5 stars
Groundbreaking and worthwhile reading. It has been talked about and put on all the booklists. Thrilled to have had the opportunity to have read it.

This cover is gorgeous and is so captivating! I love it!

This book had multiple POV between Maite who is going through a rough patch and looking for her neighbor who left her with her cat and watching her apartment but has just disappeared.

And Elvis who is also looking for the neighbor, Leonora but he is part of the Hawk's a group of thugs. Oh yes and there are secret police. those scary guys.

They are all looking for a camera. Oh yes, this book is set in the 1970's so this is a camera with film.

But really I think our two main characters are looking for human interaction and the meaning of life other than what life has thrown at them so far!

This story takes from a real life incident in Mexico City in the 70s and talks about this group called the Hawks that the CIA trained. Always read the authors note.

Velvet Was The Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia was a beautifully written book. This is my second book by this author, and above all else, she just uses language masterfully to tell stories. That said, this genre isn't really my jam. It was historical noir, and I can honestly say I haven't read one before, but I can appreciate the vibe and experience. The book takes place in 1970s Mexico City, and it's about a woman who wants to know what happened to her neighbor. Along the way, she finds someone else is also looking for her neighbor, and these two start to connect. This is overlaid with the happenings of the times which I honestly knew nothing about. I found it especially fascinating to read at the end about the truth that was in this story. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this recent release. If this genre is something you dig, would guess you'll really like this one.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s latest, Velvet Was the Night, is a mystery-driven noir that made me want to smoke a cigarette while reading and I don’t even smoke. Set against the backdrop of student protests in Mexico City in the 1970s, Velvet Was the Night unfolds at a leisurely pace shifting between two different POVs as characters converge on the truth behind a missing art student. Maite Jaramillo, a bored secretary whose biggest thrill is her weekly consumption of a tawdry romance comic, finds herself swept into her neighbor’s seductive world. El Elvis is nothing better than a hired thug, a member of an unofficial government-ran group tasked with quelling student activists. It’s a way to survive and nothing more. Both characters are playing parts, keeping reality at bay as best they can, but neither can hold on to their distorted and often naive view of the world. Velvet Was the Night will be enjoyed by those fond of the noir genre and those looking for sharp dialogue and antiheroes.

This was a slow-burn noir-like mystery focusing on a missing woman. At the onset, I was not sure where it was going as there was a corresponding tale of political discourse. This was a solid read, but I didn’t love it. However, the author did a great job setting the scene. 3 stars ⭐️.

Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia follows two characters living separate lives that brings the two together through a series of events. Maite is a quiet secretary who is a bit of a loner and disconnected from even her own family. Elvis is a tough member of the Hawkes, a secret group enforcing the mission of its enigmatic leader. However in the backdrop of political protests by college students, Maite finds herself watching the cat of her neighbor, Leonora. In the wake of Leonora's disappearance, Maite finds herself thrust into the lives of a rebellious group, putting herself in danger with the Hawkes bringing her face-t0-face with Elvis.

First of all, this cover is absolutely stunning artwork. When I read the premise of this story I was hooked. This book is completely atmospheric, fully creating that noir mood. The city is completely brought to life and the writing completely immerses you in the setting. I have never read a book set in this time and place which made it unique from anything I've ever read. This book completely fills a gap in historical fiction and brings some literary elements as well to it. Although there is a lot of plot, it is truly a character focused novel.

However, what drew me most into the book is the characters. Each character was fully fleshed-out and truly brought depth to the story, no matter how small the role. Maite was a compelling character that was complicated yet her thoughts were relatable. I truly felt for Maite and was rooting for her throughout the novel, feeling the depth of her emotions. It was fantastic to see how Maite grew throughout this story. Similarly, Elvis was a lovely character and my favorite parts were how he viewed Maite. I also loved the conflict between his values and his role in the Hawkes and the tension that created.

Overall this is a fantastic book with something so unique from what I've read that is perfect for those wanting something different. I love the writing and characters and can't wait to read more from Silvia Moreno-Garcia!

Many thanks to the publisher Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

This was my second Silvia Moreno-Garcia novel, and I have to say, I'm impressed with how multi-faceted she is as as a writer. While Mexican Gothic was a gothic horror novel, Velvet Was The Night is a noir and historical, fiction novel that takes place during the Mexican Dirty War. The Dirty War was a conflict between left-leaning guerrilla groups and the government, of which the CIA was alleged to have been assisting. As a Latin-American, I know these conflicts were and are the norm in the region, and anytime the CIA has intervened, it has backfired spectacularly.

