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Diamond Park
A fast-paced YA novel about four Mexican American teenagers from Houston, a '59 Chevy Impala, and a murder that changes their lives forever.
Flaco isn’t the kind of kid who gets in trouble. He doesn’t want to give his mom or his aunt Ana Flor any grief—they’ve had enough since his cousin Carlos died serving in Afghanistan. But he finds a whole lot more trouble than he bargained for when he and his friends Tiny, Magaña, and Susi ride the bus from their Houston neighborhood to Diamond Park to buy a used car. And not just any car—a 1959 Impala convertible, a dream car. The transaction gets complicated fast, and Susi ends up with a knife in her hands, covered in blood. When Tiny has to disappear to avoid ICE, Flaco and Magaña head south in the Impala to set things right. In a wildly impetuous move, the two boys cross into Mexico hunting for a trafficker named Anaconda, the man they believe is the real killer, to clear Susi’s name. In a breathtaking, seat-of-your-pants adventure they manage to kidnap him but in the process they discover how little they ever actually understood about what really happened in Diamond Park.
Flaco isn’t the kind of kid who gets in trouble. He doesn’t want to give his mom or his aunt Ana Flor any grief—they’ve had enough since his cousin Carlos died serving in Afghanistan. But he finds a whole lot more trouble than he bargained for when he and his friends Tiny, Magaña, and Susi ride the bus from their Houston neighborhood to Diamond Park to buy a used car. And not just any car—a 1959 Impala convertible, a dream car. The transaction gets complicated fast, and Susi ends up with a knife in her hands, covered in blood. When Tiny has to disappear to avoid ICE, Flaco and Magaña head south in the Impala to set things right. In a wildly impetuous move, the two boys cross into Mexico hunting for a trafficker named Anaconda, the man they believe is the real killer, to clear Susi’s name. In a breathtaking, seat-of-your-pants adventure they manage to kidnap him but in the process they discover how little they ever actually understood about what really happened in Diamond Park.
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First published March 8, 2022
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About the author
Phillippe Diederich
12 books32 followersPhillippe Diederich is the author of the Young Adult novel "Playing for the Devil's Fire," Cinco Puntos Press, 2016, and "Sofrito," Cinco Puntos Press, 2015. He is also experimenting with the serial thriller "Cutlass Supreme" which is available for Kindle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 29, 2022
High school senior Flaco and Tiny decide to skip school one day to accompany their friend Magaña to pick up a car: a 1950s Impala. Susi, the youngest of a very strict family and someone Flaco has a crush on, decides to join them the day of the retrieval.
After arriving in Diamond Park, the boys head off to get the car where it’s stored, leaving Susi alone with two older men. By the time the boys return, something terrible has occurred, with police and an ambulance at the scene, and Susi covered in blood. Flaco and Tiny are freaked out (Tiny particularly so as he and his family are in the US illegally), and the soon Flaco and Magaña decide to find out what really happened, and return to Diamond Park, and eventually cross the border after answers, encountering numerous difficulties, but amazingly, getting what they need.
Terrific characters and dialogue grace this tautly written novel. Flaco is a wonderfully portrayed, an artistic guy who cares a lot about his friends and mother, is still dealing with the devastating loss of his brother, and is beginning to experience his first real attraction to someone else.
He and Magaña make an interesting pair as they travel together in Magaña‘s beloved Impala. What’s really great is watching the boys, particularly Magaña, begin to figure out what’s important to them, and who they might want to be as they get older.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Penguin Young Readers Group for this ARC in exchange for my review.
After arriving in Diamond Park, the boys head off to get the car where it’s stored, leaving Susi alone with two older men. By the time the boys return, something terrible has occurred, with police and an ambulance at the scene, and Susi covered in blood. Flaco and Tiny are freaked out (Tiny particularly so as he and his family are in the US illegally), and the soon Flaco and Magaña decide to find out what really happened, and return to Diamond Park, and eventually cross the border after answers, encountering numerous difficulties, but amazingly, getting what they need.
Terrific characters and dialogue grace this tautly written novel. Flaco is a wonderfully portrayed, an artistic guy who cares a lot about his friends and mother, is still dealing with the devastating loss of his brother, and is beginning to experience his first real attraction to someone else.
He and Magaña make an interesting pair as they travel together in Magaña‘s beloved Impala. What’s really great is watching the boys, particularly Magaña, begin to figure out what’s important to them, and who they might want to be as they get older.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Penguin Young Readers Group for this ARC in exchange for my review.
