping Ulises woo and seduce Perla is glossed over when it should have been explored in depth, and the emotional arc between Ulises and Ines felt rushed. Their growing connection needed more space to breathe in order to feel earned. I struggled to fully invest in the characters and their relationships, even though the premise had potential.
Overall, while The Intrigue didn’t quite work for me on a narrative or emotional level, but fans of Moreno-Garcia’s writing style and/or noirs/dramas will still find plenty to enjoy, of course.
This is just my take on the ARC. I’ll continue reading her work, as she is one of my all-time favorite authors. It was truly a pleasure staring 2026 with a gem.
February 6, 2026
A great combination of high gothic drama (think family drama, an old decaying house, dynamics souring over decades) and two of just the worst people teaming up to con her shitty fucking aunt out of everything they can. Just the best kind of intrigue, and watching these two shitty people almost get found out multiple times is fantastic to watch.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5-4/5
Di prossima uscita in inglese, il nuovo romanzo “The Intrigue” di Silvia Moreno-Garcia si scosta un po’ dal classico terreno battuto in precedenza dall’autrice, senza perdere freschezza e arguzia narrativa. Il suo nuovo libro, infatti, è un noir di ambientazione storica, con al centro una macchinazione, un inganno, in un contesto sociale osservato nel dettaglio e con una trama che si va via via intricando e mescola intrighi personali con tematiche più complesse quali il potere, il controllo e l’ambiguità morale che ne deriva.
Ambientato nel Messico degli anni Quaranta, la storia ruota attorno a Ulises, un affascinante truffatore che sopravvive seducendo donne sole attraverso la corrispondenza epistolare, sfruttando le falle emotive di queste ultime e uno repertorio romantico pre-confezionato. Quando le opportunità economiche si assottigliano, Ulises rivolge la propria attenzione a Perla, proprietaria di una modesta pensione in un piccolo paese, sicura di poterla circuire e trarne per sé un guadagno materiale. Tuttavia, giunto in questo contesto apparentemente tranquillo, Ulises si trova immerso in un ambiente domestico e sociale di inattesa complessità, soprattutto attraverso la figura della nipote di Perla, la cui acutezza rendono il piano dell’uomo tutt’altro che lineare. Ciò che nasce come uno schema calcolato si trasforma così in una narrazione stratificata, in cui i segreti si moltiplicano, le intenzioni mutano e le apparenze si rivelano pericolosamente ingannevoli.
Il romanzo dialoga i classici temi cari al noir, ossia l’ambiguità morale, il desiderio destinato alla rovina, l’illusione del controllo, ma li contestualizza nell’ambito storico e sociale messicano del tempo in modo perfetto. Troviamo quindi una cittadina governata da pettegolezzi, convenzioni e retaggi coloniali che regolano i comportamenti tanto quanto la legge o la forza. Questo scenario è fondamentale per lo svolgersi della storia, poiché proprio il decoro e le buone maniere sono maschere che occultano avidità, brama e disperazione che raffinano le strategie anche più subdole e becere di sopravvivenza.
La costruzione dei personaggi rappresenta uno dei risultati più notevoli dell’opera, la complessità emotiva dei quali è assolutamente centrale. La narrazione si articola attraverso più punti di vista, ciascuno dei quali contribuisce con una prospettiva propria, psicologica ed etica, senza compromettere la coesione narrativa. Ulises incarna l’antieroe noir: seducente, calcolatore, sufficientemente consapevole della propria corruzione morale, ma incapace a immaginare una modalità alternativa di esistenza. Inés, con la sua intelligenza e la sua inquietudine, rappresenta i limiti imposti alle donne nel contesto storico e geografico in cui vive. Perla, infine, sovverte l’archetipo della vittima ingenua, rivelando quanto spesso la sopravvivenza in una società restrittiva richieda una forma di segretezza e ambiguità altrettanto sofisticata. La doppiezza morale dei personaggi è determinata storicamente e socialmente, radicata nelle realtà di genere, classe e precarietà economica del Messico di metà Novecento.
Matrimonio, romanticismo e rispettabilità fanno parte di strutture istituzionali attraverso cui gli individui e i destini vengono regolati. La dimensione storica intensifica questa sottesa critica al potere, mettendo in luce appunto come nella vita messicana degli anni Quaranta le aspettative coloniali e le gerarchie ereditate continuino a modellare le relazioni ben oltre i cambiamenti politici formali.
Lo stile di Moreno-Garcia è ricco senza indulgere nell’eccesso. L’atmosfera è cinematografica e immersiva. Il dialogo assume un ruolo fondamentale, facendo avanzare la narrazione attraverso ciò che resta implicito tanto quanto attraverso ciò che viene dichiarato. Il ritmo consente l’accumulo di dettagli e di pressione psicologica, rafforzando l’idea che l’inganno non sia un evento isolato.
