What do you think?
Rate this book
The Intrigue
Not yet published
Expected 14 Jul 26From 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.
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 14, 2026
3 people are currently reading
1324 people want to read
About the author
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
157 books27.3k 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Read
December 23, 2025UPDATE NOV 2025: Can be requested via Netgalley by reviewers Go here.
What 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.
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?
Nothing so far, but it would be nice!
What 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.
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?
Nothing so far, but it would be nice!
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
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.
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.
Want to read
October 16, 2025I'M SO EXCITED I CAN'T WAIT!! FINALLY ANOTHER NOIR YAYYY
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.
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!
December 7, 2025
Silvia is a masteress of her writing craft and she nails it with her upcoming noir! She is unapologetically writing and publishing non-western narratives that truly inspire new authors. In her latest, The Intrigue the atmosphere is not focal on horror but a setting of mystery and desire. Your heart is still pounding to figure out the answer and you will find yourself needing to devour each page as much in one sitting as you can. However – the ambience to find the answer is less to settle our fears but to discover this spiral of a mystery. For those readers that love Silvia’s vivacious horror – you will not be dissatisfied, because she provides that same level of imagery throughout this narrative. Truly a gift from Silvia that extends that her craft is not defined by one genre and applies to the various ways writing will make you rethink the paradigm of common colonized centric narratives.
Like her other novels this is of course a time period piece. The historical fiction aspect of Silvia’s writing is one I hope that never changes. It sets her writing apart because it shows her depth of research and passion to fully understand the elements of the time and what that looked like in Mexico. The protagonist is moody and I picture each scene in almost a sepia tone. The protagonist will have you questioning her actions, yelling at her through the pages, and wondering why she never fully grasps the consequences. Or maybe you will find yourself siding with the protagonist’s series of choices.
This fictional town in Mexico is written to highlight what the experience looked like in this noir setting. The complexity of personalities that are dependent on colonial expectations outside of pointing out the hypocrisies colonialism extends unto the character’s lives. There is quite a bit of character building that I think this noir allowed Silvia to explore and further enhance without the horror backdrop. My only gripe with this novel and that at times the pacing was slow for the noir. But in the conclusion, I would argue that it is a satisfying end. Thank you Netgalley and Del Ray for this advanced digital copy. 4.5 rounded up!
For more Arc impressions, reviews, and more, please visit my blog, Brujeria’s Library at, https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
Like her other novels this is of course a time period piece. The historical fiction aspect of Silvia’s writing is one I hope that never changes. It sets her writing apart because it shows her depth of research and passion to fully understand the elements of the time and what that looked like in Mexico. The protagonist is moody and I picture each scene in almost a sepia tone. The protagonist will have you questioning her actions, yelling at her through the pages, and wondering why she never fully grasps the consequences. Or maybe you will find yourself siding with the protagonist’s series of choices.
This fictional town in Mexico is written to highlight what the experience looked like in this noir setting. The complexity of personalities that are dependent on colonial expectations outside of pointing out the hypocrisies colonialism extends unto the character’s lives. There is quite a bit of character building that I think this noir allowed Silvia to explore and further enhance without the horror backdrop. My only gripe with this novel and that at times the pacing was slow for the noir. But in the conclusion, I would argue that it is a satisfying end. Thank you Netgalley and Del Ray for this advanced digital copy. 4.5 rounded up!
For more Arc impressions, reviews, and more, please visit my blog, Brujeria’s Library at, https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Set in Mexico in 1943, The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a deliciously atmospheric noir that completely gripped me. It felt like a love letter to the old classic detective fiction and the Golden Age of cinema, it is very filmic and it carries all the charm, danger, and moral grayness I was hoping for.
Ulises is a handsome lonely-hearts con artist in Mexico City whose luck is running out. After losing his father (and partner in crime) and botching his latest scheme, he’s desperate for a win. So he heads to a small town in Veracruz to meet Perla, a boardinghouse owner he plans to charm, marry, and rob. Simple plan right? What could go wrong?
