Book #3 in the Emilia Cruz Mysteries
I am totally hooked and I have been looking forward for more ever since I read “Cliff Diver”, the first book in this captivating series. Not only is the 3rd installment an excellent addition to any library it is most of all a great companion to enjoy for many hours.
Ms. Amato fluid style of writing is so visual and realistic it is hard not to be mesmerized by Emilia Cruz, Acapulco first female detective, while she overcomes challenges after challenges in a world filled with threats, one deep into Cartel violence, corrupt cops and gang war. To bring the readers to speed we have tit-bits in Emilia’s past involvement and enough information on each character to feel at ease and enjoy the drama. There is no time wasted, right from the opening page we are plunged into intrigue and endless action. With sharp and witty dialogue the author brings to live police-procedural and Acapulco crime scenes. To lighten up things humour and romance are masterfully weaves into the mystery. What shines the most is the characterization. Emilia is a kick-ass, no non-sense individual who is deeply religious and very close to her family. She is often tormented by the horrors she comes across doing her job. There are a few secondary players but the best are Kurt, a gringo whose steamy relationship with Emelia is a treat to follow, the love-hate one with Franco Silvio, her cranky partner, and the highly frustrating rookie she is tasked with.
In this latest, the deadly combination of a religious relic from Mexico’s Cristero War and a cruise ship murder propels Emilia into a maze of drug and smuggling and revenge killings. Acapulco is not only a city for tourists with beautiful beaches and a majestic blue ocean it is also home to hookers and thieves and Emilia has to juggle her way around all of this.
Well-done, another excellent read.
This is partly an historical novel about the rise of an oil and ranching dynasty. Le plot spans some 150 years and it concentrates on one proudly purebred south Texan family the McCullough. It showcases in a very dramatic way how each generation faces unique challenges. This 2014 Pulitzer Prize for fiction finalist is 576 pages long, a follow up to “American Rust”, is one that bears its weight with confidence.
The story alternates chapter by chapter through three narrators: Eli, his son Peter and Peter’s great-niece Jeannie. It was a challenge at first to get use to this structure but once into it what follows was a spectacular narrative right up to the drama’s eerie and heart-stopping finish.
The story open in 1849 and is primarily of Eli. We learn how he was abducted at the age of 13 and raised by the Comanche. His chapters are the best of the book: rich in detail and gore. The supporting roles go to Peter, a weak-willed character who comes to us in a series of embittered diary written before WW1. Equally compelling is the disordered memories of Jeannie who at 86, now one of the wealthiest women recalls the development of Texas and the frustrations she endured as an executive. The author handles the snobberies and cruelties with deft and excellence although it may be a bit tedious to read for some. We do have appealing moments of astuteness and cleverness throughout even though the story tends to struggle under the weight of repetition and bluntness but having said this I was nevertheless captured by the scope of this ambitious book deeply rooted in cultural history….
If you don’t mind depictions of violence recounted with emotion, scenes of rage, dismemberment, massacre and torture that are exceptionally harrowing you will love this book. “The Son” is a vivid evocation of time and place, enjoy.
Book # 8, in the Colton Banyon Mystery
Although the story continues the adventure of Colton Banyon and his team of unique characters this book works quite well as a stand-alone. No worries if you pick this one first in no way you will feel lost. The authors have done their best to immerse us from the start in a suspenseful blend of history and fantasy. But first, keep an open mind to see beyond the conspiracy theories, extra- sensory perception, communicating with the dead, evil curses….all that stuff you will read. After all this book is not to be taken seriously but is highly entertaining.
This story is well- written and very smooth to read so smooth indeed I hardly noticed being pulled into the action. Colton has telepathic powers and talks to his long dead friend Wolf who advises him on his next move. In “A Dubious Curse” we have Colton and his extraordinary team pinned once again against “The Effort” (a modern version of the Nazi Party) both seeking a book that contains the secrets of an ancient power (the Vril).
The plot’s vivid imagery is peppered with never ending action, numerous twists and turns and all the goodies that are well thought out. Colton and his team are a bunch of wacky dudes their adventures are so amusing it is hard to put this book down. Great characterization, excellent dialogue and all the ingredients needed to make this a heck of a great read.