Nel suo esito complessivo, “The Intrigue” è un’ottima prova della versatilità e dell’ambizione narrativa di Silvia Moreno-Garcia. È un romanzo che concepisce il noir come una lente attraverso cui rendere leggibili le contraddizioni e pulsioni dell’animo umano, ricordando che sotto le superfici levigate della civiltà e del romanticismo si celano esistenze modellate dal compromesso, dal coraggio e da una silenziosa, ostinata tensione verso la trasformazione.
Grazie all’editore e a Netgalley per la copia digitale per questa recensione.
Di prossima uscita in inglese, il nuovo romanzo “The Intrigue” di Silvia Moreno-Garcia si scosta un po’ dal classico terreno battuto in precedenza dall’autrice, senza perdere freschezza e arguzia narrativa. Il suo nuovo libro, infatti, è un noir di ambientazione storica, con al centro una macchinazione, un inganno, in un contesto sociale osservato nel dettaglio e con una trama che si va via via intricando e mescola intrighi personali con tematiche più complesse quali il potere, il controllo e l’ambiguità morale che ne deriva.
Ambientato nel Messico degli anni Quaranta, la storia ruota attorno a Ulises, un affascinante truffatore che sopravvive seducendo donne sole attraverso la corrispondenza epistolare, sfruttando le falle emotive di queste ultime e uno repertorio romantico pre-confezionato. Quando le opportunità economiche si assottigliano, Ulises rivolge la propria attenzione a Perla, proprietaria di una modesta pensione in un piccolo paese, sicura di poterla circuire e trarne per sé un guadagno materiale. Tuttavia, giunto in questo contesto apparentemente tranquillo, Ulises si trova immerso in un ambiente domestico e sociale di inattesa complessità, soprattutto attraverso la figura della nipote di Perla, la cui acutezza rendono il piano dell’uomo tutt’altro che lineare. Ciò che nasce come uno schema calcolato si trasforma così in una narrazione stratificata, in cui i segreti si moltiplicano, le intenzioni mutano e le apparenze si rivelano pericolosamente ingannevoli.
Il romanzo dialoga i classici temi cari al noir, ossia l’ambiguità morale, il desiderio destinato alla rovina, l’illusione del controllo, ma li contestualizza nell’ambito storico e sociale messicano del tempo in modo perfetto. Troviamo quindi una cittadina governata da pettegolezzi, convenzioni e retaggi coloniali che regolano i comportamenti tanto quanto la legge o la forza. Questo scenario è fondamentale per lo svolgersi della storia, poiché proprio il decoro e le buone maniere sono maschere che occultano avidità, brama e disperazione che raffinano le strategie anche più subdole e becere di sopravvivenza.
La costruzione dei personaggi rappresenta uno dei risultati più notevoli dell’opera, la complessità emotiva dei quali è assolutamente centrale. La narrazione si articola attraverso più punti di vista, ciascuno dei quali contribuisce con una prospettiva propria, psicologica ed etica, senza compromettere la coesione narrativa. Ulises incarna l’antieroe noir: seducente, calcolatore, sufficientemente consapevole della propria corruzione morale, ma incapace a immaginare una modalità alternativa di esistenza. Inés, con la sua intelligenza e la sua inquietudine, rappresenta i limiti imposti alle donne nel contesto storico e geografico in cui vive. Perla, infine, sovverte l’archetipo della vittima ingenua, rivelando quanto spesso la sopravvivenza in una società restrittiva richieda una forma di segretezza e ambiguità altrettanto sofisticata. La doppiezza morale dei personaggi è determinata storicamente e socialmente, radicata nelle realtà di genere, classe e precarietà economica del Messico di metà Novecento.
Matrimonio, romanticismo e rispettabilità fanno parte di strutture istituzionali attraverso cui gli individui e i destini vengono regolati. La dimensione storica intensifica questa sottesa critica al potere, mettendo in luce appunto come nella vita messicana degli anni Quaranta le aspettative coloniali e le gerarchie ereditate continuino a modellare le relazioni ben oltre i cambiamenti politici formali.
Lo stile di Moreno-Garcia è ricco senza indulgere nell’eccesso. L’atmosfera è cinematografica e immersiva. Il dialogo assume un ruolo fondamentale, facendo avanzare la narrazione attraverso ciò che resta implicito tanto quanto attraverso ciò che viene dichiarato. Il ritmo consente l’accumulo di dettagli e di pressione psicologica, rafforzando l’idea che l’inganno non sia un evento isolato.
