Sicarios. (Hit Men)
Reviewed by María Elena Cruz, New York City -- Críticas, 1/15/2008
Aridjis, Homero.
Spain/U.S.: Alfaguara: Santillana. 2007. 376p. ISBN 978-970-770-995-9. pap. $19.99. FICTION
Miguel Medina, a journalist at a small Mexico City newspaper, tries to escape continuous kidnapping threats that apparently come from the city’s major kidnapping band by going to the Mexican Investigation and National Security Agency (which is equivalent to the FBI) to seek protection. He is assigned two bodyguards, Mauro and El Petróleo, who turn out to be extremely mysterious operators eager to control every aspect of Miguel’s life. They appear to be spying on, rather than protecting, the journalist. As Miguel tries to go on with his career, he learns how kidnapping bands operate and why they never get caught. For instance, the leader of the main gang, who is famous for cutting off his hostages’ ears, always travels with $1 million in cash. As soon as he is arrested, he offers the money to the police, who end up facilitating his escapade. Full of plot twists and graphic violence, this page-turner effectively exposes corruption in a cold-blooded way. Some knowledge of the Mexican justice system’s structure is needed to understand parts of the story. A mock-up glossary of the slang used by bodyguards, as well as copies of documents of the author’s real story, are included at the end of the book. Recommended for bookstores and libraries that cater to a Mexican audience.
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