CLIFF DIVER: An Emilia Cruz Novel, Chapter 1

CLIFF DIVER is the first full-length book in the Emilia Cruz mystery series by Carmen Amato. Emilia is the first and only female detective on the Acapulco police force, taking on Mexico's crime, corruption and drug cartels, as well as a squadroom full of surly detectives who don't want her in their squadroom. But she can take the heat.

Forced to lead the murder investigation into the death of her shady lieutenant, Emilia faces resentment from the other detectives as well as a blood-spattered crime scene, no witnesses, and the shadow of counterfeit ransom money.

The dead lieutenant led a double life in Acapulco full of illicit sex and financial manipulation, all of which would be either red herrings or keys to the murder investigation. Missing police files, the lieutenant’s involvement with a past kidnapping, and a possible link to a gang working for a drug cartel further combine to make this a messy case with too many loose ends.