Achados e Perdidos

Delegado Espinosa #2

by L. A García-Roza

Noite de sexta-feira em Copacabana. Um menino de rua se apodera de uma carteira perdida; uma prostituta aparece morta, asfixiada, em sua própria cama. O delegado Espinosa está atento para um elemento comum aos dois acontecimentos: a figura do ex-delegado Vieira.

O velho policial bebe demais, por isso perdeu a carteira. Quando bebe, se esquece de tudo. Nem ele sabe qual foi sua participação – se é que ela houve – no crime, embora haja indícios claros de que passou pelo quarto da moça assassinada.

Um enigma que envolve meninos de rua, achacadores baratos, uma mulher insinuante com predileção por delegados, matadores de aluguel... Vidas que a noite de Copacabana encobre.

Genres: Brazil, Crime, Mystery, Fiction, Detective, Portuguese Literature, Mystery Thriller

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Glenn Russell]

December Heat is the second in a series of seven Inspector Espinosa mystery novels published by Picador and expertly translated by Benjamin Moser.

Brazilian author Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza draws readers deep into the unfolding drama from the opening pages. A street kid, using a discarded refrigerator box as his bed and home along Avenida Atlântica, wakes up late at night to witness an old drunken man getting into the passenger seat of a car. The old man is having trouble, wobbling so much that his wallet falls out between the sidewalk and the car. The car rumbles off. The kid waits a few moments before retrieving the wallet and returning to his box. He counts the money and then discovers a police ID among the cards. He's no fool—he keeps the money but tosses the wallet on the sidewalk and waits to see who will pick it up. It doesn't take long—a man plucks the wallet off the sidewalk. The kid doesn't like the looks of this man and decides to follow him to see what he'll do with the police ID.

“There had been a woman, but he didn't remember what happened to her. He was lying in his own bed in his underwear, the shirt he'd been wearing the day before, socks, no shoes. . . . He didn't remember driving home, just like he didn't remember the woman. It wasn't the first time this had happened. Alcoholic amnesia, they called it.” So reflects Vieira, a retired cop, the one who lost his wallet while climbing into the car. Shortly thereafter, Vieira receives a call from his old buddy Espinosa: something serious happened to the woman he was with last night, a prostitute by the name of Magali. The pair enter Magali's apartment, and Vieira shows visible disgust. Magali is dead, sprawled out on her bed, entirely nude, a plastic bag over her head, her arms tied to the headboard, and her legs tied together with a silk scarf attached to the foot of the bed with a leather belt—Vieira's leather belt.

Espinosa takes over the case. Although his older friend is the sole suspect, the inspector knows the retired policeman didn't murder Magali. And Vieira is keen to help with the investigation—just thinking about some insensitive brute killing the poor prostitute he was so fond of sets his emotions on fire. Tragically, Vieira's lost wallet sparks a string of violence and murders revolving around drug trafficking. It also brings Espinosa into contact with that street kid, which, in turn, leads him to the world of kids struggling to survive on the streets of Rio.



The inclusion of the street kids underscores a key theme in the Brazilian author's novels: the social and cultural dynamics that make Rio throb to its own unique rhythms. “During their meeting, before they had lost him, the boy had mentioned a building on the Avenida Copacabana, between Rua Santa Clara and Rua Siqueira Campos, with a shop on the ground floor and a small entryway bordering the next building.” At each stage of the tale, we're right there at specifically named city locations, all taking place in the weeks preceding Christmas, one of the hottest times of the year in Rio.

If you are looking for police procedurals like those found in Henning Mankell's Inspector Kurt Wallander novels or the blood, guts, and gore in The Commandant Camille Verhoeven Trilogy by French author Pierre Lemaitre, I'm afraid you'll have to look elsewhere. The artful literary works of Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza focus primarily on highly distinctive women and men. Here's a December Heat sampling:

Florinda - A highly successful prostitute, “Flor had everything to succeed in the profession—beauty, sensuality, and charm—in just the right proportions.” Following Magali's death, when Flor meets Vieira at Magali's apartment building, she dissolves into tears and tells him directly that she and Magali were like sisters. And since Magali always said she had a debt of gratitude toward Vieira (some time back, Vieira took care of a pimp who threatened to kill Magali), the debt of gratitude has shifted and now belongs to her. Flor—a slender black girl with firm muscles who looks almost Thai—adds an erotic charge to the tale. Espinosa on Flor: “She wasn't extraordinarily beautiful, but her beauty did turn the heads of men and women, perhaps because it wasn't created only from the usual elements of beauty. In her beauty, there was something demonic. The result was more alchemical than aesthetic, and its effect was uncommon.”

Cristina - One of the Rio artists who sells her paintings on the island dividing the lanes of traffic on Avenida Atlântica, a young, luscious beauty with long black hair, Christina signs her paintings "Kika," and that's what everyone calls her. Kika is drawn into the case by way of a street kid seeking help. Kika studied painting at the School of Fine Art and is more than happy to share her opinions on her favorite painters and anything related to art and aesthetics. Espinosa on this lovely painter: “Kika looked like a strike of lightning in the middle of the night, fascinating and disturbing.” Cristina, aka Kika, adds a second erotic charge to the tale. Correction, make that a super-erotic charge.



Espinosa - It shouldn't come as a surprise that Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza, a philosophy professor for many years, created his main character, a police inspector, as an outsider—an independent maverick, a bookish loner who is also a romantic and joyful sensualist. At the moment, Espinosa is trying to read Joseph Conrad's Lord Jim, but he's having issues. “But it still wasn't time to enter the world of Tuan Jim: he couldn't concentrate on the words; images of Kika and the boy kept invading the story. Joseph Conrad deserved a more attentive reader. He put the book aside for another, better occasion.” My guess is Kika's curvaceous image dominates the inspector's imagination. Perhaps Espinosa even envisions Kika making an appearance at his elegant third-floor apartment, an apartment in scenic Copacabana he inherited from his parents, where he's currently living by himself.

Espinosa must deal with the December crowds as he moves through Rio in his attempt to crack this complex case. Not easy. And it is so darned hot. I encourage you to pick up December Heat and join him to find out how it all turns out.




Brazilian author Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza, 1936-2020

[Jan vanTilburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book. Intriguing plot. With a satisfying resolution. Recommended for the slow burn lovers. Like me. So I'm fortunate to have 5 more books in the series to look forward to.

Eloquently written. Descriptions of moods, circumstances, people, the city (Rio de Janeiro) are all intrical parts of the plot.

What starts as a murder investigation, soon spirals out of control when many more bodies turn up. The question is: are they related to this first murder. We will find out, but at great costs for the so called unprivileged. The street urchins, hookers and other people, considered "expendable" in Rio's society.

So these books of Luiz Alfredo have a great society critical aspect. Besides the mystery at hand, we get insight in the questionable shady aspects of Rio de Janeiro's city life.

And Espinosa, our detective, is not a run of the mill cop. He has character. Not one dimensional like the old hard boiled ones from the 1950s. He is the new kind of investigator. Not one dimensional. It all started (for me at least) with the scandinavian noirs from the 1960s and from there it spread. The flawed, real people. Where the solution of crimes was hard work. Where people mattered.

written: 1996.
Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza: 1936 - 2020

[Andy Weston · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars for the opening quarter of Garcia-Roza’s novel as he sets the scene and the tension builds against the backdrop of Rio. Retired police office Viera wakes up after a drunken night spent with a prostite to find the woman murdered, with big gaps in his memory and no wallet, including his police ID card. A street boy saw him drop it as he was bundled into a car, and saw the man who took the wallet. It is not long before the murders pile up. Inspector Espinosa is the office assigned to the case, but Viera plays a part as well.
After the powerful opening the novel moves into more familiar territory, and although enjoyable and full of action it never lives up to its early potential.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reveal was very anticlimactic.

Also, many sandwiches were consumed throughout story. Just an FYI.

[Kostas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot as such is just ok. The most interesting aspect of the book is how it recreates the atmosphere of Rio de Janeiro and that the story is based on various dark social issues in this beautiful but dangerous city.

[DRugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent mystery set in Rio de Janeiro. The author has the ability to elucidate distinct mental phenomena as the lead detective goes about trying to solve a series of murders.

[Barbara M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually like to read my mystery series in book order. In this case, I couldn't get my hands on the first in the series so I took a chance with number two. I didn't feel that I'd missed anything but I did purchase a copy of the first to give to my local library to complete their collection. They'll get it right after I read it!

This was interesting in that there were no dates to tell the reader what time period the story was set in though it was fairly modern. Telephones had answering machines but there were no cell phones. This book was copyrighted 2002, so that may account for some of the lack of technology.

I think this is the first book I've ever read with Brazil as its setting. The author is philosophy professor in Rio de Janeir0 so he was writing of a place he knows and his description of the places was excellent. Words of places like Ipanema, Copacabana, Avenida Atlantica, etc made me picture these areas. As the title said, the book is set in the Summer month of December which is quite different from my world!

There's been a murder. A retired policeman has had way too much to drink, his companion gets him home but the next day she is found dead. His wallet, money, charge cards, and police ID are missing. Viera calls upon his friend, active detective inspector Espinosa to help him even though he is considered a suspect. The murders pile up and it is not an easy solve, at least not for me. Of course that said, I don't really try had to solve a mystery instead I prefer to read how the detectives find the solution.

[Ursula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crime novel set in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. It's interesting to read about the culture. The story is a bit convoluted and the ending is not at all satisfying. A retired cop looses his wallet, and in the same night, his hooker girlfriend gets killed. This set off a whole slew of killings of street people, apparently unconnected. The cop that investigates is described as a loner, not a lot of police support is visible. The author can't resist adding a couple of explicit sex scenes. The whole story is a bit too macho for my taste.

More at http://foodfordrama.blogspot.com/2010...

[Newton Nitro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Achados e Perdidos (Inspector Espinosa #2) - Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza | Cia das Letras, 1998, 280 páginas | Lido de 13/02/17 a 14/02/17 | Nota 4 em 5

SINOPSE

Noite de sexta-feira em Copacabana. Um menino de rua se apodera de uma carteira perdida; uma prostituta aparece morta, asfixiada, em sua pr��pria cama. O delegado Espinosa está atento para um elemento comum aos dois acontecimentos: a figura do ex-delegado Vieira.

O velho policial bebe demais, por isso perdeu a carteira. Quando bebe, se esquece de tudo. Nem ele sabe qual foi sua participação – se é que ela houve – no crime, embora haja indícios claros de que passou pelo quarto da moça assassinada.

Um enigma que envolve meninos de rua, achacadores baratos, uma mulher insinuante com predileção por delegados, matadores de aluguel... Vidas que a noite de Copacabana encobre.

RESENHA

Dessa vez Garcia-Roza usa seu Inspetor Espinosa para mergulhar no universo das garotas de programa do Rio de Janeiro. Gostei demais da trama de ACHADOS E PERDIDOS, muito cinematográfica e bem trabalhada. A narrativa também toca no tema da invisibilidade social dos meninos de rua, e as descrições das cenas cariocas são um primor de prosa. E que final sensacional! Recomendadíssimo!

[Maria Raquel · Rating 2 out of 5]

O segundo livro que leio dessa série. Incrível como o autor consegue bolar um mistério intrigante, com elementos que envolvem, mas no fim dá uma resolução ridícula, que nada tem a ver com a construção nas páginas, onde o leitor maquina algo muito mais elaborado do que a bobagem que ele inventa para explicar os crimes. Ou seja: a história tem um potencial gigantesco, mas o final não é nada satisfatório com o que apresenta. O mesmo aconteceu no livro anterior.
A escrita melhorou demais. Ouso dizer que parece outro autor, um livro bem escrito, apesar da resolução ruim. As cenas foram bem boladas e as descrições, tanto das investigações quanto das mortes foram bem feitas.
O machismo continua nesse, e Espinosa me desencantou demais. O achava racional, inteligente, mas nesse livro se mostrou de novo um machista, onde só enxerga mulheres como sexo. E mais cenas de sexo ruim, o oposto de sensual.
Mas gostei muito da ambientação natalina carioca. Nesse ponto e com as devidas alterações na resolução da história, daria uma boa adaptação em filme.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first Inspector Espinosa mystery I read, I think. Espinosa investigates in Rio de Janeiro, in the many neighborhoods but mostly, it seems, Copacabana. The author captures the lyrical quality of Brazilian life in this city and beyond.

A prostitute winds up dead. An ex-policeman was last seen with her and can't remember much of the night before. Investigating is Inspector Espinosa, who doesn't choose to accept the obvious solution. He knew the ex-cop and can't connect him with this kind of violence.

When other bodies show up, notably that of a homeless boy, Espinosa starts to make some connections, and seeks out another homeless boy, who may have the answer.

An excellent procedural mystery with plenty to wonder about and much to enjoy in the evocation of the various scenes.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muito bom, despretensioso, fácil de ler, summer reading. Desta vez o tira carioca Espinosa foi apresentado como frequentador de sebos para consumos de pulp fiction, mais adequado ao cenário do que a referência à high literature do Silêncio da Chuva. Mesmo assim ele desdenha filósofos e a crítica literária :) Já estou por dentro de outras características do Espinosa: gosta de abrir as janelas quando chove e deixar a chuva molhar o tapete, só tem macarrão à bolonhesa na geladeira, mora à 3 quarteirões do trabalho, e o primeiro pensamento quando vê uma mulher é se é bonita e, se for, em algum ponto da história vai ter um relacionamento relâmpago com ela. Achei bem carioca/brasileiro!

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This, the third Inspector Espinoza mystery I have read was not quite as good as the others. For one thing, there was too much going back and forth to prevent a series of hard-to-explain murders. In the end, the solution of the crimes was not altogether satisfying.

For one thing, blame fell on a group in the Rio de Janeiro Police Department, but Garcia-Roza never lets us see them, and the actual murderer is never named.

On the positive side, the women of the novel -- Flor and Kika -- are both fascinating, and there is a hunt of a possible relationship happening between Kika and Espinoza.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This detective novel was set in Rio de Janeiro where a private eye and his police associates take on a frightening killer. The book was published in 2002 in Brazil and was translated to English in 2004 but this is a difficult moment in the world that was about to change how we track our movements and communicate continuously with the people in our lives. So, cell phones would have altered everything about the problem being solved by our man, Espinosa. Hookers, drinking, and crime, so three stars?

[Erwin Maack · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Pensar, para Espinosa, não era articular conceitos logicamente, mas um enfrentamento mortal entre a racionalidade pura e o imaginário sem limites que dominava de forma quase absoluta o que ele próprio considerava atividade mental. Entre o racionalista frio e o fantasista semidelirante, ele situava a si mesmo entre os segundos, embora aparentasse o oposto.”

Esse trecho representa a síntese daqueles que ainda pensam no Brasil. A maioria parece que se extraviou dessa capacidade ou a atrofiou na compra constante do prato feito por outra, jornal ou meio de comunicação. E vivemos de estímulos, imediatos, de compra, de venda, de gosto e desgosto segundo a maioria. Um imenso coletivo de carneiros, às vezes raivosos, mas sempre imbecís e anódinos. Corremos céleres na direção dos fantasistas delirantes.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way Garcia-Roza writes is very impressive, although translated, events happen and just propel through story forward or are simple but equally important. Espinosa is such an interesting character, and most characters in this novel were well thought out as well.

This is the second Espinosa novel and this man sure knows how to end a damn book.

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Women and children first, when it comes to getting murdered; then a man who cares about children. Cops suspected of being crooked are actually just drunk and/or not very smart. And yes, Espinosa, there is a man alive who wouldn't sleep with his best friend's girlfriend even if he came out of the shower to find her naked and waiting. It's just not you. More's the pity.

[Matthew Barmack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the first book, great on atmospherics and a little weak on plot, especially the ending, which is both predictable and doesn't completely hold together. The main thing I liked about the book was the Copocabana settings, including the hotel where we stayed recently. Convoluted plot involving police corruption, drug dealing, and a possibly related murder.

[Tien · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember the first book being completely mind-blowing but unfortunately, I can't say the same of this one. It is so very slow and only the last 50 pages were things happening and of course, the ending was quite a climax. The ending made it all worth it, tbh, otherwise, I'd be so disappointed.

[Manfredo Prange · Rating 1 out of 5]

Talvez o pior livro do autor. Algo inverossímil, preguiça ou falta de inspiração. De qualquer maneira um grande livro sobre Copacabana.

[Bruno Najjar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Não aguento mais Copacabana

[layka · Rating 2 out of 5]

perda de tempo.

[Joao Assad · Rating 4 out of 5]

ultimas 20 paginas. ponto

[kaatyane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ninho de cobras

Não foi o que imaginei. Confuso, personagens nada envolventes.
Muitos personagens que deixava a história mais confusa de entender!

[Jeff Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting enough story. Very character driven

[Matheus e Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

incrível!

[Inés · Rating 5 out of 5]

a piece of art.

[João Francisco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Achei o final um tanto apressado.

[Maryjuanga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bien écrit, bonne intrigue, carde spatio-temporel agréable, thématiques sociales intéressantes.

[Scilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Rio de Janeiro story features Detective Espinosa. A retired policeman, Viera, is out with his girlfriend, Mageli. As he is helped into his car in a drunken state, his wallet slips out of his pocket with his police badge. A young street boy takes the money from the wallet and puts it back in the street. He follows the man who picks it up and it appears the man is shaking down druggies. The next morning, Magali is found murdered - suffocated in a plastic bag tied to her bed. Espinosa, assigned to the case, calls Viera. Together, they begin investigating. Meanwhile another homeless boy is burned alive in the spot where the wallet finder usually sleeps; Espinosa is threatened with his own gun, Viera is beatten up, and Espinosa falls for a young artist who rescues the street boy. The confusion for Espinosa is whether the murder of the street boy and the murder of Magali are the same perpetrator or two different cases.