The two MCs live in separate worlds, but are united through their taste in music. Maite is a young woman who is bored with her lonely existence, and Elvis (not his real name) is a member of the Hawks, a secret government group, whose job is to disrupt any communist-leaning functions and groups. When Maite's neighbor goes missing, they both embark on separate searches for the missing woman, and a cat and mouse game ensues.

It normally takes me a few chapters to hit my stride, but within the first page, I was fully invested and did not want the book to end. I was able to immerse myself in this world and I felt as if I were in the 70s, experiencing the same internal conflicts the MCs were. It also didn't hurt that more than a few of my favorite songs were referenced throughout the novel, and I will be listening to its playlist on Spotify.

I'm so happy I have the rest of her backlog to look forward to.

It’s the 1970’s in Mexico City and all around her students are protesting and political violence run rampant in the city but Maite only cares about her romance novels. She loses herself and escapes reality to get away from the evil and the dangers of the world she lives in.

All of a sudden her next door neighbor, Leonora, asks her to watch her cat for a few days while she goes out of town. One day turns into two, turns into three, etc… and now no one knows where Leonora has gone and no one can finds her. In the hunt to find her neighbor, get paid and return her cat she finds out a whole world she knew nothing about and it’s nothing like the novels she reads… Unfortunately, she’s not the only one looking for Leonora.

First off I want to say that the writing of this book was absolutely wonderful. The story flowed really well and the character development was great. Unfortunately, I don’t think I was the right target audience for this. I loooooove a good mystery and this technically is a mystery in the “what happened to Leonora” sense. However, it’s a VERY slow burn. I think I personally prefer more of the thriller style mysteries that keep you on your toes and have a lot more action. This was my first historical noir genre book so I had no expectations here but I don’t think the noir scene was for me. If you’re a fan of noir genre type books then you will absolutely love this book. I personally just didn’t relate to any of the characters and the genre style wasn’t really my style so I struggled staying interested. Overall the book is good and is a 3.5/5 for me but again, not the right target audience. Definitely still give it a chance!

A story entrenched in 1970’s Mexican government games, where infighting and communism are the dangers of the day, and real people are ensnared in its web. Told from two different perspectives, that of an innocent, naive secretary, and of a hired hand in the Hawks government sanctioned criminal gang, the mystery of what has become of one girl after a deadly protest unfolds.
Even though Moreno-Garcia paints an intelligent, well rounded view of the events and the climate in Mexico at the time, and the plot comes together, I found the actual story a bit slow at times.

Happy Pub Day!!!

As a big fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s book Mexican Gothic I couldn’t wait to read this one. The cover is amazing!!

Velvet Was the Night was set in the 1970s in Mexico City. It was a slow burn for me and labeled as noir. It definitely had some political themes as Elvis was part of a group called the Hawks which did work for the government during the Dirty War trying to keep journalists/photographers from capturing what was going on during protests.

Maite is a secretary who is feeling like an old maid and bored with her job. She has a habit of fibbing and stealing. Her neighbor, Leonora goes missing. Elvis and Maite cross paths as they both are looking for her. What happened to her?

Overall, solid read although I am not a big fan of open endings.

Thank you to @netgalley and @delreybooks for the #gifted arc.

Maite is an ordinary woman who loves to read romance comic books and listen to records to escape her banal existence. She reluctantly agrees to cat sit for her beautiful and artistic neighbor, Leonora, who had to take off on a whim. Maite can’t help but wonder what it must be like to live such a seemingly exciting life, but when Leonora goes missing, Maite’s life becomes anything but boring.

Elvis is a sensitive soul, but life circumstances led to him joining the Hawks - a paramilitary group of unofficial enforcers for the Mexican government. When he’s tasked with tracking down Leonora and certain compromising photographs in her possession, he encounters Maite and begins to wonder what it would be like to live a normal life.

I was fully immersed in this atmospheric, historical noir novel that transported me to Mexico City in the early 1970s. It was a time of political unrest and the city was consumed with fear as government forces carried out violent acts against students and activists (known as the Dirty War). The Mexican government was also suppressing rock music in an attempt to quell political upheaval.

Music was such an integral part of this book, and the descriptions were so rich and vivid that I could almost hear the music playing. I also kept thinking how wonderful it would be to browse Maite’s record collection. Maite and Elvis were deep, complex, and well fleshed out characters. When there are alternating POVs, I tend to prefer one character more, but I found myself invested in both Maite and Elvis’ stories. I loved the concept of two lonely hearts who lived completely opposite lives crossing paths. I also thoroughly enjoyed feeling like I was on a mission with Maite and Elvis as they ventured into dangerous territory in their attempts to find Leonora and the photographs. Although the pacing was slow, it was perfect to set the tone and lend to the overall mood of this story. “Life should be a slow song, affection should be a melody.”

This was completely different from Mexican Gothic, but just as unique and exquisitely written. I highly recommend it for fans of noir! The noir genre may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re looking to try something new, or if you’re a fan of the author, slow burn mysteries, crime novels, or historical fiction, then you should read Velvet Was the Night! I can’t say enough good things about it, and it will stay on my mind for awhile. Moreno-Garcia is an extremely talented writer and has definitely become an auto-buy author for me.

*Thank you so much to Del Rey Books and Random House Publishing Group for gifting me with an eARC through NetGalley!

Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a fast-paced and gripping noir that you won’t want to put down. True to form, the characters are complex and the storytelling captivates. It takes place in 1971 Mexico City, full of historical context and relevant pop culture. I felt invested in the lives of Elvis, Maite, and Leonora. They, along with 1971 Mexico City, were on my mind every time I had to put the book down, and for days after I finished.

It’s an excellent read. Moreno-Garcia's books read as if she puts her all into them, and this one is no exception.

I loved the first book I read from this author, Mexican Gothic, so couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one. It’s a very different sort of book, being historical fiction with a side of mystery vs horror, but the author’s gritty darkness is definitely stamped onto this one.

The story will transport you to 1970s Mexico City where you'll follow the paths of a daydreaming secretary, Maite, and a lonesome enforcer, Elvis, as their stories begin to converge in their search for a missing girl and photos that everyone wants to get their hands on. Set during the start of the ‘Dirty War’ none of the characters really know who they can trust and are under attack from so many different avenues.

It was a bit of a slow start for me, but the build up really made me feel like I knew the characters by the time their stories started to come together and there was more action taking place. This author truly has an amazing ability to take you deep into another time and place in a visceral way. There are a few violent and fairly graphic parts, but I was really in the mood for something darker and it definitely satisfied that craving.

Make sure you stick around for the author’s note at the end too.

[Thank you to @randomhouse for gifting me this book!] | Pub day #Review ⁣
VELVET WAS THE NIGHT⁣
My rating: ☆☆☆☆⁣
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“My novel is noir, pulp fiction, but it’s based on a real horror story.” - Silvia Moreno-Garcia⁣
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I liked this one better than MEXICAN GOTHIC! I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the noir genre but I enjoyed my time reading this. It’s a slow-paced story full of history, mystery, and violence. We follow 2 anti-heroes in 1970s Mexico City as they deal with political unrest, a young woman’s disappearance, and more. The characters were the greatest part of this book. There’s one character, Leonora, who is hardly in the novel but becomes a larger-than-life presence anyway. That’s talented writing! And the whole anti-hero aspect worked so well. I thought I’d end up hating these characters but it was the opposite. ⁣
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Silvia Moreno-Garcia also included a playlist in the back. I recommend listening to that while you read the book, if you enjoy background noise. I loved that detail — it fully immersed me in the setting. Another perk: it has an afterword that sheds light on the real history of the Dirty War, the Corpus Christi Massacre, the persecution of activists by the Mexican government during the 1970s, etc. ⁣
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Are you going to read this one? 🇲🇽

It’s 1971 in Mexico City and the clandestine government sanctioned and CIA trained Hawks are infiltrating student groups and violently cracking down on protests. In this tense atmosphere two people are about to find their paths converging on a mystery. Maite, a legal secretary in her late 20s, agrees to pet sit for her neighbor to earn some extra cash. Only her neighbor never returns. What begins as a quest to get paid (and find someone to take the cat) turns into a full on investigation that involves her with communist art groups, rich antiques salesmen, secret police, and more trouble than she could ever have predicted. Meanwhile, Elvis, a member of the Hawks, is tasked with tracking down a missing woman and the film she disappeared with. Through Maite and Elvis’ overlapping investigations Moreno-Garcia

With her great talent for character and storytelling, Moreno-Garcia’s Velvet was the Night is a lush historical noir that brings 1970s Mexico City to vivid life. Featuring a slow-burn plot full of suspense, readers will be enthralled until the last page.

Velvet Was The Night begins on June 10, 1971, during The Hawks attack on the university students. We are introduced to The Hawks, a glorified street gang that uses code names to form new identities for themselves. What was supposed to be a routine job for The Hawks becomes a crisis after one of the members is shot and they are photographed by one of the protesters. “Elvis” is a member of The Hawks and is put in charge of cleaning up the mess. This means obtaining those photos at all cost, because the photos can link The Hawks to having government ties. However, Elvis is unconvinced by the political schemes and just wants to listen to music.

