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Sonora Pass
SONORA PASS is an action-packed humorous murder mystery taking place in several locations including Quebec, Vermont, Southern California, and Central America.
The protagonists are college friends and former members of JABBERWOCKY, a rock/latin fusion band.
After 25 years, the band holds a reunion in Montreal for their friends and fans. Following a wildly successful reunion party, Celia the female singer is found dead.
Jonah, the band's sax player sets out to investigate the cause for Celia’s untimely death.
The story involves several flashbacks to the 1970s relating to Celia’s relationships and to her troubled past in revolutionary Central America.
The protagonists are college friends and former members of JABBERWOCKY, a rock/latin fusion band.
After 25 years, the band holds a reunion in Montreal for their friends and fans. Following a wildly successful reunion party, Celia the female singer is found dead.
Jonah, the band's sax player sets out to investigate the cause for Celia’s untimely death.
The story involves several flashbacks to the 1970s relating to Celia’s relationships and to her troubled past in revolutionary Central America.
102 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2017
19 people are currently reading
1880 people want to read
About the author
Jaime Olmos
5 books64 followersBorn in Mexico City, I came out to the USA in 1967 to study physics and engineering at MIT. Eventually, I settled in the 1980s in Southern California where I worked as a Nuclear Engineer at 'SONGS'. The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station Units 2 and 3 ran beautifully for thirty-some years with no fossil pollutants released into the environment.
I was extremely fortunate to have Kevin Nichols, artist extraordinaire, create the illustrations for SONORA PASS. To do more justice to Kevin's remarkable work, in 2020 I edited and improved the book's type font. I wish Kevin were here to check the new version out. Regrettably, he passed away in the spring of 2018.
I've enjoyed for many years hiking the California Eastern Sierras, with my wonderful nature-loving wife Terrie. Hence the 'SONORA PASS' title of my graphic novel.
I was extremely fortunate to have Kevin Nichols, artist extraordinaire, create the illustrations for SONORA PASS. To do more justice to Kevin's remarkable work, in 2020 I edited and improved the book's type font. I wish Kevin were here to check the new version out. Regrettably, he passed away in the spring of 2018.
I've enjoyed for many years hiking the California Eastern Sierras, with my wonderful nature-loving wife Terrie. Hence the 'SONORA PASS' title of my graphic novel.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 11, 2017
Fantastico: 5 stars to this modern, 100-page graphic novel that spans huge historic-geographic terrain to bring to a fine brew the author's broad fields of expertise: engineering, crime drama, travel, and music. And what a breath of fresh air that is in a sea of tired cliches clogging the book shelves today, physical and cyber. Now the art might slightly throw newcomers to graphic novel painting, with its exaggerated angularities and stark pencil shadings, but this has been standard since DC Comics pioneered it in the early 1990's (which I bought religiously, just about the time animation really hit with MTV too.) And if it's good enough for Neil Gaiman up to this day (see Gaiman/Others 1993 "The Books of Magic" and the 2014 Gaiman/Campbell anthology), detractors from even "name" review sites clearly need to stop hiring high-school-dropouts as their reviewers. The artist's word balloons indeed do forget a period every odd page on average, but that just adds to the underground feel, imo. I would redesign the cover logo for the 2nd edition however; something a bit more customized, as the interior art certainly deserves to be matched with a bit more than a common font treatment for its cover impression. But others too might like the underground look of that. 4.8 of 5 stars.
September 11, 2017
Well, that was something.
Still trying to figure out what.
I purchased the book not realizing it was what I understand is referred to as a "graphic novel?"
To begin with, it's a comic book, not much about the thing that's graphic at all.
Upon trying to read it, the captions balloons or whatever the hell they're called, were all splotchy, I would have to say about a third of it was unreadable, yet I was able to mostly figure it out from the surrounding text.
The story itself was simply odd. Why these people were travelling around the world in the fashion they were is absolutely beyond me. Why the story has parts that take place in 1970 and 1973 is also truly baffling. The story is just all over the place. Sure some of it connects, barely, while there are other parts that I am at a loss as to why they were even in the story....
Some of the graphics were quite good, the problem is- they were few and far between, and there was no consistency to them from frame to frame, none, so again, very odd.
I honestly was at a loss with this one- even mystified....
Still trying to figure out what.
I purchased the book not realizing it was what I understand is referred to as a "graphic novel?"
To begin with, it's a comic book, not much about the thing that's graphic at all.
Upon trying to read it, the captions balloons or whatever the hell they're called, were all splotchy, I would have to say about a third of it was unreadable, yet I was able to mostly figure it out from the surrounding text.
The story itself was simply odd. Why these people were travelling around the world in the fashion they were is absolutely beyond me. Why the story has parts that take place in 1970 and 1973 is also truly baffling. The story is just all over the place. Sure some of it connects, barely, while there are other parts that I am at a loss as to why they were even in the story....
Some of the graphics were quite good, the problem is- they were few and far between, and there was no consistency to them from frame to frame, none, so again, very odd.
I honestly was at a loss with this one- even mystified....
October 4, 2017
I've read a couple of graphic novels in the past, usually with my children and the graphics tend to be styled along PC game lines, which is fine, as this is what they are looking for. The graphics in Sonara Pass are "art work" there is a particular striking picture towards the centre of the book (no spoilers!) looking down a cliff that really gets your attention.
The story is good and wants you to keep turning the pages, and the pace is nice and swift which fits with the graphic novel genre. Page organisation is good as well, with an excellent balance between pictures and text. I read this on my laptop and found the images clear and text easy to read, and it is nice sometimes to have something a little more colourful to look at rather than the general run of the mill black and white kindle book. I am sure there will be more to follow.
The story is good and wants you to keep turning the pages, and the pace is nice and swift which fits with the graphic novel genre. Page organisation is good as well, with an excellent balance between pictures and text. I read this on my laptop and found the images clear and text easy to read, and it is nice sometimes to have something a little more colourful to look at rather than the general run of the mill black and white kindle book. I am sure there will be more to follow.
September 26, 2017
Overall: The artwork in this book is a notch above many graphic novels and the story itself is lots of fun. At first, I found this hard to get into. The thought bubbles were too close together, and it wasn’t always clear to me which one to read first. I gave it a second try and, despite some clunkiness, I ended up enjoying the book quite a bit.
Writing: There is a different expectation for “writing” in a graphic novel than there is in other works of fiction, and I am not an expert. That being said, I found the dialogue to be snappy, funny, and crisp at times and at others, a little silly. Often it was stiff. It did, however, move the story along.
Plot. It was fast moving, that’s for sure and it was a fun ride. Things seemed to jump around and it didn’t always hold together; sometimes I felt lost jumping back and forth in time. But it did hold my attention throughout, which for me is what really matters.
Illustrations: I liked the style of the art. It was nicely consistent throughout the book. When it was just the art, it was wonderful. I wish the author had more confidence to let the pictures tell more of the story because this is where the book really shined.
Recommendation: A fun read if you want a lot of action.
Writing: There is a different expectation for “writing” in a graphic novel than there is in other works of fiction, and I am not an expert. That being said, I found the dialogue to be snappy, funny, and crisp at times and at others, a little silly. Often it was stiff. It did, however, move the story along.
Plot. It was fast moving, that’s for sure and it was a fun ride. Things seemed to jump around and it didn’t always hold together; sometimes I felt lost jumping back and forth in time. But it did hold my attention throughout, which for me is what really matters.
Illustrations: I liked the style of the art. It was nicely consistent throughout the book. When it was just the art, it was wonderful. I wish the author had more confidence to let the pictures tell more of the story because this is where the book really shined.
Recommendation: A fun read if you want a lot of action.
September 25, 2017
I have to confess that I never read a graphic novel before. I was impressed by the wonderfully creative and detailed illustrations of the characters and locations, especially the cities of Stockholm, Montreal, Paris and Barcelona. The story starts with with the reunion of friends whose college band ended in the 1970s with bad feelings between musicians Esteban and Rodrigo. When they gather, Esteban, who is recovering from divorce, connects with beautiful Celia, and they commit to a new start with each other. Disaster strikes and Rodrigo makes matter worse for Esteban. I was rooting for Jonah as he tries to help Esteban and find out what happened to Celia. His search takes us in Azul, Central America where his own life is at risk. I really enjoyed Sonora Pass! This is a special book that I strongly recommend to anyone who likes a powerful story and outstanding graphics.
December 24, 2024
Sonora Pass is a comic that unfolds at a measured pace, allowing the story to breathe while building intrigue. The opening conversation between Esteban and Rachel immediately drew me in. Likewise the revolution around personal conflicts that mirror larger socio-political issues, reflecting themes of displacement, resistance, and the scars left by violence. Olmos, the author, carefully layers dialogue and visual cues, immersing me in a story that is both intimate and far-reaching.