Things get complicated fast. Perla isn’t the naïve spinster Ulises expects, and her sharp, restless niece Inés quickly becomes the most interesting wild card in the story. When Inés discovers Ulises’ con, she doesn’t turn him in, she wants in. What follows is a slow-burn tangle of secrets, desire, ambition, and shifting power dynamics that kept me glued to the page. Garcia Moreno really captures the essence of noir here, it gave me major Patricia Highsmith vibes and in the best possible way.
The small-town setting is a great choice, beneath the polite manners and gossip-filled streets are scandals, resentments, and long-buried secrets just waiting to surface. Moreno-Garcia absolutely excels at showing how much darkness can hide behind respectability.
Stylish, sexy, and full of tension, The Intrigue is a noir where seduction is the ultimate weapon and no one is quite who they seem. I loved every minute of it. #pudseyrecommends
Thank you to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore, and NetGalley for the ARC.
Ulises is a handsome lonely-hearts con artist in Mexico City whose luck is running out. After losing his father (and partner in crime) and botching his latest scheme, he’s desperate for a win. So he heads to a small town in Veracruz to meet Perla, a boardinghouse owner he plans to charm, marry, and rob. Simple plan right? What could go wrong?
Things get complicated fast. Perla isn’t the naïve spinster Ulises expects, and her sharp, restless niece Inés quickly becomes the most interesting wild card in the story. When Inés discovers Ulises’ con, she doesn’t turn him in, she wants in. What follows is a slow-burn tangle of secrets, desire, ambition, and shifting power dynamics that kept me glued to the page. Garcia Moreno really captures the essence of noir here, it gave me major Patricia Highsmith vibes and in the best possible way.
The small-town setting is a great choice, beneath the polite manners and gossip-filled streets are scandals, resentments, and long-buried secrets just waiting to surface. Moreno-Garcia absolutely excels at showing how much darkness can hide behind respectability.
Stylish, sexy, and full of tension, The Intrigue is a noir where seduction is the ultimate weapon and no one is quite who they seem. I loved every minute of it. #pudseyrecommends
Thank you to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore, and NetGalley for the ARC.
December 19, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, and Inklore for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. This novel is to be published on July 14, 2026.
Ulises is a con-man though not as clever as his father. His latest mark is Perla, the owner of a boarding house in Veracruz. However, her niece, Inés, has her own intentions to escape her aunt’s control and teams with Ulises. Is Ulises and Inés conning Perla? Is Perla the con?
No one can paint a picture with her words as vividly as Silvia Moreno-Garcia. It’s a moody, psychological read with bits of dark humour and surprising raw vulgarity.
The story is mostly told in 1940’s Mexico though we do revisit the past. Perla’s failed relationship is explored and how it relates to the rise and fall of her father’s business. We learn of her relationship with her siblings and how that relates to the present circumstances. It’s a story about dated traditions that families uphold and the classism during that time period.
Though it reads at a slow pace, the story progresses perfectly. The development and growth of the characters is exceptionally well-done. What you initially think of the characters, as you proceed, changes dramatically. It's an intriguing read from start to finish that's just as timeless and classic as the other books the author has written.
Ulises is a con-man though not as clever as his father. His latest mark is Perla, the owner of a boarding house in Veracruz. However, her niece, Inés, has her own intentions to escape her aunt’s control and teams with Ulises. Is Ulises and Inés conning Perla? Is Perla the con?
No one can paint a picture with her words as vividly as Silvia Moreno-Garcia. It’s a moody, psychological read with bits of dark humour and surprising raw vulgarity.
The story is mostly told in 1940’s Mexico though we do revisit the past. Perla’s failed relationship is explored and how it relates to the rise and fall of her father’s business. We learn of her relationship with her siblings and how that relates to the present circumstances. It’s a story about dated traditions that families uphold and the classism during that time period.
Though it reads at a slow pace, the story progresses perfectly. The development and growth of the characters is exceptionally well-done. What you initially think of the characters, as you proceed, changes dramatically. It's an intriguing read from start to finish that's just as timeless and classic as the other books the author has written.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
1940s Noir Detective Fiction Set in Veracruz, Mexico
Ulises has the looks of a movie star, but he is a con man who romances women and steals their money. His next mark is Perla, who runs her family’s boarding house, along with the help of her niece Inés. Perla never married, and now that both of her parents have died, her duty to care of her parents is over and she’s ready for marriage. But Perla is much smarter than Ulises had thought, and she has secrets of her own. Inés is a wild card, forced to live with and take care of her aunt instead of living the life she wants.
This is a great noir con man story, with multiple layers and revelations throughout the book. I didn’t know where this was going because the story was always pushing forward in new directions with new obstacles, and it changed who I was rooting for in the book. I really loved how the story unfolded and ended. I also really liked the depiction of Mexico in the 1940s, both with the lush description of the fictional mountain town of Puerco Ahogado, and the frustration that women have little say in the direction of their lives. This is my first book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and I’ll be adding more of her books to my TBR. 4.5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ulises has the looks of a movie star, but he is a con man who romances women and steals their money. His next mark is Perla, who runs her family’s boarding house, along with the help of her niece Inés. Perla never married, and now that both of her parents have died, her duty to care of her parents is over and she’s ready for marriage. But Perla is much smarter than Ulises had thought, and she has secrets of her own. Inés is a wild card, forced to live with and take care of her aunt instead of living the life she wants.
This is a great noir con man story, with multiple layers and revelations throughout the book. I didn’t know where this was going because the story was always pushing forward in new directions with new obstacles, and it changed who I was rooting for in the book. I really loved how the story unfolded and ended. I also really liked the depiction of Mexico in the 1940s, both with the lush description of the fictional mountain town of Puerco Ahogado, and the frustration that women have little say in the direction of their lives. This is my first book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and I’ll be adding more of her books to my TBR. 4.5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 10, 2025
I would like to thank the publisher, the author, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this so much! If you enjoy dramatic books about bad people doing bad thing and falling in love with bad characters this is the book for you.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia sets such a vivid setting and atmosphere in this novel that transports you back to 1943 Mexico, it gives you the feeling of reading a classic gothic thriller. The story moves at the perfect pace allowing you to appreciate certain discoveries even if you were able to figure them out before the characters.
My favourite part of the book were the characters and how well developed they are. The book is told from 3 different POVs and surprisingly each of the POVs pull their own weight and didn't drag the story down. Ines was my favourite character, loved how we got to see and feel what she was going through as a woman of that time and place.
I recommend picking this up when it's released, I think it has a broad appeal.
I enjoyed this so much! If you enjoy dramatic books about bad people doing bad thing and falling in love with bad characters this is the book for you.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia sets such a vivid setting and atmosphere in this novel that transports you back to 1943 Mexico, it gives you the feeling of reading a classic gothic thriller. The story moves at the perfect pace allowing you to appreciate certain discoveries even if you were able to figure them out before the characters.
My favourite part of the book were the characters and how well developed they are. The book is told from 3 different POVs and surprisingly each of the POVs pull their own weight and didn't drag the story down. Ines was my favourite character, loved how we got to see and feel what she was going through as a woman of that time and place.
I recommend picking this up when it's released, I think it has a broad appeal.
December 7, 2025
Gracias a Netgalley porque sin ellos tendría que esperar hasta el otro año para poder leer a mi favorita
Otro noir, otra excelente historia que atrapa desde las primeras páginas, una historia sobre un chico que saca provecho de mujeres que buscan el amor a través de correspondencia y una familia en un pueblo donde las apariencias, habladurías y buenos modales lo son todos
Una historia dramática, emocionante, con personajes grises y como ya es costumbre en las historias de Silvia con contexto histórico que es lo que complementa y enriquece sus novelas
Me tenía tan atrapada que no quería deja
r de leer, como siempre que amo un libro tengo mucho que decir pero me cuesta plasmarlo solo diré Silvia por favor nunca dejes de escribirporque necesito seguir leyendote en muchos géneros, con grandes personajes y diferentes épocas de México!
