A Samba for Sherlock — Jose Eugenio Soares

"Full of suspense and humor. . . . If Soares is remarkably strong in the crime scenes, he's also deliciously agreeable in his reconstruction of places and people."                          --Folha de São Paulo (Brazil)

Set in Rio de Janeiro in 1886, this internationally acclaimed literary thriller opens with the theft of a priceless Stradivarius violin that has been presented by Dom Pedro, emperor of Brazil, to his favorite mistress. At the same time a hideously inventive killer is prowling the boulevards and back alleys of Rio, leaving a violin string entangled in the intimate parts of his beautiful victims. Only one man possesses the genius, the valor, and the discretion that both cases demand: Sherlock Holmes.  
     In this witty, charming, and highly original novel, the Brazilian author Jô Soares boldly reimagines Conan Doyle's legendary sleuth, introducing a very distracted and debauched Sherlock Holmes, one who trades cocaine for "Indian cigarettes" and falls head over heels for a sultry actress. Overflowing with suspense and historical erudition, A Samba for Sherlock is a novel that combines the authenticity of The Alienist with the exuberant fantasy of carnaval.

"Written with irresistible humor and remarkable control."  
--L'Espresso (Italy)

"One of the most charming and entertaining books of the year."  
--Le Point (France)