Gringo Nightmare: A Young American Framed for Murder in Nicaragua

by Eric Volz

Featured on Fox News and Univision and selected as Larry King’s Book of the Week, this is the harrowing true story of an American held in a Nicaraguan prison for a murder he didn’t commit.   In 2005, Eric Volz moved from California to Nicaragua. Volz met Doris Jiménez, a beauty from a small beach town, and they began a passionate relationship.  The relationship ended amicably less than a year later, and Volz moved to the capital city of Managua. In 2006, Doris was found murdered in her seaside boutique. He rushed from Managua to be with her family, but before he knew it, he found himself accused of the crime.  Decried in the press and vilified by his onetime friends, Volz suffered horrific prison conditions, deadly inmates, sadistic guards, an angry lynch mob, and the merciless treatment of government officials. He soon found himself a pawn in an international arms deal.  It was only through his persistence, the tireless support of friends and family, and the assistance of a former intelligence operative that Eric was released, after more than a year in prison. A story that made national and international headlines, this is the only book to tell Eric’s absorbing, moving account in his own words.   Visit the companion Exhibit Hall at the Gringo Nightmare website for additional photos, audio clips, video, case file, and more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, True Crime

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Linda Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

That poor man...the fact that he survived to write about his ordeal is a miracle in and of itself...a book about true fortitude and not caving in to injustice...

[Brittany · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book should not be compared to Not Without My Daughter. NWMD is one of the most suspenseful, and terrifying books I have ever read. This one was utterly boring. As I was reading I kept thinking that the story that he was telling was not what I expected to be reading, and usually I can just shift my expectations and continue reading with an open mind. But in this case I never got interested. I just kept reading and not caring. What I expected was an account by someone who was imprisoned in a foreign country and wasn't sure what was happening. And if Eric had told the story in a different way I think I would have gotten this. Instead he tells the story using all the facts that he learned afterwards. So as he is relating how awful the prison conditions were he is also giving details about how people were working on the outside to get him out. I never really had a chance to worry about him or feel the hopelessness that I'm sure he felt at certain points, because he never leaves his fate in question. While of course we all know that he gets released in the end, there were moments during this ordeal where I'm sure he felt he would be imprisoned forever and in order to empathize and to fully appreciate the seriousness of his situation the story should have been laid out so that the reader is held in suspense, feeling the same way that Eric probably did. This read more like an an account of various government officials and what they were doing not an account of his experience.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book and would recommend it. I had followed his story in the news and seen the dateline episode. I would have given it 4 stars, but I did find some of the background information about the political climate of Nicaragua a little confusing. I feel as though he could have weaved some of that in earlier and made it all a little less confusing. It was hard to keep some of the people straight as well. He does link a lot of the book with his website that provides further information on the people and situations. I read this book at the beach with limited access to internet. If I was at home and read it, i probably would have utilized that tool to keep things more straight in my mind. It is amazing the ordeal he went through. I read this book after I read the memoir about the Iranian hikers, who were help in prison for 3 years. They both experienced such different things and VASTLY different conditions while in prison. After I finished this book, I told my husband -- if Eric had not been released when he was, I don't think he would have survived a 30 year sentence there. If you followed his case in the news, this is a great book to hear and understand more about the case.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a former reading teacher, I feel quite guilty about something: I judge books by their covers. And this book had a colorful, photographic cover and an even more interesting title. So, when Borders was closing last summer, I was able to buy a hardcover copy for just one dollar. It was a dollar well spent.
Eric Volz unravels the story of being framed for murdering his former girlfriend, Doris. At the time, Volz was a young American living and working in Nicaragua, a place where he, with the help of a partner, founded and ran a successful magazine. This is the horrifying true story of what took place after he is framed for murder and unjustly held in the gristly jail system of Nicaragua. What was especially unique about this memoir is that each book contains a code the reader can use to access various photos, documents and videos online associated with this story. Very interesting. And, it is neat to see that Volz now networks with others that were in/ are in his same position of wrongful imprisonment in other countries.

[Calley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER want to be in a Nicaraguan prison. The descriptions that Volz shares are very vivid. I would never wish his experience on anyone.

Partway through, I got kind of confused. I looked up and asked my journalist buddy: "Can you explain to me later when you have time- How did his jailtime correlate with Nicaraguan WMDs and the President?"
Short answer: it doesn't.

The writing style is a little base and Volz himself is hard to read (totally pun intended). For example, all of a sudden he's praying to God. I want to know: has he always felt this faith, was it newly discovered? I felt very little connection to the unsympathetic and seemingly complacent Volz.

