A Vine in the Blood

Starred review from October 10, 2011
Set mostly in São Paolo, Brazil, in the two weeks leading up to the FIFA World Cup, Gage’s stellar fifth Chief Insp. Mario Silva police procedural (after 2010’s Every Bitter Thing) centers on the kidnapping of Juraci Santos, the abrasive mother of Brazil’s new Pele, Tico “the Artist” Santos. At the bidding and mercy of political animal Sampaio, the Federal Police director, Silva and his team investigate a number of suspects, including chilling Brazilian mobsters and hostile soccer rival Argentinians. An honest judge with a $1 million price on his head and Tico’s mercenary girlfriend provide clues. Silva, a tough, compassionate cop with an alcoholic wife and an unerring instinct for working the system, tackles this highly spiced case with his usual aplomb. Rising above Brazilian brutality, corruption, and bribery with uncommon wit and the help of his colorful, appealing colleagues, he scores a winning goal in an enormously complex kidnap payoff scheme.

Three weeks before the start of the FIFA world cup, to be hosted by Brazil, the mother of the country's most famous football player is kidnapped. Chief Inspector Mario Silva must track down the kidnappers and finding the star's mother--hopefully, still alive. Peter Berkrot's strong narration--which is well matched to the stylish writing of the author--allows the vivid descriptions, occasional humor, and witty insights to shine. As the number of suspects increases, so does the suspense, and Berkrot delivers it with flair. K.I.P. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine