The latest Detective Emilia Cruz mystery!
NARCO NOIR
Drive into danger with Acapulco’s Detective Emilia Cruz as she goes undercover as a taxi driver to catch a killer.
The case accelerates out of control when Emilia’s worst enemy gets into her cab . . . Next stop, a Hollywood movie set with a devious purpose and a leading role Emilia can’t refuse.
Book #9 in the award-winning series!
“Darkly thrilling and accomplished” – Book Viral
“A thrilling series” – National Public Radio
Mystery Author
Carmen Amato
There’s a piece of my 30-year CIA career in every story.
Expect layers of deception, edgy characters, and authentic details.
As the award-winning creator of the Detective Emilia Cruz mystery series, I take readers on a gripping journey through the drug war waged in both Mexico and the US. Based on my own counterdrug experience, it's a place where loyalty is for sale and violence comes cheap.
There’s more intrigue in my standalone thrillers and the historical Galliano Club series, inspired by my grandfather who was a deputy sheriff in New York during Prohibition.
Welcome to the mystery ahead!
Don’t miss out
Mystery Ahead
17 and counting
Books by Carmen
DETECTIVE EMILIA CRUZ SERIES
Emilia Cruz is the first female police detective in Acapulco, fighting drug cartels, official corruption and Mexican machismo.
2019, 2020 Outstanding Series award, CrimeMasters of America
2019 Silver Falchion Award, Killer Nashville
CLIFF DIVER | HAT DANCE | DIABLO NIGHTS
KING PESO | PACIFIC REAPER | 43 MISSING
RUSSIAN MOJITO | NARCO NOIR | MADE IN ACAPULCO
GALLIANO CLUB SERIES
Lido, NY. 1926. At the height of Prohibition, an Italian immigrant and a trigger-happy Chicago bootlegger battle for control of the Galliano Club, where trouble is always on tap.
Based on tales told by my late grandfather, a Deputy Sheriff of Oneida County, NY in the 1920's.
2023 Silver Falchion Award, Killer Nashville
ROAD TO THE GALLIANO CLUB
MURDER AT THE GALLIANO CLUB
BLACKMAIL AT THE GALLIANO CLUB
REVENGE AT THE GALLIANO CLUB
STANDALONE THRILLERS
Contemporary thrillers featuring complex plots, unforgettable characters and layers of risk, power, and deception.
Longlist, 2020 Millennium Book Award
Progress report
Coming Up
- BARRACUDA BAY: Detective Emilia Cruz #9 96%
- AWAKENING MACBETH 2nd edition 50%
- COLD SHELTER STAR (new series) 15%
- MOSCOW SYNDROME (contribution) 100%
The Shop Talk Blog
Follow Along
Custom knitting kits inspired by the Galliano Club historical fiction series
A mystery author, a knitting pattern designer, a fiber arts store owner and a custom yarn maker all walk into a bar . . . The result is knitting, crochet and weaving kits inspired by the Galliano Club historical fiction thriller series! Choose your craft and custom...
Find Me at Killer Nashville and Bouchercon
Summer is the season for author “cons.” My hands down favorite is Killer Nashville, right in my (almost) back yard. Killer Nashville This annual author conference is a 4-day whirl of writing tradecraft seminars and networking opportunities. If you are going 22-25...
Tornado Hits City that Inspired Historical Fiction Series
On 16 July, a tornado barreled through my hometown of Rome in upstate New York. With a population of around 32,000, Rome is near the geographical center of New York state. Summers there are known for humidity, marching bands, and Revolutionary War landmarks. Not...
Author to Author with Liese Sherwood-Fabre
I had the pleasure of meeting Liese Sherwood-Fabre when we were fellow panel members at a mystery author event organized by the Smith County Library in Wylie, Texas. After the event, we discovered that we have much in common, including having juggled work and family...
Best Books to Read According to Contest Judges (and me!)
Today I’m sharing 9 books by friends of the Mystery Ahead newsletter (and 1 by yours truly) that are on Killer Nashville’s list of Top Ranked Books of 2023, as reviewed by judges for the Silver Falchion Award. You can see the full list here:...
Elections This Year are the Stuff of Fiction
In BARRACUDA BAY, the upcoming Detective Emilia Cruz mystery set in Acapulco, elections for mayor are coming up fast. Incumbent Carlota Montoya Perez, an enigma to Emilia, wants another term but faces a determined and well-funded rival. This is the second election...
