Human Cargo

by Desiree Zamorano

Dynamic, Hispanic PI Inez Leon teams up with Kiril Levertov, gaining access to Pasadena’s Russian community in order to find a missing family. She uncovers a culture of underground nightclubs and virtual slavery, as well the high price of a passage into this country. It’s up to Inez to find and free the trio.Des Zamorano is a playwright, Pushcart Prize nominee and novelistwith a deep understanding and affection for Pasadena and the Los Angeles area.She's also a fan of krav maga and vodka, just not at the same time.

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 23, 2011

About the author

Desiree Zamorano has wrestled with culture, identity, and the invisibility of Latinas from early on. Her commentaries have appeared in the LA Times, NPR's Latino USA and Publishers Weekly. She delights in the exploration of contemporary issues of injustice and inequity, via her mystery series featuring private investigator, Inez Leon.

Her novel THE AMADO WOMEN, is about four women, linked by birth, separated by secrets.2014, Cinco Puntos Press.

A lifelong reader, writer and educator, she is proud of having co-authored with her sister two plays commissioned by southern California's Bilingual Foundation for the Arts. Equity productions, "Reina" and "Bell Gardens 90201" toured for a total of eight years. A Pushcart prize nominee, and award-winning short story author, her novel MODERN CONS is out as an ebook from Lucky Bat Books.

About MODERN CONS: "Family inflicts the deadliest cuts in this compelling psychological thriller. Desiree Zamorano is a writer to watch."
-Dianne Emley, L.A. Times bestselling author

HUMAN CARGO features Inez Leon, a PI with a tortilla chip on her shoulder in search of truth, justice and the Mexican-American way. Lucky Bat Books.
Latinidad's mystery pick of the year.

Reviews

[Linda Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last week I read Desiree Zamorano's The Amado Women and liked it so much I read one in her mystery series, Human Cargo. The two books are very different, but both are well written. I particularly like her descriptions: "His eyes were metal grey, and his nose had been punched and flattened into the size of my fist." I like the local settings, places with which I'm familiar, including the Pasadena Public Library. The private investigator, Inez Leon, is tough, smart, and tenacious. The plot gets a bit convoluted, but I tend to prefer character-driven mysteries over those that are plot-driven. The conclusion is fast and exciting.

One minor beef: I wish writers would avoid giving their characters similar names. I momentarily confused Kolya with Kiril at one crucial plot point, so the reveal didn't have the intended impact.

[D.J. Adamson]

Russian Mafia in Los Angeles? This concept is not new to many who live in the LA areas Zamorano sets her mystery-thriller, but it will set those who are unaware in the roll-a-coaster seat of human tragedy that hard broiled detective Inez Leon exposes. Strap in, silence those cell phones, you won’t be able to put this book down, and Zamoarano doesn’t disappoint in the ride she will take you on. -- Le Coeur de l'Artiste

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A riveting mystery and expose of human trafficking in LA, Zamorano creates the first in what we could only hope is a series of Inez Leon mysteries.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first ebook I read when i got an e-reader for Christmas. It came highly recommended, and I have to say that I just loved this mystery novel about LA private detective Inez Leon, who unwittingly stumbles upon a human trafficking operation while investigating a missing person case in LA's tight-knit Russian immigrant community. The writing is smart and sexy and Inez is just one tough, ballsy lady. I look forward to the sequel.

[Petrea Burchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Des Zamorano's female detective Inez is a smart Latina who works the northern Los Angeles/Pasadena area. I love that! It's a new place to read about, not to mention a new kind of heroine. I love Inez's imperfections and her strengths. Looking forward to more from Zamorano.

Petrea Burchard
Camelot & Vine