Blood Tango

Set in Buenos Aires in the fall of 1945, Alfieri's atmospheric third stand-alone historical with a South American setting fails to make the most of an original concept. Col. Juan Per%C3%B3n, Argentina's vice-president, minister of war, and secretary of labor, has been ousted from power, but if Per%C3%B3n's mistress, 26-year-old radio actress Evita Duarte, has any say in the matter, he'll soon regain it. When Luz Garmendia, a 16-year-old who not only modeled clothing for Evita but dressed like her as well, is stabbed to death, the police have to wonder if the killer mistook her for the actress. Solving the crime falls to Det. Roberto Leary of the Federal Police, who must investigate under the most trying of circumstances. Alfieri (Invisible Country) once again convincingly evokes another time and place, but readers should be prepared for a dull lead and a not particularly clever solution to the puzzle. Agent: Adrienne Rosado, Nancy Yost Literary Agency. (June)