Sep 1, 2026 | #reviews
As well as writing thrillers like the Detective Emilia Cruz series set in Acapulco, I love reading and watching noir thrillers set in unexpected places. When I needed down time during what became a super busy summer, I turned to the best noir shows on Netflix. These three kept me on the edge of my seat!
Two are adaptations of two of my favorite Nordic Noir authors: Jo Nesbo and Jussi Adler-Olsen. The third takes me to both England and France so I could also relive college travels!
Not only are these shows visually arresting, but the plotting is absolutely world-class and the casting is superb.
Detective Hole
Courtesy filmafinity.com via Netflix
Detective Hole captures Harry Hole (pronounced ho-LAH) exactly as I imagined him.
I love the Harry Hole books by Jo Nesbo set in Oslo. I’ve visited the city several times and can picture in my mind’s eye where the action takes place. For those who aren’t (yet) a fan, Harry is a brilliant cop whose specialty is tracking serial killers BUT he’s a self-destructive SOB who flouts rules, has a drinking/drug problem and is in love with a single mother to the point of obsession. His relationship with booze, drugs and the long-suffering woman ebbs and flows through the entire book series. You are as much riveted by the crimes he investigates as by his self-destructive tendencies.
Jo Nesbo wrote the screenplay for the Netflix series, which is based on THE DEVIL’S STAR, the 5th book in the series. A vigilante cult is scouring Oslo at the same time it is selling weapons to gangs to create an excuse for ridding the city of undesirables. Harry’s fellow cop Tom Waaler is part of it. At the same time, a serial killer is targeting women and leaving star-shaped diamonds on or near their bodies. Oh and the killer cuts off a finger, too. The killer and the gang war appear to be connected.
Early on, a female colleague is killed–ostensibly by a gang member–and Harry falls into a bottle. He’s fired, then reinstated, then fired again. Waaler, of course, is the fair-haired boy of the department. Always first on the scene. Tireless. Squeaky-clean. And he drives a Lotus.
Tobias Santelmann stars as Harry, which is brilliant casting helped along by the raspy English-language voiceover. He’s tall and lanky, just like the descriptions of the character in the book, wearing mangy band tee shirts and a stained blazer. As Waaler, Joel Kinnaman is an unforgettable combo of buff cop, solicitous peace officer, and beyond creepy killer.
Confession: I binged the last 5 episodes all in one night, something I NEVER do. There are so many details that all come together that I simply had to keep watching. The visuals deliver lots of secrets, too. Someone put lots of time and effort to not only layer the story but make sure the audience sees hints along the way.
One season, 9 episodes. The last frame gives you hope of a second season. Fingers crossed.
Department Q
By Flitcraft, Left Bank Pictures & Sony Pictures Television
I wasn’t prepared to be engrossed in this series because the setting moved from Copenhagen where the books by Jussi Adler-Olson are set, to Edinburgh. But the first season perfectly captured the drama and nail-biting suspense of the book it is based on, THE KEEPER OF LOST CAUSES. In a strange bid for revenge, a rising female barrister is kidnapped and held hostage in a pressure-testing tank. She has no idea who or why is holding her . . . and it goes on for years.
Edinburgh detective Carl Morck is still reeling from a shooting that killed a fellow cop and left his best friend paralyzed. Needless to say, he’s in a bad mood, which gets him put in charge of a tiny cold case unit in the police HQ basement with a pile of old file boxes. He builds a very motley team, slowly transforms the basement into something resembling a work space, and sifts through the file boxes.
The case of the missing barrister piques interest but it’s a very, very cold case.
Matthew Goode stars as Morck and gives a resounding performance. Like Tobias Santelmann in Detective Hole, he’s tall, lanky, and long-legged with a “Don’t f*** with me” chip on his shoulder who threw on clothes from the dirty laundry hamper. (Note: Goode got progressively leaner as the episodes went on, until I wanted to hit Pause and give him a sandwich.) As Akram Salim, a Syrian former policeman, Alexej Manvelov does a marvelous job creating the enigmatic character from the books who has a mysterious past and a host of unusual skills.
Department Q is another case of brilliant casting and twisting plot lines with plenty of red herrings. I really liked the way the story is a cold case, not a whodunit, and shows how tough it is to close them.
A second season is in the works and I’m there for it.
The Tunnel
The Tunnel from filmafinity.com
I’m not sure how I stumbled onto this bi-lingual French-English series, which is a wild serial killer chase that spans 2 seasons. Stephen Dillane and Clémence Poésy as British and French police detectives Karl Roebuck and Elise Wassermann who end up working together when the upper half of a French politician and the lower half of a British prostitute are found together at the exact midpoint of the Channel Tunnel.
Clémence Poésy is the stand-out here, as the workaholic Elise who has few social skills, lives like a monk and doesn’t care who she offends or when she needs a bath. A fantastic acting job, especially if your frame of reference for her is Fleur in the Harry Potter franchise. Dillane is great as the English detective who is a bit past his prime but dedicated to the job. BUT he’s also a womanizer who loves his wife and kids but can’t seem to help himself.
.I really liked the interplay between the French and English cops. The two develop a wary friendship, curious about their different lifestyles. They make an investigative odd couple that works very well on screen. Some of their best conversations take place when they are stuck in a car on the auto train chugging through the tunnel.
Besides the riveting serial kill plots of both seasons, you really get a sense of the engineering marvel that is the Chunnel, how much time it takes to get from England to France and the whole ecosystem that has been built to support the tunnel.
Aug 19, 2026 | #authorlife
My author newsletter has a new name and a new home!
Crime Fiction Files
For years the newsletter was Mystery Ahead but as my writing universe has expanded, the name no longer fit. The newsletter is now the Crime Fiction Files, hosted on the Substack platform.
I like Substack because it gives you the opportunity to read past editions AND comment, something the old way of sending out newsletters never did. You can still reply via email, so now you have more options.
The Substack platform also has a space for teasers, called Notes where I occasionally post writing updates.
What’s New
Aside from the new location and design, I’m sharpening the focus. In every edition you’ll see
Unfortunately I don’t have time to do the lengthy book reviews any more but still recommend must-read mysteries and thrillers that I’ve enjoyed and think you will, too.
If you are not yet a subscriber, I hope you’ll join me on Substack. Every other Sunday–with the occasional extra announcement–you get fresh insights in your inbox.
Recent newsletters
Check out some of the new format newsletters. Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already!
Your Guide to the Ghosts that Haunt my Crime Fiction
Ebay Assassins
Are Mexican Politicians in the Sinaloa Cartel’s Pocket?
Aug 8, 2026 | #authorlife
Will you be at Killer Nashville this month? If so, join me for great panels and presentations 19-23 August at the Embassy Suites by Hilton-Cool Springs, Franklin, TN.
This is my favorite author conference, which gets bigger every year!
Interested in going? Check out the full schedule here: https://www.killernashville.com/schedule
Here’s where I’ll be.
AUTHOR PANELS
Friday, 21 August @ 0900: Strategic Blogging for Authors: why, how and where
Saturday, 22 August @ 0900: Getting and Keeping Newsletter Subscribers (I’m the panel chair so don’t miss this one)
Sunday, 23 August @ 1130: Dealing with Dismal Dialogue: how to make every conversation sing
SPEED DATING
Saturday, 22 August @ 3:55
For the third year, I’m co-hosting the Author Speed Dating event sponsored by the Dangerous Pens Society. Ticket holders get the chance to have 5-minute conversations with 10 different experienced authors. Every time the bell rings, they move to the next author.
It’s a popular event and always sells out.
PURPOSE FOR GOING
Why go to an author conference, especially if you aren’t looking for an agent or a traditional publishing deal? I mean, just sit at home and write. Right?
Every once in a while, a working writer needs to refill the tank. Grouse about the state of the publishing industry. Trade plot ideas. Toast successes and commiserate over failures.
Basically, I go every year to meet people, compare notes on the publishing world, and learn from others’ experiences and perspectives. I always leave with a renewed sense of purpose, a couple of fresh plot ideas, and new friends.
The bar in the hotel is everyone’s favorite watering hole, where we stay up talking long after the bartender wants us to leave. Those conversations are some of the brightest highlights of my author career.
Connections made IRL are invaluable.
AWARDS
I’ve also won the conference’s prestigious Silver Falchion Award twice.