March 11, 2023
We love a friendship story and a "oops you're in a murder mystery" wrapped into one. Perfectly paced with the perfect amount of suspense and believability.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
April 14, 2024
2.5* yawn
March 9, 2022
The tagline for this one sold me: “A fast-paced YA novel about four Mexican-American teenagers from Houston, a '59 Chevy Impala, and a murder that changes their lives forever.” Give me a murder mystery, Mexican culture and teenage drama any day. Plus add incredible friendships and extreme loyalty and this book was a winner.
What starts as 4 friends going to Diamond Park to get a car ends in a murder. Of those friends, Susi gets arrested, Tiny’s family goes on the run because they don’t have papers, leaving Flaco and Magaña to deal with the aftermath. Determined to catch the real killer and clear Susi’s name, the two boys head to Mexico. However, they don’t actually know the full story of what happened in Diamond Park.
These characters were so complex and had deep layers that we kept discovering. They were a bit rough around the edges but at their core had hearts of gold and would do anything for those they love. This book was engaging snd suspenseful from start to finish, while also being heartwarming and a bit heartbreaking at times. I haven’t seen many people share this book yet, but it is one I hope many people pick up!
Thanks to Penguin Teen for the advanced copy!
May 3, 2022
I LOVED this book! It was so simple and so good.
Two Mexican-American teenagers venture across the border to track down a suspected murderer named Anaconda and clear their friend's name. But there's so much more to Diamond Park than that. The story explores male friendship, Mexican-American identity, life purpose, immigration, and criminal justice.
I didn't know a story could be so slow-paced, but also keep me at the edge of my seat. The Spanglish dialogue is tight and clipped, but packs a punch; almost like Sally Rooney style. The characters and their relationships with each other are so raw and real. With the protagonist Flaca, the author manages to capture an angsty teenager's inner life without sounding over-the-top or too philosophical (like a lot of YA books). I also learned to love Flaca's friend Magaña as he develops a sense of purpose throughout the story.
Overall, this was definitely my kind of book.
Two Mexican-American teenagers venture across the border to track down a suspected murderer named Anaconda and clear their friend's name. But there's so much more to Diamond Park than that. The story explores male friendship, Mexican-American identity, life purpose, immigration, and criminal justice.
I didn't know a story could be so slow-paced, but also keep me at the edge of my seat. The Spanglish dialogue is tight and clipped, but packs a punch; almost like Sally Rooney style. The characters and their relationships with each other are so raw and real. With the protagonist Flaca, the author manages to capture an angsty teenager's inner life without sounding over-the-top or too philosophical (like a lot of YA books). I also learned to love Flaca's friend Magaña as he develops a sense of purpose throughout the story.
Overall, this was definitely my kind of book.
April 19, 2023
I listened to 3 hours of this book on audio and just couldn't finish it b/c I felt that the characters made such ridiculous decisions - i.e. leaving a female friend with two unknown creepy men while all three boys leave in a car with another unknown person to purchase and (hopefully) return in an old car that they know probably doesn't run. Predictably disaster strikes while they are gone and they return hours later to one person dead and the girl covered in blood. Teenagers making poor decisions isn't too much of a shock but I couldn't understand the adults 1) allowing them to purchase and try to drive a car that obviously hadn't run in 30 years?! And 2) the police taking minors out of the derelict car for questioning, transporting them to the police station, and then just turning them loose on the street to a) find their own way back to the derelict car and b) make it back to their home hours away? None of it made sense to me. :/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2023
I am super thankful that I listened to this book (the downfall of taking six years of German instead of Spanish in MS/HS). The audiobook was great however, as intriguing a story it was, it was hard to get into. Yes, it was short and fast read about two teenage boys who decide to go after a murderer in order to save their friend they believe to be wrongly accused. What they find when they cross the border is a world they are not truly familiar with: one of danger, violence and more. They are super naive teens who believe they can be heroes. Flaco is blindly in love with Suzi, who is the girl he believes he can save; Magaña is the boaster, hiding behind his "machismo", probably to cover how scared he really is. A lot of the story rambles, a lot of it was unrealistic: I truly do not believe two teens would cross the border to seek out a murdering, thieving, human trafficker. Just didn't seem realistic. If you want a fast read, this is for you.
February 12, 2022
Maybe art will be the way out of poverty for talented senior Flaco, but he’s having trouble focusing on more than hanging with friends Tiny and Magaña, and trying to get the attention of cute neighbor Susi. Flaco stops to talk with Susi on his way to skip school with Tiny and Magaña so they can pick up a car Maguña is buying from his padrino in a rural area outside of Houston. Susi invites herself to come along and from that one decision, all their lives spiral out of control. The padrino is murdered, Susi is taken in by the police as part of the investigation, Tiny’s immigration status is threatened, and Flaco and Magaña set off for Mexico to track down the murder suspect. It’s a compelling mystery, and the complex characters, especially Susi and Flaco’s mother, are especially memorable. EARC from Edelweiss.
May 3, 2022
A trip to get their dream car turns into a murder mystery/thriller that takes these four teens into Mexico. I honestly went into this book not really knowing much about it, but the writing is strong and the story engaging. We get some strong character development in the main characters, as well as a glimpse into life for these teens living near the Mexican border.
Flaco and his friends are desperate to find any information that proves that their friend is innocent. The mystery is compelling, the pacing is pretty well done, and you'll enjoy the complexity of the main characters. My only complaint is that maybe there was a little too much going on, at times? But other than that, an entertaining read.
Flaco and his friends are desperate to find any information that proves that their friend is innocent. The mystery is compelling, the pacing is pretty well done, and you'll enjoy the complexity of the main characters. My only complaint is that maybe there was a little too much going on, at times? But other than that, an entertaining read.
October 9, 2023
Diamond Park follows the story of a high school senior named Flaco who comes from a struggling family living in Texas. One day, he, Flaco, Magana, and Susi skip school to pick up their dream car: an Impala convertible. However, what seemed to be an innocent road trip quickly turns dark as Susi gets caught up in the murder of Raymond Martinez. Diederich tackles several topics in this novel, including immigration, drug addiction, gang violence, racism, mental health, and poverty. The author's emphasis on these topics sheds light on real-life communities that are experiencing these kinds of struggles. I liked his incorporation of Spanish in the text being it was relatively easy to follow and added depth to the read.
Overall, it is a fantastic book if you are looking for something quick to read. Although the start was slow, the captivating story and complex characters make you want to discover more.
Overall, it is a fantastic book if you are looking for something quick to read. Although the start was slow, the captivating story and complex characters make you want to discover more.
March 10, 2022
The synopsis of Diamond Park completely sold me right away! Described as "a fast-paced YA novel about four Mexican-American teenaged from Houston, a '59 Chevy Impala, and murder that changes their lives forever." Honestly, how can you read this and NOT be hooked right away?!
The characters were so complex and had a lot going for them, it felt like they were genuinely new people we were meeting and getting to know throughout the whole story. The characters felt real and had hearts of gold. The book is suspenseful and kept you turning pages and guessing from start to finish. This book definitely deserves more love.
The characters were so complex and had a lot going for them, it felt like they were genuinely new people we were meeting and getting to know throughout the whole story. The characters felt real and had hearts of gold. The book is suspenseful and kept you turning pages and guessing from start to finish. This book definitely deserves more love.
March 22, 2022
Diamond Park touches on a number of complex topics such as drug addiction, mental health, immigration and poverty, all through the lens of adolescence as a group of Mexican-American teenagers embark on an adventure that starts off as a trip to buy their dream car, but somehow turns into a murder and a border crossing to save their friend. Flaco, Tiny, Magaña and Susi each stand as a reminder that regardless of if we check the same race or ethnicity box, go to the same school or live on the same street, we all have experiences and identities that are vastly different. This book is a wild ride that is still true to the struggle of finding your place in the world as a young person, as a parent, as a POC or as a first/second/third generation immigrant.
February 12, 2023
A short and exciting read about two teenage boys who go on a hero’s journey to save their friend, and get caught up in a world they don’t know the first thing about. Flaco and Magaña are both naïve teenagers in their own way - Flaco waxing poetic and learning about how others may experience hardships, and Magaña boasting his bravado to cover up how scared he may really be. The two venture over the Mexican border to try to find a murderous human trafficker, which they believe will absolve their friend Susi. The book is very good, if a bit wordy and rambling in some “monologues”, but a good read. Would recommend to a friend looking for a YA novel that isn’t about a romance.
October 12, 2021
This review is based on an ARC copy.
Wow, what a book. I devoured this story. I was captivated from the start and I wanted to know everything. I spent the book second-guessing my own instincts and falling for characters who needed their rough edges rounded out. I enjoyed how the author crafted this story to get at the heart of what it means to be children of immigrants and how their experiences are different than those of their predecessors. The heart of this book will keep anyone engaged till the end.
Wow, what a book. I devoured this story. I was captivated from the start and I wanted to know everything. I spent the book second-guessing my own instincts and falling for characters who needed their rough edges rounded out. I enjoyed how the author crafted this story to get at the heart of what it means to be children of immigrants and how their experiences are different than those of their predecessors. The heart of this book will keep anyone engaged till the end.
August 18, 2022
Oh there was so much going on in this. Like for real it was all over the place. And it didn't help that one of triggers was in this. But this was for work so I got through it. Idk if I'll be reviewing this. I will list what triggered me here:
SPOILER:
The book has several scenes with the main characters smoking weed.
The book also has a scene where there is a dead body found after they'd OD'ed.
SPOILER:
The book has several scenes with the main characters smoking weed.
The book also has a scene where there is a dead body found after they'd OD'ed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2021
I really enjoyed this title. It was a quick read, not boring, and a bit suspenseful. The 4 teenaged characters were well written and went through challenges that so many teenagers face. You could feel the anxiety they felt over certain situations and it made me wonder how many of my students feel the same way, I’ll definitely be ordering this title in the future.
Read
September 29, 2021I really enjoyed this title. It was a quick read, not boring, and a bit suspenseful. The 4 teenaged characters were well written and went through challenges that so many teenagers face. You could feel the anxiety they felt over certain situations and it made me wonder how many of my students feel the same way, I’ll definitely be ordering this title in the future.
July 7, 2022
This read just like a movie. Flaco and his friends are so genuine and real, just your average teens trying to find their place. This was pretty suspenseful and I wondered how many people were going to get hurt in their wake of essentially being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Ultimately, I am satisfied with how this ended. This will not be hard to find an audience.
October 22, 2022
I don’t remember the last time I held my breath for that long - I think it was when I saw TRAINING DAY in the theater when it came out. It wasn’t until I was able to exhale that I realized how connected I was to this plot and these characters.
February 17, 2023
Public library copy
A murder mystery that also has a 1959 Impala convertible? Yes, please. I enjoyed this one, especially the Houston setting, but the print was very small and the language was a little rough for middle school. I would definitely purchase this for a high school.
A murder mystery that also has a 1959 Impala convertible? Yes, please. I enjoyed this one, especially the Houston setting, but the print was very small and the language was a little rough for middle school. I would definitely purchase this for a high school.
March 13, 2023
This was a thrilling adventure/mystery. I don't know that the ending was really believable, and the casual drug/alcohol references didn't send the right message. I think some reluctant readers would really enjoy this one, but I'm not sure that it's the right fit for our building.
March 22, 2023
I was pleasantly surprised. Great story line of 4 tejano vato locos. Loved the multicultural experience with pocho Spanish thrown in. Nice read. Very Chicano. Great writing and characters. I can still see the Impala
January 17, 2024
The characters are interesting, and the glimpse into Mexican culture was a fun ride, but this book had so much potential for depth, and it just didn't get there. Wrapped the mystery up in such a nice, neat bow, I thought this book should have been shelved under fantasy.
March 14, 2022
Thank you to Penguin Teen for providing me with an e-ARC of Diamond Park in exchange for an honest review; I also listened to a complimentary audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio!
Diamond Park has a lot going on. Four Mexican-American teenagers head to Diamond Park in order to pick up a car, but what happens is completely unexpected for the teens: a murder happens & they end up in the middle of a whodunnit?
It becomes fast-paced after that & we are taken on a wild ride as the characters try to clear their friend's name. Characters are well-developed & feel very real.
Also, the audiobook narrator does a phenomenal job at bringing these characters even more to life!
Diamond Park has a lot going on. Four Mexican-American teenagers head to Diamond Park in order to pick up a car, but what happens is completely unexpected for the teens: a murder happens & they end up in the middle of a whodunnit?
It becomes fast-paced after that & we are taken on a wild ride as the characters try to clear their friend's name. Characters are well-developed & feel very real.
Also, the audiobook narrator does a phenomenal job at bringing these characters even more to life!
March 9, 2022
Really enjoyed the character development and overall story arch. Phillippe is a great author that creates relatable stories. Well written at a perfect pace.
Read
May 27, 2022DNF. So rare for me not to finish but there was too much swearing for me. The storyline sounded very interesting but I couldn’t ignore the swear words.
June 4, 2022
Incredible story. It does start slow, but once the story gets going it is excellent.
September 18, 2022
I think I liked playing for the devils fire a little bit better but a enjoyable solid read.
April 22, 2023
Stunning! The writing creates tableaus in between the suspenseful events and they could hang in the Louvre. I am hoping for a sequel.
January 21, 2024
Battle of Books read - a bit far fetched in the plot development
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews