Across the Border: True Story of Satanic Cult Killings in Matamoros, Mexico

by Gary Provost

An account of the murders attributed to a santanic cult bordering Texas and Mexico

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Conspiracy Theories, Religion

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1989

Reviews

[♥ Marlene♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

on Sunday, June 13, 2004 I wrote:

This is not your normal true crime book like written by Ann Rule or Patricia Springer for instance.This book has been written I guess very fast after these murders occurred so there are still a lot of question marks.It was interesting . You hear a lot about the different religions like Santeria and Palo Mayombe and voodoo. Interesting book because it is an interesting case but not the best of true crime.

[Gerardo Herrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible account of the satanic cult murders in Matamoros Mexico. A quick read and very informative.

[spider73]

Across the Border should have been a terrifying deeply reported account of the Matamoros cult killings, but instead it feels padded and weirdly thin. The subject matter is disturbing enough on its own, yet Gary Provost keeps leaning into hype and “Satanic panic” atmosphere instead of giving the story real depth.

I kept wondering if the problem was that there simply wasn’t enough reliable information available, or if the book just didn’t know how to handle what it had. Either way, the result is disappointing. There are moments where the real horror of the case breaks through, but too much of the book feels like filler.

A true crime book about something this dark should leave you feeling informed and maybe even disturbed by the human reality of it. This mostly left me frustrated. A fascinating and horrifying case deserved better.

[Corey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was mostly fine. It was an interesting enough read until the author started taking cops at their word and suggesting that the Satanic Panic was valid and possibly something we as a society should do again. Overall not really worth the money to buy it or the time spent reading it.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see why in other reviews people have said that this book is not like a typical true crime book. That is true because they never talk about the trials or what ends up happening to the perpetrators. It is still a very interesting story and such a short book, it is probably worth the read. I am surprised there are not more books out there on this account, it's pretty crazy!

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Badly written. Most of the book is an explanation of santeria, which is important to understanding the crimes, but makes it a boring book if you already have a working knowledge of the religion.

[Danette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting subject, but not very well written...perhaps written too early after the incident.

[Timothy · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 1/2 stars.