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    Bellini and the Sphinx
    Bellini and the Sphinx
    Bellini and the Sphinx
    Audiobook5 hours

    Bellini and the Sphinx

    Written by Tony Bellotto

    Narrated by Angelo di Loreto

    3.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Who is the missing dancer Ana Cíntia Lopes? Why did her coworkers, Camila and Dinéia, disappear? What does the voluptuous prostitute Fatima want? Who killed renowned surgeon Dr. Samuel Rafidjian? And what is the role of the hulking live-sex performer known as the Indian? To confront the puzzle of several sphinxes, most of them female, private detective Remo Bellini plunges into the underworld of São Paulo. Little by little, the mysteries unravel in a surprising fashion, until the solving of the final enigma leaves Bellini perplexed, with a bitter taste in his mouth.

    Editor's Note

    Long-awaited…

    In this long-awaited English translation, Americans are finally introduced to Brazil’s beloved private detective Remo Bellini. With a vibrant cast of characters — including a missing dancer, a dead surgeon, and a voluptuous sex worker — this noirish mystery is a thrilling homage to Philip Marlow.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherEverand Productions
    Release dateSep 22, 2020
    ISBN9781094410777
    Bellini and the Sphinx
    Author

    Tony Bellotto

    Tony Bellotto is the author of the best-selling Bellini mystery novels, which have been released as major feature films and translated widely, establishing him as the preeminent writer of Brazilian detective fiction. He is also a guitarist and songwriter for the famed Brazilian rock band Titãs (the Titans), which has released twenty albums and sold over six million copies. Bellotto writes for the newspaper O Globo and hosts a television show. He is the editor of Rio Noir and São Paulo Noir, both published by Akashic Books. Bellini and the Sphinx is his latest release with Akashic.

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    Reviews for Bellini and the Sphinx

    3.5/5

    156 ratings15 reviews

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    • 2/5
      Tony Bellotto’s Bellini and the Sphinx fits right into publisher Akashic Books’ specialty list of the blackest of noir fiction. Set in a gritty São Paulo, the story features the requisite hard-boiled private eye surrounded by cops and low-lifes that come close to self-parody. For the most part, the author pulls it off and you keep turning the pages to see where he’s going. Unfortunately, that end is profoundly unsatisfying – whodunit turns out to be a name mentioned only in passing during the build-up. You end up feeling cheated that you weren’t given any information that would have allowed participation in solving the mystery. This was Bellotto’s first novel, originally published in Portuguese in 1994. Among other books, he’s published three more featuring this cast of characters. I’d hope he’s built on his talent for mood-setting and characterization and corrected the structural plot problems of this initial effort.
    • 3/5
      A novel that could have been composed by 4 men sitting around a bar drinking shots and talking about women, life and death in a good ole boy way. Not my idea of a good read but I did appreciate the fact that the woman detective solved the mystery even though it would have been impossible for the reader to do so based on the limited information about the killer until the last pages.
    • 1/5
      Having recently read Rio Noir and Sao Paulo Noir, I was curious to see what Tony Bellotto would do with his book, Bellini and the Sphinx. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed. Thankfully, the chapters were short and the book didn't take long to read. There was nothing to like about Remo Bellini or Dora Lobo and I really didn't care if they solved the case. Akashic Books missed the boat on this one.
    • 4/5
      There are two things that keep intrigued in a mystery; a flawed but alluring protagonist and a strong sense of place.In this jaunty tale I was taken by Remo Bellini, a private detective, who is plagued by the premature death of his twin Romulo, as being the one who lived but does not live up to the perceived expectations of his father, and being privy to an insider’s bird’s-eye journey through the captivating city of Sao Paulo.The arresting qualities of the secondary characters, the philosophical musings of the males, and the elusiveness of the females keeps the reader engaged.While the mystery itself is a little predictable, it is written with style, verve and taunting humor.Overall, I enjoyed how the author put his own spin on this noir mystery, and I am interested in reading more about Remo Bellini and his escapades.
    • 2/5
      Well, that was a disappointment. The story line and some of the characters were interesting, but the language, especially the descriptions of the numerous sexual activities, seemed very crude and sophomoric. Perhaps the fault lies with the translation. A lot of the action seemed very farfetched and at times confusing. This book was received as an early reviewer sample.
    • 3/5
      I read a few chapters-to about page 60- and thought "ho-hum, a run of the mill mystery..." I set it aside and went to bed thinking I would abandon this one in the morning. However, I had trouble going to sleep for reasons having nothing to do with this book so I picked it up and gave it another try. It got more interesting with a number of plot twists so my curiosity made me stay with it. Some of the twists were implausible as were some of the characters . A couple of the "revelations" seemed pointless and out of place but even with its flaws it was a pleasant diversion. It borders on being a spoof of the Private Investigator mystery and maybe I'd have liked it better if it had gone more in that direction. I was going to give it two and a half stars but bumped it to three since I did read until 2am to finish it.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed this book and would have liked to have watched the movie, but I can't find it with English subtitles.
      The ending was a bit too abrupt for my liking, but I had a lot of laugh out loud moments, so I'm glad that I listened to it.
      I was very sad to find out that the narrator took his own life last year. He would have had a very promising future as his voice was gorgeous, and his narration was spot on! R.I.P my love <3
    • 5/5
      Loved the blues, the flow, and the characters. It was a song
    • 5/5
      Really sleek modern detective story, loved the characters , the reader really makes it come to life!
    • 5/5
      The right thing to have playing while doing a very unpleasant task like cleaning the garden shed... Bellini is exciting ..and maybe I will be thinking of him tonight while I shower al fresco
    • 5/5
      Tony, YOU MUST MAKE THIS A SERIES! With such strong characters and story-line, you have the basis for a sure following and fan base! You are the current day male voice of Sue Grafton’s ‘A is for Alibi’ series. Bellini is her Kinsey Milhone! I’ve got feedback and ideas. Contact me! Christinalaughs88@yahoo.com
    • 5/5
      the quality of the translation
      is excellent and this first-person thrill ride is sure to be enjoyed! recommended 5STARS! 06.03.24 WH3
    • 1/5
      If you like flat hateful misogynistic anti heroes, this book is for you. The author isno Raymond Chandler and his writing lacks all flair for character development. In tge end there really wasn't even a mystery. This book made me sigh in disappointment and boredom. It's a mean sad little book.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      This is Brazilian noir at its best. Bellini has combination of Christopher Marlowe, Sam Spade and Edgar Allen Poe. He is a blues loving PI,who struggles with his own and others psychological problems. His case develops layers and layers of riddles seemingly without conclusion.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Amazing detective fiction. Mickey Spillane meets Jorge Amado. Loved it but I could've done without his breast fetish. on the other hand most of the women knew how to put him in his place.

      1 person found this helpful