One of the strengths of this comic was the dynamic panel layouts that guided me in a way that complements the tone. The bold splash pages punctuate key moments, amplifying emotional impact. Similarly, the visual metaphors such as recurring imagery of paths, rivers, and barriers, underscore thematic elements without feeling heavyhanded.
However, while many panels were detailed, some background elements felt less polished. I believe maintaining consistent visual detail across all frames would elevate the overall artistic cohesion.
Ultimately, the story deserves a 5 star rating and I highly recommend this comic for readers who appreciate layered, socially conscious graphic novels with rich artistic direction. Fans of Maus, The Sandman, or Persepolis will find much to admire here.
One of the strengths of this comic was the dynamic panel layouts that guided me in a way that complements the tone. The bold splash pages punctuate key moments, amplifying emotional impact. Similarly, the visual metaphors such as recurring imagery of paths, rivers, and barriers, underscore thematic elements without feeling heavyhanded.
However, while many panels were detailed, some background elements felt less polished. I believe maintaining consistent visual detail across all frames would elevate the overall artistic cohesion.
Ultimately, the story deserves a 5 star rating and I highly recommend this comic for readers who appreciate layered, socially conscious graphic novels with rich artistic direction. Fans of Maus, The Sandman, or Persepolis will find much to admire here.
August 6, 2017
Full disclosure: I've known the author for over 34 years :)
I thoroughly enjoyed Sonora Pass. The novel is intricately constructed and unique, depicting multiple cultures and worlds. It's a murder mystery that incorporates music, corporate espionage, and revolutionary Central America.
Kevin Nichols does fantastic work on the illustrations, which are memorable in and of themselves.
I thoroughly enjoyed Sonora Pass. The novel is intricately constructed and unique, depicting multiple cultures and worlds. It's a murder mystery that incorporates music, corporate espionage, and revolutionary Central America.
Kevin Nichols does fantastic work on the illustrations, which are memorable in and of themselves.
December 13, 2017
Great story. Fast paced international murder mystery. Well written with great illustrations.
Sonora Pass Recent Editorial Review from Reader's Favorite:
Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford
"A rock-Latin fusion band, Jabberwocky, is holding its 25th reunion in Montreal. It is a big event, attracting fans and friends. It’s a wild, crazy party which ends in tragedy when the lead female singer, Celia, is found dead. The band’s saxophonist, Jonah, takes the lead role in the investigation and, as events unfold, he uncovers a trail of the woman’s lost loves and a deeply troubled past that spans from Montreal to Vermont, Southern California and the revolutionary outposts of Central America. It is an intriguing murder mystery tale with a lot to keep readers turning the pages.
Jaime Olmos’s graphic /comic book story Sonora Pass is a compelling murder mystery with a lot of action and a dash of humor. The illustrations are sombre, setting the stage for the unfolding events, carried through by dialogue. The author combines his passions and knowledge of music, engineering, crime and geography into a fascinating tale of murder and mayhem. The plot progresses at a good pace, but it’s really the illustrations by Kevin Nichols that carry the story along. They are works of art on their own."
Sonora Pass Recent Editorial Review from Reader's Favorite:
Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford
"A rock-Latin fusion band, Jabberwocky, is holding its 25th reunion in Montreal. It is a big event, attracting fans and friends. It’s a wild, crazy party which ends in tragedy when the lead female singer, Celia, is found dead. The band’s saxophonist, Jonah, takes the lead role in the investigation and, as events unfold, he uncovers a trail of the woman’s lost loves and a deeply troubled past that spans from Montreal to Vermont, Southern California and the revolutionary outposts of Central America. It is an intriguing murder mystery tale with a lot to keep readers turning the pages.
Jaime Olmos’s graphic /comic book story Sonora Pass is a compelling murder mystery with a lot of action and a dash of humor. The illustrations are sombre, setting the stage for the unfolding events, carried through by dialogue. The author combines his passions and knowledge of music, engineering, crime and geography into a fascinating tale of murder and mayhem. The plot progresses at a good pace, but it’s really the illustrations by Kevin Nichols that carry the story along. They are works of art on their own."
August 2, 2017
I AM A TRUE EXPERT IN GRAPHIC NOVELS, SO PLEASE BELIEVE ME THAT THIS IS THE BEST AND MOST ENTERTAINING AND BEAUTIFULLY CREATIVE GRAPHIC NOVEL I HAVE EVER READ.
THE STORYTELLER HAS GREAT IMAGINATION AND THE GRAPHIC DESIGNS ARE TRULY ART PIECES.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS AMAZING PIECE OF GREAT CREATIVITY, "SONORA PASS".
THE STORYTELLER HAS GREAT IMAGINATION AND THE GRAPHIC DESIGNS ARE TRULY ART PIECES.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS AMAZING PIECE OF GREAT CREATIVITY, "SONORA PASS".
November 14, 2017
Not the kind of book I'd normally read, but I was pleasantly surprised. Entertaining and quite funny at times. Good artwork too!
December 27, 2021
The dialog is quite stilted, as if a computer wrote it instead of a human.
January 30, 2025
Jaime Olmos’ Sonora Pass is more than a graphic novel—it’s a gripping exploration of identity, survival, and power in a world of shifting allegiances and ever-present danger. Set against a rugged, unforgiving landscape, the story follows characters caught between who they are and who they must become to survive. The pass itself is more than a physical location; it is a symbol of transition, escape, and the blurred lines between refuge and peril.
At its heart, Sonora Pass is a story of movement—both literal, as characters navigate treacherous terrain, and metaphorical, as they struggle with past traumas and uncertain futures. Olmos’ characters are deeply layered, neither wholly good nor evil, but shaped by their circumstances. The antagonists are not mere villains; they are driven by motivations rooted in power, desperation, and ideology. Every decision in the novel carries weight, and the moral ambiguity forces the reader to question justice in a world where survival often comes at a cost.
Beyond the action and intrigue, the novel examines power structures, exile, and resilience. It critiques how authority manipulates narratives and explores the emotional and psychological toll of displacement. Thematically rich, it presents resistance not just as physical defiance but as a fight against erasure—of identity, agency, and history. The pass itself is a perfect metaphor for these struggles, an ever-present reminder of both possibility and danger.
Visually, Sonora Pass is stunning. Olmos employs a cinematic style that makes every panel dynamic, using light, shadow, and movement to heighten tension. Landscapes are vast and isolating, while character expressions capture raw emotion. The balance between text and imagery ensures an immersive reading experience, where every detail enhances the storytelling.
The pacing is deliberate, oscillating between intense action and quiet introspection, keeping the reader engaged. The unpredictability of the narrative adds to its intrigue, making for a story that lingers long after the final page. More than just entertainment, Sonora Pass is a thought-provoking, emotionally resonant work that challenges and captivates in equal measure
September 23, 2017
I have to explain my rating. The book is a graphic novel, 5 star for the graphics, really well done. On my kindle reader, I can not enlarge the text of the story, so I can not read the story, so a 2 star for that. I would love to read this in the paperback form and think the rating would go higher. I hope others that pick up this book have a different e-book reader than I do and I have to apologize to the author for the lower rating, but I have to let people know the disadvantages of an e-book over a paperback on this one!
January 14, 2022
This graphic novel was beautiful. I love the art work. The story was a bit off for me but I really did enjoyed it overall.
December 28, 2021
Great storyline and read
June 11, 2018
This has some decent artwork, though a bit dark and maybe not to everyone's taste, but it's let down by the writing, which isn't up to the ambitions of the storyline and shows little understanding of graphic storytelling. The result is a story that's hard to follow as it switches back and forth between a range of places and characters at different times in their lives and fails to deliver on its promise.
May 2, 2019
Goodreads Kindle Copy Win
In this graphic novel is about a humorous murder mystery which takes place across the globe. A band reunion goes terrible wrong as the lead singer is murder. We are taken back in time as we catch glimpses of the lead singer and the possible suspects.
The art works was alright but could have been a bit cleaner. Overall it was average plot and drawings.
In this graphic novel is about a humorous murder mystery which takes place across the globe. A band reunion goes terrible wrong as the lead singer is murder. We are taken back in time as we catch glimpses of the lead singer and the possible suspects.
The art works was alright but could have been a bit cleaner. Overall it was average plot and drawings.
February 26, 2018
This book is a graphic novel and the detailed illustrations were well made. The art itself was beautifully done. The story line was good and i enjoyed the tale. A must read for any and all graphic novel lovers everywhere.
September 5, 2017
TRIGGERED
October 1, 2021
DNF - Not for me
April 6, 2018
Hotel De La Province Montreal, Canada. Esteban (piano, musician), Jonah (sax, musician, River Bend mgmt. co.), Celia Suarez (lead singer, musician, Rive Gauche), Tony (drums, musician), & Claude (guitar, musician) were playing a gig for quite a crowd.
What happened to Celia?
Posada Del Retiro. What was Jonah up to?
Why was Julio being interrogated?
Warning: This book contains graphic adult content, or violence, which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, to small font, but great writing style. A very well written cartoon or pulp fiction book. It wasn’t very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish, but never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great pulp fiction movie, an animated cartoon, or better yet a mini TV series. I had no way to enlarge it so I am only going to rate it at 3/5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
What happened to Celia?
Posada Del Retiro. What was Jonah up to?
Why was Julio being interrogated?
Warning: This book contains graphic adult content, or violence, which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, to small font, but great writing style. A very well written cartoon or pulp fiction book. It wasn’t very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish, but never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great pulp fiction movie, an animated cartoon, or better yet a mini TV series. I had no way to enlarge it so I am only going to rate it at 3/5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
April 28, 2019
Sonora Pass is a pulp noir murder mystery with musicians, motorbikes, drugs, and more. The inking and coloring is fantastic. The story is disjointed, jumping from one time to another with seemingly no reason and probably trying to do much in too few panels. The writing is rather stiff, as others have pointed out. The speech bubble placement is incorrect at times, causing conversations to be confusing. There seem to be many panels with just two people having a discussion, showing them from the same angle, panel after panel, which gives the potentially exciting story a static feel. Overall, the art is good, but the men are drawn with much more diversity than women, meaning the women sometimes look like each other's clones. Some of the male characters look like actors like Ben Kingsley and (young) Robin Williams and Keanu Reeves, which was distracting.
Overall, an interesting read, but the story could use more expansion and better pacing.
Thanks to the publisher for a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Overall, an interesting read, but the story could use more expansion and better pacing.
Thanks to the publisher for a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 19, 2022
Won in a giveaway!
The story for this comic was kinda all over the place, but still able to keep a plot going along. It was a bit hard to follow, but it did manage to keep me interested in where it was going. The characters didn't really hold my attention aside from a select few.
Where this comic really shines is the art. The art style is absolutely fantastic. There are some breathtaking panels within the pages. Backgrounds especially were a treat to look at, and portraits of the characters were really amazing as well. Honestly, it might be some of the best art I've seen in a while.
The story for this comic was kinda all over the place, but still able to keep a plot going along. It was a bit hard to follow, but it did manage to keep me interested in where it was going. The characters didn't really hold my attention aside from a select few.
Where this comic really shines is the art. The art style is absolutely fantastic. There are some breathtaking panels within the pages. Backgrounds especially were a treat to look at, and portraits of the characters were really amazing as well. Honestly, it might be some of the best art I've seen in a while.
August 13, 2021
Could use professional services.
Indie freebie. Suitable for teens and adults. Ok color artwork. Could use zoom panels? A little heavy on the dialogue balloons, maybe this should have been a novella instead?
Indie freebie. Suitable for teens and adults. Ok color artwork. Could use zoom panels? A little heavy on the dialogue balloons, maybe this should have been a novella instead?
March 24, 2023
"Sonora Pass" is an entertaining and well-written murder mystery that will keep readers engaged from beginning to end. It's an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys a good whodunit with a touch of humor and a strong cast of characters.
February 22, 2022
Won this in a giveaway. DNF on page 30. The art is okay, but the dialogue is weirdly formal and stilted, with no flow or rhythm, and I’ve found no reason to care about any of the characters.
June 13, 2022
I won this in a giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I’m always on the lookout to try new styles of writing and literature. This just didn’t hold up for me. The concept of a graphic novel style murder mystery seemed intriguing but the delivery just came across uninspiring. I also didn’t find the plot to be interesting at all. All in all, I wasn’t a fan.
Want to read
March 21, 2018I received this book for free from the author/publisher in response for an honest review of the book. I have not had the opportunity to read this book at this time. I will add my
review of this book once I have read the book. Thank k you for allowing me the optometrist review your work. I look forward to reading this book.
review of this book once I have read the book. Thank k you for allowing me the optometrist review your work. I look forward to reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews