Invisible Country
At the end of the Triple Alliance War, in 1868, Paraguay is a devastated country. Facing a congregation with only seven males, Padre Gregorio, the pastor of Santa Caterina, tells his parishioners that the “laws of marriage” and the “commandment against adultery” must be put aside. As the townspeople set out to do their duty, the padre finds a body in church. The victim is Ricardo Yotté, a favorite of Eliza Lynch, the glamorous mistress of Paraguay’s ruler. Yotté, however, had many enemies. In addition, the resident commander is ready to blame anyone. And so, Padre Gregorio and a few parishioners come together to find the killer and locate mysterious trunks connected to the murder. The would-be sleuths all have secrets. There are furtive comings and goings to the forest, forbidden attractions. And the Brazilian invaders are closing in.
A fast-paced, suspenseful thriller with a large cast of appealing characters, Invisible Country is a story about ordinary people struggling to survive. Kudos for a fascinating setting and for the unusual historical period that make this novel a refreshing, enjoyable read.