Maite is a 30 year old secretary who loves music and comics, especially romance comics. She lives alone in Mexico City, which is a big contention between her and her mother. Maite is very creative but she lacks motivation. When her neighbor Leonora asks Maite to watch her cat for the night, Maite is not expecting it to drastically change her life. Maite is pulled into the mystery of these missing photos, The Hawks, and the ideals of the protesters.

This novel is very different from Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s previous works but there are some similarities. The historical plot points are detailed and recreate a part of Mexico that is often not seen. The characters are also dynamic and complicated, but will still leave readers with the hope for growth. I especially loved the references to music, films, and comics throughout the book.

In 1970's Mexico City, Maite is a secretary avoiding the humdrum of the everyday by reading Secret Romance. When her next-door neighbor Leonora disappears under suspicious circumstances, Maite starts looking for her among the dissidents and radicals of the city. In the meantime, Elvis is an eccentric criminal longing to escape his life and is also searching for Leonora. As he does, he is drawn to Maite and feels a connection in their mutual love of music. The truth behind Leonora's disappearance, however, is far more dangerous than they thought it would be.

We open with a bang-- literally. Elvis is an enforcer at a protest going belly up quickly, and there were already hints of dissatisfaction before Leonora disappears. Maite is in love with the idea of being in love and is forgettable even in her own family. They're both perfectly ordinary in their different ways, caught up in the rising panic of the city. Anyone questioning the government could be called a radical or a communist, and students and artists are the most heavily monitored due to their tendency to question the status quo. On top of that, different intelligence agencies vie for control of information, and apparently, Leonora had negatives for photos that could implicate men of the intelligence community.

Switching between Elvis's and Maite's POVs, we see different parts of Mexico City and the unrest building. Maite's naivete because of her focus on romance comic books and stagnation in life means the reader is also introduced to the chaos as she is. We know how innocent her interest is, though the players at large don't. It's easy to get swept up by paranoia for them, and that has very deadly consequences. Velcet Was the Night is very much a noir thriller with social commentary and the core need for connection to others. The time period was fraught with dangers, as the afterword explains, and I feel that it was accurately portrayed here. Silvia Moreno Garcia is a brilliant author and is able to make just about everyone feel real and empathetic to an extent, even the horrible characters you'd never like in real life.

The cover of Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is striking and I definitely judge a book by it’s cover.
Similar, to Moreno-Garcia’s novel, Mexican Gothic, her latest novel is a slow burn with the last quarter of the book culminating in intense action and mystery reveals. This novel is noir, pulp fiction, and is inspired by 1970s Mexico in which the Mexican government along with the US CIA pushed to suppress communist supporters.
The novel primarily follows two characters, El Elvis, a secret operative, and Maite, an unassuming and naive, young adult who finds herself in the middle of a dangerous missing person’s case.
I’ll admit at times I felt like the book dragged in the beginning, and the story was a bit predictable, but by the end I was committed and wanted to see the action play out.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Maite is a secretary who leads a somewhat boring life. She has no paramours, lives on her own, and loves reading romance comics in Mexico City. Elvis is living a life of crime, discouraging revolutionary students who want government change. When Maite’s neighbor goes missing, she embarks on a journey to find out what happened. At the same time, Elvis is given a job to figure out where she went. Though their paths barely cross, the two find themselves struggling to solve the same mystery. What happened to Leonora, what does it have to do with hit men, spies, government secrets? And what does it mean for them?

I absolutely adore Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing style. This noir is no exception! She imbues the book with mystery and creates characters that are completely real. No one is perfect; they all have major flaws. But they also contain multitudes that leave you guessing and waiting to see what happens next. Maite was so well-written as a sort of borderline spinster who still has dreams of more. And Elvis is still pretty charming, considering his line of work. The ensemble cast of characters is also pretty memorable, even Leonora herself being an enigma you want to solve. Leonora’s friends and family also feature and provide just enough information that gets you wondering what happened.

One thing I will say is that the ending, while great and to me, at least, not too predictable, felt a little incomplete. There’s everything with Leonora, of course, which leaves you feeling a certain way. But then there’s an epilogue that I love the idea of, but makes it feel like there’s more. I guess to a certain extent that’s what makes it noir. And maybe there is, I don’t know what Moreno-Garcia’s plans are. I, for one, wouldn’t mind reading more about Maite and Elvis.

4/5 Stars

I love Silvia’s very slow paced novels and how enticed I get by it’s descriptions. I’m usually not a huge slow-burner fan but something about it always being a historical setting always makes these books. I actually liked how much I learned from what was going on during Mexico in the 70s.