Stockholm Lover

Author: Robert Ambueiro / Zhao Deming (Chile)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: The protagonist, Christopher, immigrates to Stockholm after a sudden political change in Chile and becomes a detective novel writer. One day, he accidentally discovers adult sex toys in his wife's possession, which she had never worn in front of him. He suspects his wife of having an affair and is troubled and confused. Meanwhile, the wife of his neighbor dies from an overdose of sleeping pills, and the police conclude it was a suicide. However, the maid from the neighbor's household insists it was a murder and reveals evidence to Christopher. Unfortunately, she is soon murdered as well. The protagonist follows his wife, who is involved in the art trade, meeting with a Russian man. He arrives just in time to witness an argument and a fight between them. He bursts into the house to help his wife and, in the heat of the moment, kills the Russian man with a table lamp. They hastily flee the scene. Soon after, a hippie girl claiming to have seen them commit the murder comes to extort them. Just when this issue is resolved, the neighbor claims to have obtained evidence of their crime, and the resourceful detective also gradually pressures them. The novel blends elements of romance, revenge, escape, and mystery, skillfully unfolding them against a realistic social background and cultural atmosphere, making it both extraordinary and fantastical. Published in the same year, it ranked on the 2004 Chilean bestseller list and attracted attention from the international literary world. Spanish critic Senano praised it as "full of passion and one of the few outstanding works in recent years."