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Emilia Cruz Mysteries #1-6
Detective Emilia Cruz Mystery Series Box Set Books 1-6: The Acapulco police procedural series
Acapulco’s first female police detective takes on drug cartels, official corruption, and social inequality in the award-winning Detective Emilia Cruz mystery series. Dive into her first cases of murder, lies, and deception.
“A thrilling series” -- National Public Radio
2019 and 2020 Poison Cup Award, Outstanding Series, Crime Masters of America
Get the first 6 riveting complete novels : CLIFF DIVER, HAT DANCE, DIABLO NIGHTS, KING PESO, PACIFIC REAPER, and 43 MISSING. You’ll walk shoulder-to-shoulder with Detective Emilia Cruz, hearing your heart race in rhythm with the ocean as you calculate an honest cop's odds of survival in today's Mexico.
Once Hollywood’s playground, Acapulco is now the homicide capital of Mexico . As she investigates the city’s darkest crimes, Emilia also copes with a police department riddled with corruption and colleagues who want to force her out.
Emilia’s family secrets provide more heart-stopping drama , as does her rocky relationship with American hotel manager Kurt Rucker.
Exclusive Bonus Content ! In addition to 6 complete murder mystery novels, you get 2 exclusive Detective Emilia Cruz Short Acapulco Sugar and Emilia’s Circle.
Fans of international mystery series crime fighters like Armand Gamache, Harry Hole, Guido Brunetti, Vera Stanhope, and the Department Q series team, as well as Don Winslow’s Mexican cartel and border thrillers, have embraced Detective Emilia Cruz. Just check out the stars and reviews!
Readers love the complex plots, pulse-pounding suspense, and Acapulco’s iconic Pacific setting.
Author Carmen Amato uses her own counterdrug and espionage experiences from a 30-year career in national intelligence to craft intrigue-filled crime fiction. She is a recipient of both the National Intelligence Award and the Career Intelligence Medal.
CLIFF DIVER
When her crooked lieutenant is murdered, Emilia is assigned to lead the investigation. Soon the man’s sordid sex life, money laundering, and involvement in a kidnapping double-cross combine to create an ugly mess no one wants exposed.
Consistently exciting. - Kirkus Reviews
HAT DANCE
Emilia battles her own worst fears as she hunts for a missing girl and an arsonist targeting Acapulco’s upscale restaurants.
A story far richer than the thriller factories of the big publishing houses. - LibraryThing
DIABLO NIGHTS
A religious relic from Mexico’s history propels Emilia into the labyrinth of a brutal and bewildering crime.
Unique and gripping. - OnlineBookClub.org
KING PESO
Is Emilia the next target of a ruthless cop killer? It’s a serial killer thriller with a spicy Mexican twist.
Danger and betrayal never more than a few pages away. - Kirkus Reviews
PACIFIC REAPER
Emilia feels the wrath of a voodoo-like cult in a riveting thriller that takes her into dangerously uncharted cartel territory.
A brilliant character-driven detective story. - Artisan Book Reviews
43 MISSING
It’s a heart-stopping alternative history novel as Emilia investigates Mexico’s most notorious true crime.
Astounding . . . a haunting page-turner . . . The tragedy of decent members of society caught in the crossfire stayed with me long after I finished the book. - Nightstand Reviews
“A thrilling series” -- National Public Radio
2019 and 2020 Poison Cup Award, Outstanding Series, Crime Masters of America
Get the first 6 riveting complete novels : CLIFF DIVER, HAT DANCE, DIABLO NIGHTS, KING PESO, PACIFIC REAPER, and 43 MISSING. You’ll walk shoulder-to-shoulder with Detective Emilia Cruz, hearing your heart race in rhythm with the ocean as you calculate an honest cop's odds of survival in today's Mexico.
Once Hollywood’s playground, Acapulco is now the homicide capital of Mexico . As she investigates the city’s darkest crimes, Emilia also copes with a police department riddled with corruption and colleagues who want to force her out.
Emilia’s family secrets provide more heart-stopping drama , as does her rocky relationship with American hotel manager Kurt Rucker.
Exclusive Bonus Content ! In addition to 6 complete murder mystery novels, you get 2 exclusive Detective Emilia Cruz Short Acapulco Sugar and Emilia’s Circle.
Fans of international mystery series crime fighters like Armand Gamache, Harry Hole, Guido Brunetti, Vera Stanhope, and the Department Q series team, as well as Don Winslow’s Mexican cartel and border thrillers, have embraced Detective Emilia Cruz. Just check out the stars and reviews!
Readers love the complex plots, pulse-pounding suspense, and Acapulco’s iconic Pacific setting.
Author Carmen Amato uses her own counterdrug and espionage experiences from a 30-year career in national intelligence to craft intrigue-filled crime fiction. She is a recipient of both the National Intelligence Award and the Career Intelligence Medal.
CLIFF DIVER
When her crooked lieutenant is murdered, Emilia is assigned to lead the investigation. Soon the man’s sordid sex life, money laundering, and involvement in a kidnapping double-cross combine to create an ugly mess no one wants exposed.
Consistently exciting. - Kirkus Reviews
HAT DANCE
Emilia battles her own worst fears as she hunts for a missing girl and an arsonist targeting Acapulco’s upscale restaurants.
A story far richer than the thriller factories of the big publishing houses. - LibraryThing
DIABLO NIGHTS
A religious relic from Mexico’s history propels Emilia into the labyrinth of a brutal and bewildering crime.
Unique and gripping. - OnlineBookClub.org
KING PESO
Is Emilia the next target of a ruthless cop killer? It’s a serial killer thriller with a spicy Mexican twist.
Danger and betrayal never more than a few pages away. - Kirkus Reviews
PACIFIC REAPER
Emilia feels the wrath of a voodoo-like cult in a riveting thriller that takes her into dangerously uncharted cartel territory.
A brilliant character-driven detective story. - Artisan Book Reviews
43 MISSING
It’s a heart-stopping alternative history novel as Emilia investigates Mexico’s most notorious true crime.
Astounding . . . a haunting page-turner . . . The tragedy of decent members of society caught in the crossfire stayed with me long after I finished the book. - Nightstand Reviews
1604 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2020
549 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Carmen Amato
36 books384 followersCarmen Amato is the author of the Detective Emilia Cryz mystery series pitting the first female police detective in Acapulco against Mexico's cartels, corruption, and social inequality. Starting with Cliff Diver, the series is a 2-time winner of the Outstanding Series award from CrimeMasters of America and was hailed by National Public Radio as “A thrilling series.”
Her standalone thrillers include The Hidden Light of Mexico City, which was longlisted for the 2020 Millennium Book Award.
A 30-year veteran of the CIA where she focused on technical collection and counterdrug issues, Carmen is a recipient of both the National Intelligence Award and the Career Intelligence Medal.
A judge for the BookLife Prize and Killer Nashville’s Claymore Award, her essays have appeared in Criminal Element, Publishers Weekly, and other national publications. She writes the popular Mystery Ahead newsletter on Substack with her top secrets, exclusive excerpts and book reviews: https://mysteryahead.substack.com.
Originally from upstate New York, after years of globe-trotting she and her husband enjoy life in Tennessee. https://carmenamato.net/links
Her standalone thrillers include The Hidden Light of Mexico City, which was longlisted for the 2020 Millennium Book Award.
A 30-year veteran of the CIA where she focused on technical collection and counterdrug issues, Carmen is a recipient of both the National Intelligence Award and the Career Intelligence Medal.
A judge for the BookLife Prize and Killer Nashville’s Claymore Award, her essays have appeared in Criminal Element, Publishers Weekly, and other national publications. She writes the popular Mystery Ahead newsletter on Substack with her top secrets, exclusive excerpts and book reviews: https://mysteryahead.substack.com.
Originally from upstate New York, after years of globe-trotting she and her husband enjoy life in Tennessee. https://carmenamato.net/links
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 21, 2022
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CLIFF DIVER, Carmen Amato's thirty years working behind closed doors in Washington, D.C. really add to her stock of intrigue - her's is a book you can't set aside to do minor chores and perhaps even dinner. And Cliff Diver is an excellent introduction to her style. Published in 2013, things in the tourist spots of Mexico are still shady but Ms. Amato includes lots of common sense precautions to insure a safely executed vacation. My father went with a friend to Mexico City in the mid-1960's and fell in love with the art, the color, the people. It is still on my bucket list and moving up the list as I read more Carmen Amato mysteries.
HAT DANCE is the second in the Emilia Cruz Mystery Series, and as with #1 Cliff Diver, we see Alcapulco at its best - and worst. This is an exciting series, but each novel is stand-alone. Ms. Amato's 30 years with the CIA are evident in the attention to detail she brings to her stories. And Hat Dance is a winner. Detective Emilia Cruz and her posse bring down the notorious El Pharaoh Casino, but it's too soon for that pat on the back. The casino has a much more far-reaching political pull than Emilia has. And she is stuck, once again, with Detective Franco Silvio as her partner - a situation neither of them is happy with. But crime is rampant in Acapulco and its environs, so they just get on with it. And a fine tale, it is.
DIABLO NIGHTS Diablo Nights is the third in the series Emilia Cruz Mysteries but is stand-alone as a single read. As with most series, the tale is richer with the accumulated story behind it. And this series is a winner. In Diablo Nights, Emelia is faced with the constant threat of the cartels and assorted drug transporters, a religious relic turns out to be very fake, her lover Kirt might be moving to Beliz, and Detective Silvio is STILL her partner. He might be wearing her down. Tourists are the life's blood of Alcapuco but keeping them safe is not easy. And have politics always been this dirty?
