Raphael Montes: Brazilian Author Finds Global Success with Dark Thrillers
The writer discusses international literary expansion, the ethics of crime fiction, and financial realities.
1Global Expansion of Works
Raphael Montes, a prominent Brazilian author, is expanding his reach as his novel Jantar Secreto launches in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Having already sold 500,000 copies domestically, the book is now featured on the New York Times list of notable upcoming releases for 2026, marking a significant international milestone.
2Universal Themes in Fiction
Montes argues that his dark thrillers resonate globally because they address universal human experiences like ambition, envy, and social inequality. By framing his narratives as allegories, he successfully bridges cultural gaps, similar to how the film Parasite utilized specific Korean dynamics to explore the worldwide phenomenon of class struggle and power imbalances.
3Evolution of Brazilian Literature
Historically, Brazilian literature was often marketed abroad with an exoticized lens, such as the inaccurate inclusion of palm trees on book covers. Montes notes that streaming services have shifted this perception, fostering a demand for 'glocal' stories that maintain local authenticity while appealing to international audiences who prioritize quality over geographical origin.
4Genre-Defying Narrative Style
International publishers have struggled to categorize Montes’s work, which blends crime fiction, horror, and thriller elements. While the English-speaking market typically maintains strict genre boundaries, Montes’s books defy these labels. This hybrid approach has allowed his work to find audiences in diverse markets including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Russia.
5Financial Reality for Authors
Despite selling nearly 2 million books, Montes warns that relying solely on literature for income in Brazil is dangerous and irresponsible. He maintains a dual career, emphasizing that screenwriting for films and series provides the necessary financial stability for his monthly expenses, while literature remains a parallel, albeit fulfilling, creative pursuit.
6Synergy Between Media Formats
The author’s career as a novelist and screenwriter is deeply intertwined. While writing his latest novel, A Estranha na Cama, he secured a Netflix adaptation deal simultaneously. His work on projects like HBO Max’s Beleza Fatal demonstrates his ability to navigate both traditional literary publishing and high-budget streaming production environments effectively.
7Critique of Social Structures
Jantar Secreto serves as a critique of elite power dynamics, specifically addressing who is exploited in society. Montes uses the metaphor of a dinner party to highlight the vulnerability of marginalized groups, including the poor, Black individuals, women, and the LGBTQ+ community, aiming to provoke discussion rather than merely entertain through violence.
8Addressing Misogyny Allegations
For nearly 15 years, Montes has faced criticism regarding the portrayal of violence against women in his books. He acknowledges that literature must evolve alongside societal discussions on machismo. He argues that his work aims to provoke indignation, using his series Bom Dia, Verônica as a tool to encourage domestic violence reporting.
9True Crime and Ethics
Montes has contributed to true crime productions, including projects about the Suzane von Richthofen and Elize Matsunaga cases. He maintains that these projects are based on court records rather than interviews with perpetrators. He insists that his involvement is conditional on the production offering a deeper reflection on human nature and power.
10Audience Interest in Violence
The author observes that the primary consumers of true crime content are women, suggesting an interest in understanding the mechanics of violence rather than sadistic pleasure. He believes this consumption is a way for audiences to process the reality of human behavior, provided the narratives avoid gratuitous or fetishized depictions of harm.
11Future Creative Direction
Moving forward, Montes is increasingly selective about the violence depicted in his writing, ensuring it serves the story's thematic purpose. He accepts that some readers may dislike his graphic style, but he remains committed to using his platform to challenge societal norms and generate meaningful, uncomfortable conversations about contemporary human behavior.