This novel resurrects an emblematic case in Chilean judicial and police history. It is the first homicide committed in the country against a representative of the Judiciary, who enjoyed a reputation for being a strict, yet humane official in the performance of his duty. Judge Ramón Araya was the owner of the sympathy and affection of the people of Quillota, where he worked.
That is why, when he was stabbed to death, just a few steps from his home, on May 20, 1911, the town rose up in a rousing cry, demanding the harshest punishment for the perpetrator of the attack. This was a ruffian-like character, of the worst kind, with an extensive criminal record, who acted in broad daylight, in full view of the many passers-by who were passing through the center of Quillota at that time.
For this reason, it was not difficult to catch him that same night. But it turns out that the murderer, named Alfredo Brito, did not act on his own initiative, but was commissioned by third parties, which makes the case also the first contract killing, or hitman, recorded by the national police.
Ivo Herrera Ávila is a novelist and playwright with three published books, a graduate in Arts with a major in theater acting from the University of Chile. He is also from Quillota. He carried out a thorough research work to write this book, in which he intelligently and appropriately mixes the real story, in which prominent representatives of Quillota society participated, with fiction, which basically revolves around two characters: a police advisor who was summoned from Santiago to activate the investigation, and a young lady who lives in a large house on the other side of the railroad, where the town’s “red light district” was located. However, this young lady, named Antonia, is not a prostitute; she is the natural daughter of a rich landowner who pays for her upkeep to the owner of the brothel. Well, there we have, to start with, one of the national realities of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which today, one hundred years later, we do not know. And there are others, several more that are emerging without fanfare, quietly, at the precise moment when history makes it necessary for us to know them.
Herrera Ávila’s prose, which could have been more elaborate, does not, however, present coarse rubble, and is read quickly. It fulfills its informative function, although it could have been enriched by good work by the editor, which the novel lacked. But we will return to that point. What is interesting, and truly valuable, is the plot of the story and the way Ivo Herrera handles it, providing precise data. And allowing us to glimpse what is not said, cleverly suggested thanks to the design he gave to the Santiago researcher and Miss Antonia, who become the most important characters in the story, even though they are the only ones who do not come from the real event.
“The Murder of Judge Araya” is part of the canon of crime fiction, and stands out from the vast number of books that address this topic, because it presents us with a case that occurred in our national reality, exactly a century ago, when the country was emerging from the Civil War of 1991, which pitted supporters and detractors of President José Manuel Balmaceda against each other. A case with all the characteristics to visualize life at that time. And by allowing us to see what we Chileans were like back then, it is easy for us to distinguish the similarities and differences with who we are today. A very entertaining, dynamic story, which has the conditions to enthuse readers. It could have become the best Chilean crime novel of recent times, but it falls short of the minimum demands that a good reader can and should make of a book.
The original was lacking a thorough revision, which is the responsibility of the editor rather than the author. We found serious errors, such as the fact that the police assistant and main character, who travels from Santiago to collaborate with the investigation, has his name changed in the final pages, from José to Luis.
There is also a problem with the use of the gerund. It is not the most narrative-friendly verb form. On page 172 we read: “He gets up from the bench, takes his things, and joins the line of ticket buyers to Santiago. His mind goes blank, staring at the shoulders of the jacket of the man in front of him in line. The sound of a train arriving at the station is heard. Echeverri raises his eyes into space and then looks toward the street, twisting his neck.” This paragraph needed editing, don’t you think? And many others.
Despite this, it is a book that is easy to read, that is even exciting, and that allows the author, with good professional work, to predict future novels of excellent quality.
Technical sheet:
Ivo Herrera Ávila, novel, The Place of Words Publishing House, 235 pages.
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