Otro noir, otra excelente historia que atrapa desde las primeras páginas, una historia sobre un chico que saca provecho de mujeres que buscan el amor a través de correspondencia y una familia en un pueblo donde las apariencias, habladurías y buenos modales lo son todos
Una historia dramática, emocionante, con personajes grises y como ya es costumbre en las historias de Silvia con contexto histórico que es lo que complementa y enriquece sus novelas
Me tenía tan atrapada que no quería deja
r de leer, como siempre que amo un libro tengo mucho que decir pero me cuesta plasmarlo solo diré Silvia por favor nunca dejes de escribirporque necesito seguir leyendote en muchos géneros, con grandes personajes y diferentes épocas de México!
December 7, 2025
I LOVE a good noir story and this one is great. There was plenty of drama and questionable characters. The story is set in a fictional mountain town that is in a constant fog and the vibe of the story feels like it too is in a haze. Everyone is settled into the old ways, unchanging. But the FMC and MMC are literally drowning in the fog to get out of that place. I loved the mystery behind each person. Each character had their own motives in this life and were complicated in that way. You couldn't really say a character was good or bad as they had layers to their desires and downfalls. I was completely transported while reading this book. I felt like I was a part of .an drama with faded glamour and yes, intrigue. Instant buy for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley and Delrey for the ARC.
I really liked this book, just as I expected. It has the author's perfect prose, and she switches silkily between the descriptive and the emotionally fertile, with a robust mix of existential dread and small-town claustrophobia clashing with personal ambition.
Set in a small town called Puerto Ahogado in 1940s Mexico, this book revolves around 3 characters - a con-artist who tricks lonely, rich women(or at least tries to); an older aunt owning a dilapidated guest-house and a set of very stifling social views; and her young niece,tired of the small life she's forced into,and wishes for something more. The con artist is the catalyst for a series of emotional and familial reactions in all their lives - leading to interpersonal conflicts that ascend to graver issues which escalate until multiple deaths, a failed investigation,and an attempted escape occur.
I enjoyed the storyline and the character development, even the supporting ones, thoroughly. The visual description is just as amazing as our author has grown to deliver, and every event seems palpable as you read along. However, this very realistic reading experience also gave me the ick because of the disturbing close relatives engaging sexually (all for kinks but relatives, even by marriage should stick to their designated familial positions). I also couldn't help but feel that Inés was too inexperienced and her relationship with Ulises was as coercive as it was emotionally abusive with Perla.
Overall, this book is definitely a must-read, and is sure to be a bestseller and a multi- award winner.
I really liked this book, just as I expected. It has the author's perfect prose, and she switches silkily between the descriptive and the emotionally fertile, with a robust mix of existential dread and small-town claustrophobia clashing with personal ambition.
Set in a small town called Puerto Ahogado in 1940s Mexico, this book revolves around 3 characters - a con-artist who tricks lonely, rich women(or at least tries to); an older aunt owning a dilapidated guest-house and a set of very stifling social views; and her young niece,tired of the small life she's forced into,and wishes for something more. The con artist is the catalyst for a series of emotional and familial reactions in all their lives - leading to interpersonal conflicts that ascend to graver issues which escalate until multiple deaths, a failed investigation,and an attempted escape occur.
I enjoyed the storyline and the character development, even the supporting ones, thoroughly. The visual description is just as amazing as our author has grown to deliver, and every event seems palpable as you read along. However, this very realistic reading experience also gave me the ick because of the disturbing close relatives engaging sexually (all for kinks but relatives, even by marriage should stick to their designated familial positions). I also couldn't help but feel that Inés was too inexperienced and her relationship with Ulises was as coercive as it was emotionally abusive with Perla.
Overall, this book is definitely a must-read, and is sure to be a bestseller and a multi- award winner.
December 6, 2025
Silvia Moreno-Garcia is one of my favorite contemporary authors and I will immediately read anything she puts out. You can tell that so much research goes into each and every one of her books. "The Intrigue" has everything you could want in a Noir: It's full of sex, cons, and murder plots but also with a side of history and humor. I loved it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Intrigue holds all the elements of a noir; and the research (I love how each book has its own topic) is woven so tightly into the story that you barely realize it’s there. If you are a fan of detective stories you’ll guess where the story is going. But the love of the drama will keep you wanting to find out more.
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for this ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for this ARC.
December 2, 2025
what can i say except she always knocks it out of the park
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews