"A provocative, heady, and incredibly smart thriller based in Uruguay detailing the chaos that occurs after a crime."
This is a crime thriller with real attitude, it is bold with subtle undertones, and perfect if you’re looking for something a little different. Focusing on the aftermath of an armed robbery in Uruguay, the women here take centre stage, even if the men don’t know it. I clapped my hands with glee when I knew that The Hand that Feeds You was carrying on from where Crocodile Tears left off.
I really do recommend that you start at the beginning in order to fully appreciate the journey undertaken by the characters. Mercedes Rosende invites the reader to look beyond the obvious, to the fascinating layers beneath. I love the way she studies the finer points of humanity, finding sorrow and a real depth of feeling as well as the darkest of humour.
The translation is again wonderfully on point by Tim Gutteridge, encouraging the unique tone to flow from the pages. The short sharp shocks of chapters rapidly changed viewpoint, always ensuring I was fully alert and engaged. While all the characters feel vibrantly real, Ursula is a particular favourite, and she is handled with thoughtful care and attention.
There is such a sense of place, Uruguay sings with intensity. And oh that ending! It made me smile and raise my eyebrows in anticipation. The Hand That Feeds You is a beautifully riotous, yet razor-sharp novel and I’m happy to recommend it heart and soul.
The attempted robbery of the armoured car in the back streets of Montevideo is a miserable failure. A lucky break for the intrepid Ursula Lopez who manages to snatch all the loot, more hindered than helped by her faint-hearted and reluctant companion Diego. Only now, the wannabe robbers are hot on her heels.
| Primary Genre | Thriller and Suspense |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
Win a Pair of Tickets to Agatha Christie’s The Hollow at a Venue of Your Choice.
Closing date: 15/10/2026
the best psychological thrillers · the best thriller audiobooks
The attempted robbery of the armoured car in the back streets of Montevideo is a miserable failure. A lucky break for the intrepid Ursula Lopez who manages to snatch all the loot, more hindered than helped by her faint-hearted and reluctant companion Diego.
The Hand that Feeds You features in the following genres: Thriller and Suspense, Fiction, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Crime and Mystery, Sharing Diverse Voices, Fiction in translation, Crime and mystery: women sleuths, Narrative theme: Sense of place, Narrative theme: Social issues, Fiction: special features, Fiction: narrative themes
Paperback. £8.99, down from the £9.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Hand that Feeds You was written by Mercedes Rosende and published by Bitter Lemon Press
The Hand that Feeds You has 272 pages
£8.99, reduced from £9.99. In Stock.
