Complete Reading Order for the Detective Emilia Cruz series
Welcome to the definitive reading list for the Detective Emilia Cruz mystery series by Carmen Amato.
Set against the brilliant landscape of Acapulco, Mexico, this contemporary police procedural series follows Emilia Cruz, the first female police detective as she confronts drug cartels, official corruption and social inequality amid the hunt for Mexico's missing.
Each book stands alone, but for the full experience, read the books in chronological story order, beginning with the prequel collection of short stories that show how Emilia fought for and won her detective badge.
MADE IN ACAPULCO
Join Emilia as she wins her detective badge, navigates her first cases, and meets hotel manager Kurt Rucker in 5 prequel short stories.
CLIFF DIVER
Emilia dives into an ocean of secrets when she investigates the murder of her own lieutenant and the prime suspect is another cop.
HAT DANCE
Coping with a new partner, a new boss and a new boyfriend, Emilia races to find both a violent arsonist and a missing teen from her own neighborhood.
DIABLO NIGHTS
A rookie cop with friends in high places sabotages Emilia’s investigation into a fake religious relic from Mexico’s Cristero War.
KING PESO
A serial killer is targeting cops and her partner’s wife is murdered but Emilia is prevented from investigating when she’s reassigned to the mayor’s pet project.
PACIFIC REAPER
Investigating a gang war instigated by a voodoo-like cult, Emilia goes undercover on the eve of the Day of the Dead as a worshiper of Santa Muerte, Mexico’s forbidden saint of death.
43 MISSING
Based on Mexico’s most notorious true crime, Emilia joins a national task force to investigate the mass kidnapping and disappearance of 43 college students .
RUSSIAN MOJITO
The grisly murder of a Russian spy in Acapulco’s most luxurious hotel leads Emilia to an explosive scheme to drain Mexico’s gas pipelines.
NARCO NOIR
Undercover as a taxi driver to catch a killer, Emilia encounters the man she once swore to kill, only to end up in a movie meant to lure a cartel kingpin.
BARRACUDA BAY
The murder of the Acapulco mayor’s sister exposes terrifying links to a cartel kingpin and lures Emilia into a trap in Washington DC, thanks to a ruthless cross-border conspiracy.
DRAGON CARTEL
Already hunting a vicious cartel killer, Emilia uncovers an unthinkable Chinese conspiracy during a parallel search for a missing Customs inspector.