The Second Cortez

by Chadwick Wall

In the seaside colonial city of Veracruz, Mexico, thirty-two-year-old literature professor Nicolás Nolano lives a life of ease and pleasure—and he strives to keep it that way. Though his district attorney brother has joined both the folk healer who raised them and a powerful priest in publicly crusading against the Segundo Cortez cartel, Nicolás refuses their attempts to get him involved. When two days of atrocities terrorize Veracruz, where the police and government are allied with Segundo Cortez, Nicolás must decide if he will make his stand at last. From the coastal boardwalk and cobblestone plazas of Veracruz, to the Arizona desert and streets of Santa Fe, to the northern Rockies and lakeshore towns of Montana, Nicolás endures a journey he would have never imagined. As Segundo Cortez grows by the day—murdering with reckless abandon—Nicolás is met with a monumental dilemma. Will he choose between suicidal vengeance and fighting for his beloved hometown, or pursuing a life among close friends and his newfound true love? One thing is Nicolás is set to encounter the greatest surprises of his life.

360 pages, Paperback

Published June 18, 2018

Reviews

[Bandit · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a random selection, even for me. It was free, had very good reviews and featured Mexico and cartels, something new to read about. Then again I was never a fan of organized crime stories and this one didn’t do much to change my mind. Instead it grabbed me when the main character Nicolas made his way into the US and started a new life, a good immigrant story is actually right up my alley, something about that proverbial second act that Fitzgerald so erroneously stated we don’t get in like. But Nicolas is a man on the mission, revenge bound and determined. No creature comfort can sway him from retaliation against the eponymous cartel that killed his brother and his adoptive parents and essentially took over his native Veracruz. Vengeance will be his, at any cost. So it’s a payback sort of story, but one featuring many enjoyable distractions, in this case a virtual trip across the American West and a bunch of likeable characters met along the way, if only too conveniently, and a new life found, if only too quaintly. I’ve not heard of the author prior to reading this, apparently his second, book, and while it took me some time to get into, it ended up quite compelling, ended up reading 86% in one sitting. The narration was somewhat on a plain side for me and occasionally stilted (much like Nicolas’ English) and it all worked out much too neatly, despite some grave last minute revelations. Psychologically someone must be spectacularly hearty to have gone through all that and done all that and just go on with his life. But the book engaged and entertained and with only minor typos was quite professionally done and presented, so for a freebie you can’t possibly ask for more. If one was to ask for more, it would be nice to see more psychological complexity and realism, but it works as is. And I even ended up liking it more than I initially figured I would. It also might make you hungry for Latin cuisine.

[Leanne Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

And to a happy ending

Knowing this could be someone’s story it was happy/sad that this really goes on. To find happiness and justice in life always is good for the soul. Good story.

[Gabriela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written, gripping account of the horrific life bestowed on innocent people by the drug cartels! It kept me on edge from start to end !

[Rose Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cartels

This is about Nicholas whom lived in Vera Cruz Mexico among the cartel. His family is murdered and Nicholas goes to America to escape and get himself together in order to come back to avenge his family and Vera Cruz.
While in America he meets people that will become great friends and family yet there will be love with Cassie.
This story will take you to adventure yet the escape from the cartel. Will bring you tears yet hope and even a little racism but it's close to a true that does exist.
Loved the book from start to finish.
A must read if you like adventure.