What do you think?
Rate this book
Sonny Baca #1
Zia Summer
Struggling to follow in the footsteps of his legendary lawman grandfather, private eye Sonny Baca is investigating his cousin Gloria's murder. Gloria's body is found drained of blood, and on her stomach has been carved the Zia sun symbol, which makes Sonny suspect witchcraft. His search for the truth pits him in a conflict between the ways of his ancestors and those of the city.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1995
62 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Rudolfo Anaya
88 books474 followersRudolfo Anaya lives and breathes the landscape of the Southwest. It is a powerful force, full of magic and myth, integral to his writings. Anaya, however, is a native Hispanic fascinated by cultural crossings unique to the Southwest, a combination of oldSpain and New Spain, of Mexico with Mesoamerica and the anglicizing forces of the twentieth century. Rudolfo Anaya is widely acclaimed as the founder of modern Chicano literature. According to the New York Times, he is the most widely read author in Hispanic communities, and sales of his classic Bless Me, Ultima (1972) have surpassed 360,000, despite the fact that none of his books have been published originally by New York publishing houses. His works are standard texts in Chicano studies and literature courses around the world, and he has done more than perhaps any other single person to promote publication of books by Hispanic authors in this country. With the publication of his novel, Albuquerque (1992),Newsweek has proclaimed him a front-runner in "what is better called not the new multicultural writing, but the new American writing." His most recent volume, published in 1995, is Zia Summer.
"I've always used the technique of the cuento. I am an oral storyteller, but now I do it on the printed page. I think if we were very wise we would use that same tradition in video cassettes, in movies, and on radio."
from
http://www.unm.edu/~wrtgsw/anaya.html
and
http://www.gale.cengage.com/free_reso...
"I've always used the technique of the cuento. I am an oral storyteller, but now I do it on the printed page. I think if we were very wise we would use that same tradition in video cassettes, in movies, and on radio."
from
http://www.unm.edu/~wrtgsw/anaya.html
and
http://www.gale.cengage.com/free_reso...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
August 5, 2016
Sonny Baca is a private investigator in Alburquerque, specializing in divorce, insurance cases and missing persons. But when Gloria Dominic, wife of a prominent developer and mayoral candidate, is found murdered, her mother hires Sonny to find out who killed Gloria. The police chief seems intent on blaming it on a “bungled burglary,” but Sonny recognizes the sign of the sun at the murder scene and knows that the zia symbol frequently marks the work of brujas (evil witches).
This is a very atmospheric murder mystery, full of the magical realism that goes with ghost stories and folk tales. But the plot has a fair amount of very real and gritty violence, perpetrated by flesh-and-blood humans, not paranormal entities.
Anaya is best known for his poetic coming-of-age story, Bless Me, Ultima, and this is his first turn at gritty mystery writing. The poetry still comes through, however, especially in the ways he describes the landscape, and various characters’ relationship with the land. I particularly loved Don Eliseo and his cronies, and the ways they helped (or hindered) Sonny’s investigation.
I did think that Anaya went a little overboard with the brujas and mysticism, however. I felt that some of the scenes focusing on this aspect of the mystery actually detracted from the pace of the novel and the story arc.
Still, it’s a satisfying murder mystery, and I’d read more of the series.
This is a very atmospheric murder mystery, full of the magical realism that goes with ghost stories and folk tales. But the plot has a fair amount of very real and gritty violence, perpetrated by flesh-and-blood humans, not paranormal entities.
Anaya is best known for his poetic coming-of-age story, Bless Me, Ultima, and this is his first turn at gritty mystery writing. The poetry still comes through, however, especially in the ways he describes the landscape, and various characters’ relationship with the land. I particularly loved Don Eliseo and his cronies, and the ways they helped (or hindered) Sonny’s investigation.
I did think that Anaya went a little overboard with the brujas and mysticism, however. I felt that some of the scenes focusing on this aspect of the mystery actually detracted from the pace of the novel and the story arc.
