The Last Kilo: Willy Falcon and the Cocaine Empire That Seduced America

by T.J. English

From true-crime legend T. J. English, the epic, behind-the-scenes saga of “Los Muchachos,” one of the most successful cocaine trafficking organizations in American history—a story of glitz, glamour, and organized crime set against 1980’s Miami.

Despite what Scarface might lead one to believe, violence was not the dominant characteristic of the cocaine business. It was corruption: the dirty cops, agents, lawyers, judges, and politicians who made the drug world go round. And no one managed that carousel of dangerous players better than Willy Falcon.

A Cuban exile whose family escaped Fidel Castro’s Cuba when he was eleven years old, Falcon, as a teenager, became active in the anti-Castro movement. He began smuggling cocaine into the U.S. as a way to raise money to buy arms for the Contras in Central America. This counter-revolutionary activity led directly to Willy’s genesis as a narco. He and his partners built an extraordinary international organization from the ground up. Los Muchachos, the syndicate founded by Falcon, thrived as a major cocaine distribution network in the U.S. from the late 1970’s into the early 1990’s. At their height, Los Muchachos made more than a hundred million dollars a year. At the same time, Willy, his brother Tavy Falcon, and partner Sal Magluta became famous as championship powerboat racers.

Cocaine, used by everyone from A-list celebrities to lawyers and people in law enforcement, came to define an era, and for a time, Willy Falcon and those like him—major suppliers, of whom there were only a few—became stars in their own right. They were the deliverers of good times, at least until the downside of persistent cocaine use became apparent: delusions of grandeur, psychological addiction, financial ruin. Thus, the War on Drugs was born, and federal authorities came after Falcon and his crew with a vengeance. Willy found himself on the run, his marriage and family life in shambles, the halcyon days of boat races and lavish trips to Vegas and parties at the Mutiny night club seemingly a distant memory.

T. J. English has been granted unprecedented access to the inner workings of Los Muchachos, sitting down with Willy Falcon and his associates for many lengthy interviews, and revealing never-before-understood details about drug trafficking. A classic of true-crime writing from a master of the genre, The Last Kilo traces the rise and fall of a true cocaine empire—and the lives left in its wake.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, True Crime, Crime, Biography, Audiobook, American History

512 pages, Hardcover

Published December 3, 2024

About the author

T.J. English's latest book is THE LAST KILO. English is an author and journalist with an emphasis on organized crime, the criminal underworld, and the criminal justice system. Many of his books have been New York Times bestsellers, including HAVANA NOCTURNE, THE SAVAGE CITY, PADDY WHACKED, and WHERE THE BODIES WERE BURIED. Four of his books have been nominated for an Edgar Award in the category of Best Fact Crime (BORN TO KILL, HAVANA NOCTURNE, THE SAVAGE CITY, WHERE THE BODIES WERE BURIED). In 2023, his book DANGEROUS RHYTHMS was given a special award by PEN Oakland. A collection of his journalism was published under the title WHITEY'S PAYBACK, an anthology that includes articles originally printed in Playboy, Newsweek, Esquire, The New York Times, and other national publications. He lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Brendan (History Nerds United) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has a morality problem. T.J. English's The Last Kilo tells the story of Willy Falcon and his drug associates as they bring literal tons of cocaine into the United States over decades. Inevitably, the War on Drugs catches up to them and their empire falls. This has all the makings of a true crime thriller. However, the book was not interesting to me but rather disgusting.

Let me start by saying the War on Drugs is controversial to put it mildly. I come in on one side of the fence, but I can also acknowledge that you could argue coherently one side or the other with ample evidence to prove your point. English, in this book, takes numerous shots at the U.S. government for their actions in this time period. This, by itself, is not a problem. It does become a huge problem because he refuses throughout the book to criticize Falcon and his associates and even goes so far as to absolve them. Multiple times English will point out that Falcon was removed from the actual crime on the streets and that the violence was carried about by street level criminals. Yes, he is reporting Falcon's perspective, but he does not challenge it at all like he does when discussing the War on Drugs. You can't help as a reader notice when the author turns off their willingness to challenge a point of view. It reads like English is writing off Falcon and his people as just, "boys being boys." You can't bring drugs to a country and then say, "well it's not my fault people are killing each other over it."

Now, maybe you might not see the above problem as a bad thing. Even if you don't, there is another consequence of this. By not challenging Falcon's and other's viewpoints, every character in the book is flat and uninteresting. I was bored because it is a list of events instead of story with people who are multidimensional. For example, Falcon started his criminal career by performing drug trafficking jobs to help Cuban exiles fight Fidel Castro. Falcon almost immediately switches to going into business for himself but giving lip service that he was still supporting the cause. Why didn't Falcon give all his money to forces trying to free Cuba from Castro? Was it only about the money? Did he ever regret it? Was he under family pressures? None of these questions are meaningfully explored. Falcon just did it. And then the narrative is off to the next thing that happened. If English isn't interested in the real Falcon, then why should I care? Ultimately, I didn't.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and William Morrow.)

[Richard Bankey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to William Morrow, the author, and Goodreads for sending me this book in exchange for a fair review. This book tells the full story of Willy Falcon and Sal Magluta and their smuggling organization called Los Muchachos.
The amount of research that went into this book is incredible. The story starts with Willy and Sal coming to Florida from Cuba and goes all the way to the present times. All of the details of the Cocaine smuggling group are devulged.
I highly recommend this book and I found it tp be extremely interesting and educational on how the Los Muchachos operated and were successful for such a long time. A must read for fans of the True Crime genre. I'm looking forward to reading the author's precious books. 5 🌟

[Terence Donnellan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are only a handful of living people who have changed the world we live in. Willy Falcon and his partner Salvador Magluta are two. They were the leaders of Los Muchachos (The Boys), a criminal enterprise that gave birth to the modern-day drug world. They are also the sons of exiled families who lost their homes and way of life when Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba and started jailing and killing anyone who stood in his way.

Even if you never rolled up a dollar bill and leaned over a mirror to snort a line of coke or went into a dark nightclub’s bathroom to do a bump, cocaine has changed your world—at least if you’re old enough to remember when it wasn’t all cartels, gang violence, and bloodied corpses.

Cocaine built Miami into the thriving nightworld, artworld, party mecca that it is today. It transformed Hollywood and the movies made there. It rocketed Wall Street into a den of debauchery and glittery excess. It made Main Street just another back alley where you could meet your connection and score in the afternoon daylight.

How did this happen, and why?

I was lucky to get an advanced copy of TJ English’s forthcoming book: The Last Kilo.

TJ English is one of America’s great nonfiction writers, not simply because he writes compelling and engaging stories about crime. He is important and worth reading because he goes below the surface of easy sensationalism and exploitative moralization to examine the social, political, and economic circumstances that shape criminals and the worlds they inhabit.

In the 1960s and early 1970s, Miami was a town for retirees riding out their so-called golden years. It also became the home of Cubans fleeing the catastrophe of Castro and communism. After the Bay of Pig fiasco, the CIA had been covertly working with Cuban exiles in Honduras and later Nicaragua to try to stop the spread of communism in Latin America. Wars, especially clandestine ones, cost lots of money. How to get it?

Willie and a boyhood friend were recruited by a Cuban exile working with the CIA. He wanted the popular and charismatic young men in their early twenties to help distribute cocaine in Miami. The money made from this was used to finance the purchase of weapons, which would be used, hopefully, to overthrow Castro.

For young men whose family lives had been shattered by Castro, young men who wanted nothing more than to return to Cuba, this was beyond their dreams. If crimes had to be committed, this was the price to be paid. Wasn’t the CIA and the US government secretly doing the same thing?

After helping the CIA trade coke for cash, the boys went out on their own and started flying kilos into the States. In the early days, the 1970s, cocaine was the companion of the cool kids, the rich kids, the social set. There were no cartels, and virtually no violence associated with his transportation and delivery. That all changed, of course. At first, however, it was a game of cat and mouse—trying to get small batches of white power over the borders and into the clubs and up the noses of party people.

Willy’s first partner would be replaced by Sal, who had a knack for numbers. Together, they would meet Pablo Escobar and the leaders of what became the Cali Cartel. From scratch they created a multibillion-dollar global industry that will never be dismantled.

The “War on Drugs” officially began on June 17, 1971, under Richard Nixon, Tricky Dick. More than 1 trillion US taxpayer dollars have been spent. After more than 53 years where countless civilian and law enforcement lives have been destroyed, no lasting impact has been achieved. Drugs are still available everywhere to anyone who wants them.

TJ English has written another well-researched and well-documented book about the criminal forces that shape American culture. It’s a page-turner that brings you into the world of Willy and Sal, into their families and friends, into those who betrayed them and those they betrayed.

English has written about migrants and immigrants whose entrance into America began at the bottom rung of society. He has written about the Irish, the Vietnamese, the roots of jazz, Black Panthers in NYC, and Cubans. All these groups shared the similarity of being poor, unwanted, and needing to find a way to stand tall and proud when they looked in the mirror. Each had to forge their own unique path. In doing so, they added to the beauty and rich diversity that continues to make America the land of dreams, however twisted and almost unattainable those dreams have become.

Netflix has a series called Cocaine Cowboys, which I attempted to watch after reading this powerful portrayal. I couldn’t get through the first episode because it does what too many crime shows do—exploit the concept of good and evil to cliched stereotypes. None of us is good or evil—depending on the circumstances, we are all capable of being on either side of the equation. Recognizing this makes you a more compassionate individual, one who has empathy for those who may not have been born with the opportunities you have been born with. Failing or being afraid to empathize with those different from you ultimately fills your heart with hatred—hatred that is then spit out into society, causing and ramping up the divisions we see growing in the US and around the world. History has shown us repeatedly what happens when such hatred boils and spills over the cauldron of humanity.

Terence Donnellan

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fascinating true story of Willy Falcon and the organization he started - Los Muchachos. After his family flees Cuba when he is a young boy, they settle in Miami. Falcon and some friends get caught up in the cocaine business as young boys. Ultimately, they end up building the biggest cocaine empire in the world.

The story follows their rise and fall, ending with the law finally catching up with Falcon.

Very well written with lots of detail, but in a way that keeps you engaged in the story.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for this advance reader copy of the book. This story was definitely a great example of the truth being stranger (and crazier) than fiction. The author did a great job organizing and telling this true crime story that spanned several decades with many people and families involved. I thought it was really interesting and I bet it will be really good on audio just like it was on paper.

[Tony · Rating 2 out of 5]

In 2021, Netflix released the six-part miniseries Cocaine Cowboys. The episodes detailed the lives of Cuban emigrants Willy Falcon and Sal Magluta who, while living in the pastel-colored, open-collared fantasy world of Miami Vice, became two of history’s most prolific cocaine traffickers, bringing in thousands of tons from Colombia to the United States by way of ships, planes, and trucks.

T.J. English, author of The Last Kilo: Willy Falcon and the Cocaine Empire That Seduced America, was not impressed. In a potshot toward the end of his latest book, he sneers at Netflix’s “mostly . . . calcified reporting” that “trafficked [heh] in cocaine-era tropes and stereotypes that had become standardized almost to the point of cliché.”

A full three years after Netflix’s unworthy attempt, English takes up the very same subject — a pair of very boring, pretty stupid sellers of illegal drugs — to show the world how it’s done.

I haven’t seen the Netflix series, so English’s critique may be well founded, though one has to ask whether there is much more to expect from narco-true-crime television than eye candy about nose candy. But given English’s loftier hopes for media treatment of this stimulant, imagine my surprise that he nevertheless relied on Cocaine Cowboys as his source for at least two interviews, “calcified reporting” and all.

I am beginning to see overlong introductions to modern nonfiction as unnecessary, if not annoying. They often depart tangentially from the book’s subject in a manner that pads the volume and strokes the author’s ego. Like it or not, the Last Kilo reader will be treated to English’s philosophy on reporting on these couple of narco idiots.

In plain English, it can be described as “interview plus.” There is much grandstanding about how “[i]t is time that this story be told from the point of view of those who lived it,” rather than the “snitches” who “cooperated with the government.” This means that Falcon and Magluta talk to the author and the author scratches it down, thanks the narco idiots for their time and wisdom, and prints their babble in a widely distributed book.

