Acapulco's acclaimed female police detective dives into an ocean of secrets, lies, and murder when she investigates her own lieutenant's death.

"Consistently exciting" - Kirkus Reviews

In this explosive start to the award-winning mystery series set in Acapulco, Emilia Cruz beat the odds to become the city's first woman police detective. Now she lives in a pressure cooker of danger and distrust.

Famous for beaches, resorts and nightlife, Acapulco is ground zero for the war on drugs. Drug cartels fight over smuggling routes into the United States for fentanyl and cocaine. Human trafficking is on the rise. Missing persons are never found. Homicide rates are exploding and every murder is an unsolved mystery.

Even worse, the police department is riddled with corruption.

No one is more corrupt than Emilia's own lieutenant.

When he's murdered, Emilia is assigned to lead the investigation and uncovers an ugly mess no one wants exposed. Both the mayor and the head of the police union pressure her to close the case. Their reasons have nothing to do with justice.

Meanwhile, another detective is her prime suspect.

Feeling like one of Acapulco's famous cliff divers praying not to smash into the rocks below, Emilia must choose between truth and survival. Either way, she won't be ready for the impact.

Neither will you.

Optioned for television, the Detective Emilia Cruz police drama books set in Acapulco are inspired by author Carmen Amato's real-life counterdrug and espionage experiences during a 30-year career in national intelligence. Every Detective Emilia Cruz police procedural mystery brims with authenticity and intrigue.

"A thrilling series" -- National Public Radio

"A wonderful crime mystery" -- MysterySequels.com

Readers who love international mystery series crime fighters including Armand Gamache, Harry Hole, Guido Brunetti, and the Department Q series will also love Detective Emilia Cruz's complex plots, pulse-pounding suspense, and exotic location.

Perfect for lovers of international detective and crime fiction by Ian Rankin, Jo Nesbo, and Peter May, as well as Don Winslow's Mexican cartel and border thrillers.

MEET DETECTIVE EMILIA CRUZ

Emilia Cruz is the first and only female police detective in Acapulco. She's a good liar, a fast thinker, and a mean kickboxer in a department that didn't want her and is still trying to break her. Even as she fights to keep what she's earned, Emilia keeps a record of women who have gone missing--casualties of Mexico's drug violence--and is always searching for them.

The one thing Emilia doesn't know how to handle is Kurt Rucker, the manager of a luxury hotel in Acapulco. A former US Marine, he has the confidence and leadership qualities she admires. A triathlete, he's calm under pressure and knows what he wants. But does Emilia?

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• Mystery, Thriller & SuspenseMysteryInternational Mystery & Crime
• Mystery, Thriller & SuspenseCrime FictionOrganized Crime
• Mystery, Thriller & SuspenseCrime FictionMurder

• Publication Date: January 27, 2013
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Disabled
• Print Length: 434 Pages
• File Size: 2,627 KB