Still, it’s a satisfying murder mystery, and I’d read more of the series.
October 16, 2010
I really, really wanted to like this book. Rudolofo Anaya is a highly revered author in New Mexico, so I was pleased to see that he had written a mystery series set there. And the story did contain some interesting insights into Albuquerque's history and culture. However, there was an awful lot of crap to wade through. Yes, religion and spirituality play in important role in the lives and histories of the ethnic peoples of New Mexico. But I can't stand the smug superiority with which authors seem inclined to imbue their ethnic characters.
There was also a lot of stupidity in the WIPP storyline. I have to cut the man a little slack on the details, seeing as how he was about five years ahead of reality. But putting a WIPP rig on a wooden bridge on a remote New Mexican back road? With no DOE agents in heavily armored escort vehicles? Really?? Oh, and don't get me started on the FBI angle. That was bad, lazy writing, pure and simple.
I do have to credit this book with expanding my Spanish vocabulary, though. And I must admit that I really liked Anaya's technique of integrating languages in dialogue so that there was no clear demarcation.
There was also a lot of stupidity in the WIPP storyline. I have to cut the man a little slack on the details, seeing as how he was about five years ahead of reality. But putting a WIPP rig on a wooden bridge on a remote New Mexican back road? With no DOE agents in heavily armored escort vehicles? Really?? Oh, and don't get me started on the FBI angle. That was bad, lazy writing, pure and simple.
I do have to credit this book with expanding my Spanish vocabulary, though. And I must admit that I really liked Anaya's technique of integrating languages in dialogue so that there was no clear demarcation.
September 11, 2018
This first in a mystery series features private investigator Sonny Baca, and is set in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sonny is on a mission to solve the murder of his first cousin, Gloria. Along the way, Sonny learns much about the mystical and spiritual beliefs of his ancestors, and infuses his decisions and perceptions with that learning and wisdom. Sonny's investigation takes him deeper and deeper into practices of witchcraft and especially with beliefs that surround the use of the symbol of the sun. Set during the time just before the beginning of summer , and with the climax coming on the day of the summer solstice, the sun symbol figures prominently in the story. In this land, the hot and dry days will now be tempered with the summer monsoon.
There are a number of supporting characters involved in the story, many of whom are entertaining and engaging. And the author does an excellent job as the story unfolds, with illustrating the blending of cultures in New Mexico, of the Spanish, Mexican, Native American, and mainstream American. Anaya adds to the understanding of why this is called The Land of Enchantment.
This book meets challenge #6 in the group A Book for All Seasons, to read a book that relates to the current equinox.
There are a number of supporting characters involved in the story, many of whom are entertaining and engaging. And the author does an excellent job as the story unfolds, with illustrating the blending of cultures in New Mexico, of the Spanish, Mexican, Native American, and mainstream American. Anaya adds to the understanding of why this is called The Land of Enchantment.
This book meets challenge #6 in the group A Book for All Seasons, to read a book that relates to the current equinox.
October 20, 2013
I have a habit of randomly picking up books from second hand book shops.This book was such a random choice.I haven't read any other books by Anaya or even heard of him.This one was not a satisfying read for me.
It's a simple murder mystery told in the least interesting way possible.The pace is slow,the twists are non existent and the characters are not interesting.I liked the setting of the story in the beginning.But Anaya tries to include too many anecdotes which weigh the story down.In the end the main plot is rather clumsily executed.I will not be recommending this book to anyone.I have a copy of 'Bless Me Ultima' lying around here.Chances are that I won't check that out anytime soon.....
It's a simple murder mystery told in the least interesting way possible.The pace is slow,the twists are non existent and the characters are not interesting.I liked the setting of the story in the beginning.But Anaya tries to include too many anecdotes which weigh the story down.In the end the main plot is rather clumsily executed.I will not be recommending this book to anyone.I have a copy of 'Bless Me Ultima' lying around here.Chances are that I won't check that out anytime soon.....
