Having recently started to dip my toe into the world of Argentinian crime fiction through Sergio Olguin, and the upcoming Like Flies From Afar by K. Ferrari, I leapt at the chance to take part in the publication launch for Repentance from Eloísa Díaz. Needless to say I was very impressed indeed… Eloísa Díaz has an incredibly concise yet sophisticated writing style, and I was soon fully immersed in this bleak tale with its parallel timelines, recounting not only the darkest years of Argentinian history with suppression and kidnap or disappearances an everyday occurrence, but also the more contemporary storyline showing the continuing societal and political issues facing its citizens. Unlike some books with contrasting timeframes, it is perhaps a testament to the strength of Díaz’s writing that I was equally engaged with both and the subtle and not so subtle connections of events past and present. With her journalist’s eye for detail, and her seemingly natural skill at the brevity of description packing a powerful punch, this book is not only a vivid and interesting testimony to Argentina’s chequered history without overwhelming the reader with factual detail, but manages to balance this beautifully with the engaging and compelling mystery element too. At the heart of this dark tale is the mesmerising character of Inspector Joaquín Alzada who has himself experienced the darkest days of Argentine suppression and sedition both as a law enforcement officer, but also on a much more personal level with the shady disappearance of his brother some years previously. The repartee between himself and his wife Paula is a pure delight, and equally his less complimentary opinions of his immediate superiors bring a liveliness and energy to his character, outside his more serious and dedicated role as a police officer. As he finds the discomfort of the past encroaching on the latter days of his career, he becomes drawn into the pursuit of justice and a personal redemption as the past and present become inextricably intertwined with dangerous ramifications for himself and those closest to him. As I’ve already touched on, Díaz’s melding of history with the thriller form in Repentance works beautifully throughout, and this is further bolstered by her innate eye for atmosphere and location, with the city of Buenos Aires becoming a character in itself. Her skill at balancing and drawing away at critical moments from the contrasting storylines serves the tension building and pace of the plot incredibly well, leading to the reader becoming absorbed by both storylines equally. I read this book very quickly, as I was so drawn into the narrative, and emerged the other side with not only an enhanced knowledge of the politics and history of this country, but having thoroughly enjoyed a well structured and compelling thriller. Recommended.

A word of advice before I get started: disregard the "thriller" label that pops up in the book description. This is not a thriller. Yes, there are mysteries to be solved but if it must be put in a box, historical literary fiction is a better fit. Ok, onward.... What we have is an engrossing & poignant read that follows the life of an Argentinian police officer in Buenos Aires. Told in dual timelines 20 years apart, we watch as Joaquin Alzada gradually transforms from cautious idealist to world weary realist. Like the country itself, his life has been one of upheaval & sorrow. The historical side of the story is set in 1981 & Argentina is suffering under brutal military rule. Joaquin is quietly trying to do his job while keeping his head down to protect his family. It's a balancing act made more difficult by the actions of his brother Jorge, a union agitator. Then one night Jorge & his wife vanish. They've joined the ranks of the "disappeared". As this side of the story progresses, we follow Joaquin's desperate search & the choices he makes in order to learn their fates. He can't know it yet but some of his decisions will come back to haunt him. In the present (2001) Joaquin is tasked with babysitting Estrático, a shiny new recruit who immediately gets on his last nerve. When a young woman's body is found, the case takes on a special urgency after she's identified as belonging to a wealthy family with political connections. Meanwhile, the country is once again tearing itself apart. The economy is in crisis & as rioters fill the streets, Joaquin must tread carefully to avoid attracting the attention of corrupt cops & politicians. These are the mysteries that propel the plot lines but it's really a story about Argentina. The country seems to pinball from one crisis to the next. Military coups, revolutions, dictators, economic meltdowns.......it's a revolving door of corruption that preserves the distinct rift between haves & have-nots. The prose is richly evocative of the time & place. It's obvious the author loves this country & her people but doesn't shy away from the truth. Through Alzada's eyes, we watch as sudden bursts of violence temporarily relieve the constant claustrophobic fear of daily life. But in quiet scenes between Alzada & his clever wife, we also witness a tenderness & humour that sustains them both. And so I began to see him as Argentina personified. My genre comment above was not a criticism. It's more about helping readers find their next book. This is Latin Noir written by an author whose elegant prose can swing from poignant to gut wrenching in a heartbeat. Those who pick this up will be treated to a dark yet ultimately hopeful tale with a compelling MC.

In the Buenos Aires police force, Inspector Joaquín Alzada is looking forward to retirement. Twenty years' earlier, his revolutionary brother was disappeared. The narrative alternates between two dark periods of Argentina's history: the dirty war of the early eighties, and the economic collapse and subsequent riots at the turn of this century. Repentance is steeped in the culture of Argentina and blends its political history with a person one. Spanish author, Diaz, writes in English for her debut novel. The smattering of Spanish (with accompanying appropriate Spanish-style punctuation) adds just enough flavour without overpowering the whole. Her building of tension is skilled. The use of italics for an inner monologue is too conspicuous, pulling the reader out of the moment. Some metaphors are laboured . The characters get up to a significant amount of treading and shuffling around their setting. My thanks to NetGalley and to W&N, Orion Publishing for the ARC.