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.