Well, just Falcon. Magluta, who has the rare distinction of being even dumber than Falcon, is still in federal prison. (According to English, “criminals [who] are buried away in prison” cannot be interviewed “unless it is . . . beneficial to the government.” This must have been a relief to the author although Richard Behar’s recent Madoff: The Final Word, in which Behar interviewed Madoff in prison several times with no apparent “benefi[t] to the government,” calls this into question.) And the omission of Magluta had the effect one would expect, as, for example, Falcon self-servingly swore that he wanted to “retire” from drug trafficking when the silent Magluta wanted to continue.

Government informants provide invaluable information. Criminal organizations tend to be populated with criminals. The best information about the operation of these organizations comes, therefore, from criminals. This principle deserves to live in perpetuity alongside Franklin’s line about death and taxes.

English’s substitute disappoints. The Last Kilo is loaded with entire conversations between Falcon, Magluta, and others that took place three to four decades ago and were presumably relayed to English by Falcon. The conspirators were mostly Cuban, Colombian, and Mexican, so they probably spoke in Spanish. But the quotations provided in the book are in English. All of the characters sound the same, and their words are over the top. Mine eyes can only roll so much.

With his credibility reeling from quotes of dubious authenticity, English continues with wild missteps. He describes Janet Reno as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and adds some color, calling her “a local legend, the only woman U.S. attorney in the country.” There is just one problem: Janet Reno was never a U.S. Attorney anywhere. Bizarrely, English writes that Reno hired one Falcon-Magluta federal prosecutor for his internship. The notes reflect that English interviewed that prosecutor for the book. Since no prosecutor could make that error, English seems neither to have had his manuscript fact-checked nor to have run his draft by his sources.

English paints as “highly anecdotal” and “totally without scientific or biological merit” the concept that children experience withdrawal symptoms from substances used by their mothers during pregnancy. The term “crack babies” is unkind, but it was a heuristic for a problem that is real — and a problem that caused a very real fear in the 1980s in the United States. Prenatal substance exposure has been shown to lead to devastating long-term consequences, including delays in learning, language skills, and development, as well as difficulties with behavioral and emotional regulation. English’s determination to screen his readers from the provenance of the term is outrageous. It leaves no doubt as to who he thinks the good guys are.

This latter shortcoming is of a piece with an obsession with romanticizing a years-long course of conduct that had a ruinous effect on poor neighborhoods in the United States. Black communities, fed up with catastrophe wrought by the crack epidemic, demanded change. As Michael Javen Fortner aptly illustrated in Black Silent Majority, they contributed directly to state and federal laws that drastically increased punishments for drug possession and distribution. Now, the perverse concept inanely called “harm reduction” demands that society abet mental illness, homelessness, and addiction on public streets. The quiet, law-abiding citizens are always the losers in these stories.

On the cover of this book is a powerboat. Falcon and Magluta, like many blockheads who cannot resist loud and fast things, raced boats. Their races, for some reason, were meticulously cataloged in The Last Kilo, an apparent exception to English’s prejudice against “cocaine-era tropes and stereotypes.” The Last Kilo is no more serious than Falcon and Magluta’s delusional, self-aggrandizing rationalization that selling cocaine would help them take down Fidel Castro.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to nonfiction, a home run to me is a book on a topic previously little-known to me, that holds my attention throughout, and once completed, makes me want to learn more. The Last Kilo is all of that and more. Beginning with the story of Cuban immigrants who come to Miami fleeing Castro, an opportunity presents itself such that Willy Falcon and Sal Magluta are introduced into the world of drugs. Their intentions are relatable as they want to make money to send back for the fight against Castro. Business blooms and an empire (called Los Muchachos) is born. All is well until the War on Drugs begins.

T.J. English did a phenomenal job researching and telling their story. This never felt like a "true crime documentary of the week". We really get to know the individuals whose lives were impacted by all that followed. Throughout the book, I was especially mindful of the repercussions of all that happened to Willy’s parents and family, innocent people who end up suffering greatly.

Details of the narcosphere world are truly fascinating, whether it’s the corrupt policemen and attorneys too eager to help, the strategies of the government in the War on Drugs, the routes and methods of distribution of the cocaine, Willy and Sal’s interactions with Escobar, Noriega, and other drug lords, and details of the locations and activities at their parties (such as all that goes on at the Mutiny nightclub). From now on, any time I ever hear the song “Makin’ It”, I’ll first think of this book instead of remembering the American Werewolf in London movie or the Dr. Pepper commercials.

I can’t thank William Morrow and Goodreads enough for the ARC. The above opinions are my own.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind blowing. This is for the lovers of Scarface, The Godfather, and BMF alike. The narcosphere is much larger than I ever imagined. Willy and Sal had a well organized “business” that no one could compete with. Every problem that came their way was solved and kept them on their journey to becoming billionaires.
The involvement of the CIA and the Bush administration was something I always thought was hype for TV. Well, no it wasn’t. Not surprising though.
English did an amazing job researching history and citing/checking his sources for credibility. I loved that he did not use “snitches” and spoke directly with Willy, Sal, their family members as well numerous others involved with the “Cocaine Cowboys”.
I’m crime obsessed. I thought this book was amazing!

[MM Suarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Corruption represents a human failing. It is usually practiced by people who, out of need, convenience, or necessity, choose to violate the principles by which they claim to live their lives."

I am a fan of T.J. English, and when it comes to writing about the criminal underworld he is one of the best in the genre. This particular book resonates with me for many reasons, I am of Cuban heritage, I was in my early twenties and living in Miami at the time, so I am familiar with a lot of the places and events depicted in the story.
The author states as follows, "My goal with this book has been to provide an account primarily from those who did not cooperate with the government. This is the version of those who submitted to long sentences in prison rather than snitch on their friends and associates." This approach is different than most true crime books, so keeping in mind that a lot of the information comes from the main subject Willy Falcon himself, it most likely glosses over some of the uglier stuff that comes with running a criminal enterprise of the magnitude of Los Muchachos. Having said that, the amount of research that has gone into the book is extensive, it includes Appendix, Notes, Sources, Index and Photo section that are impressive.
The 1980's were definitely a wild time in Miami, and Los Muchachos were a criminal enterprise created by a group of local guys, but I agree with the author's statement that "The story of Los Muchachos shows that it was not violence that was the dominant characteristic of the cocaine business. It was corruption. Dirty cops, agents, lawyers, judges, and politicians feeding off the profits of the narcosphere is what made the world go round."

