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"Return to the Same City"

(Reviewed by Judi Clark AUG 30, 1998)

I had a hard time deciding which category to place this book in.  It is a noir detective novel, but it's written by a Mexican writer who adds that magical realism flair AND it is very funny.  H�ctor Belascoar�n Shayne is a one-eyed detective who died in the previous novel of this series.  Taibo was convinced to bring him back by his fans. I doubt many writers could pull this off with any credibility, but in this setting it works.

So we learn about H�ctor's experiences with having been dead, about the women with a pony tail, his neighbors and listen to him as he tries not to get hired. Of course he fails, and finds himself accidentally buddied up to a gin-loving reporter while tracking his target who happens to a be a very dangerous man- a CIA operative.   Somehow, Taibo actually weaves some serious history and problems in the middle of these humorous encounters of H�ctor Belascoar�n Shayne.

• Amazon readers' rating: from 4 reviews

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Bibliography: (with links to Amazon.com)

• Calling All Heroes (1982)
• An Easy Thing (1990)
• The Shadow of the Shadow (1991)
• Some Clouds (1992)
• Four Hands (1994)
• Leonardo's Bicycle (1995)
• El Che (1997)
• Just Passing Through (2000)
• Returning as Shadows (January 2003)

Hector Balascoran Shayne Detective series:

• No Happy Ending (1993)
• Life Itself (1995)
• Return to the Same City (1996)
• Frontera Dreams (July 2002)
• The Uncomfortable Dead (September 2006)

As Editor:

• Mexico City Noir (February 2010)

 

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Book Marks:

• Official Web Site for Paco Ignacio Taibo II (non-english)
• Tucson Weekly review of Just Passing Through
• Cinco Puntos page for Just Passing Through and Frontera Dreams
• MostlyFiction.com review of The Uncomfortable Dead

 

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About the Author:

Paco Ignacio Taibo II is one of the most popular Mexican authors at work today. Born in Asturias, Spain, he has lived in Mexico since 1958. A historian, journalist, and writer of short stories, novels, and works of history, he is one of the founders of the international Association of Crime Writers. His work has been widely translated and published throughout the world. Leonardo's Bicycle won the Latin American Dashiell Hammett Award for the best crime novel of the year.  He lives in Mexico City with his wife and daughter.