Today on Ariel’s Arcs, I’m excited to talk about an upcoming book by one of my favorite authors, Silvia Moreno-Garcia! Velvet Was the Night is a 1970s noir that interweaves mystery, crime, and history in a beautiful yet haunting aesthetic.
Set in 1970s Mexico City, the characters grapple with a very real changing political landscape of protests, insurrection, and the US’s behind-the-scenes involvement. The setting has a different impact on our two main characters, and the narratives are extremely well written to show how the point-of-views respond differently to the events.
One thing I loved about this book from the start is that it has its own Spotify Playlist. This includes songs that are mentioned in the book as the characters listen to them, and it really provides an extra immersive experience to read. Music plays such a large role in the story itself, and having the background music to better feel what the characters feel in those moments made the reading experience incredible.
The plot felt a bit predictable, and I guessed what the main clue was long before it was over, but that didn’t impact my overall enjoyment of the story. Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a master storyteller who expertly takes her readers to her various settings and for Velvet Was the Night, I felt like I was sitting in a diner in Mexico City in the 1970s and enjoying the pulp fiction of the day. I loved the feel of the entire story: from the subtle beginning to the uncertain ending.
Final Rating:
** Be sure to check out Velvet Was the Night. It is out August 17, 2021! **
Photo by Eric Krull on Unsplash
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