In the early 1980’s, Mexican historian and journalist Héctor Aguilar Camín wrote his mystery novel about the intersection of oil, politics, money and corruption in Mexico. The translation by Chandler Thompson comes just as Mexico is about to privatize Pemex, the country’s national oil company, an event of historic proportions that goes to the very heart of Mexico’s modern identity

I wish Speaking of Mysteries was posting its own interview with Héctor Aguilar Camín, but I don’t speak Spanish. After reading this book, though, I was sorely tempted to learn. But that would have meant years before the interview about Death in Veracruz could be conducted, let alone posted. Tom Nolan gave Death in Veracruz a glowing review in the Wall Street Journal (subscription required to read the entire review) as did Kirkus. Héctor Aguilar Camín was interviewed by David Garza for Kirkus. I’m taking Spanish lessons in anticipation of Aguilar Camín’s next book.