A pulse-pounding crime thriller with a labyrinthine plot.
Amato’s tenth Detective Emilia Cruz novel plunges readers into a dangerous web of cartel violence, corruption, and international intrigue. Already hunting El Barracuda, a young assassin responsible for her friend’s murder, Acapulco detective Emilia Cruz agrees to investigate the disappearance of a senior Customs officer. A mysterious list of shipping-container numbers offers the first clue, leading Emilia towards a conspiracy far more complicated than an ordinary smuggling operation.
Amato captures the frustrations of police work. Witnesses withhold information, officials guard their territory, and promising leads end in embarrassment. Emilia’s willingness to question everyone, including her superiors, makes her both an effective detective and a difficult colleague. Her exchanges with former partner Franco Silvio are especially enjoyable; their long familiarity allows for arguments, insults, and moments of unexpected tenderness. Amato also looks beyond Acapulco’s tourist attractions, finding intrigue in Customs offices, neighbourhood eateries, and the bustling port. The sprawling cast and overlapping investigations occasionally complicate the plot, but the false starts and reversals give the mystery its bite.
A smart, entertaining thriller with plenty of surprises and a detective worth following.
***
Pub date July 3, 2026
ISBN 979-8950864018
Price $19.99 Paperback, $4.99 Kindle edition
