Book Review: The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Historical Fiction, Suspense

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Del Rey (July 14, 2026)

Length: 336 pages

Author Information: Website

I really do love whatever Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes. I mean, is there any genre she can’t handle? Of course, her books with a fantasy or horror bent tend to be my favorites. But every so often, she’ll remind me she doesn’t need any supernatural flair to tell a great story. The Intrigue is one of those novels, containing no ghosts, monsters, or magic whatsoever. Instead, it’s a straight-up historical suspense drama, and once again the author proves that compelling characters and whip smart storytelling are more than enough to keep me reading into the night.

Set in Mexico during the 1940s, The Intrigue follows Ulises Linares, a charismatic con artist who makes a living by scouring the lonely-hearts pages for women seeking romance, courting them through letters, then scamming them out of their savings. When the book opens, we see him preparing for his biggest score yet. His target: Perla, the modestly wealthy owner of a boarding house located in the quaint little town of Puerco Ahogado in Veracruz. After working his charms, he shows up on her doorstep expecting her to be completely taken in by his act. Instead, he discovers Perla shares her home with her niece, a sharp-eyed young woman named Inés who doesn’t miss a trick.

Indeed, it doesn’t take Inés long to figure out exactly what Ulises is about. But rather than expose him, she proposes an unexpected partnership. The truth is, Inés has had a hard and miserable life living under her aunt’s strict control and is desperately looking for a way out. If Ulises marries Perla and gains access to her money, Inés wants a share in exchange for helping him succeed in his deception. At first, Ulises is reluctant to take on a partner. But pretty soon, as it becomes clear that Perla is anything but an easy mark, he begins to see the value of having Inés on his side. What begins as a seemingly straightforward confidence scheme quickly spirals into a tangled web of old resentments, hidden motives, and carefully guarded secrets as the two of them find themselves drawn into a far more dangerous game than either of them bargained for.

One of the things I admire most about Moreno-Garcia is how effortlessly she breathes life into classic genres. In this case, noir! But she also works that same magic on historical settings. In The Intrigue, the fictional town of Puerco Ahogado comes alive without the reader being inundated with minute details, relying instead on carefully chosen observations and authentic period touches to make the setting feel completely real. Far from being mere window dressing, the customs, social expectations, and rigid class structures of 1940s Mexico become a natural part of the story. It’s immersive and convincing, making it easy to believe our characters existed within this world rather than simply being placed there for the sake of the plot.

Speaking of which, nearly everyone in this story is given an opportunity to tell their side of the story, protagonists and antagonists alike. The result isn’t so much about changing your sympathies as it is expanding your understanding of all the major characters. Every decision, betrayal, and questionable choice becomes grounded in years of personal history, making the entire cast feel richer and more believable. In fact, this may be one of the author’s strongest ensembles yet. No one is entirely innocent, but at the same time, no one is beyond sympathy. Take Ulises, an antihero whose charm is built on years of grift, or Inés, who is willing to make indefensible choices just to escape her dead-end life, or even Perla, who may have done some truly awful things but is also someone who has endured her own share of pain.

In the end, The Intrigue reminded me why Silvia Moreno-Garcia remains one of my favorite authors. No matter what genre she’s writing, she always seems to find fresh ways to explore people, places, and power. This may not have a supernatural edge, but it didn’t need it. The strength of the characters and the unpredictability of the shifting relationships is what gives the novel so much of its tension, not to mention the beautifully realized historical setting. The prose is also wonderfully elegant, making this slow-burning suspense an immensely satisfying read. This is another highly recommended title from a writer whose books I’ll continue to pick up no matter what.