Reminiscent of the enigmatic fictions of Latin American greats Jorge Luis Borges and Julio Cortázar, The Mystery of Rio is a finely wrought work of fiction that will transport readers into a thrilling literary hall of mirrors where they might find themselves reflected at times, and pleasurably lost at others. Rio de Janeiro, 1913. The Secretary of the Presidency of the Republic is found murdered at the former home of the Marquesa de Santos, known as the House of Swaps, a sophisticated brothel where secret liaisons are orchestrated and monitored. Under the guise of a medical clinic, the brothel is run by a scientist obsessed with the study of female sexual fantasies. During the criminal investigation, a forensic expert who frequents the House comes face-to-face with a rogue from Cais do Porto who is possibly involved in the murder. The two begin a competition to decide who is the greatest seducer. Winner of the Brazilian National Libraries' Machado de Assis Prize for Best Novel, The Mystery of Rio is the latest of Alberto Mussa's unforgettable prize-winning novels.

The Mystery of Rio

Literature & Fiction

MUSSA, Alberto

United States

Europa Editions

The search for the origins of a forgotten sacred poem is at the heart of this novel about a modern Brazilian poet of Lebanese descent who travels to the Middle East to uncover the truth about what he believes may be part of a group of pre-Islamic poems. Following the model of A Thousand and One Nights, the novel is a quest through time and language that recounts many of the poet's experiences as he travels through the deserts of Arabia in search of a beautiful woman whose beauty remains hidden until the circularity of the riddle of Qaf is solved.

The Riddle of Qaf

Genre Fiction

Aflame Books

LE MOUVEMENT PENDULAIRE

Literary

ANACHARSIS

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Books by MUSSA, Alberto