2019 for THE ARTIST/EL ARTISTA in the Short Story/Collection category
Wearing my Silver Falchion medal for THE ARTIST at Killer Nashville 2019 with R.G. Belsky and conference founder Clay Stafford
2023 for MURDER AT THE GALLIANO CLUB in the Historical Fiction category.
Wearing my Silver Falchion medal for Best Historical for REVENGE AT THE GALLIANO CLUB at the Killer Nashville awards dinner, 2023.
Three of the Detective Emilia Cruz novels have been finalists in the Best Investigator category: 43 MISSING, RUSSIAN MOJITO, and NARCO NOIR.
BARRACUDA BAY didn’t make the cut this year, but I’ll still be at the Awards Dinner, cheering on my friends.
WHY SO SPECIAL
Over the years I’ve blogged about what makes this conference so special and why I keep going back:
They Want you to Succeed.
Wrapping up another Great Conference
Jun 16, 2026 | #booknews, #EmiliaCruz
The wait is over! The ebook edition of DRAGON CARTEL is out and available on all platforms, including Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble and lending platforms, too. The paperback edition releases 30 June. The audiobook will hit Audible later this year.
DRAGON CARTEL is #10 in the Detective Emilia Cruz series. Can you believe what this crime fiction franchise has grown to be 10 books?? (plus novellas and short stories)
In DRAGON CARTEL, Detective Emilia Cruz is already stretched to the max hunting the cartel assassin calling himself El Barracuda when she agrees to take on the case of a missing Customs inspector.
The only clue to his disappearance is a list of commercial shipping containers.
During an operation to find El Barracuda, Emilia finds an identical list. Is there a connection between the cartel killer and the missing Customs inspector?
At the same time, the interrogation of a mysterious Chinese national turns a local crime into an international puzzle.
A missing inspector. A cartel assassin. And a conspiracy that links Mexico and the United States to China.
The ebook includes a note about the background research which started with a startling statistic. As always, there’s a recipe from a meal eaten in the book, and sample chapters from previous Detective Emilia Cruz books in case you’re new to the series.
If you love gritty crime fiction, sharp female leads, and plots ripped straight from real-world intelligence headlines, this is the ride you’ve been waiting for.
Amazon: https://geni.us/Daragon2026
All other stores: https://books2read.com/u/bz0V19
May 17, 2026 | #EmiliaCruz
Get ready for the next Detective Emilia Cruz mystery set in Acapulco! DRAGON CARTEL releases 16 June 2026 in ebook format on all platforms.
Look for the paperback edition on 30 June in all your favorite online bookstores.
No date yet for the audiobook, but Leeann Maksin will narrate, continuing her fantastic voicing of the series.
What it’s all about
The initial concept for DRAGON CARTEL was sparked by reports that the number of Chinese nationals arriving at the US-Mexico border went up 8500% between March 2021 and March 2024.
According to the Migration Policy Institute, 24,300 Chinese nationals arrived “without authorization” at the U.S.-Mexico border in FY2023, and 38,200 arrived in FY 2024. The numbers of Chinese at the US-Canada border doubled to 12,400 during the same time period.
Although an increase of 8500% is eye-popping, the overall number of Chinese migrants is still a drop in the bucket compared to the estimated 6.3 million Border Patrol encounters with migrants of all nationalities at the US-Mexico border in the same time frame.
Was it possible that Beijing, knowing how overtaxed US border officials were, purposely funneled Chinese spies into the migrant flow?
In mid-2023 reports about Chinese men of military age with military haircuts crossing Panama’s Darien Gap en route to the US southern border raised concerns.
Some speculated that these migrants were part of a Chinese espionage operation with “deep insertions” similar to how Russia inserted operatives before invading Ukraine.
Chinese spying on US bases
Washington has tracked about 100 recent incidents involving Chinese nationals gate-crashing American military installations, including a launch site in Key West, Fort Wainwright in Alaska, and a missile range in Missouri.
When caught, they offer scripted language and stock excuses. They have a reservation at a hotel on the base. Google directed them this way. They are lost tourists.
Very innocent mistakes.
Recipe for a Chinese dragon
For the sake of fiction, let’s combine these ingredients:
- A giant increase in unauthorized Chinese migration over the US-Mexico border, and
- Chinese nationals attempting to access and photograph restricted US military facilities.
Now add another ingredient, one that Detective Emilia Cruz all far too familiar with:.
This is the recipe for DRAGON CARTEL. Mark your calendars for 16 June!
Mar 17, 2026 | #booknews, #EmiliaCruz, #GallianoClub
If you’ve ever finished one of my books and wished you could see a map of the place? Find out more about the characters or even taste the cocktails served at the Pasodoble Bar . . .
Well, now you can.
Presenting the new Reader Hub here on carmenamato.net!
What’s waiting for you at the Hub
I’ve taken all the cool details behind the stories and built an immersive archive for those who love to get lost in the details.
This archive is where the atmospheric grit of my 30 year career in the CIA meets the high-stakes drama and deception of both the Detective Emilia Cruz series set in contemporary Acapulco and the Prohibition-era Galliano Club historical fiction trilogy. Basically, it’s a backstage pass full of image galleries, character dossiers, and background research into my crime fiction world.
Beyond the background information, the Hub provides practical tools for readers, including book club guides and recipes from the books.
Visitors can choose their own investigation by exploring the different series.
Choose the badge badge for the Acapulco Archive
For fans of the Detective Emilia Cruz police procedurals, the Reader Hub’s Acapulco Archive offers a treasure trove of resources, including detailed profiles on characters like Emilia Cruz, Kurt Rucker, Franco Silvio and Victor Obregon (that’s him in the featured image) alongside a travelogue that explores the real-world Mexican locations featured in the books. Plus the Mexican Noir library and more.
Follow the car for the Prohibition Files
For readers of historical fiction who love the smoke-filled rooms and bootlegging tension of the 1920s, the Reader Hub’s Prohibition Files holds the Galliano Club menu, era-appropriate crime slang, and hidden character histories.
Why I Created the Hub
As a 30-year veteran of the CIA, I’m used to working with physical project boxes—what I call my “book-in-a-box” system. These boxes are filled with maps, research articles, and photos that help me build authentic worlds. The Reader Hub is my way of opening those boxes for you.
Start Your Investigation
Whether you’re a long-time fan of the 18-book catalog or just starting your first investigation, the Hub is designed to make your reading experience cinematic.
What should I add next? Is there a character you want a deeper dossier on, or a place missing from the gallery? Let me know in the comments—the Archive is always growing!
Enter the Archive: carmenamato.net/reader-hub
When you’re done exploring, stay connected by joining the conversation on my Substack: Crime Fiction Files.
Feb 24, 2026 | #authorlife, #newsroom
For 7 years, mystery readers and I have connected under the banner of Mystery Ahead. That newsletter was a fantastic journey with so many readers cheering me on as I navigated the move from CIA intel officer to crime fiction author.
But as my writing has evolved, even as my 30-year CIA career continues to influence every page I write, it’s time for a newsletter name change that reflects how this community has evolved.
Sooooo . . . I am thrilled to announce that my newsletter is officially rebranding to Crime Fiction Files.
Why the Change?
While “Mystery Ahead” hinted at what was coming, Crime Fiction Files tells exactly what captivates our imaginations. This newsletter isn’t just about whodunit books but also the intersection of real-world intelligence, current events, and high-stakes fiction.
I’ll be writing more about what impacts your world and how authentic crime fiction (and the occasional dose of CIA tradecraft) can make it make sense.
Hey, if fiction can’t, what can?!
The newsletter has also moved to Substack. Here are the latest posts in the fresh new format:
WHY YOUR GAS PRICE IS A GEOPOLITICAL CRIME SCENE
DID I WRITE OMAR GARCIA HARFUCH INTO EXISTENCE?
RECIPE FOR A CHINESE DRAGON
If you were a subscriber to Mystery Ahead, you may have noticed that the name of the newsletter is no longer in the title, too. It was a redundancy that gobbled up too much space in your inbox.
What Stays the Same?
Don’t worry—the core of what you love isn’t going anywhere. Subscribers are still the first to get all the good stuff, including:
- Exclusive Sneak Peeks: Be the first to hear about upcoming new releases including audiobooks.
- Subscriber-Only Giveaways: From signed copies to digital extras.
- Crime Reads: My personal recommendations for the best international crime fiction and noir.