Nel suo esito complessivo, “The Intrigue” è un’ottima prova della versatilità e dell’ambizione narrativa di Silvia Moreno-Garcia. È un romanzo che concepisce il noir come una lente attraverso cui rendere leggibili le contraddizioni e pulsioni dell’animo umano, ricordando che sotto le superfici levigate della civiltà e del romanticismo si celano esistenze modellate dal compromesso, dal coraggio e da una silenziosa, ostinata tensione verso la trasformazione.
Grazie all’editore e a Netgalley per la copia digitale per questa recensione.
July 21, 2026
3.75 rounded to 4
Historical noir (first time reading this genre) set in the 1940s in Mexico. She takes us from the busy streets of Mexico City to a mountain side town, where we follow a con artist, Ulises, who preys on the lonely, older women writing to a magazine ad to find companionship. But this con takes an unexpected turn.
Silvia's character work needs to be studied because I am always in awe of it. SHE SINGLE-HANDEDLY WRITES THE BEST VILLIANS AND ANTAGONISTS. The depths of their motives, greed, loneliness, hate, pain, sadness etc slowly suffocates you. I love the reminder that at the end of the day, they are human.
I always look forward to her commentary of society and culture. In this case it is greed, desire, drive, religion, and roles of women. Reading her author's notes, I can totally agree that this story was like a delicious tale told by your family members in hushed tones; everything is so taboo but some of the characters to challenge that.
Slightly lower rating due to the predictability at the end and not really caring for the last POV as much. It didn't hit hard given that he was a people-pleasing cop that wouldn't play with the stakes. I did find myself loving this genre and hope she delves more into it.
Always an auto-buy author for me.
Looked up the dog's name Diógenes= Diogenes the Cynic, was a controversial ancient Greek philosopher and founder of Cynicism. He lived during the Classical Greek period and was known for his eccentricity and rejection of societal norms. (I loveeee it).
Historical noir (first time reading this genre) set in the 1940s in Mexico. She takes us from the busy streets of Mexico City to a mountain side town, where we follow a con artist, Ulises, who preys on the lonely, older women writing to a magazine ad to find companionship. But this con takes an unexpected turn.
Silvia's character work needs to be studied because I am always in awe of it. SHE SINGLE-HANDEDLY WRITES THE BEST VILLIANS AND ANTAGONISTS. The depths of their motives, greed, loneliness, hate, pain, sadness etc slowly suffocates you. I love the reminder that at the end of the day, they are human.
I always look forward to her commentary of society and culture. In this case it is greed, desire, drive, religion, and roles of women. Reading her author's notes, I can totally agree that this story was like a delicious tale told by your family members in hushed tones; everything is so taboo but some of the characters to challenge that.
Slightly lower rating due to the predictability at the end and not really caring for the last POV as much. It didn't hit hard given that he was a people-pleasing cop that wouldn't play with the stakes. I did find myself loving this genre and hope she delves more into it.
Always an auto-buy author for me.
Looked up the dog's name Diógenes= Diogenes the Cynic, was a controversial ancient Greek philosopher and founder of Cynicism. He lived during the Classical Greek period and was known for his eccentricity and rejection of societal norms. (I loveeee it).
July 29, 2026
Being a fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia I expected her latest book to include horror or gothic elements. The Intrigue is neither, but it definitely is Noir. I had to look up the definition of Noir in terms of fiction: morally flawed characters, corrupt settings, and fatalistic, tragic outcomes. Check, check, check! Silvia has written an atmospheric, character driven story in the historical noir genre. For much of the book I felt hot and sweaty while I read, so bravo for setting the scene so well. 1940s Mexico, con artist Ulises has come to town to sweep Perla, the owner of a small-town boardinghouse in picturesque Veracruz, off her feet. More appropriately, away from her money. While a guest at the boardinghouse he meets Perla's niece, Inés, who is curious, smart, driven to success, and a fantastic liar. Inés steals the show. She was by far my favorite character, and I wanted her to succeed in whatever direction she chose to go. The story is told from multiple POVs, in both the past and the present. I loved this approach because it slowly revealed truths about characters I assumed were on the up and up, but were definitely only out for themselves. It took me a while to get into the lives of Perla, Ulises, and Inés, but once I did I was hooked, even when the plot slowed at times. Then again, being all hot and sweaty this slow down only added to the atmosphere of the book. 3.5 stars rounded up.
July 15, 2026
The Intrigue 🚬✨Review✨thank you partner @delreybooks @prhaudio for the free ARC and audiobook!
The Intrigue
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Narrated by Andre Bellido
out now!
