Linda 67: Historia de un crimen

Linda 67: Historia de un crimen follows Dave Sorensen, a wealthy Mexican art dealer who becomes entangled in a criminal plot involving his American wife Linda. The story takes place in San Francisco and Mexico City during the 1960s. The narrative structure moves between past and present, revealing the circumstances that led to Dave's predicament and the consequences of his actions. Del Paso incorporates elements of noir fiction while examining the relationships between Mexico's elite social class and their American counterparts. The novel explores themes of greed, cultural identity, and moral corruption through its focus on high society and criminal behavior. Through its crime fiction framework, it presents a critique of wealth, privilege, and the complex dynamics between Mexico and the United States.

Readers appreciate the book's departure from del Paso's usual complex literary style, noting its straightforward crime narrative. Many found the psychological exploration of the protagonist compelling and commented on the detailed portrayal of Mexico City's elite society in the 1960s. Common criticisms focus on the pacing, with several readers finding the first third of the book too slow. Some note that the ending feels rushed compared to the methodical setup. Goodreads rating: 3.8/5 based on 432 ratings - "An interesting experiment from del Paso, though his literary fans may be disappointed" - Goodreads user - "The details of Mexico's high society are sharp, but the crime plot sometimes drags" - Amazon reviewer Spanish-language reviews on Literatura.mx and Lecturalia mention the book's success in blending social commentary with noir elements, though some readers expected more complexity given the author's previous works.

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🔸 Fernando del Paso spent seven years meticulously researching police procedures and San Francisco geography to create an authentic backdrop for this noir crime novel, despite never having lived in the city. 🔸 The novel breaks from del Paso's usual literary style, as it's his only venture into the crime/detective genre among his otherwise historical and experimental works. 🔸 "Linda 67" refers to both the name of the victim and the year she was born (1967), creating a dual meaning that becomes significant to the story's themes of identity. 🔸 The book draws inspiration from classic American film noir and hardboiled detective fiction while incorporating distinctly Mexican literary sensibilities, creating a unique cultural fusion. 🔸 Del Paso wrote this novel while serving as Mexico's consul general in Paris, incorporating his diplomatic experiences with international cultural dynamics into the story's exploration of Mexican-American relations.