An Easy Thing: A Hector Belascoaran Shayne Detective Novel (Hector Belascoaran Shayne Detective Novels) [Paperback]

Hector Belascoaran Shayne, "independent" detective in Mexico City, has to be one of the most intriguing characters in detective fiction. In this first novel in Taibo's series, he's agreed to investigate three mysteries, including the "real" whereabouts of revolutionary hero Emiliano Zapata, all at once. He realizes what a mistake he's made as he has less and less time to engage in the necessary activities of life, like sleeping and eating.

A frustrated idealist, much younger in years than his advanced cynicism would let on, Hector gave up a cushy job as an engineer and the bourgeios lifestyle that went with it, and now prowls, mostly after dark, the streets of his beloved, exasperating Mexico City in search of answers...and truth. Taibo puts his leftist politics where everyone can see them, and Hector could very well be his alter-ego.

If you like quirky Detective Novels go no further.

I had no exposure to this author prior to this book. The Book was so unique, so well written (as if Gabriel Garcia Marques had decided to write a film noir).

Paco Ignacio Taibo is a National treasure in Mexico for a reason and I can see why after reading my first Hector Belascoaran Shayne story.

So funny, so dark, so original. Read it!

Rkcorbett

Although this book isn't about music, nor is music a major theme, it is written so lyrically that, while reading, and even now, when considering it, I feel as though I had just been listening to some sultry, Latin American version of smooth, dark, soft Jazz. I can't figure out if this book is a translation from the Spanish, or was written in English, but either way, the prose is lovely, because while the English is excellent, it retains the flavor of Spanish. This shows itself not just in character and place names, but in the cadence of the sentences, in the flow of the prose, and though the subject matter is far from poetic, in the essential lyricism of the language. Translation or not (and if it is a translation, then it is an exemplar of the art of translation), I found the writing absolutely captivating.

Although I found the characters interesting, I couldn't really identify with them strongly, as I tend to do with other characters in other books. I don't think this detracted from the story, though. The main characters weren't just pieces moved around a story board, and, within the context of the book, they seemed to belong and be perfectly at home.

the mystery was good, although this author does not tell a straightforward story. In fact, like the most challenging jazz, the story wanders around it points ...taking side roads, pausing to give some small thing loving attention, and suggesting other possibilities for investigation. The themes are never lost, though, and the 3 cases under investigation intertwine, separate, and come back together again until the resolution. They aren't interdependent, except in the detective's mind ...and, therefore, to some degree, in the reader's as well.

I was delighted with the late night radio show ...which reminded me strongly of the underground stations to which I used to listen back in the early 70s. We saw Mexico City through its eyes, and experienced her night voices through the show host, which added interesting grace notes to an already complex piece. In fact, Mexico, and especially its Capital, were as much characters in this story as were the people about whom it was concerned.

This isn't one of those fast paced action novels, but if you need something a little different, or if you like books that involve you on all levels, I think that you will, as I did, enjoy this excellent, possibly brilliant, book.