In 1940s Mexico, charming con artist Ulises targets Perla, the wealthy owner of a small-town boardinghouse, hoping to steal her fortune through marriage. But when Perla’s clever niece, Inés, discovers his plan, she offers to help for a share of the money. As secrets unravel and unexpected feelings develop, their simple scheme becomes far more dangerous than any of them anticipated.
My thoughts 💭:
If there’s a con at the center of the story, I’m probably going to pick it up! This was a hybrid read for me, split between the physical book and the audiobook. I started with the physical copy, but when I realized I wanted to finish it for pub day (I am only a day late!), I saw the audiobook was available through PRH Audio and immediately switched over. I ended up leaning heavily into the audiobook, and I’m so glad I did. The narrator delivered a moody performance that perfectly matched the atmosphere of the story. This is definitely more of an edgy slow burn, with the focus on its characters, their motivations, and the web of lies they create. The tension builds steadily, making it all the more satisfying as the story unfolds. If you enjoy character driven historical fiction with morally gray characters, secrets, and a clever con, this one is worth checking out!
📚 What to expect👇🏽
🕰️ Historical fiction
🎧 Moody audiobook
💰 Con artist
❤️🔥 Slow burn
🤫 Family secrets
🖤 Morally gray characters
Happy reading 🎧📖🚬💰
The Intrigue
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Narrated by Andre Bellido
out now!
In 1940s Mexico, charming con artist Ulises targets Perla, the wealthy owner of a small-town boardinghouse, hoping to steal her fortune through marriage. But when Perla’s clever niece, Inés, discovers his plan, she offers to help for a share of the money. As secrets unravel and unexpected feelings develop, their simple scheme becomes far more dangerous than any of them anticipated.
My thoughts 💭:
If there’s a con at the center of the story, I’m probably going to pick it up! This was a hybrid read for me, split between the physical book and the audiobook. I started with the physical copy, but when I realized I wanted to finish it for pub day (I am only a day late!), I saw the audiobook was available through PRH Audio and immediately switched over. I ended up leaning heavily into the audiobook, and I’m so glad I did. The narrator delivered a moody performance that perfectly matched the atmosphere of the story. This is definitely more of an edgy slow burn, with the focus on its characters, their motivations, and the web of lies they create. The tension builds steadily, making it all the more satisfying as the story unfolds. If you enjoy character driven historical fiction with morally gray characters, secrets, and a clever con, this one is worth checking out!
📚 What to expect👇🏽
🕰️ Historical fiction
🎧 Moody audiobook
💰 Con artist
❤️🔥 Slow burn
🤫 Family secrets
🖤 Morally gray characters
Happy reading 🎧📖🚬💰
July 14, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Intrigue marks Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s return to noir after last year’s gothic, witchy The Bewitching. Set in 1943 Mexico, the novel follows Ulises, a not-so-successful con artist in search of his next victim, and Perla and Inés, the aunt and niece who will change the course of his life.
Moreno-Garcia is one of those rare authors who seems capable of writing in whatever genre she chooses. This blend of noir with costumbrista elements feels quintessentially Moreno-Garcia, both in its themes and in its style. The story unfolds at a measured pace, carefully putting all the pieces in place, and although it’s more of a character study than a plot-driven novel, it’s strangely addictive.
The three main characters are superbly developed, each occupying their own shades of moral grey. Their circumstances—and the roles society forces upon them—make it impossible not to sympathize with them, despite many of the choices they make.
As always, Moreno-Garcia’s prose is gorgeous. It’s lyrical and evocative without ever becoming overwrought, and she once again excels at creating atmosphere. You can almost feel yourself wandering through that fog-shrouded mountain village.
After loving her last few releases, I can’t wait to see what she surprises us with next.
The Intrigue marks Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s return to noir after last year’s gothic, witchy The Bewitching. Set in 1943 Mexico, the novel follows Ulises, a not-so-successful con artist in search of his next victim, and Perla and Inés, the aunt and niece who will change the course of his life.
Moreno-Garcia is one of those rare authors who seems capable of writing in whatever genre she chooses. This blend of noir with costumbrista elements feels quintessentially Moreno-Garcia, both in its themes and in its style. The story unfolds at a measured pace, carefully putting all the pieces in place, and although it’s more of a character study than a plot-driven novel, it’s strangely addictive.
The three main characters are superbly developed, each occupying their own shades of moral grey. Their circumstances—and the roles society forces upon them—make it impossible not to sympathize with them, despite many of the choices they make.
As always, Moreno-Garcia’s prose is gorgeous. It’s lyrical and evocative without ever becoming overwrought, and she once again excels at creating atmosphere. You can almost feel yourself wandering through that fog-shrouded mountain village.
After loving her last few releases, I can’t wait to see what she surprises us with next.
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