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A chilling, internationally acclaimed political thriller, this novel is a significant achievement in contemporary Latin American fiction, penned by the youngest recipient of the prestigious Alfaguara Prize and translated by celebrated literary translator Edith Grossman. Set during a brutal and terrifying period in Peru's history, it reveals a landscape marred by assassination, bribery, intrigue, torture, and enforced disappearance, depicting a grim battle between ideologically driven terrorism and a morally bankrupt government counterinsurgency. The story follows Felix Chacaltana Saldivar, a literature-loving, eccentric prosecutor in Lima, who has led an unremarkable life until he is unexpectedly assigned to a bizarre and horrific murder investigation. As the plot unfolds with unexpected twists and paradoxes, Saldivar is forced to confront the implications of living in a society where death is the only certainty. With a self-assured and nimble clarity reminiscent of classic noir fiction, the novel's inexorable momentum and moral complexity make it both riveting and profound, showcasing the artistic conflict between competing venalities. The New York Times highlights Lima as one of Latin America’s brightest literary scenes.