The book was entertaining, and if Hollywood wrote this story and made a movie most would call it unrealistic, but as the saying goes truth is stranger than fiction, or in the words of T.J. English "For a crime writer, Miami is the gift that keeps on giving."

[Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to other reviews the author did seem to find ways that over sympathises with the main protagonists... The damage done by introducing cocaine and the off-shoot drugs harmed generations. They are not the only criminals in this saga, but trying to remind us they are heroes through undocumented quotes falls flat. Berating all others as actual criminals and Willy and Sal as Robin Hoods doesn't make sense... They weren't robbing from the rich to aid the poor, their decisions impacted the poor and they paid their defense with dirty money.
To dismiss other versions of this story because it is told from the perspective of "rats" also comes across as ignorant... As a life long journalist you would assume two sides of a story make for a full picture.
Saying all that, I did enjoy this book and found it an interesting look behind the curtain and aside from a few sections that were introduced and went nowhere it was an easy read.
For anyone interested in a fictional, yet enjoyable watch, try Snowfall on FX... Same topic with a different approach but builds on the FBI and DEA element in an accessible way.

[Dan Newcomer · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a reason this dude is my favorite author, his true crime books are always awesome like this one. The best book on the cocaine boom in Miami from the late 70’s through the early 90’s & the biggest group who controlled it, Los Muchachos & the 2 guys who ran the them, Willy Falcon & Sal Magluta while also helping in the attempted takedown of Fidel Castro in Cuba. I’ve read several books on this time & this is the best one.

[Paul Basile · Rating 5 out of 5]

T.J. English again proves he is one of the best storytellers working today.

[Lauren Gwynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was really interesting but I kept getting so confused between all the characters/relationship/scenarios etc that I gave up on the end and it was so long so would just get even more confusing

[Mira · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you like Narco and stories about the drug game; you will like this book. For me I have read and watched enough story of drug dealers to know that it’s same story. Same game different players. So the story about their organization didn’t interest me or the infidelity. With money comes fake power, material things and women. The only that that interested me was his wife. The game doesn’t only affect the user and the dealer but the people that are involved with them.

I also notice that no one seem sorry for their actions. This book was more of a “ I did this” and “then I did that” and that was it. I had more questions than answers. You did all these things, now what. This is what you are did back then, what are you doing now? What have you learn from all the things you’ve done? I felt like this book had a lot of information but no point. But I could be wrong.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

T.J. English has written a really relatable book about the cocaine trade in the United States during the late 1970’s through the early 1990’s. The story centers around immigrant brothers from Cuban who get lured into the trade, initially as a way to help fight Cuba and Castro, and then continue as their ability to handle the smuggling proves easy and outrageously lucrative. When the money starts to really roll in, the lure of the life becomes to intoxicating to abandon. Their group, headed by Willy Falcon and called Los Mucachos are more like an extended family, working like a well-oiled corporation, even with built in retreats. The enterprise makes them all rich and their lust for the high life became too great an elixir to stop. Just think money, women, planes, games - a basic free-for-all that seemed to never end.

As the deals became bigger and their schemes became more audacious, they paid off more law enforcement and worked on brilliant strategies to hide the money, using Panama, the Caribbean, and even wall boards to stash all the cash. They created an international network and worked with other drug syndicates to increase the flow into the States. Willy Falcon was a powerful leader and played hard.

Clearly the life of crime doesn’t last forever. As family members got kidnapped and killed and law enforcement eventually figured it out, the good times came to an end. Fascinating read into a world I knew nothing about.

[Brian Shevory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to William Morrow Publishers and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of prolific writer T.J. English’s new book The Last Kilo: Willy Falcon and the Cocaine Empire that Seduced America. There are several books by English that are on my to be read shelf, so I feel grateful that I was able to read this new book. Furthermore, I had some familiarity with Willy Falcon���s story from the Netflix documentary Cocaine Cowboys. However, as English lets readers know in the beginning of the book, he wrote this book with Willy Falcon’s collaboration and did not rely on the testimony of people who collaborated with the government as witnesses, in the ways that the Netflix documentary was created. This provides a unique perspective that may have some bias in the details. Nevertheless, English’s writing, detailed research, and ability to capture the scene of late 70s and 1980s Miami, specifically the Little Havana area, helps to add to the intrigue and action of Willy Falcon’s story (as well as his partner Sal Magluta and the other members of their gang, Los Muchachos). Just like other true crime and non-fiction books, English helps to contextualize the history and social scene of cocaine use in America in the 70s and 80s. He provides a quick history, and then pivots to explore how many Cubans ended up in Miami in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. I actually didn’t know about the Mariel Boatlift, a time when Cuba and America entered into an agreement to allow refugees to flee Cuba. As English explains, Castro was playing a game with the US, and released inmates and other criminals from Cuba’s prisons, sending them to the US. I wondered if this is possibly the source of some current anxieties over refugees from other Latin American countries. Although Willy and Sal arrived much earlier, their experiences fleeing Castro’s Cuba helps to shed light on the kinds of threats and violence they experienced as young children with their families. Furthermore, it makes their story of American success, using the front of several businesses to become possibly the largest cocaine smugglers in the US, more incredible. I was also amazed to learn that Los Muchachos got their start smuggling cocaine as part of the anti-Castro groups that emerged after the Bay of Pigs failures in the 1960s. That is, it sounded like Willy and Sal took on an existing role of drugs for weapons that predated the Iran-Contra affairs by at least a decade, and may have been going on for some time. In fact, I found Willy and Sal’s story of success incredible considering that neither of them graduated high school, yet they became successful business men and popular within their communities. I think their story also kind of sheds light on how some minority groups and immigrants don’t have the same kinds of advantages and opportunities that other citizens might have. Most don’t turn to illegal activities, but Willy and Sal saw this as their main opportunity to make money and continue to fight to liberate Cuba from communism. Their efforts and experiences raise some important questions about the nature of battling communism. While I don’t agree that bringing drugs into America and feeding addicts is the right way to battle dictatorships and ideologies we disagree with, I can see how their decisions to deal drugs were largely motivated by their patriotism and efforts to return Cuba to its pre-revolution days. English is persistent in showing readers that Willy and Sal regularly donated money to the cause whenever they were asked. I was actually surprised that they could still find the funds to support the liberation efforts even when they were being detained and had limited access to their funds. I also loved reading about some of the other traffickers that have shown up in other Netflix series, especially the Narcos series. I didn’t realize that Willy and Sal were that close with Escobar and some of the Sinaloa Cartel. It seemed kind of incredible to see how Los Muchachos had to navigate the relationships between different distributors of cocaine in Columbia, working with different cartels and trying to import the goods to America. It also showed how ingenious they were in subverting the DEA’s means of halting smuggling.
The Last Kilo is an exciting and fun read. Although the days of crime were action filled and entertaining, the last sections when Los Muchachos begins to fall apart was also compelling to read. English shifts from a crime story to more of a legal tale, exploring the various indictments against Willy, Sal, and many of their compatriots in Los Muchachos. It was amazing to read about the long stint that Willy and Sal spent in prison despite not being convicted of a crime. Furthermore, it was incredible to see the ways they were able to maneuver around the charges, and eventually find a plea deal to reduce their time in prison. Although English had access to Willy’s accounts, I felt like sometimes this book may have overlooked some of the crimes or the cost of addiction. Other books focusing on drug crimes often give the perspective of the victims of drugs—especially the addicts, and there’s not much about the cost of addiction in 80s. One of the pilots that Willy and Sal worked with did become addicted to a early form of crack, and Willy learns about the cost of crack, but he also seems somewhat indifferent to it, like his smuggling was not really resulting in all of the crack addiction, crime, and punishment that was a result of the failed war on drugs. If anything, Willy seems kind of oblivious to his role in furthering this dark period of American society that we are still dealing with. The book always seemed to go back to the idea of fighting for Cuba’s independence and using drugs as a means to subvert Castro’s Cuba, despite not really seeing where the money or weapons went.
I really enjoyed reading English’s book, and I look forward to reading some of his other true crime books. Although I haven’t read too many books about drug smuggling empires, I think that this one ranks with Mark Bowden’s Killing Pablo, one of my favorite and one of the more exciting books I’ve read. The one aspect of The Last Kilo that I felt could be better is the dialogue in the book. Some of the dialogue seemed a little stilted and didn’t quite have the sound that major drug smugglers might sound like—or maybe my ideas about their discussions may be more influenced by popular media like television shows and movies. Specifically, whenever Willy and Sal would talk to other dealers, it seemed like they were always kind of understanding. English also mentioned that they didn’t really engage in violence and often were forgiving of mistakes and issues. However, he does raise questions about the deaths of witnesses that occur while Willy and Sal are awaiting trial. English never directly implicates Willy and Sal, but it seems like they may have had a hand in some of these deaths. Regardless, this was a really fascinating story that covers a range of issues from crime and drugs, to immigration and American opportunities, as well as foreign policy and covert missions to combat communism. A really entertaining and compelling read.

[J.J. Valdés · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mr. English has made a cottage industry of painting exiled Cubans and those in pre-Castro Cuba as corrupt, drug-dealing scum. In “Havana Nocturne” the city is portrayed as a Sodom controlled by the American mafia through always degenerately amoral Cuban politicians. “The Corporation” is the story of the heinous Godfather of the Cuban mafia in the States. Now, in “The Last Kilo,” Mr. English continues to promote the contemptible image of Cuban exiles that movies and shows like “Scarface” and “Miami Vice” so deeply ingrained in the American psyche.

No doubt, a deal will be made to bring this book to the screen because while Blaxploitation rightfully ended long ago, Latinxploitation remains the rage in Hollywood circles.

[RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN · Rating 5 out of 5]

RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “I AM LIKE ANY OTHER MAN… ALL I DO IS SUPPLY A DEMAND.”
AL CAPONE
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***MAYBE IN THE MOVIES… LIKE SCARFACE… IT WAS VIOLENCE… BUT WITH… LOS MUCHACHOS… ***IT-WAS-CORRUPTION***… “DIRTY COPS, AGENTS, LAWYERS, JUDGES, AND POLITICIANS… MADE THE DRUG WORLD GO ROUND”
*** AND CROOKED JURIES!!! ***
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This book is the story of perhaps the largest cocaine importer and distributor of cocaine in the history of the United States of America… LOS MUCHACHOS. From the late 1970’s to the early 1990’s… the Miami based syndicate made up of mostly Cuban expatriates… led by Willy Falcon and Sal Magluta. They imported and sold BILLIONS UPON BILLIONS (YES THAT’S A “B”) OF DOLLARS… AND OVER SEVEN-HUNDRED- TONS OF COCAINE!

The author of this book is T.J. English. This is the third book I’ve read by this author… and his heretofore appreciated M.O of literary skills… go to an even higher… previously… thought… unattainable level… of accomplishment. A potential reader… in preparation for reading this book… should remove any… even microscopic thoughts… that have been created… based on the shortcomings of research… education… wonderment of literary writing skills… in other authors… T.J. is endowed… with what only a very… cherished few can only dream about possessing. If you’re smart enough… or lucky enough to read this book… you will not be shortchanged… in trying to figure out… how the author came to a stated conclusion. T.J. provides… chapter… verse… sentence… word… and whimsy. Put behind you… all your reading experiences… that left you mad… disappointed… and questioning as to… “how the hell”…did the author come to these conclusions… and beliefs.

What you “WILL” find yourself contemplating… is holy HELL… how many years… how much investigation… how much detective work… how many interviews… how many domino- effect connections did he have to track down. Prisoners… lawyers (above and “below” the law)… widows… parents… children… grandchildren… agents… how many countries did this relentless onslaught of determination take him to??