March 12, 2013
I am a big fan of Bless Me, Ultima. I'm a big reader of mysteries. It seems to me Anaya could have bent the PI genre a lot more in new directions than just a light once over of Mexican mysticism.
November 14, 2017
A mystery with many layers, the first of Anaya’s Sonny Baca novels is crime fiction and also literary fiction with mythical depths. At one level, it’s the story of a young private detective’s search for his cousin’s killer; at the other level, it’s the story of his spiritual development and reconnection with his traditional culture and his ancestors. The story also reflects on the ecological and ethical challenges facing New Mexico as some seek to develop it and others to preserve and protect it. The sacredness of earth, sun and water, and their spiritual place in human hearts, is as important as the question of who committed the crime, and even inseparable from it.
Sonny Baca, great grandson of the famous Elefgo Baca, is—like his bisabuelo—a flawed hero. Sonny is still maturing as a man and in his profession, learning from his mistakes, but at the same time he’s smart, perceptive, and courageous, and he thinks a lot about both the world around him and the struggles within him. For a reader used to the pace of most crime fiction, this occasional descent into deep wells of thought may feel digressive, but Sonny’s insights are part of the story. Most of the time, the pace is intense and the story flies along.
One way Anaya sustains the flow is that he never translates or explains the Spanish words and phrases his characters sprinkle throughout their conversation. This not only kept the pace and the authenticity, but taught me. I began to understand them as I read. (If you’re not a Spanish speaker, notice how you figured out bisabuelo already.)
Though they have full personalities, there’s an archetypal quality to the characters. Sonny’s neighbor don Eliseo is the Wise Old Man, human and believable, not idealized. His spirituality is both transcendent and earth-bound. Rita, Sonny’s girlfriend, comes close to seeming too perfect, a strong, loving, nurturing goddess, but she’s written as seen by a man in love with her. The villains of the story are the inversions of these benevolent archetypes, making them some of the most disturbing criminals I’ve come across in a mystery.
The writing is engaging, as one would expect from a literary master like Anaya. The first chapter, however, is the weakest, heavy with backstory. Don’t let the slow start deter you. After that, the story comes alive. While the crime is horrific, the fullness of Sonny’s life and circle of friends balance this element with humor, love, and mystical wisdom.
Sonny Baca, great grandson of the famous Elefgo Baca, is—like his bisabuelo—a flawed hero. Sonny is still maturing as a man and in his profession, learning from his mistakes, but at the same time he’s smart, perceptive, and courageous, and he thinks a lot about both the world around him and the struggles within him. For a reader used to the pace of most crime fiction, this occasional descent into deep wells of thought may feel digressive, but Sonny’s insights are part of the story. Most of the time, the pace is intense and the story flies along.
One way Anaya sustains the flow is that he never translates or explains the Spanish words and phrases his characters sprinkle throughout their conversation. This not only kept the pace and the authenticity, but taught me. I began to understand them as I read. (If you’re not a Spanish speaker, notice how you figured out bisabuelo already.)
Though they have full personalities, there’s an archetypal quality to the characters. Sonny’s neighbor don Eliseo is the Wise Old Man, human and believable, not idealized. His spirituality is both transcendent and earth-bound. Rita, Sonny’s girlfriend, comes close to seeming too perfect, a strong, loving, nurturing goddess, but she’s written as seen by a man in love with her. The villains of the story are the inversions of these benevolent archetypes, making them some of the most disturbing criminals I’ve come across in a mystery.
The writing is engaging, as one would expect from a literary master like Anaya. The first chapter, however, is the weakest, heavy with backstory. Don’t let the slow start deter you. After that, the story comes alive. While the crime is horrific, the fullness of Sonny’s life and circle of friends balance this element with humor, love, and mystical wisdom.
August 10, 2020
Perhaps it was better when first published. The description on my copy is accurate: it is a mystery novel. The mystery is subordinate to the philosophizing. The “philosophy” includes about half actual discussion of what is desirable in life and a huge amount of superstition. I wanted to find out more about Hispanic culture. I found out that family is very important, even to men perpetually on the hunt (or at least tell themselves they are), which I already knew; and a huge amount of swear words. This author at least seemed to use Spanish for the dirtier swear words that perhaps wouldn’t have been published if in English. Those words and family names, such as prima for female cousin, were in Spanish. I got all 4 titles in the series out but I’m not going to bother reading them. I suppose I should try his best known title someday. Hopefully it is better than this.
October 2, 2024
Felt like it was 500 pages in the worst way. Took forever to get to the plot points. Real satanic panicky. Just kind of boring and boringly melodramatic.
January 12, 2017
While the story line was okay - Private detective Sonny Baca is trying to solve the murder of his cousin with lots of bad guys with guns chasing him and several hilarious side characters providing relief. What I really enjoyed where the descriptions of the physical, the mountains, the arroyos, the sun and the rain. The infusion of culture and history about the people and the land were as much key points as Sonny. 3.5
March 25, 2009
Excellent reading and learning. I love the background information Anaya gives about New Mexico and its ancient peoples. The whole series is well done.
March 7, 2017
This is the first in a series of three mystery novels set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and featuring detective Sonny Baca.
In this one, he investigates the chilling cult-like murder of his beloved cousin, Gloria. The search encompasses a power-obsessed politician and his pawns, a group of militant environmentalists, the cult-like followers of a mysterious man and his four wives, and some similar murders and strange cow mutilations that may—or may not—be related.
Connecting everything is Zia, the sacred sun symbol seen everywhere in New Mexico and carved with a knife on Gloria's naval.
Anaya is a much-revered New Mexico author, whose book, BLESS ME ULTIMA, is considered a classic. His style combines elements of magical realism with the action-packed plot of a Sheriff Longmire book. It is threaded with native American and Hispanic cultural and spiritual language and images that make it rich and unique, especially if you've ever experienced the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico.
In this one, he investigates the chilling cult-like murder of his beloved cousin, Gloria. The search encompasses a power-obsessed politician and his pawns, a group of militant environmentalists, the cult-like followers of a mysterious man and his four wives, and some similar murders and strange cow mutilations that may—or may not—be related.
Connecting everything is Zia, the sacred sun symbol seen everywhere in New Mexico and carved with a knife on Gloria's naval.
Anaya is a much-revered New Mexico author, whose book, BLESS ME ULTIMA, is considered a classic. His style combines elements of magical realism with the action-packed plot of a Sheriff Longmire book. It is threaded with native American and Hispanic cultural and spiritual language and images that make it rich and unique, especially if you've ever experienced the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico.
January 12, 2022
The Sonny Baca is a bit like the Hillerman series or the Sean Duffy series - you can't remove the characters from their location without destroying them. Sonny Baca couldn't be a Private Investigator anywhere else and Albuquerque is as much a character in the story as he is.
Shortly after learning that his cousin has been murdered, Sonny learns that there was a cult involved, a cult that worships the Zia Sun (a symbol found everywhere in New Mexico, including on the state flag). He investigates her murder, and goes on an adventure through brujas and spirituality and philosophy. There are at least two plot running through the story, and multiple people had motive to see Gloria dead, including her husband, who has political aspirations that go far beyond Albuquerque.
I found the story to be very slow going, though my favorite parts were with his neighbor and the stories. I'm not a huge fan of Baca himself, but the novel was interesting.
Shortly after learning that his cousin has been murdered, Sonny learns that there was a cult involved, a cult that worships the Zia Sun (a symbol found everywhere in New Mexico, including on the state flag). He investigates her murder, and goes on an adventure through brujas and spirituality and philosophy. There are at least two plot running through the story, and multiple people had motive to see Gloria dead, including her husband, who has political aspirations that go far beyond Albuquerque.
I found the story to be very slow going, though my favorite parts were with his neighbor and the stories. I'm not a huge fan of Baca himself, but the novel was interesting.
September 23, 2025
I was wondering if it was my expectations that led me to score this so low (I'm teaching a course on mystery and detective fiction, and this is written about quite frequently in the literature, and I expected this to follow more traditional detective novel patterns), but I think that it scores two stars even with that element. It's much more of a suspense / thriller than a mystery story, but, even in that genre, it doesn't quite measure up to a three-star average.
To give you a context for this star-based rating, I'll tell you this:
If it's three stars, I might re-read it. If it's four, I will re-read it. A two-star review means I won't re-read it; one star means I regret spending the time reading it. And five stars means I'm going to try to get a lot of other people to read it.
Yes, this is a two-star book by that scale.
To give you a context for this star-based rating, I'll tell you this:
If it's three stars, I might re-read it. If it's four, I will re-read it. A two-star review means I won't re-read it; one star means I regret spending the time reading it. And five stars means I'm going to try to get a lot of other people to read it.
Yes, this is a two-star book by that scale.
June 3, 2019
I enjoyed Anaya’s book, Bless Me, Ultima, greatly. Recently I learned that he had written a series of mystery books set in New Mexico and I found them in my local library. Zia Summer is the first book in the series. Set many years after the events depicted in his famous book, this book continues the author’s love affair with the land, the people and the culture of New Mexico. Unfortunately the characters are rather weak. His protagonist, Sonny Baca, is supposed to be a thirty-year-old man, but he has the depth of feeling and maturity of a sixteen-year-old. His relationships with his family and the elders of his community are supposed to show us his potential for growth, but Sonny is a pretty simple man. I am not sure he is up to the challenges.
March 12, 2025
Rudolf Anaya was a teacher at my high school (though he was never my teacher), so everyone knew about him and his award-winning book “Bless Me Ultima”. When I saw this book for sale at Duran’s Pharmacy (which is mentioned in the book) I knew that this is the book for me. Of course, I was right. The mystery of the death of Sonny’s cousin Gloria is compelling, but the other characters are incredibly interesting. As an Albuquerque native, I appreciate the local references and the smattering of Spanish dropped in here and there. This is the first Rodolfo Anaya book I have read and it is a great start to engaging in this wonderful author’s creative writing process. I can’t wait to start my next journey with Rudlofo and Sonny.
August 14, 2022
The first of Anaya's Sonny Baca novels: a beating heart of Chicano fiction. Loosely narrated in first and third person, heavy with New Mexican Spanglish, gentle and warm in its characterizations. A pleasure to read. In this novel Albuquerque is a living character, and a connection with the past and the land is rich and detailed. A joy to read. I would have given it five stars but remained unpersuaded of the centrality of sun worship to the power of healing. History and aesthetics militate against it.
Recommend this wonderful novel wholeheartedly: only curmudgeons like myself will cavil.
Recommend this wonderful novel wholeheartedly: only curmudgeons like myself will cavil.
November 1, 2021
On the one hand, I truly enjoy Rudolfo Anaya's writing. You get a strong sense of place and Southwestern Hispanic culture. On the other hand, I detest cult narratives. They all seem the same, cartoonist characterizations, charismatic but strongly obsessed leader and zombie like followers, some kind of ritualistic crime involving a lot of blood. It's a well worn path. Anaya saves it some with his central characters but for me it's a plot line that needs a lot of saving. So three star's for the pleasure of reading Anaya, two stars for the story.
March 19, 2023
Like "Bless Me Ultima" a lot. Didn't care so much for "Albuquerque", but thought I'd give this one a try. I did not realize it was a series until I looked at other books available that Mr Anaya had written.
