Rosaura A Las Diez

Rosaura a las diez (English: Rosa at Ten O’Clock) is a 1955 mystery novel by the Argentinian lawyer, journalist, and novelist Marco Denevi (1920-1998). It follows the enigmatic affair between Camilo Canegato, an unassuming painting restorer, and his beautiful lover Rosa, which culminates in Rosa’s murder following their wedding. The story is delivered through five witness testimonies to the local police inspector. The first witness is Mrs. Milagros, the owner of Canegato’s boarding house. The second and fourth witnesses are David Réguel and Eufrasia Morales, residents of the boarding house. The third testimony is given by Canegato himself, who has been accused of murdering Rosa. The fifth part of the book resolves both the mysteries of Rosa’s identity and her murderer’s identity. Rosaura a las diez was awarded the Kraft Prize in 1955 and was adapted into a film by director Mario Soffici three years later. It has been interpreted as an early piece of LGBTQ+ Argentinian literature and is notable for its use of misdirection to explore the nature of perspective and perception.

This guide refers to the first English edition, published in 1964 by Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, translated by Donald A.