Additionally… I want to personally thank… and compliment the author and publisher… for writing a book… that unlike literally seventy-five percent of the hundreds upon hundreds upon hundreds of books I’ve read in the last two decades (This is number 739 I’ve posted on this site.)… that absolutely rip off customers with phony larger page counts that are more blank spaces than words. One book after another… uses larger type to eat up pages… they add not just blank lines between paragraphs… they insert blank “Grand Canyons”… every chapter is separated with two-to-three blank pages. It’s a farce… that other author’s/publishers must believe potential readers/customers… are too dumb to see… well we do!

This book has smaller print… there’s barely a line between paragraphs… there is not two to three blank pages… between every chapter. There are four-hundred-fifty-six action packed… educational… non-stop… mesmerizing storytelling. I would say that the 456 pages I just described is easily equal to 556 plus pages in one of the aforementioned books. Additionally there are another 40 pages of notes… SOURCES… and indexes beyond that…

TALKING ABOUT SOURCES: I have never pointed out the SOURCES PAGE in one of my reviews before… but I would feel unfulfilled if I didn’t in this case. If you take my advice and make a commitment to invest the time to read this book… (I repeat… this is a real educational… as well as entertaining book… that is overflowing with detail!)… if you’re like me… periodically during the reading process… you’re going to shake your head… and say to yourself… “my L-rd… how did he ever research all this informative detail??? On top of the researching the facts… pity the poor proof readers… and compliment them also as to how clean the final product is… then there are four pages of sources… and I can only describe the impact… as being like after you watch a great movie… the screen goes blank… and then in black and white the screen scrolls up some mesmerizing true facts. That is what the few source pages are like.

PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION: Do not cheat… and look at the sources before you finish the book… you will be truly cheating yourself from an intellectual-emotional burst… that you worked long and hard for… by reading this classic book!

The whole cocaine organization starts… just like in the movies… based on the American Cuban people wanting to kill Castro… the CIA approaches a selected few in the neighborhood… and they start running guns… then cocaine… then the territory and countries increase… money becomes gargantuan… homes are bought… fleets of cars… buildings built… malls… ranches… livestock… jets… boats… women… children…

Wait… are you afraid the author is glamorizing gangsters???

No! he’s telling the full… detailed true story… along with the riches… the downfall… of almost every person involved… winds up spending years… decades… over a third of their life in almost inhuman prisons. As I’ve said throughout my review… when you sign on to read this book… you’re making a commitment… as you would to get a diploma and graduate from a school. It’s very important that I clarify… my simple use of the word “entertain”… the entertainment to me… is the joy of learning something… to be educated is entertainment on its own!

[Konrad Iturbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling inside look at how the Cuban anti Castro militants accidentally set up the biggest cocaine smuggling operation in the US. The world's obsession with narco culture always focuses on the Mexican/Colombian cartels who sow violence in the streets, who control the growing of product, conduct business using unorthodox methods and protect a life of glamour and riches. But it's not often shown how the drugs get smuggled up towards the northern hemisphere, and how equally wild that enterprise is.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advance copy of this look at one of the largest drug trafficking groups in history, set in pastel scenery of Miami during one of the wildest times in American history.

There have been a few eras in America that some would consider happy, golden times to be a bad guy. Prohibition era Chicago, listening to hot jazz and sipping bootleg hooch. Havana in the 50's when the mob controlled the government, the gambling, and everything else. The 60 and 70s in gritty New York with Asian gangs rising, the Irish gangs shooting, and the others hanging one to what they had. However the craziest, the most violent, the most fortune making and most corrupt time was probably Florida in the early 80's when cocaine was king. The rich wanted it, the cops looked the other way, and boats, planes, and anything that could get to Florida was loaded with it. One thing all this different crimes eras have in common is that T. J. English has written very good books about them. And this one is no exception. The Last Kilo: Willy Falcon and the Cocaine Empire That Seduced America looks at one of the largest group of drug traffickers, their lows, their highs and the high they brought to America.

The book starts with an interesting forward discussing how many true crime books are written. The sources are usually the authorities, which means that their story is probably not as truthful or real, as the cops, the federal authorities and prosecutors have their own version of the truth. On the other hand many of the people who have turned state's evidence are not to be trusted either as they can't admit to certain things, and also have a story to keep to. English discusses this, and makes for very interesting reading, and how he creates his books. From there we are dropped right into the story of Willy Falcon, who is facing a little bit of karma for his criminal enterprises. Willy Falcon was the son of Cuban exiles who had to flee Cuba because of Castro. As Falcon grew older, he joined an anti-Castro groups to fight for Cuba's freedom, and to support other anti-communist forces. Soon he was involved with selling cocaine to raise money for weapons for Contras. Falcon soon had a diverse group of friends and contacts, from drug smugglers, to arms merchants and even more government officials. All willing to look the other way for the right price. Falcon and his fellow traffickers called themselves Los Muchachos, and were soon at the forefront of the very dangerous and very deadly drug trade. However being successful comes with a price, and a target that many are willing to take a crack at.

T. J. English is so very good at writing about bad people. English not only can write he can research and even better is a great listener. English gets the stories that criminals don't want to share, nor that authorities ever want made to the people they supposedly serve. There are few decent people in this book. The amount of people willing to look away for a few dollars is staggering. English covers it all from the shores of Cuba, to speedboat races, kidnappings and more. English adds some thrills to the story but really gets to the fact that while being a drug trafficker might be exciting, weekends in gambling towns, big parties, there is a lot of risk and even more the penalties can be quite confining or deadly. A very exciting and riveting read.

I have enjoyed many of English's books on the underworld, and can't recommend this one enough. This would be a good jumping on point for new readers. For those who wish Miami Vice was a a documentary, and for a look at a vanished era when Florida was probably less corrupt than it is today, this is the perfect book.

[Bookreporter.com Biography & Memoir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willy Falcon and Sal Magluta were considered just another pair of “Cocaine Cowboys” in an area of rampant lawlessness. The longtime friends lived in South Florida and oversaw a narcotics enterprise that imported cocaine from Colombia and Mexico and lavished the addictive powder across parts of the East and West Coasts of the United States. The exact amount that their organization, Los Muchachos, imported has been speculated on over time, but the weight may have been as much as 7.5 tons. Falcon and Magluta’s presence on the drug scene may not have occurred were it not for the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro.

