Cliff Diver

Emilia Cruz Mysteries #1

by Carmen Amato

When Emilia Cruz, Acapulco's first and only female police detective, dives into the investigation of a dirty cop's death, she might just hit the rocks instead of the water. With hot nights on the beach and suspense straight out of the headlines, CLIFF DIVER and the Emilia Cruz mystery series go inside Mexico's drug war with a fearless style and a woman who'll be hard to forget.

THE DEATH OF A DIRTY COP
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. Reluctant to take on the investigation, Emilia soon learns that 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 crime. 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.

A GAME OF MONEY AND POWER
Expecting to become a target herself because of her own brush with the lieutenant's counterfeit scheme, Emilia must move quickly to find the killer. But as she pieces together the lieutenant's last hours, she becomes a pawn in an ugly game of corruption, money, and power being played by the Pacific resort city's ambitious mayor and a police union strongman with questionable motives. Luxury hotel manager Kurt Rucker has some advice for Emilia but the heat between them quickly becomes a complicating factor.

Under pressure from politicians, other cops, and the powerful union, Emilia feels like Acapulco's famous cliff divers, plunging into suspense and praying not to crash on the rocks below. She'll follow her instincts but will she survive if she uncovers the truth?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Ebooks

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 27, 2013

About the author

Carmen Amato is the author of the Detective Emilia Cryz mystery series pitting the first female police detective in Acapulco against Mexico's cartels, corruption, and social inequality. Starting with Cliff Diver, the series is a 2-time winner of the Outstanding Series award from CrimeMasters of America and was hailed by National Public Radio as “A thrilling series.”

Her standalone thrillers include The Hidden Light of Mexico City, which was longlisted for the 2020 Millennium Book Award.

A 30-year veteran of the CIA where she focused on technical collection and counterdrug issues, Carmen is a recipient of both the National Intelligence Award and the Career Intelligence Medal.

A judge for the BookLife Prize and Killer Nashville’s Claymore Award, her essays have appeared in Criminal Element, Publishers Weekly, and other national publications. She writes the popular Mystery Ahead newsletter on Substack with her top secrets, exclusive excerpts and book reviews: https://mysteryahead.substack.com.

Originally from upstate New York, after years of globe-trotting she and her husband enjoy life in Tennessee. https://carmenamato.net/links

Reviews

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

CLIFF DIVER (Emilia Cruz Mysteries Book #1) by Carmen Amato is an absolute page-turner of an intricately plotted police procedural mystery set in Acapulco, Mexico featuring their first and only female detective as the protagonist. I cannot believe I have not been aware of this series before now and I will immediately be diving into book #2 and the rest of the series.

Detective Emilia Cruz is finding acceptance difficult in a male dominated position, but she loves her job. When the squad’s lieutenant is found murdered, Emilia finds herself placed temporarily in his position and in charge of the investigation over senior investigators in her unit. The evidence soon points to the lieutenant being a dirty cop with possible ties to a kidnapping, illicit sex, counterfeiting and drug trafficking. Emilia does not know who in the department she can trust.

As the investigative pieces come together, Emilia realizes she is in danger of becoming a pawn to any number of powerful players in Acapulco’s police department, government and corporations. She needs to stay one step ahead and learn who she can trust to survive as she works to uncover the truth.

This book has everything I look for and love in a police procedural mystery. A female protagonist that is intelligent, strong and yet vulnerable. Emilia has a strong moral compass and is ethical in a corrupt environment and must learn how much she needs to bend to continue to survive in this environment. All the secondary characters are fully fleshed, and I could imagine meeting any of them on the streets of Acapulco. The plot of this story is fast-paced, gritty and completely believable. Every piece of evidence can be viewed in several ways with the twists and red herrings keeping me glued to the pages and unable to put this book down. The author makes Acapulco, good and bad, come alive on the pages of this book.

I highly recommend this police procedural mystery, this protagonist and this author!

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

CLIFF DIVER (Emilia Cruz Mysteries Book #1) by Carmen Amato is an absolute page-turner of an intricately plotted police procedural mystery set in Acapulco, Mexico featuring their first and only female detective as the protagonist. I cannot believe I have not been aware of this series before now and I will immediately be diving into book #2 and the rest of the series.

Detective Emilia Cruz is finding acceptance difficult in a male dominated position, but she loves her job. When the squad’s lieutenant is found murdered, Emilia finds herself placed temporarily in his position and in charge of the investigation over senior investigators in her unit. The evidence soon points to the lieutenant being a dirty cop with possible ties to a kidnapping, illicit sex, counterfeiting and drug trafficking. Emilia does not know who in the department she can trust.

As the investigative pieces come together, Emilia realizes she is in danger of becoming a pawn to any number of powerful players in Acapulco’s police department, government and corporations. She needs to stay one step ahead and learn who she can trust to survive as she works to uncover the truth.

This book has everything I look for and love in a police procedural mystery. A female protagonist that is intelligent, strong and yet vulnerable. Emilia has a strong moral compass and is ethical in a corrupt environment and must learn how much she needs to bend to continue to survive in this environment. All the secondary characters are fully fleshed, and I could imagine meeting any of them on the streets of Acapulco. The plot of this story is fast-paced, gritty and completely believable. Every piece of evidence can be viewed in several ways with the twists and red herrings keeping me glued to the pages and unable to put this book down. The author makes Acapulco, good and bad, come alive on the pages of this book.

I highly recommend this police procedural mystery, this protagonist and this author!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

In CLIFF DIVER, author Carmen Amato pulls readers into the world of Mexican corruption and propels them along unpredictable twists and turns at heart-pounding speed. Her writing is strong and lean, and she paints a realistic picture of good and evil through vivid descriptions of setting, intriguing characters, and convincing dialogue.

Amato’s main protagonist, Emilia Cruz, is a feisty and clever detective who combines law enforcement with an innate sense of ethics as she leads the investigation into the death of her shady lieutenant. Through Emilia’s eyes, we experience doubts, fears, and suspicions and hold our breaths as she confronts the “bad guys” and risks her life in trying to dig up the truth. Deeper layers of the plot expose more evidence and had me second-guessing the names on my suspect list more than once. How Emilia deals with the outcome of her investigation is a stunning development in itself and offers readers much to ponder.

The story ends on an upbeat note for Emilia whose life basically revolves around her police work: a likely romantic relationship with a handsome luxury hotel manager. Will we read more about Kurt in the next book?

To mystery lovers who enjoy the challenge of an action-packed whodunit, this is definitely one you’ll want to add to your reading list. Highly recommended.

[Carmen Amato · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm the author so will offer an excerpt in lieu of a review:

He was looking at her, not at the cliff divers, and Emilia heard herself babble nervously. “Going off a cliff, not ready for it. Not knowing if I’m going to hit the rocks and be smashed to pieces or not.”

Emilia watched as the young diver swung his arms and rolled his neck and she wondered if he was doing it for the crowd’s benefit or if it was a release for his fear. He hunched his shoulders forward, then pulled them back. His knees bent and his thigh muscles rippled and then he launched himself into the air.

For a moment he was silhouetted against the spectacular sunset and then he curled himself into a somersault. The crowd gasped in unison as his body rotated and his hair seemed to kiss the cliff face. Then he stretched out, straining for distance, and completed a soaring arc that plunged him into the water like an arrow shot from a bow and Emilia felt the strain and the pain and the rush of cold water.

[Sharon Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I have no personal knowledge of the Mexican law enforcement scene, this book definitely feels authentic. Characters are individuals, a new setting for me and although the overall tone is a bit more noir than I usually prefer, this read very well and definitely kept my attention.

Good characterization, a tough, determined female police officer in a difficult environment, believable plotline. Close look at what appears to be a realistic portrayal of a difficult law enforcement situation and the community officers work in. One of the better police procedurals I've read for awhile.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

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I recently finished Carmen Amato's Cliff Diver. It features Emilia, a female detective in Acapulco, Mexico's all-male Police Department. To say she has a rough go of it would be an enormous understatement! None of her male counterparts want her there, and it was only because Rico, her existing partner, volunteered to take her on as his partner. If he had not done so, she would not have allowed to become a detective, despite achieving the highest marks on the detective's exam.

She suffers many types of harassment from all sides, including from her boss, Infante, who runs the department. Emilia finds herself in especially deep waters when Infante is murdered, and she is unexpectedly placed in control of the department and the investigation into his death, by the leader of the police union. Who is to be trusted in the department? In the mayor's office?

Emilia is one of the most appealing female characters I have encountered in some time. In addition to a hellish work environment, she is dealing with a mother with dementia, and facing the possibility that her devotion to a career has likely removed any chance for a family life.

The author has lived in Mexico, and her writing is gritty, realistic and totally believable. I read this in a day, and instantly wanted to buy the next installment, Hat Dance. Her writing brings to light the contemporarily-relevant themes of sexual equality and harassment in both the workplace and within a culture. Additionally, she shines a light on police corruption, drug cartels, and the wide gap between classes in countries where rich tourists sip champagne, while the majority of the country's citizens live in abject poverty.

There are some fairly violent sections in this book, along with adult behaviour that many would find disturbing, but the content is not gratuitous.
A compelling read, and I am anxious to move on to see how Emilia copes with her next case.

[Jammin Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this murder mystery set on the shores of Acapulco. The story involves gambling, prostitution, dirty cops, family drama and a smart tough female cop, the only woman in the precinct. There's also a female mayor so this book rocks feminism.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Emilia Cruz Mystery Series

This edgy police procedural mystery takes us into the heart of Mexico’s drug war. It features Emilia Cruz the first and only female detective in the Acapulco. She is a strong Latina woman, although she has been a cop for over 12 years and 2 years as a detective she has to fight for every inch to stay on top in a squad room full of men that didn't want her and are trying by any means to break her but Emilia is a tough cookie and very good at what she does.

The main plot is quite captivating, an adrenaline charge page turner at its best. Emilia is in charge of the murder investigation into the death of her shady lieutenant. This case is high profile and much pressure comes from politicians, other cops and the powerful union. Things are not easy: police files go missing and trails lead in multiple directions… there is even a kidnapping and connection to the cartel and some counterfeit money ….Emilia finds herself a pawn in an ugly game of corruption…… and feels like the famous cliff divers of Acapulco.

As in all good mystery Emilia meets hotel manager Kurt Rucker and over the course of the story attraction between them quickly complicates matters….

This is excellent multi-layered story with various engaging twists and turns, vividly told through the eyes of a tough and vulnerable protagonist. This is a great and fantastic mystery filled with suspenseful and intriguing moments, all this against the beautiful backdrop of Acapulco. This story wouldn’t be this good without great characterization and snappy dialogue. Emilia is the perfect sleuth at the top of the list and this would mean little if it wasn’t for the excellent supporting cast, in which there are many. There is an extra bite, a sub-plot keeping Emilia looking for las perdidas, in “Hat Dance”, the continuing thread we will see how successful she will be… can’t wait…

[C.K. Raggio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cliff Diver is one of those books that has you rooting for the good guy from chapter 1, or in this case, the good girl. Emilia Cruz is a junior detective, the only female detective in Acapulco's police force. She's young, intelligent, a loving daughter, a hard worker and growing a really thick skin as each work day passes. Nobody wants her there, not even her own partner, but Emilia doesn't give up easily. And when she's thrown head first into a seemingly impossible situation her tenacity is put to the ultimate test.

When I think of Acapulco, I see the sun, hear the ocean waves and smell the strong scent of coconut oil on tanned skin. Amato paints a different picture. Still beautiful, but also peppered with political corruption, counterfeiting money, drugs, and straight out bad guys pulling the marionette strings on everyone and anybody they feel like.

These are the people that Emilia is forced to cross in a high profile case. Is she up to the challenge? Will she do the right thing? Or will she get swept up into their corrupt web? The end of this fast-paced, but informative (I love books that I not only enjoy but learn from) thriller will definitely surprise you. And one particular twist in the end left me not only open mouthed, but wishing I could kill one of the characters myself.

I recommend Cliff Diver for people who love to learn a little something while being highly entertained. A great thriller/police procedural that you shouldn't miss!

[Lee Holz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cliff Diver is an unusual mystery/thriller primarily because of the culture in which it is set: Mexico with its endemic police corruption. Having said this, the book is a tour de force with an intriguing mystery, lots of violence and well-drawn and fully developed characters, particularly the protagonist: Detective Emilia Cruz. Highly recommended for lovers of police procedurals with a touch of the exotic.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title is a little weird and doesn't get explained until at least halfway through the book. The plot got a little too complicated at times. I was pretty sure I knew who killed Fausto early on, and I was right. There are just enough clues that an alert reader can figure it out. I thought the characters were generally well-developed. While I was frustrated with Emilia at times, it makes sense that she'd be at loose ends since she was thrust into a position she wasn't ready for. It was also clear that knowing whom to trust was next to impossible. So while I thought it was weird she didn't get someone to break into Fausto's desk drawer, I can see why she didn't---just one of dozens of things she had to check out. The use of Spanish helped with the story development, but there were a few too many words that I thought should have been explained in context a little better. There were a a dozen or so minor editing glitches, but they didn't hinder the flow of the story. I'm quibbling between 3 and 4 stars...I'd read another book about Emilia, but not sure I'd pay for one, so I guess I'll go with 3 stars.

[Cheryl Landmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, gritty, edgy....this was a compelling and suspenseful read with some surprising twists and turns.

Emilia Cruz was such an appealing character--strong, tough, resilient and fiercely dedicated to her job despite working in a poisonous environment of blatant hostility, sexism, harassment, lies and political corruption. On top of that, she also had to deal with her emotionally fragile mother who, it seemed, was steadily declining into dementia.

Of all the male characters, I admired Rico the most. Even though he didn't really want Emilia in the police department as much as his fellow officers, he was the only one willing to take her on as a partner, and he seemed quite protective and respectful of her at times. I also had a soft spot for the gringo, Kurt Rucker, who was handsome, sexy and smart and captivated Emilia despite her best efforts to avoid the attraction.

Right from the start, the plot plunged the reader into the deep, dangerous waters of drugs, corruption, and violence and never let up in its intensity and suspense.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of the genre.

[David Freas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a well-told story with plenty of turns to keep the reader guessing. Amato delivers good tension and action. The setting – Acapulco, Mexico – was a pleasant change from the more common one and gave the novel a bit of a different feel. But it did not paint a very positive picture of Mexican politics or police.

But there was nothing unique here, nothing to raise this book head and shoulders above others in the genre.

I won’t actively hunt down more books in the series, but I won’t pass them up if they come my way.

[Cyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique detective fiction

The author described Acapulco quite well. The divide between the wealthy and the poor was well done.
I knew from the beginning what murder weapon was used which led me to guess who killed the police lieutenant. There was some shocking details at the end.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it for those who like police detective novels.

[Gail Goodrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book because its set in Mexico and I like to read about Mexico. I really liked it because it paints a realistic picture of poverty and the class system. In addition there is a feisty woman trying to fit into the traditional macho culture of the police. I look forward to read more in this series.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cliff Diver is the first book featuring detective Emilia Cruz. It takes place in Acapulco, Mexico. Emilia is a junior detective in a corrupt system that never wanted female detectives. She is slowly learning who to trust and how to work the system. All while holding on to her integrity. When her lieutenant is brutally murdered, she is reluctantly promoted to over see the case.

I really enjoyed this mystery. It's a well written police procedural that kept me on my toes and kept me guessing. I didn't call the reveal, as I was going in a completely different direction. As for Emilia, I really liked her as a main character. I can't imagine what it would be like trying to be an honest cop in a corrupt system. She was a lot smarter than the seasoned detectives seemed to give her credit for. She is definitely someone I would want to read about in the future. One note, I did appreciate the list of Spanish words in the back of the book. It was very helpful for translation for some of the Spanish terms spread through out the book. There are 7 more books in this series. I look forward to checking out more of them.

[Jeff Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emilia Cruz is the only female homicide detective on the Acapulco police department. The other detectives don’t like working with a woman. When a murder shakes up the department, Emilia has to find a way to investigate the crime while dealing with uncooperative coworkers and sexual harassment. The investigation uncovers other crimes and Emilia finds that her efforts aren't appreciated by the department or the city of Acapulco that would like to keep the city’s reputation clean. There’s a lot going on here. There are several subplots that keep the story interesting. I thought this was a pretty good book. It’s mostly about the investigation and there’s not a lot of action, although there is some. It’s well written, very readable and moves at a good pace. I liked the exotic setting in Mexico. The strong female protagonist is interesting, complex and a sympathetic character. I enjoyed the book.

[Margaret Yelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

CLIFF DIVER (Emilia Cruz Mysteries Book #1) by Carmen Amato is a book set in Acapulco, Mexico featuring a female detective. Emilia is not having a easy time, breaking into the detective ranks when she becomes the first woman detective and none of the department wants her there. The storyline contains a little bit of everything from gambling, prostitution, dirty cops, lies and corruption. Emilia is tossed into the spotlight when her superior is found dead, and she is put in charge of the case. There is major resentment among the other detectives, but she perseveres in the search for answers. I enjoyed the character of Emilia, as she is a strong young woman, determined to do her job to the best of her ability. I certainly would recommend this book to others. I received a copy of the book from the author and #partnersincrimevbt, with no obligation to leave a favorable review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[annapi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emilia Cruz is the first female police detective in Acapulco, and her colleagues don't make it easy for her. In this first book of a series, she has to deal with a murder, a kidnapping, a drug ring, counterfeit money, and all of this not knowing who to trust in Mexico's notoriously corrupt system.

I enjoyed this much more than I was expecting to. I only picked it up because it satisfied a game, but was pleasantly surprised. I've only been to Mexico for a short weekend on vacation and so have no idea what it's really like to live there, but it is notorious for police corruption and violence, and this book has a gritty realism though it's not too graphic. Emilia's troubles with her misogynistic fellow detectives feel all too real. The mystery was complex, the resolution satisfying, the characters interesting. I will definitely be continuing the series.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot was so convoluted and involved so many characters and so many twists and turns that I had trouble keeping track of what was going on. The worst part, however, was the romance. These two people meet in a police station, she is assigned to drive him back to his hotel, they have a near-death experience, they hardly speak to each other, and suddenly they are madly in love or in lust or in who knows what. While heading a murder investigation, dodging rapists, dealing with crooked union officials, taking care of her mentally challenged mother who has taken up with a homeless man, and trying to survive heavy political pressure, Emilia has time for silly schoolgirl fantasies about a man she's seen once or twice and has hardly spoken to at all. Give me a break! I would strongly advise the author to drop the silly romance, streamline the plot and eliminate half the characters!

[Norm Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carmen Amato’s novel, Cliff Diver(An Emilia Cruz Novel) opens the tangled weave of intrigue that is the life of Acapulco’s first female Detective, Emilia Cruz.

A truly excellent mystery novel. The writing is classic with descriptions that allowed me to put myself in the streets of Mexico and the people living there...all without me ever setting foot in the country for real.

Many twist and turns and surprise encounters bring the reader along in the story. There is excitement, intrigue and pathos - along with enough humanity to bring the story to life and make it feel real.

A wonderful read by author Carmen Amato. Highly recommend.

[Mona Grant-Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good detective story. Setting was in Acapulco, Mexico. The protagonist, Det. Emilia Cruz, is the only female detective on the force. The Lt. Inocente, who is in charged of the detectives in her precinct is found dead on his speed boat. Det. Cruz is promoted to Lt. placed in charge of the investigation. She reports her findings to the Police Union President and the Mayor of Acapulco. Emilia is not sure she should head the investigation. She has had to deal with the resentment of her male co-workers, but now they must report to her?!! How will this work?

[Betty McMahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely gush over a book but this is the best book I've read in some time! The author has put it all together: the very real menace of Mexico's drug culture; a believable, winding plot; interesting, well-developed characters; and surprise ending--all wrapped in excellent writing. What more could a reader ask for? I loved "meeting" Emilia Cruz and look forward to following more of her exploits. The book deserves a wide readership; it should be on the shelves of the mega booksellers.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really entertaining mystery. The resolution was definitely a surprise as were some other elements. The characters are interesting and the main character is likeable. I certainly want to read more in this series. No explicit sex, but at least one disturbing plot element. Violence at a PG-13 level.

[Ami Travillian-vonesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, I love crime fiction with female protagonists and I love Mexico. This book has both, and a great plot. Believable characters, great setting, totally took me to Mexico while I was reading it. (In one sitting!)

[Brian Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. I can't wait to read Hat Dance. Detective Emilia Cruz is a sure fire winner. I think this book would make a great movie. I loved it. There was suspense, great plot, and just enough romance to keep you interested. Thanks Ms Amato for an enjoyable and truly entertaining read...B

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good police procedural with the added mystery of who is crooked and who is not. Based in Mexico.

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carmen Amato's thirty years working behind closed doors in Washington, D.C. really add to her stock of intrigue - her's is a book you can't set aside to do minor chores and perhaps even dinner. And Cliff Diver is an excellent introduction to her style. Published in 2013, things in the tourist spots of Mexico are still shady but Ms. Amato includes lots of common sense precautions to insure a safely executed vacation. My father went with a friend to Mexico City in the mid-1960's and fell in love with the art, the color, the people. It is still on my bucket list and moving up the list as I read more Carmen Amato mysteries.

Reviewed on December 10, 2022, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub.

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been looking for a new mystery series to dive into, when PICT offered up Cliff Diver as part of their blog tour. Naturally, I couldn't resist! Cliff Diver, written by Carmen Amato, is the first in the Emilia Cruz Mysteries.

Emilia Cruz is the first female police detective in Acapulco, and she's proud of that fact. Yet the rest of the precinct doesn't feel the same way about her newest position, with several supposed coworkers striving to see her out.

Now, Emilia is on a high profile case – one that very well could make (or break) her career. Unfortunately, the murder victim is her lieutenant, and the things she digs up in the process will not be making her new friends anytime soon.

Words cannot express how much fun it was to read Cliff Diver. I really enjoyed Carmen Amato's writing style, the characters she created (well, I liked one, and loved to hate many others), the plot, everything. It made for a comprehensive story that sucked me right in.

The fact that it was exactly the sort of read I was looking for was icing on the cake. Emilia Cruz is a hard working detective, with countless odds against her – many stacked by those that can't stand the idea of a woman doing a job such as this. I know that this isn't a new plot, but I still am pleased that Amato covered it here. The more we talk about it, right?

Fans of police procedurals will love the details that come up during Emilia's investigation, that much I am certain of. She's the sort of detective that leaves no stone unturned, which is so incredibly satisfying to read.

After finishing Cliff Diver, I just know that I'm going to have to check out the rest of the series. Thankfully, it looks like there are several more waiting for me!

Thanks to Partners in Crime Tours for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[Katherine "Kj" Joslin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Had trouble getting into it but overall was a good mystery