First published in 1877, Alberto Pimentel's Entre o Caffé e o Cognac drops us into the heart of old Lisbon with a quiet bang. The story begins with a death that everyone is quick to dismiss.

The Story

When João da Costa is discovered dead, the easy explanation is that he had too much to drink and fell. But his close friend, Dr. Lemos, senses something is wrong. João wasn't a big drinker. The only tangible clues are the scents of coffee and brandy on his clothes. Dr. Lemos turns amateur detective, and his investigation becomes a tour through Lisbon's social circles. He talks to João's acquaintances, pieces together his final days, and slowly realizes his friend was entangled in a complicated web of personal dramas. The mystery isn't about a dramatic chase; it's about sifting through half-truths and social appearances to find the human story underneath the tragedy.

Why You Should Read It

What grabbed me wasn't just the 'whodunit,' but the 'why-dunit.' Pimentel is less interested in action and more in psychology and setting. He paints a vivid, almost tangible portrait of 1870s Lisbon—its cafes, its manners, its unspoken rules. The characters feel real, bound by honor and gossip in equal measure. Dr. Lemos is a refreshing protagonist; he's persistent and clever, but his tools are conversation and observation, not brute force. The book asks a simple but powerful question: how well can we ever really know another person, even a friend? The title itself, 'Between the Coffee and the Cognac,' is a perfect metaphor for the space between public respectability and private vice where the truth often hides.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy classic mysteries with a heavy dose of atmosphere and social observation. If you like authors like Wilkie Collins or early detective stories where the puzzle is solved through intellect and dialogue, you'll feel right at home. It's also a fantastic pick for anyone fascinated by historical fiction that immerses you in the daily life and moral dilemmas of a bygone era. Just don't expect car chases. Expect intriguing conversations, a steadily building sense of intrigue, and a resolution that feels earned and surprisingly human. A true hidden gem from Portugal's literary past.