Sonora Crossing

Del Shannon #2

by Darrell James

Twists, turns, and white-knuckle action

Investigator Del Shannon’s former lover, Tucson detective Ed Jeski, has been murdered. A kidnapped six-year-old who allegedly possesses the gift of prophetic vision may know something about his death.

After a daring rescue from a violent drug cartel, Del and the girl seek refuge with Jeski’s former partner, Ray Daniels. Surviving a deadly shootout at the Mexican border, Del discovers there is no end to evil as the girl’s alarming visions of further peril hold a grain of sinister truth.

Genres: Mystery

360 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2012

About the author

Darrell James is a crime-fiction writer who splits his time between Pasadena, CA and Tucson, AZ. His short stories have appeared in numerous mystery magazines such as Hardboiled, Futures Mysterious Anthologies magazine and many others. His stories also appear in book anthologies: LAndmarked For Murder, Politics Noir and Deadly Ink 2007, Scoundrels, and Vengeance edited by Lee Child.
His first novel, Nazareth Child, is the winner of the Left Coast Crime Eureka Award for Best First Novel, and features a young female investigator, Del Shannon, who finds and recovers missing persons. Sonora Crossing, book two in the series, is scheduled for release in September 2012.

Reviews

[Amy Lignor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating mystery featuring one of suspense fans’ beloved characters, Del Shannon. Del is a very clever investigator with Desert Sands Covert in Tucson, AZ, which is a company that specializes in finding and recovering missing persons.

After the death of Del’s former lover - police officer, Ed Jeski - Del is more than a little doubtful about taking on a missing persons case. But whether she likes it or not, there is one such case on the horizon.

A Mexican drug lord who’s making deals right across the border in Arizona, Santos De La Cal, believes his niece, Aurea Lara, is a prophet who can tell the future even though she is only six-years old. Santos is sure that she can help him find safe passage for his cartel from Mexico to their contact in the U.S.. So on one particular drug run, he kidnaps Aurea and takes her back to his compound in Mexico in order for her to use her powers to help him.

In the meantime Randall Willingham, Del’s boss, is very concerned about his employee who is still very depressed by the murder of her former lover, and wants to keep her out of harm‘s way. But when Aurea’s relatives come to the agency and beg Del to recover their niece, neither she nor Randall understand why they want her services in particular until…they sees Aurea’s work.

Aurea has collected newspaper pictures of Del and her late boyfriend, and when Del sees the pictures of Ed she wants to take the case. She is desperate to find answers to his murder, so she goes into Mexico and lands right in the middle of enemy territory. She enlists the help of Francisco Estrada, the leader of the resistance, and his band of followers. Unfortunately, the captain of the Federal Police is a pawn of Santos so Del will need all the help she can get to recover the child.

This is a truly exciting plot which makes for a great read. Del is a very strong and competent main character that lovers of suspense, western, and mystery books will absolutely enjoy!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

i WAS A LUCKY GOOD READS FIRST READS WINNER OF THIS ADVANCED READER COPY.Of Sonora Crossing. this is a crime mystery book by Darrell James. He continues with his heroine Del Shannon. Del was a former police officer who turned detective. she has just heard the news of the murder of Ed Jaski. a police detective who she had an affair with. About this time she is hired to find a six year old girl who was kidnapped by a drug lord man who is also the girls uncle.Aurea is rumored to have prophetic visions and Santos the drug lord uncle is using her because he thinks she can have a "sense" about what it about to happen. Del is on her way to try and find the child in Mexico. she ends in danger herself being kidnapped and taken to where the child and uncle are hiding. a very well written books and filled with suspense. I do not want to give too many spoilers. but Del proves to be a good detective. I liked the relationship that Del formed with the little girl. and how she helped other characters in the story Sonora Crossing. I like the Character Del Shannon. she is smart and courageous. I found myself rooting for her and little Aurea. I am tempted to read more of the Del Shannon character books by Darrell James.

[Meggin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC through Goodreads Giveaway. I found this book to be realistic and believable, considering everything that is going on in this world. It was filled with action and suspense. I had a couple of moments when I felt knots in my stomach from all the suspense. The heroin couldn't have been more brave, cunning, and selfless. Her compassion, strength, and couragousness is what made her a great detective. I highly recommend that you read this book.

[Theresa Rizzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked Del Shannon in the debut book, but I really like her in Sonora Crossing. This story shows an interesting enrichment of our protagonist that along with another suspenseful plot, kept this reader turning pages. Also, I enjoyed being introduced to Indigo Children--something I'd never heard of before. I love a story that can both entertain me and teach me something. Well done! Looking forward to the next book in the Del Shannon series.

[Michael Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nonstop action and suspense as tough (but gorgeous and alluring) female skip tracer Del Shannon goes to rescue a very young, mysterious, and possibly psychic, Mexican girl who is in the hands of her dangerously bad drug lord uncle. At the same time she is investigating the possibly scandalous death of an old friend, which may or may not be related. The various plot threads all tie up very satisfactorily at the end, which you will get to quickly, because this book is awfully hard to put down!

[Michael Charton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live in Southern Arizona and happen to know the author. That didn't have any influence on this review. I read Darrell's first book and this one was even better. He hit the nail on the head, with what goes on just across the International Border sixty miles from Downtown Tucson.

Follow crossing into the Mexican state of Sonora, to look for a kidnapped girl and trying to put a major drug smuggler out of business. No more spoilers, just read it.

[A Loose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this as an advanced reader's copy through goodreads. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and had a hard time putting it down. Del Shannon is an awesome heroine, and it was so refreshing to have a heroine who is not only capable, but smart, strong, and sexy. I definitely would recommend this book to a friend.

[Dmitri Ragano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darrell James' second novel in the Del Shannon series takes us to the Arizona - Mexico border, where a heroine searches for a lost child who gets caught up in the drug trafficking wars and is rumored to have psychic powers.

James' creates some truly great scenes within this book and recreates characters and imagery from the rough, violent border lands with passion and authenticity.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book felt a bit unpolished from the first one. There seemed to be more cheesy lines and the story wasn't as engaging as the first one (which I loved). Del is an awesome character, but I felt she was underutilized in this one.

[Craig Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, honest read that takes you to the Arizona border and beyond. Darrell James is an author to watch.

[Anthony Kufner · Rating 4 out of 5]

signed by author

[Silly]

I won this book from First Reads. Looks like a good book. Thank you.