Urgent Matters

Urgent Matters is a thrilling tango noir novel that follows a criminal who survives a train crash and seeks to disappear, only to be pursued by a determined detective. The novel explores social issues and features vivid character development, making it a must-read for fans of Argentine noir.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 03 August 2023
Publisher: Pushkin Press

Part thriller, part telenovela, a well-wrought tango noir, The Times is vivid and unforgiving. The Guardian calls it a breathless procedural. A devastating train crash in the suburbs of Buenos Aires leaves forty-three people dead, but not Hugo Lamadrid, a criminal wanted for murder. He seizes his chance to disappear, abandoning his possessions - and, he hopes, his identity - among bodies mangled beyond all recognition. As the police descend on the scene, only grizzled Detective Domínguez sees a link between the crash and his murder case. Soon, he's on Hugo's tail. But he hasn't banked on everything from the media to Hugo's mother-in-law getting in his way. This crackling, pacy noir shines a light on urgent social issues. If you loved The Khan by Saima Mir or Lightseekers by Femi Kayode, then you'll love Urgent Matters!

READERS LOVE URGENT MATTERS! If this novel by Paula Rodriguez is anything to go by, Argentinian noir may be the next big thing. It is a perfect slice of Argentine Noir with a current of dark humour running through it, and I would highly recommend picking this up if you are looking for a sharp, energetic, and compelling read. The stand-out element of the story was the fabulous character development. All the key players feel like they are pushing their way out of the book into my world.

FURTHER PRAISE FOR URGENT MATTERS:

"Written in the taut, clean style of the classic pulp noir," the Irish Times says. "Evokes the teeming metropolis of Buenos Aires in a vibrant fashion."

"Frenetic pace and a hypnotic, disturbing plot," Crime Time says. "An essential read."

Agustina Bazterrica, author of Tender is the Flesh, says, "Urgent Matters is a devastating train crash in the suburbs of Buenos Aires leaves forty-three people dead, but not Hugo Lamadrid, a criminal wanted for murder. He seizes his chance to disappear, abandoning his possessions - and, he hopes, his identity - among bodies mangled beyond all recognition. As the police descend on the scene, only grizzled Detective Domínguez sees a link between the crash and his murder case. Soon, he's on Hugo's tail. But he hasn't banked on everything from the media to Hugo's mother-in-law getting in his way. This crackling, pacy noir shines a light on urgent social issues. If you loved The Khan by Saima Mir or Lightseekers by Femi Kayode, then you'll love Urgent Matters!"

Weight: 214g
Dimension: 128 x 197 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781782278153