Diablo Nights

Detective Emilia Cruz Mysteries, Book 3

By: Carmen Amato

Narrated by: Johanna Parker

Imagine if you were the first and only female police detective in Acapulco, investigating crime in a city both breathtaking and deadly. Mexican drug cartels battle for control and politicians are bought with blood money.

The police union wants to control you. Your lover wants to know a secret you can't share.

The morgue is full and you've got another body to add.

When Emilia discovers a human finger, sold as a relic of a famous Mexican martyr, it seems to be evidence of a gruesome kidnapping. It also triggers memories of a painful episode Emilia won't share with gringo hotel manager Kurt Rucker.

Struggling with her past, Emilia is plunged into danger as she uncovers how many times the finger was bought and sold before ending up in a posh store. Meanwhile, a rare type of heroin connects to a cruise ship murder, promising more drug war violence for Acapulco's already blood-soaked streets.

©2014 Carmen Amato (P)2017 Tantor

Crime and justice in Acapulco!

Diablo Nights is Book 3 in the Detective Emilia Cruz Mysteries series by Carmen Amato. The books in the series are rock solid suspense mysteries which have not received much attention from Audible listeners, but the ebook versions are selling well. The protagonist is the first and only female detective on the Acapulco police force. Character development of Cruz, her mother, her soon to be step-father, her police partner, and her American love interest (a hotel manager in Acapulco) is excellent. Detective Cruz takes too many risks with her physical safety. The stories are realistic. Narration is outstanding.

A glimpse of Mexico from the inside

I had my heart in my throat several times during this book. I can’t imagine being a police officer in Mexico with all the crime and corruption. Never knowing who you can trust must be horrible. And then to be a woman police officer adds another level of fear. Emilia’s fellow cops haven’t always made her life easy at all and have sometimes put her in horrible situations. But there are good people in her life too and that makes this book both believable and enjoyable. Emilia is starting to blossom as she finally allows Kurt inside and lets go of some of her past secrets. Emilia is smart, sometimes a bit reckless, and very human. This book has a lot of darkness but it’s balanced well and I really like this series. The narration was fantastic once I got used to the accent.