I liked reading about some of the beliefs that are shared across the TX/MX border. Some of them remain today. I found the variable realities to be handled well and not overtly 'sci-fi'. The issue I had a hard time with at times was the use of untranslated Spanish. Sometimes the context made it easy to figure out, but other times not.
I liked reading about some of the beliefs that are shared across the TX/MX border. Some of them remain today. I found the variable realities to be handled well and not overtly 'sci-fi'. The issue I had a hard time with at times was the use of untranslated Spanish. Sometimes the context made it easy to figure out, but other times not.
October 8, 2021
Rudolfo Anays's ability to tell a compelling story, while weaving in detail about the natural world and Southwestern spirituality, is wonderful. He has a self-reflective, but somewhat incompetent at times, protagonist wandering the world of the Albuquerque area, seemingly perplexed but with dogged determination.
Just a wonderful exploration of the depths of Chicano culture. And did I mention his hero, Sonny Baca, is the grandson of Elfego Baca?
Just a wonderful exploration of the depths of Chicano culture. And did I mention his hero, Sonny Baca, is the grandson of Elfego Baca?
August 4, 2025
It's as if a reader knew Anaya from his most famous book, and wondered if that was all he could write. Wrong! But there are some details that a reader of Bless Me, Ultima will recognize. A nice summary of what Albuquerque (I'll spell it the way it is on today's maps) and its surrounding region is like (geographically and socially); a good mixture of gritty crime dramas and cultural mythology and ways of life.
January 15, 2018
This gave me some trouble with the southwestern Spanish - realized how little I have retained from high school :) Still, most was understandable from context & the story itself compelling. The mystery is twisted and the resolution satisfactory, but the real story is about culture & the main character learning about himself. I found it charming and look forward to the next in the series.
February 27, 2017
If you are not interested in the "Chicano" culture and imagery of New Mexico, you might get impatient waiting for the story to unfold. But if you've been there and appreciate any well-written mysteries of the southwest you should enjoy the book.
September 7, 2020
This is quite a pleasant mystery. Resolving the murder is interesting, but more compelling is the cultural exploration of Chicano and Anglo worlds. Through Sonny, the detective, the author introduces issues of Latino identity in a environment that favors Anglo developers, politicians, and the rich & powerful. I enjoyed the cultural aspect to the story, similar to what Tony & Anne Hillerman have done with the Navajo, perhaps too much for some readers. Some of the secondary characters, particularly the senior Latinos, and an old Cottonwood tree, are used to show the conflict between the old ways and the new, the merging of culturals (what is lost, what is gained), and how history, which is permanent and ephemeral, can reveal what is truth and one's personality. I think this gives more heft to the story and the main character. Sonny is not a cardboard character and he's not perfect.
I think Anaya was good at keeping the who in the who-dun-it right up to the end. Sonny and the supporting cast are characters I think readers will want to revisit.
I think Anaya was good at keeping the who in the who-dun-it right up to the end. Sonny and the supporting cast are characters I think readers will want to revisit.
August 16, 2025
Anaya has a way of immersing me into the story as a New Mexican. He hits the nail on the head describing his scenes and dialogue. He mixes Catholic, Native American, and Mexican folklore and culture so eloquently. Looking forward to reading the rest of the Sonny Baca series.
June 11, 2017
i absolutely love the way Anaya portrays the culture and traditions of the people.
January 10, 2018
I loved reading the Sonny Baca series. Wish there were more.
October 28, 2018
Enjoyed the background on New Mexico’s history and culture, but it dragged the mystery plot out too much.
August 26, 2019
I love books with a bit of old world magic. This one features the power of the light of the sun and brujas. A great mystery set in New Mexico.
July 5, 2020
Spiritual, earth conscious, respectful of life and traditions. Sacredness of water, family. Just beautiful and engages all the senses. A good eco-mystery too.
October 21, 2021
Would make a good movie or TV show.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews