It was 1943 and Ulisis Linares, a young handsome con artist, had a decision to make because he couldn't stay any longer in Mexico City. He made his money by replying to lonelyhearts letters written by sad women, and he was always the answer to their prayers. At least he was before he scammed them out of their holdings. But his last encounter ended in misfortune when the widow he was courting asked her three grown sons their opinion of his proposed business deal, and he was run out of town. Linares was down to his last pesos and had two prospects to choose from; another widow with three young children or a fortyish woman in a small hamlet of Veracruz who has turned her substantial dwelling into a boarding house. That the ticket to Veracruz was cheaper entered into his decision to visit the spinster Perla Inclan in her small village of Puerco Ahogado, and rebuild his fortune off of her.
What he knew from Perla's letters was this-her family was one of the original wealthy residents of their village, and her father made their fortune in coffee. Falling on hard times, and being very parsimonious, Perla began letting rooms in their mansion. Aiding her in this venture was her young beautiful niece, Inez, who was only paid in room and board, even though she did most of the chores and was Perla's seamstress. They both knew that Inez's destiny was to stay with Perla through her old age and eventual death-there was no hope of a free life in Inez's future, until...
She tumbled to Ulisis' secret rapidly-she pegged him right away as a man after her aunt's fortune, but she knew he wouldn't have a chance without her help in the sting. She was willing to give him valuable advice on how to win Perla over, as long as she was cut into the scam. As Ulisis had tried wooing Perla only to fail miserably, he was ready to take her up on her offer. Their agreement was perfect with only one fly in the ointment-they hadn't considered that their partnership just might turn into something else.
Moreno-Garcia has written several books in the last few years, but The Intrigue is her best since Silver Nitrate. In her afterward, she describes this book as a noirish telenovela/novela costumbristas and this is accurate-it has passionate romance, an interesting cast of characters representing all social classes, and plenty of mysterious and violent encounters that move the story forward. If you liked her novel Velvet Was the Night, you will love this one just as much-or at least you'll be intrigued!
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