EDITOR’S CHOICE
A gripping, intelligent thriller with rich characters, sharp twists, and vivid settings—Emilia Cruz is a standout in crime fiction.
Russian Mojito, the seventh instalment in Carmen Amato’s Detective Emilia Cruz series, is a taut, high-stakes thriller that further cements Emilia as one of crime fiction’s most compelling protagonists. A former CIA intelligence officer, Amato brings authenticity and grit to every page, weaving her experience with espionage and counterdrug operations seamlessly into the narrative.
The novel plunges readers back into the heat and peril of Acapulco, where Emilia is struggling to recover from a near-fatal cartel ambush. Her return to duty is anything but quiet: her stepfather is kidnapped, and a Russian tourist is brutally murdered at the luxury hotel managed by her American boyfriend, Kurt Rucker. The stakes rise quickly, pulling Emilia into an intricate web of cartel violence, fuel theft, and international crime.
Amato’s writing is sharp and atmospheric, painting a vivid picture of a city plagued by corruption and danger. The pace is relentless, but it never feels rushed—each plot thread is given room to develop, culminating in a suspenseful and satisfying climax. Emilia herself remains a standout—strong, flawed, and fiercely determined. Her moral complexity and vulnerability make her immensely relatable.
The mix of local colour, international intrigue, and layered characters makes Russian Mojito not only a gripping read but also an insightful exploration of the broader issues facing Mexico today. Fans of Ian Rankin or Don Winslow will find much to admire here.
A must-read for lovers of smart, character-driven crime fiction with a global edge.