The overthrow of the Cuban government at the beginning of 1959 had long-term ramifications for the people of Cuba. The promise of the Castro government soon succumbed to worry as the actions of Castro and his minions became more repressive. The families of Falcon and Magluta no longer felt safe and fled to the friendlier confines of Miami, where a large exile community had taken up residence since Castro’s ascension. Falcon’s entry into the drug trade began after an introduction to an exile legend and CIA asset, Rafael “Chi Chi” Quintero. Initially, Falcon and a friend were aiding the movement to retake Cuba with their first cocaine deal. However, the lucrative possibilities were too good to ignore, and Falcon and his associates became distributors.

Whereas many of the actors in the drug trade were engaged in violent territorial battles, Los Muchachos usually remained removed from the bloodshed. They preferred to cut ties with troublesome associates rather than have them permanently neutralized. They played both sides in obtaining cocaine from the Medellin and Cali cartels in Colombia. Falcon, Magluta and their underlings staved off lengthy incarceration with high-priced legal representation from lawyers well-versed in drug trials.

Despite initial success in their illicit dealings, law enforcement’s scrutiny of Los Muchachos arrived early in a sting that rounded up Falcon and Magluta. Their operations were often shielded by corrupt lawmen, but most cops and prosecutors were straight shooters and desired their arrest and prosecution. The salad days of the organization were in the 1980s when a costly bust could be balanced out by the next day's successful shipment. The turbulence would arrive as former associates were detained and began cooperating. The drama wouldn’t end with a high-profile arrest but served as a mere prelude for what the trial would offer.

THE LAST KILO further demonstrates T.J. English’s mastery in the subject of true crime. English animatedly relates the rise and fall of a criminal empire while not sparing the exhaustive details. He elucidates the complex inner workings of a criminal organization through exemplary research and interviews. He doesn’t make excuses for Falcon and Magluta’s criminal exploits, but he also gives them a dose of humanity that is often removed from the mainstream media and law enforcement portrayals.

Willy Falcon is the dominant presence in this engrossing saga, the charismatic head of an operation that employed family and friends, and supplied a growing demand for a country’s destructive addiction. T.J. English has written another home run of a book in his illustrious career.

Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro

[J Kromrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

T. J. English, a master of true crime storytelling, delivers a riveting account of the cocaine-fueled underworld of 1980s Miami in “The Last Kilo: Willy Falcon and the Cocaine Empire That Seduced America.” This book plunges readers into the glitzy yet perilous world of Los Muchachos, one of the most successful cocaine trafficking organizations in history.

At the heart of this saga is Willy Falcon, a Cuban exile who rose from humble beginnings to become a kingpin in the drug trade. English meticulously chronicles Falcon’s journey, from his early days in the anti-Castro movement to his reign over a multi-billion-dollar cocaine empire.

English’s writing is both gripping and insightful, providing a detailed look at the mechanics of the drug trade and the socio-political landscape that allowed it to flourish.

The book excels in its vivid depiction of the characters and their environment. English brings to life the vibrant, chaotic streets of Miami, the opulent lifestyles of the drug lords, and the relentless pursuit by law enforcement.

One of the standout aspects of “The Last Kilo” is its exploration of the broader impact of the cocaine trade. English delves into how the influx of drugs and money transformed Miami, influencing everything from politics to popular culture.

For audiobook enthusiasts, the narration of “The Last Kilo” enhances the experience, with the narrator’s delivery capturing the intensity and drama of the story. The audiobook format brings an additional dimension to English’s already compelling prose.

“The Last Kilo” is a masterfully crafted true crime narrative that offers a deep dive into one of the most fascinating and turbulent periods in American history. T. J. English’s meticulous research and storytelling prowess make this book a must-read for fans of the genre and anyone interested in the dark underbelly of the American Dream.

[Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coolest cover ever!

"If you can't accept the pressure and handle the consequences of doing time, then it's best for you to find another profession. Maybe a car salesman, or work in an office, or do anything you want that's not illegal." That's the code that Willy and Sal lived by and hoped that the other members of Los Muchachos abided by ... don't be a rat when you get caught.

This was such an exhilarating, gripping book about the massive influx of cocaine into the United States and how Los Muchachos were able to expand their empire through clever transportation means. I've read some reviews that question the veracity of Falcon's version of events, especially the lack of violence committed by the organization. I think that's a fair view to take because the idea of the stereotypical, violent drug dealer has become so ingrained in our society (think Omar from The Wire). But I'm going to believe Falcon's version of events and here's why: they were not on the street corners engaging in minor turf wars. Los Muchachos were bringing in thousands of kilos per month and distributing them to "independent contactors" to sell to their customer base. These guys weren't out there cutting up the cocaine to stretch it and then selling dime bags - they were selling kilos, taking their millions, and bringing in more product. I found it amusing that Willy was disgusted when he learned about crack cocaine because it cheapened the purity of their product. It's like taking a fancy bottle of whisky meant for sipping straight and then mixing it to dilute the taste.

This book also does a great job of pointing out the government's complicity in introducing cocaine to its citizens in order to raise money to fund anti-Communist forces. Kind of hypocritical for the government to institute a War on Drugs when they are the ones who fostered the industry.

[Gareth Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had not read any books by T.J. English and my knowledge of the narco trade in the US was limited to Miami Vice. So I didn’t know what to expect when I opened this book.

The story itself is fascinating, told in great detail by the author. It’s an incredible tale of how a group of streetwise guys almost overnight turn into major players in the drug business. I got the impression that they didn’t set out with the goal to grow this massive business into the cash cow it became, but that they seemed to get dragged along by the momentum as the supply of cocaine from Colombia grew so rapidly. Maybe I am selling “Los Muchachos” short as they are clearly brilliant businessmen.

What I did find interesting, sad, but understandable is that there is no regret expressed as to their actions. It’s common knowledge of the pain and havoc that the cocaine/crack era inflicted on many thousands of people, but perhaps these kingpins were so far removed from the victims that it never even entered their minds. You could say that they are like an illegal version of the Sacklers and their OxyContin painkillers. I did perhaps wonder if the perpetrators of Alina Falcon’s unrelated murder had been led astray by narcotics before or during their life of crime. Believers in karma may have some thoughts on that.

I was dubious of one part of the story. The author certainly seems to pin the brutal murders of several people who stood to harm the brothers with their testimony onto the Cali Cartel. I find this convenient. Given how deep they were embedded in this criminal activity and with their freedom at stake, I doubt they would have blinked an eye over silencing opponents given their “whatever it takes” attitude to avoiding conviction.

As for the author, what a great story teller. I shall certainly read more of his work.

[John Riselvato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Earlier in the year I finally watched Narcos on Netflix. Then a month ago I picked up the Che Guevara biography trying to learn more about Cuba. I had never heard of Willy Falcon but the intersection of drug kingpins and Cuba was exactly the natural next book for me to read. There are enough reoccurring characters from Narcos in this book that it made the connection to the American side of drug trafficking a great rabbit hole to dig into.

When I finally put the book down I sat there and thought about how quick life really is. They spent more time in jail than they did running the trade business. They lived during a period that will never exist again and they are part of American history for better or worse that defined generations of tv, books and video games.

None of their "success" could have been possible without friends, family and the strong Cuban community. Which I would say is a redeeming quality of their lives, it shows how important it is to have family and friends in order to thrive in society; Something the internet age allows us to forgo. I appreciate that the author purposely only interviewed and told stories from those who stood strong and didn't snitch once all the cards fell.

If you enjoyed Narcos, wanted to know more about Pablo Escobar and the Cali Cartel's dealings in the USA as well as the politics of Cuban exiles in America during the Fidel administration this book covers a lot of history missed on other mediums and I highly recommend this book.

I want to thank NetGalley and William Morrow the ARC copy and the chance to read this book.

[Hijabi_booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

T.J. English has written a very accessible book about the cocaine trade in the United States between the late 1970s and the early 1990s. The plot revolves around two Cuban immigrant brothers who are drawn into the trade, first to help oppose Cuba and Castro, and then because their ability to handle the smuggling turns out to be simple and extremely profitable. When the money starts to flow in, the allure of the life becomes too strong to resist. Their organization, directed by Willy Falcon and known as Los Mucachos, is more like an extended family, operating like a well-oiled enterprise, complete with built-in retreats. The enterprise made them all affluent, and their love for the high life became too powerful an elixir to halt. Consider money, women, flights, and games: a simple free-for-all that seemingly never concludes. As the deals grew greater and their methods became more brazen, they paid off more law enforcement and devised creative strategies to hide the money, stashing it in Panama, the Caribbean, and even wallboards. They established a worldwide network and collaborated with other drug syndicates to boost the flow into the United States. Willy Falcon was a strong leader who enjoyed playing hard. It is clear that a life of crime does not last forever. The happy times ended when family members were kidnapped and killed, and law enforcement eventually found it out. Fascinating read on a world I was unfamiliar with.

[Dan Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another in a plethora of books defining the pathetic mess we are as a country and society. While not news, the picture of Americans buying billions of dollars worth of cocaine, thus enabling arms shipments, subversion of governments, and destruction of innumerable families, among many other sadnesses as well as strengthening the idiocy of our governmental sanctimony. "War On Drugs" indeed: the action of so-called Conservatives engineering the basest denial of individual freedom we have had since Prohibition.

As for the story and its telling, both are powerful. I have no doubt some of the few who read this will while that r. English does not condemn Willy Falcon and Associates. He does jot; he lets the reader make those judgments. Neither does he deride the judges, prison officials, Justice Department flunkeys, and other government agencies for intrinsic and implicit cruelty and self-righteousness. Nor does he point out the bureaucratic foolishness entailed in not being able to catch a large bunch of smugglers even with billions of dollars of tax money spent on"The War".

Altogether an outrageous story, well told, with hilarious moments, detailed portraits of the players, and emphasis on the humanity of the miscreants. We are already well versed in the brutality and viciousness inherent in the entertainment value of narco-terrorism.

Recommended.

[Andrew Tollemache · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cocaine smuggling empire that Willy Falcon built with his high school friend Sal Maghlutta has been the focus of any num ber of podcasts and Netflix specials, but TJ English was lucky enough to write this account of their success and eventual downfall with the full help and guidance of Willy Falcon himself. Falcon now lives in an undisclosed Latin American nation since when he completed his 20 year sentence he got deported since he was not a US citizen.
This is a really strong accounting by English, who brings his decades long experience writing about the underworld to the tale. There are the usual tropes of a narco-memoir, but there are also a ton of details about the minute operating practices of how they did it all.

One question remains, does Falcon have access to the 100s of millions of USD he deposited in Latin American banks in those days. He was able to clandestinely pay his lawyers over $25M for his legal defence in the 1990s and the fate of the rest of his money is suspiciously not mentioned.

[Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Kilo by T.J. English gets a rating of 5. It is a masterpiece of non-fiction about the Cocaine Cowboys and their incredible world they were involved in.

I recommend this book for those who have watched and been interested in the documentaries on El Chapo, Pablo Escobar and other drug lords. Readers of Don Winslows' Triliogy (Power of the Dog, The Cartel and The Border) will enjoy The Last Kilo.

This book brings the story of drugs home to the US, the consumer, whereas the primary focus of the past stories mentioned were activities in Colombia and Mexico.

I would be remiss to not mention that this story great influenced the movie Scarface and stories behind Miami Vice .

Aspects of the book that I did not anticipate, but enjoyed reading about, were the stories of Cuban immigrants and life in Miami, the Anti-Castro movement, General Noriega, Panama and The US 'War on Drugs'.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

T. J. English delivers yet another well researched book. This one is even better than his last, Dangerous Rhythms. Here we meet Willy Falcon and Salvador Magluta of the infamous “Los Muchachos”.
Willy and his gang started it when they came from Cuba as exiles of Fidel Castro. The men had no fear and were looking for a way to finance the distribution of weapons for the overthrow of Castro. What better way than to import and distribute cocaine? However they had no plans to do it in small batches, they planned on building a cocaine empire and that is exactly what they did.
They led an intoxicating lifestyle and the book introduces to others in that circle such as Pablo Escobar. Totally enthralling it proves that truth is stranger than fiction.
I would like to thank William Morrow and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. This opinions are my own.