Is Acapulco’s first female police detective the next target of a ruthless cop killer? It’s a serial killer thriller with a spicy Mexican twist from the award-winning Detective Emilia Cruz series.“A thrilling series.” — National Public Radio Someone is killing law enforcement officers who worked with Detective Emilia Cruz. When her partner’s wife is murdered in a home invasion, Emilia fears that … wife is murdered in a home invasion, Emilia fears that he was the intended target of the so-called El Trio killer.
Instead of leading the investigation, Emilia is shocked to be reassigned to the mayor’s pet project—an all-female patrol unit. It’s a career-ending political disaster that forces Emilia to watch from the sidelines as the police fumble the El Trio investigation and send her partner to jail.
Meanwhile, is boyfriend Kurt Rucker concealing a dark past?
Left without a winning hand, Emilia will gamble everything to find the killer before she’s the next victim.
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Acapulco, once the glittering playground of Hollywood’s Rat Pack, now enjoys the highest homicide rate in Mexico thanks to druglords like El Chapo. The Detective Emilia Cruz series takes on cartels, corruption and social inequality. It’s not just a walk on the beach . . .
After 30 years as a CIA intelligence officer, Carmen Amato writes mysteries and thrillers loaded with intrigue and action. Readers who love police procedural series by Ian Rankin, Jo Nesbo, Ann Cleeves, Peter May, as well as the Department Q novels and Don Winslow’s cartel and border thrillers set in Mexico, also love Detective Emilia Cruz’s complex plots, fast action, pulse-pounding suspense, and exotic location.
2019 Poison Cup award, Outstanding Series — CrimeMasters of America
“Danger and betrayal never more than a few pages away.” — Kirkus Reviews
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I love this series.
This story hits particularly close to home-as I live in Mexico –
There truly is such a thing as Mexican justice-and politics-They are very different than
NOB-
Carmen nails it pretty accurately -Its not a pretty -very gutsy and visceral
As her protagonist follows the trail to solve the murders -you get a varied view
of life as it truly is -behind the facade of beach side resort towns-
Well written -story -Enjoy –
I like this character.
Interesting view of life away from the tourist area.
This series pulls you into the action.
It was interesting to see a small slice of the inner workings of the Acapulco Police Force.
Predictable.
Good series. Interesting twists. Great descriptions
A good read…. the plots, the charecters and the shole story sounds very realistic…
love the fresh style of her writing
This book has it all- great characters, action, plot twists, and it’s all well-done and very believable. I don’t know how realistic it is, since I’m not a female cop in Mexico, but it is a great read. I’ve read two of these books and am looking forward to the next one.
Already rated and reviewed this book. Five stars.
Having lived in Mexico, the author captures real life in modern day Mexico. The main character was very believable. The storyline was always interesting. A good variation on the police detective murder mystery.
Really well put together plot, believable characters, and a strong, smart female protagonist who has shattered the Mexican glass ceiling.
Very good read
Enjoyed the characters and location. Strong female character and Acapulco as the background.
It was okay. Nothing great nor terrible. Mediocre outing is about the best I can say about it.
An insider’s view of culture of Mexico, specifically law enforcement, both positive and negative. I felt like I understand some of the storms and winds of politics in Mexico better than I did before reading this book. Learned some new Spanish words and their context of use. The dozen or less Spanish words were defined in the glossary. I wish there had been a bit more local word usage as I am moderately fluent, but I am sure the author cut down so as not to scare off gringos like me. I like the character and what the author did with her. Reminds me of a Tony Hillerman novel except set in Acapulco with a female Joe Leaphorn. Lots of local color and flavor.
An interesting protaganist who struggles with the incursion of Western cultural infuences on traditional Mexican values. All this in a police procedural. Kind of fun.
Excellent series, realistic, complex, unpredictable, engrossing characters.