I think that Volz failed from writing the book too soon after his experience. I think it would be an interesting, traumatic and heartfelt story to retell after years of reflection and life experience.

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing and powerful story! This book was recommended by a friend for a vacation read, which I had a very hard time putting down once I started. I often had to remind myself this was the true story of Eric Volz and not one of the typical thrillers I usually read. Throughout the book my emotions got the best of me as I read this.

I highly recommend this book to anyone - very inspiring how he never gave up despite what he was fighting through, be it the prision, judical system or his health.

[Torrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really interesting to me, particularly since I travel regularly in Nicaragua. I came across this book when I was reading various history of Nicaragua books and it helped connected the history, but was also a really good read.

[Brianna Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thrilling story, but not well written.

[Sharon Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a traveling Gringo myself - 13 years and counting vacationing through Central America - I felt compelled to read Eric’s story. It might be fact heavy, but it’s more than a bad dream. It is real.

[Ann Gugliuzza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it twice… glad he’s out, but not sure he’ll ever be the same. This man was hated and framed simply because he was an American.

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Already an incredibly convoluted narrative, an extra level of complexity is added by Volz's decision to supplement his experiences and feelings in prison with information he learned about his case after the fact. While it ultimately serves in some way to help the reader understand the layers involved, it interrupts the connection one should be making with him as the wrongly accused and mistreated party.

[Truitti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very riveting account of Eric Volz's experience in Nicaragua. I couldn't put it down. Several truths appeared in the book since it is a real experience. God will do ANYTHING to get your attention, even it it takes you a while to realize that he is knocking at your door. Another is that we ALL need to be very careful about judging a situation without assessing all the facts. We need to be careful that we are not swayed by public opinion or political agendas. We all need to keep vigilant in searching for the truth, no matter what someone else says, whether that is a politician, a person of authority like police, or even our religious leaders. People are human and all have an agenda.. We need to find God's agenda and stick with that one.

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a page turner--a true story and very well done. It's informative, meticulously documented, insightful on many levels, and a fascinating read. Eric's mom is my best friend, so we were up close and personal as the 13 months written about in this book were being lived out. Eric has done an excellent job of narrating a complex, extremely painful, yet full of redemption story. Highly recommended.

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting book for those traveling to Central America. I was also surprised at the political insight it provided for places in general that might have dubious and corrupt governmental systems. However, the book lacks the artistic and narrative punch of other true crime classics. Still, 3 stars for me means generally recommendable if the subject matter suits you.

:)

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Eric for writing out your compelling story. Very moving and informative. Your will to survive is incredible, you truly have great inner strength and integrity. I'm so glad you made it through. I hope that this book will help bring about real justice for Doris, and help expose the injustices of the court system, to bring about change.

[Chase · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally stay away from non-fiction and true stories, but this one was well worth it. It was gripping and a true page-turner. Maybe it's because I now know Eric and he gave me a copy personally with a signed note, but I was absolutely captivated by the story of his wrongful imprisonment and institutional kidnapping.

[Jayme Boszor · Rating 4 out of 5]

really good! A very good true story that makes you want to pick a side of what really happened to her...It's really hard to say. The prison stories that eric told sounded horrible and I could never imagine being in a Nicaraguan prison, I will read more true crime novels in the future

[Caroline Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! it has been one of the best book I have read so far this year! I recommend it! Eric Volz is an awesome guy!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but I had a really hard time getting into it for some reason. Amazing story because it's real, but if it wasn't for that I probably wouldn't have read it.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew the story before reading the book, but the book offers more details. What an amazing/sad/terrifying story. I'm in awe of this man. I'm finished with the book, but I still cannot put it down!!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing story, on many levels. Just trying to imagine living in those prison conditions makes me ill.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is I'm thankful that I live in the United States...

[Sandra weston · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was good, but dragged on for too long.

[Dusty Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scaaary. What a travesty.

[Raquel Shah · Rating 3 out of 5]

At times a little slow and repetitive, but for the most part an interesting look at the polotical system in Nicaragua. Note to self: travel with caution!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing true story.....a must read!

[Nate Erick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this pick. Props to Opie, Anthony, and little jimmy norton for getting me to read it.
What a nightmare! And I feel sorry for myself the odd time I have to work 16 hours in a day.

[Melissa Barmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horrifying true story but he's out of prison and living a wonderful and fulfilling life. He's now an advocate for all those wrongfully accused especially outside of the country

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

as a PCV in Guatemala this was very scary, yet so sadly believable.