This is the sixth book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia that I have read, which means that I have read over half of her oeuvre, and this is not my favorite of the bunch. I think that while I would say that I do not love mysticism, that I do very much like it in her hands, and this one does not have it.
The element that it does have that is another aspect of the author's work is a love of the noir. The story is about the making of a movie in 1950's Hollywood recanting the biblical tale, The Seven Veils of Salome, and it is told through the eyes of three women. The first is Vera, a young Mexican woman who is cast in the role of Salome, surprising everyone--there is only one person rooting for Vera and that is Vera herself--her mother is bitterly disappointed that Vera's sister Lupita evaded her master plan for her, and Vera swooped in the scoop it up. The other is Nancy, who is destined for failure, drugging and drinking and trying to use sex to gain influence, all things that hold no sway with Vera. Then there is Salome herself, the original, the woman for whom the story is told. I love the way the author weaves together a story, and how the Mexicans come out looking the very best and for all the right reasons, but this was by no means my favorite of hers. It did make me want to go back and read another one that I have missed, which is the best thing of all, that she leaves you wanting more.
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