City of Silver: A Mystery

by: Annamaria Alfieri

Published by: Minotaur Books

Reviewed by Diane Keyes

Historically, a compelling time and place, Potosi, Alto Peru (now Bolivia) in 1650, makes not only a unique and mysterious setting for Annamaria Alfieri’s first novel, City of Silver but an irresistible character as well. Perched on the Cerro Rico mountain, Potosi, then the richest and largest city in the world proclaims on her banners “I am rich Potosi, treasure of the world, the king of mountains, and the envy of kings.” An apt and accurate description for this opulent, seductive, and ego-driven place. What didn’t quite make it onto their red and gold banners is the rest of the story—all made possible through their greed–and the sweat, blood and deaths of her poor.

And what makes this city such a diva? Fortunately, for the reader, it is her failings. Possessing more vices than virtues, Potosi could easily be the worldwide headquarters for the seven deadly sins. Ironic, since the evil of the Inquisition plays a major role in the plot of the book, it seems only fitting that the Church define the very thing she condemns.

Sitting on a silver mine–so rich it’s still active today, the combination of limitless wealth, remote location and undesirable climate draws only the greediest immigrants and traps only the poorest of the poor. This is a recipe you can count on to produce bone-chilling, though not necessarily desirable, results.

Meticulously researched, finely crafted, singularly imagined, City of Silver is as lavish in its language as its environment and inhabitants. Gripping to read, this book is a political treatise, history lesson, psychological study and riveting murder mystery all in one. The location and the story are enthralling—Alfieri paints a picture of Potosi so vivid that I long to discover whether the city is as fascinating in person as she makes it in print.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Alfieri’s City of Silver creates a tourist boom for Potosi, Bolivia. I checked. Tickets from my home in Minnesota are only $1157.

Armchair Interviews says: A mystery that is surrounded by other most interesting facts.