Pardo, Paz

Pardo’s riveting alternate-history noir is as multilayered and rich as the pigments she describes. This highly original, heady blend of mystery, noir, and science fiction is not to be missed.

This science-fictional noir will appeal to readers who have fallen hard for the upswing in blended SF/mysteries such as John Scalzi’s “Lock In” and “Dispatcher” series. The blend brings a new twist to both parts of its equation, with the mystery and all its delicious red herrings set in a world not quite like the present. Curtida fits right into the mold of the noir detective while giving Sam Spade and company an entirely different perspective as a neuro-atypical Latinx protagonist. Highly recommended.