The Shamshine Blind

A Novel

By: Paz Pardo

Narrated by: Aida Reluzco

A beguiling blend of noir detective story and science fiction perfect for fans of Michael Chabon and Emily St. John Mandel, “this fiercely intelligent and utterly original debut” (Anna North, New York Times bestselling author) imagines a world where emotions have been weaponized, and a small-town law enforcement agent uncovers a conspiracy to take down what’s left of American democracy.

In an alternate 2009, the United States has been a second-rate power for a quarter of a century, ever since Argentina’s victory in the Falkland’s War thanks to their development of “psychopigments.” Created as weapons, these colorful chemicals can produce almost any human emotion upon contact, and they have been embraced in the US as both pharmaceutical cure-alls and popular recreational drugs. Black market traders illegally sell everything from Blackberry Purple (which causes terror) to Sunshine Yellow (which delivers happiness).

Psychopigment Enforcement Agent Kay Curtida works a beat in Daly City, just outside the ruins of San Francisco, chasing down smalltime crooks. But when an old friend shows up with a tantalizing lead on a career-making case, Curtida’s humdrum existence suddenly gets a boost. Little does she know that this case will send her down a tangled path of conspiracy and lead to an overdue reckoning with her family and with the truth of her own emotions.

Told in the voice of a funny, brooding, Latinx Sam Spade, The Shamshine Blind is “a rip-roaring beautifully crafted mash-up of cop noir, sci-fi, and alt-history that left me dazzled by its prescience and literary zing” (Leah Hampton, author of F*ckface).

Critic reviews

"Reluzco gives Curtida a world-weary Latinx vibe that perfectly conveys the blend of conspiracy theory, science fiction, and noir that characterizes this debut novel. How do you trust your gut feelings when they can be produced chemically?"

I didn’t want it to end

This book has a world for you to disappear into!

As a person who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area it was such a treat. The author magically combines a bunch of genres with ease and believability!

I am hoping there is some continuation of this story in future books!

Just listen and enjoy is my review!

Storyline line was imaginative

Listened to this book after a recommendation by comedian Anthony Jeselnick. This is another book that would have served me better by reading it directly. Trying to follow the references to the color effects was tough but aside from a protagonist who seems invincible, the story was gripping while driving

New and fresh

This noir tented detective novel was something different. I really enjoyed the complex journey of the pigment saturated word the author created. The FMC was bold and dedicated like I prefer. However the small and ignorant political views were laughable and distracting. They were always preached in an adolescent tone that was distracting from the story and just so unnecessary. Very pro Argentina but that’s ok and understandable since that’s where the author is from. The performance was just ok. I found her voice changed every time a new chapter started. Then it would go back to normal as the chapter progressed. I would have preferred to read this rather than listen.

Spoiler:
The love interest situation was just sad and never flushed out. That should have been handled with more care.

Creative Detective Sci-fi

I enjoyed the creativity in this story, and sci-fi is my jam. I usually stick to space sci-fi but couldn’t resist reading this story as it takes place in an alternative storyline in the area I live in. The narration was also excellent and really captured the main characters voice, although I’m sure I would have enjoyed reading this book in print as well.
My main criteria for listening to books is that I REALLY want to know what happens next and that the narrator doesn’t sound annoying and this DEFINITELY satisfies both of these. This author has an excellent imagination and I hope to read her future works.