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5/5 Stars!

Mexican detective Emilia Cruz is the driving force in this gritty read of crime and corruption.

What begins as a minor crime by a Mexican national quickly moves to murder, police corruption, and nearly every crime imaginable by the Mexican cartels.

The author nails the authenticity of the drugs wars, and at times fiction felt like reality.

Junior detective Cruz not only has her hands full with the murder of her boss, but she also has to deal with being the only woman in the detective squad and the endless micro-aggression from the men who don’t want her there, including her partner.

Emilia’s investigation uncovers more crimes than she expected, but instead of congratulations and support, she gets contempt from her coworkers and superiors for tarnishing the police department’s image and the city.

But that doesn’t stop her.

Acapulco is the exotic setting for this police procedural, and it’s juxtaposed against the poverty of the region, highlighting the disparity of status and class.

There is also a hint of romance for Emilia that could grow in through the series.

With a strong female lead and a well-developed plot—and great subplots—Cliff Diver is a suspenseful read that keeps you turning pages to solve a mystery and find at least one killer.

Looking forward to reading more in the Emilia Cruz series.

Enjoy!

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Synopsis:

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

In this explosive start to the award-winning Detective Emilia Cruz mystery series set in Acapulco, Emilia beat the odds to become the resort city’s first female police detective. But she’s living in a pressure cooker. Other detectives are scheming to push her out and the police department is riddled with corruption and drug cartel influence.

When the lieutenant is murdered, Emilia is assigned to lead the investigation. Soon the man’s sordid sex life, money laundering, and involvement in a kidnapping double-cross combine to create an ugly mess no one wants exposed. The high profile murder case could wreck Emilia’s career. When another detective–Emilia’s worst enemy in the squadroom–emerges as the prime suspect, keeping her job might be the least of her worries.

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 detective fiction by Ian Rankin, Jo Nesbo, and Peter May, as well as Don Winslow’s Mexican cartel and border thrillers.

“Consistently exciting”
— Kirkus Reviews

“A wonderful crime mystery”
— MysterySequels.com

Poison Cup award, Outstanding Series 2019 and 2020
— CrimeMasters of America

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery, Police Procedural

Published by: Laurel & Croton

Publication Date: September 2021 (first published January 27, 2013)

Number of Pages: 302

ISBN: 1482308045 (ISBN13: 9781482308044)

Series: Emilia Cruz Mysteries #1

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

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This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Carmen Amato. There will be 1 winner of one (1) Gift box of 5 best-selling mystery/thriller books by various authors hand-selected by Carmen Amato, plus a signed copy of the latest book in the Detective Emilia Cruz series AND a $20 Amazon.com gift card (U.S. ONLY). The giveaway runs November 1 through December 3, 2021. Void where prohibited.

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