Don’t forget
Not yet a subscriber? Just add your email to the form below. No lines, no waiting to sign up for the Crime Fiction Files newsletter and join more than 6,600 fellow crime fiction fans. I’ll see you there!
Feb 17, 2026 | #GallianoClub
James Froemel is the reason why you should listen to the Galliano Club books on Audible. He’s the actor who narrates all 4 books, creating the drama of a small city in upstate New York during Prohibition.
From the soft Italian accent of bartender Luca Lombardo to the slangy Chicago mobster tone of Benny Rotolo and the Irish brogue of rumrunner Toby Gleason, James delivers a cinematic experience that goes beyond the printed word. A fantastic actor and storyteller, James is known as “the biggest liar in West Virginia” where he has his audio studio where he voices all those fiction “lies” written by people like me!
Galliano Club audiobooks take you to 1926
James really took the concept of the Galliano Club and created a sensational narrative. In the Galliano Club trilogy, it’s 1926 in Lido, NY. The mill city is full of immigrants who work long hours smelting copper and shaping it into telephone wire and ship hulls to fuel America’s growth. Italian, Polish, Irish. The mix of immigrants and their fight to build new lives is the backbone of the action.
Lido might be a melting pot but it’s full of secrets, too. Everyone has something to hide as bartender Luca Lombardo and Chicago gangster Benny Rotolo battle for control of the Galliano Club, a social hangout that anchors the Italian section of the city.
Dance Ruth Cross lives upstairs and her scandalous past will affect everyone associated with the club.
Think The Godfather meets Cheers, with the historical visual heft of Boardwalk Empire and a leading man with Valentino eyes.
Picture Rudolph Valentino as the Galliano Club’s Luca Lombardo. Now picture what he sounds like. Yeah, like that.
If you’re looking for an immersive experience that feels less like a book and more like a high-end audio drama, the Galliano Club audiobooks hit all the right notes. Find all the Galliano Club Prohition-era thrillers on Audible
As a bonus, check out the Prohibition Files Reader Hub with character bios and a gallery of the city that inspired Lido!
AUDIBLE
I recommend James Froemel
If you’re looking to hire voice talent, I can’t recommend James highly enough. He was great to work with: fast, communicative and very responsive to feedback. Check out this interview with him about his voice acting career and here’s his website.
Feb 10, 2026 | #authorlife, #booknews
What happens when an American former intelligence officer and a British bestselling author start talking shop? You get Amato2Berrick (A2B) Crime Conversations, a YouTube channel dedicated to the grit, research, and adrenaline of the crime fiction world.
If you’ve been following my journey from the CIA to the streets of Acapulco with Detective Emilia Cruz, you know I value authenticity above all else. That’s why I teamed up with the brilliant Jane Harvey-Berrick (writing as Berrick Ford) to pull back the curtain on how we build our worlds.
What is A2B Crime Conversations?
Think of it as a transatlantic lounge for mystery lovers. In short, snackable videos, Jane and I bridge the gap between Tennessee and Cornwall to discuss:
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The Research: From police procedures to 1920s bootlegging history.
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The Craft: How we handle character backstories, consistency, and building a “universe” that feels real to the reader.
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The Inspiration: Where the dark ideas come from and how we turn them into high-stakes suspense.
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Global Recommendations: We share our favorite crime reads from around the world, so you’ll never run out of books for your TBR pile.
“Ocean x Murder x 2”
Our collaboration isn’t just digital—it’s literary. We recently celebrated the release of our Ocean x Murder x 2 box set, which brings together two compelling female leads from opposite sides of the world.
Whether it’s the sun-drenched danger of Mexico in my book Cliff Diver or the rugged, atmospheric coast of Cornwall in Jane’s Dead Water, we’re obsessed with how setting shapes the crime. On the channel, we dive deep into why these locations are more than just backdrops—they are characters in their own right.
Why You Should Subscribe
If you love The Crime Fiction Files or you’re a regular at the Galliano Club, this channel is your backstage pass. It’s a place for us to geek out over tradecraft, plot twists, and the nuances of the genre we all love.
Watch & Subscribe: A2B Crime Conversations on YouTube
Join the Conversation: What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to ask a crime author about their research process? Leave a comment on our latest video, and we might just answer it in an upcoming episode!
Want more behind-the-scenes tradecraft? Don’t forget to sign up for the Crime Fiction Files newsletter for real-world headlines decoded with crime fiction insights.
Dec 1, 2025 | #truestory
The floor tilted. Pictures crashed to the floor.
Beyond the French doors, water slopped out of the pool as if it was an overfilled bowl about to fall.
Our maid Johanna stood there and screamed.
As the house continued to tremble, I grabbed our passports and dragged the hysterical Johanna outside. I don’t recall how long we waited but things eventually settled down. Apart from our nerves, not much was damaged.
This bit of excitement happened in Nicaragua, nearly 50 years after the huge quake in 1972 that destroyed most of the capital city of Managua and killed upwards of 10,000 people. Dread of another big quake was a common topic of conversation. We had a shovel and pickaxe under the bed and emergency “go” bags by the front door.
Prior to that episode, I was in Mexico when tremors started, visiting the family residence of a NATO ambassador. I vividly recall the huge crystal chandelier in their foyer swinging like a pendulum. We all heaved a sigh of relief when the swinging subsided and the heavy fixture stopped moving.
Another time I was in a remote area of Papua New Guinea when an earthquake struck. The walls of the place we were staying in were basically thatch. I expected them to collapse into a heap of straw.
To my surprise, the seemingly flimsy walls held. They looked weak but their strength was in their ability to flex.
Related post: Land of the Unexpected
Whole lotta shakin’
Sometimes we experience earthquakes even when the ground isn’t moving and the alerts are silent. People get sick. Families break up. Friends are lost. Jobs are lost. Bankruptcy.
October was an earthquake month for me. Several family members got seriously sick. A loved one died. Others suffered comically terrible travel.
Basically, as soon as one wave of tremors subsided, another began.
Yet, like that rugged and remote spot in Papua New Guinea, the walls of our community are sturdier than we realize. Friends and family are there to help.
We lean on each other, shifting to fill the cracks, holding steady through the aftershocks. Kind words, shared memories, and small acts of grace become the reinforcements that keep us upright.
If you’re feeling the tremors too, know that you’re not alone. We’re all coping with an earthquake or two.
The foundation will be stronger for having been shaken.
Note: this content was previously posted on Substack. Join me there to get posts delivered fresh to your inbox every other Sunday: https://mysteryahead.substack.com
MY BACKSTORY— I learned a few things about danger, deception and resilience during a 30-year career with the CIA focusing on counterdrug efforts and technical collection. Now a mystery author, those lessons play out on the page, especially in the Detective Emilia Cruz mystery series set in Acapulco. Starting with Cliff Diver, the series is a back-to-back winner of the Poison Cup Award for Outstanding Series from CrimeMasters of America. I’ve also written historical and political thrillers, essays about the craft of crime fiction, and live with a very large white dog named Bear.
Oct 30, 2025 | #EmiliaCruz
When I was growing up, embroidery was a common craft. Everyone knew the basics: chain stitch, blanket stitch, satin stitch. My mother made cocktail napkins decorated with tiny daisies and embroidered geometric designs on clothing and hand towels.
When preppy fashion was was all the rage in the mid-80’s, I cross-stitched a cover for a much-coveted Bermuda bag with wooden handles.
Embroidery was charming, creative, fashionable.
How times have changed.
New use for old stitches
At least 120,000 people are missing in Mexico amid the country’s drug wars. That’s a best guess. Record-keeping there is spotty to say the least.
The Mexican social movement Bordando por la Paz y la Memoria (Embroidery for Peace and Remembrance) has held a weekly embroidery meetup in Mexico City since 2012. The group embroiders banners, patches and wearables with the name and likeness of the missing to keep memories alive but also serve as a tool to protest government inaction and denial.
Pippa Cooper, a PhD student at the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, University of London, documented the group, calling it “a voice of needle and thread that won’t be silenced.”
Last year for the 10th anniversary of the forced disappearance of 43 students from a training college in Ayotzinapa that inspired the Detective Emilia Cruz novel 43 MISSING, members embroidered portraits of each student, along with name and personal details for marchers to wear.
Stitch her name
Between January and June this year, 1,420 women were killed across Mexico. As drug-related violence rises, so does femicide.
Ahead of the International Women’s Day in March in 2020, artist María Antonieta De la Rosa gathered two friends, their mothers and grandmothers in a former women’s shelter in the city of Cuernavaca and began embroidering patches with names.
Embroidery meetup in Cuernavaca, August 2025, courtesy of drivemexicomagazine.com
The effort grew into the We Name Them by Embroidering collective, which creates quilts to honor the dead and raise awareness. The quilts are carried at funerals and displayed in public places.
Ana Vásquez and quilt, courtesy of drivemexicomagazine.com
“We’re not going to change the world with this,” says Ana Vázquez, a community advocate. “But at least we’re making noise. At least people are looking at us, at least people are talking about these femicides. They’re not just numbers in a database . . .”
“I can’t stop thinking that my name is going to be up there some day . . . One of the other women is going to be embroidering me.”
I write the Detective Emilia Cruz series because these issues matter to me as a mother, daughter, sister, and friend. I hope that shining a light on them through fiction will touch people in a way that the news does not.
A question for you
Have you ever read something in fiction that made you aware of a real world issue?
MY BACKSTORY— I learned a few things about danger, deception and resilience during a 30-year career with the CIA focusing on counterdrug efforts and technical collection. Now a mystery author, those lessons play out on the page, especially in the Detective Emilia Cruz mystery series set in Acapulco. Starting with Cliff Diver, the series is a back-to-back winner of the Poison Cup Award for Outstanding Series from CrimeMasters of America. I’ve also written historical and political thrillers, essays about the craft of crime fiction, and live with a very large white dog named Bear.
Oct 21, 2025 | #EmiliaCruz
The low tire pressure light came on.
I pulled off the highway, found a gas station and put air in the tire. But air continued to bleed out all the way home.
So I watched tv
Twelve hours later, I stared dully at a chirpy morning show in my local Firestone shop’s waiting area. After a couple of forgettable segments, the ticker at the bottom announced that the overly-caffeinated hosts would address actress Jennifer Aniston’s struggles with infertility.
My first thought was, why is this relevant? At age 56, is Jennifer Aniston still hoping to have a child?
My second thought was that her PR people call the shots. Nothing is off the table.
“What extremely personal issue can we use to boost her visibility?” one of them probably asked as they brainstormed the thorny problem of Jennifer Aniston being out of the public eye for 30 minutes. “One that hasn’t been used already.”
Now, I don’t know if that’s how Jennifer’s medical problems ended up being broadcast to my local tire shop. But the attention economy has created a hot market for everyone’s private issues and I’m not sure that’s a good thing.
Until I had a revelation
My main character Emilia Cruz has to be the polar opposite of Jennifer Aniston. As a police detective in Acapulco, Emilia knows that cartels target not only law enforcement officials but their friends and family.
A low profile is a survival mechanism.
Sometimes it takes courage to stay quiet when everyone else is shouting for attention. If we don’t get loud, we’re afraid of being left out, of being overlooked.
But noise doesn’t equal strength. Real power comes from within. Inner strength keeps Emilia standing when the rest of the world is crazy.
In the upcoming Emilia Cruz novel, DRAGON CARTEL (#10 in the series) Emilia’s new boss craves the limelight. Captain Cardona believes that attention from Emilia’s investigation will propel him up the ladder of success.
If that attention gets Emilia killed, well, he’ll get some reflected glory off that, too.
Related: See the Detective Emilia Cruz series
For the greater good
P.S. Re Jennifer Aniston, maybe the current buzz will highlight her wonderful longstanding work for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I’m also a supporter of this legendary hospital treating childhood cancers. My mother was one of the first fundraisers for actor Danny Thomas who built the hospital decades ago.
In addition to St Jude, my book sales also support veterans and first responder organizations. When you buy a book or invite me on your blog or podcast, you are helping me help others.
feature photo by Carsten Peters via Unsplash
MY BACKSTORY— I learned a few things about danger, deception and resilience during a 30-year career with the CIA focusing on counterdrug efforts and technical collection. Now a mystery author, those lessons play out on the page, especially in the Detective Emilia Cruz mystery series set in Acapulco. Starting with Cliff Diver, the series is a back-to-back winner of the Poison Cup Award for Outstanding Series from CrimeMasters of America. I’ve also written historical and political thrillers, essays about the craft of crime fiction, and live with a very large white dog named Bear.
