"This sultry, glowering crime thriller meets political and church corruption head-on as it brings Argentina to vivid vibrant life."
Full of swaggering attitude, this gritty and raw novel peels open the horrors of corruption and exploitation within the state and church. Journalist Veronica helps a man who is convinced his wife has abducted their child and Justice Department attorney Federico investigates a lorry containing human body parts. The separate incidents gradually fuse together and reveal links to people in power that will put their lives in danger. Three stories sit in the prologue, each introducing the main aspects of the novel, and then as the main tale starts they begin to twist and writhe around and through each other. While this is the third in the Veronica Rosenthal Mystery series, it was my first introduction. I’m always hesitant to join an already established series, you’re not sure what you’re missing out on, and may even flounder without knowledge of the previous books. Here, the writing by Sergio Olguin is such that I was able to slip straight into the tale and was immediately captivated. Beautifully translated by Miranda France, you can feel, almost taste Argentina, appreciate the differences and yet feel right at home. The intricate plot and large numbers of characters fell into place. There is a feeling of frank openness, with both the theme and characters, at times almost a devil-may-care attitude wafts from the page. I felt as though I already knew Veronica, she has an earthy, piercing honesty and vulnerability that sat with me as I read. The ending crashed over me, and then separated again in tune with the prologue, and as I read the final line, a wave of goosebumps scattered down my arms. There Are No Happy Loves is a provocative, heady novel fully capable of breaking thoughts and piercing feelings.
| Primary Genre | Thriller and Suspense |
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