King Peso

Is Acapulco's first female police detective the next target of a ruthless cop killer? It's a serial killer thriller with a bold Mexican twist.

"A thrilling series." -- National Public Radio

Three officers are dead. Acapulco police detective Emilia Cruz worked with all of them. The connection is impossible to ignore.

When the wife of Emilia's partner is murdered in a home invasion, the conclusion is obvious. He must have been the target of the so-called El Trio killer. The wife was the unintended victim, alone in their home.

Determined to help her grieving partner and lead the murder investigation, Emilia is stunned when she is instead assigned to a pet project of Acapulco's powerful mayor. The new unarmed all-female patrol unit feels more like a publicity stunt than real police work.

Just as Emilia feared, the new unit is a political disaster that forces her to watch from the sidelines as the police fumble the El Trio investigation and send her partner to jail.

Meanwhile, is boyfriend Kurt Rucker concealing a dark secret?

When yet another cop is killed, Emilia decides to take matters into her own hands. She'll gamble everything to uncover the truth and bring down the killer before she becomes the next victim.

In a city plagued by drug lords and rampant violence, Emilia's determination and courage will be tested like never before.

Yours, too.

Ex-CIA author Carmen Amato, who was awarded the National Intelligence Award for her counterdrug work, tackles the gripping themes of cartels, corruption, and social inequality, painting a vivid and gritty portrait of a city losing its soul and an honest cop struggling to save it.

Perfect for lovers of international detective and crime fiction by Ian Rankin, Jo Nesbo, Ann Cleeves and Peter May, as well as Department Q thrillers and Don Winslow's Mexican cartel and border thrillers.

Back-to-back winner, Outstanding Series Award -- CrimeMasters of America

"Danger and betrayal never more than a few pages away." -- Kirkus Reviews