Please welcome the wonderful Lisa Fernow to my blog today. Lisa is the author of a mystery involving tango music, a type of music I know little about. Thanks so much, Lisa for sharing this post. I look forward to reading Dead on her Feet.

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In writing my tango mystery, Dead on Her Feet, I did a lot of research on the music. My original plan was to include lyrics and audio links so readers could directly experience tango’s heart-wrenching power.

Ultimately it proved too difficult to identify who owned the copyrights.

But here is one of the tangos featured in the book: Miguel Calo’s Que Falta Me Haces – performed by Geraldine Rojas and Javier Rodrigues. This tango breaks my heart every time I hear it.

And here’s an excerpt from the beginning of Dead on Her Feet, where I’ve put the lyrics back in for you. This translation of Discepolo’s Uno comes from maestro Alberto Paz.

Our heroine, tango instructor Antonia Blakeley, is introducing her class to tango culture:

“Tango can be about many things – seduction, longing, nostalgia, intimacy, tenderness – you get the picture. Whatever the music and the moment inspires. This song isn’t one we normally dance to but I happen to think it’s a beautiful piece, especially if you understand the words. It’s called Uno. One.” Uno, oh yeah, she thought.

Antonia translated the lyrics from the liner notes:

If I had the heart,

The heart I gave away…

If I could, like yesterday

Love without a premonition…

It’s possible that your eyes

That cry out to me their love,

I’d close them with my kisses…

Without thinking that, like these,

They were other wicked eyes

That ruined my life.

He gave his heart to a woman who betrayed him, and now he can’t love the way he used to. That’s life and death stuff. Tragic, yes? Julio Sosa performs Uno – listen here:

Doesn’t this just make you swoon?

It’s not an accident that Antonia chooses this particular tango, Uno, which is not meant for dancing – a curious choice for the class. But Antonia has walled herself off from love. We eventually learn why.

If this post whets your appetite for more, please visit me at www.lisafernow.com to learn more about tango and share your comments! I can turn you on to other tango music, and I am also happy to recommend great instructors.

PS: the dancer in the image above is Tomás Howlin, a wonderful teacher!

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About Dead on Her Feet

For those who dedicate their lives to “chasing the ghost,” searching for that elusive moment of perfect connection on the dance floor, tango is a drug that proves fatal.

When a much-hated member of the Atlanta tango community is stabbed in the middle of a dance, the last thing tango instructor Antonia “Ant” Blakeley wants to do is help the police work out how someone could have struck the fatal blow unseen. Her troubled nephew is first on the list of suspects, and she’ll do anything to protect him.

Unfortunately for her, she’s up against Detective Sam Morrow, a former marine who will do anything to get to the truth. Only one of them will get what they want.

Dead on Her Feet is available in paperback through Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and through independent booksellers. The e-book was recently selected by Amazon to be republished exclusively under their Amazon Encore imprint.

About Lisa Fernow

Lisa Fernow grew up on the classic mysteries of Ngaio Marsh and Elizabeth Peters. Dead on Her Feet, published by Booktrope, is the first in a planned mystery series set in the tango world. Lisa has danced Argentine tango since 1996, studying with legendary masters Cacho Dante, Susana Miller, Brigitta Winkler, and other inspiring instructors throughout the US.