The Mystery Of Rio

Rio de Janeiro, 1913. The Secretary of the Presidency of the Republic is murdered at the former home of the Marquesa de Santos, known as the House of Exchanges, a sophisticated brothel where secret meetings take place. 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 possibly involved in the murder. The two begin a competition to figure out who is the greatest seducer. 'Great literature.' Die Zeit 'Rich, dense, clear - and at times of a perturbing, disquieting obscurity that fascinates.' Le Monde des Livres 'One of the most original creations of Brazilian literature.' Folha de São Paulo

“"Great literature." -- Die Zeit "Rich, dense, clear -- and at times of a perturbing, disquieting obscurity that fascinates." -- Le Monde des Livres "One of the most original creations of Brazilian literature." -- Folha de So Paulo "[Mussa's] taste for fantasy, along with colorful cultural references, explains the... position he occupies on the domestic scene: the caretaker of a voluptuous narrative tradition, devoted to both history and myth." -- Veja”

"Great literature."
--Die Zeit

"Rich, dense, clear -- and at times of a perturbing, disquieting obscurity that fascinates."
--Le Monde des Livres

"One of the most original creations of Brazilian literature."
--Folha de São Paulo

"[Mussa's] taste for fantasy, along with colorful cultural references, explains the... position he occupies on the domestic scene: the caretaker of a voluptuous narrative tradition, devoted to both history and myth."
--Veja

Alberto Mussa was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1961. His father’s family originated from Lebanon and Palestine, and he explores Arab-Brazilian identity in his works. In addition to translating poetry and short stories, Mussa has written several novels about the history of Rio de Janeiro. He has won numerous awards, including the Premio Biblioteca Nacional for Queen Jinga’s Throne (1999) and the Casa de las Américas and APCA prizes for The Qaf’s Riddle (2004).

Reminiscent of the enigmatic fictions of Latin American greats Jorge Luis Borges and Julio Cort

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