📖 Overview
Martín Solares is a Mexican novelist, essayist, and literary critic known for his crime fiction and academic writing. His work frequently explores themes of corruption, violence, and institutional failure in contemporary Mexico.
Solares's breakthrough novel "The Black Minutes" (Los minutos negros, 2006) received international acclaim and has been translated into multiple languages including English, French, and German. The novel, which follows a young detective investigating both a present-day murder and an unsolved case from the 1970s, established Solares as a significant voice in Latin American noir fiction.
Beyond his fiction work, Solares has contributed extensively to Mexican literary discourse through his essays and criticism. He holds a doctorate in Latin American literature from the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris and has taught creative writing at various institutions.
His writing style combines elements of hardboiled detective fiction with literary complexity, often incorporating historical events and social commentary into his narratives. His second novel, "Don't Send Flowers" (No manden flores, 2015), further cemented his reputation as a leading figure in contemporary Mexican literature.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Solares's complex layering of historical events with noir fiction elements, particularly in "The Black Minutes." Many point to his portrayal of institutional corruption in Mexico as authentic and unflinching. Reviews note his distinct narrative style that blends detective genre conventions with literary depth.
Liked:
- Atmospheric descriptions of Mexican Gulf Coast
- Integration of real historical events
- Sophisticated plot structure
- Character development of Detective Cruz
Disliked:
- Some find the dual timeline structure confusing
- Pacing issues in middle sections
- Complex subplots can be hard to follow
- Translations occasionally feel stiff (English version)
Ratings:
Goodreads: The Black Minutes - 3.7/5 (500+ ratings)
Don't Send Flowers - 3.5/5 (200+ ratings)
Amazon: The Black Minutes - 4.1/5 (30+ reviews)
One reader noted: "Solares captures Mexico's dark underbelly while avoiding stereotypes." Another commented: "The narrative complexity rewards patient readers but might frustrate those seeking straightforward crime fiction."
📚 Books by Martín Solares
Don't Ever Trust Me (2021)
A complex noir investigation follows reporter Diego as he tries to uncover a mystery in Mexico City during a period when all communication via phones and social media has suddenly ceased.
The Black Minutes (2006) Two detectives, separated by twenty years, investigate connected murder cases in a fictional Mexican port city while confronting police corruption and local criminal networks.
How to Draw a Novel (2018) A non-fiction exploration of the writing process that examines narrative techniques and structural approaches used in notable works of literature.
Los días hábiles (2021) A collection of reflective essays examining Mexico's evolving relationship with social media, technology, and digital communication.
The Black Minutes (2006) Two detectives, separated by twenty years, investigate connected murder cases in a fictional Mexican port city while confronting police corruption and local criminal networks.
How to Draw a Novel (2018) A non-fiction exploration of the writing process that examines narrative techniques and structural approaches used in notable works of literature.
Los días hábiles (2021) A collection of reflective essays examining Mexico's evolving relationship with social media, technology, and digital communication.
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