Rediscovered Noir Author Lived in Peru

Hernán Migoya, a writer living in Peru, has re-released Charles Williams’ novel “Calma Total” and uncovered a previously unknown chapter in the American noir author’s life: Williams resided in Miraflores, Peru in 1951. Migoya’s research, stemming from a lifelong fascination with Williams, revealed photographs of the author in Huancayo buying a tapestry and in the streets of Miraflores, during a period when Victor Raúl Haya de la Torre was seeking asylum at the Colombian Embassy.

Williams, a former merchant marine, began publishing his work, including his first novel, “Hill Girl”, while living in Peru. Migoya also authored the only existing biography of Williams, correcting misinformation about his 1975 suicide.

The recent discovery of photos from his time in Peru adds another layer to the author’s story, connecting Migoya to his literary hero through shared geography. Williams’ novels are known for creating suspense in open spaces, a departure from the typical claustrophobic settings of noir fiction. The re-edition of “Calma Total” and Migoya’s work aim to reintroduce Williams to a wider audience and highlight his unique contribution to the genre.