Darkest Peru

A Nobel laureate’s new novel is set in a murky time in his country’s history.

- Charlotte Grimshaw

This story of chaos, sex and betrayal is set in Lima, Peru in the 1990s, during the rule of President Alberto Fujimori. Government corruption is rife and the Shining Path guerilla group has paralysed the city with kidnappings and bombings. A wealthy woman, Chabela, stays out beyond the police curfew. She spends the night with her friend, Marisa, a decision that leads to a sexual encounter between them.

As their affair heats up, they must keep it hidden, because their rich and successful husbands, lawyer Luciano and businessman Enrique, are best friends, too. But Enrique’s and Marisa’s domestic tranquillity is soon thrown into uproar by a blackmailer. Rolando Garro, the editor of the tabloid Exposed, produces old photographs taken of Enrique during an orgy, threatening to print them if the businessman doesn’t invest money in the paper. Enrique turns to his lawyer, Luciano, for help, snaring the two couples in a drama of secrets, lies and sleaze.