Playboy

MAIL ON SUNDAY THRILLER OF THE MONTH

São Paulo, 20 March 2016

A campaign for the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff is in full swing, yet 100,000 people take to Avenida Paulista in Sao Paulo in her support.

On the same day, a young man from a wealthy family is murdered.

Detective Mario Leme discovers the body. Two Military Policemen confront him.They strongarm him into the back of an SUV.

Set against the backdrop of the biggest political corruption scandal in Brazilian history, Playboy is the story of Leme’s attempt to clear his name, and find the young man’s killer. Leme’s investigation runs right through Sao Paulo society, from the bottom, to the very top and has implications far beyond. And the fight to prove his innocence might just cost Leme his life.

A stylish, taut, and atmospheric novel in the hardboiled tradition of American noir, Playboy is a thrilling examination of the seething, violent street life of Sao Paulo and the political convulsions of contemporary Brazil.

PRAISE FOR JOE THOMAS

‘Brilliant’ The Times
‘Feverish energy’ Guardian
‘Wonderfully vivid’ Mail on Sunday
‘Sophisticated, dizzying’ GQ
‘Vivid and visceral’ The Times
‘Superbly realised vivid and atmospheric’ Guardian
‘Original’ Mail on Sunday
‘A stylish, atmospheric treat an inspired blend of David Peace and early Pinter’ Irish Times
‘Sparse, energetic, fragmented prose’ The Spectator
‘Vibrant, colourful, and complex’ Irish Independent
‘Stylish, sharp-witted, taut. A must for modern noir fans’ NB Magazine
‘Definitive confident and energetic’ Crime Time
‘Brilliant manic energy’ Jake Arnott
‘Wildly stylish and hugely entertaining’ Lucy Caldwell
‘Vivid, stylish, funny’ Mick Herron
‘Gripping, fast-paced, darkly atmospheric’ Susanna Jones
‘Snappy, thoughtful, moving’ John King
‘Exciting, fresh, incredibly assured’ Stav Sherez
‘Happy days!’ Mark Timlin
‘Utterly brilliant’ Cathi Unsworth
‘Had James Ellroy and David Peace collaborated on a novel they’d have written something like this’ Paul Willets