KING PESO,
PACIFIC REAPER,
43 MISSING
Detective Emilia Cruz Short Reads:
Acapulco Sugar
Emilia’s Circle
CLIFF DIVER, Carmen Amato's thirty years working behind closed doors in Washington, D.C. really add to her stock of intrigue - her's is a book you can't set aside to do minor chores and perhaps even dinner. And Cliff Diver is an excellent introduction to her style. Published in 2013, things in the tourist spots of Mexico are still shady but Ms. Amato includes lots of common sense precautions to insure a safely executed vacation. My father went with a friend to Mexico City in the mid-1960's and fell in love with the art, the color, the people. It is still on my bucket list and moving up the list as I read more Carmen Amato mysteries.
HAT DANCE is the second in the Emilia Cruz Mystery Series, and as with #1 Cliff Diver, we see Alcapulco at its best - and worst. This is an exciting series, but each novel is stand-alone. Ms. Amato's 30 years with the CIA are evident in the attention to detail she brings to her stories. And Hat Dance is a winner. Detective Emilia Cruz and her posse bring down the notorious El Pharaoh Casino, but it's too soon for that pat on the back. The casino has a much more far-reaching political pull than Emilia has. And she is stuck, once again, with Detective Franco Silvio as her partner - a situation neither of them is happy with. But crime is rampant in Acapulco and its environs, so they just get on with it. And a fine tale, it is.
DIABLO NIGHTS Diablo Nights is the third in the series Emilia Cruz Mysteries but is stand-alone as a single read. As with most series, the tale is richer with the accumulated story behind it. And this series is a winner. In Diablo Nights, Emelia is faced with the constant threat of the cartels and assorted drug transporters, a religious relic turns out to be very fake, her lover Kirt might be moving to Beliz, and Detective Silvio is STILL her partner. He might be wearing her down. Tourists are the life's blood of Alcapuco but keeping them safe is not easy. And have politics always been this dirty?
KING PESO,
PACIFIC REAPER,
43 MISSING
Detective Emilia Cruz Short Reads:
Acapulco Sugar
Emilia’s Circle
September 21, 2020
Six engrossing mysteries crammed into one book! The Murder in Acapulco, Detective Emilia Cruz Books 1-6 kept me up late into the night reading just one more chapter, okay, just one more and that's it for tonight. Well, maybe, just one more. As the sole female detective in the Acapulco Police, Emilia Cruz has her work cut out for her. She battles crime, sexual predators in her own squad, and you-shouldn't-be-a-detective attitudes from her supervisors. An itinerant knife-sharpener becomes the object of her mother's romantic interest when she convinces herself that he is actually her long-dead husband. Corrupt police, cartel machinations, authentic descriptions of life in Mexico, and a complicated romance between Emilia Cruz and Kurt Rucker make this series one of my favourites. Enjoy! Cheers Lynda L. Lock (Isla Mujeres Mystery series).
November 7, 2020
Loved this series!
Acapulco comes alive, as do all of the characters in these 6 stories. Some language and gore,but each story is compelling and addictive. Emilia has fought to be accepted in this man's world of the Acapulco police detectives, and is the best of them a!!. I read them straight through.
Acapulco comes alive, as do all of the characters in these 6 stories. Some language and gore,but each story is compelling and addictive. Emilia has fought to be accepted in this man's world of the Acapulco police detectives, and is the best of them a!!. I read them straight through.
December 27, 2023
Insightful
These books give you an insight as to what a policewoman has to put up with in Mexico.
Emilia Cruz is a good cop but has to be better than good as the only female cop in a Neanderthal male police station. It’s not just misogynistic jibes that she has to put up with as there’s the attempted rape by a colleague in the gents toilets (there are no ladies toilets). Her cop partner is always trying to put her down but I think secretly he quite admires her.
As there are six books in this set I won’t go into the individual stories but it’s a big struggle for Emilia who finds out more about herself and her mother, who on the face of it is not quite mentally right or is it just a big fake to cover up from past misdemeanours?
I thought the stories were all good except the last one which ended poorly and predictably.
These books give you an insight as to what a policewoman has to put up with in Mexico.
Emilia Cruz is a good cop but has to be better than good as the only female cop in a Neanderthal male police station. It’s not just misogynistic jibes that she has to put up with as there’s the attempted rape by a colleague in the gents toilets (there are no ladies toilets). Her cop partner is always trying to put her down but I think secretly he quite admires her.
As there are six books in this set I won’t go into the individual stories but it’s a big struggle for Emilia who finds out more about herself and her mother, who on the face of it is not quite mentally right or is it just a big fake to cover up from past misdemeanours?
I thought the stories were all good except the last one which ended poorly and predictably.
August 30, 2025
very good….and quite awful.
Assigned to a task force to review the investigation of the disappearance of schoolboys who took part in abducting buses (I am simplifying this description because it in reality is much more involved), Emily Cruz leaves Acapulco for Mexico City for the assignment expected to last a couple months. Within those few months, so much happens among the task force members that they tell and strive to complete their mission - or rather, their mission as they saw it.
At times the story is convoluted, but also engrossing and horrifying. Ms. Amato is a very talented writer.
Assigned to a task force to review the investigation of the disappearance of schoolboys who took part in abducting buses (I am simplifying this description because it in reality is much more involved), Emily Cruz leaves Acapulco for Mexico City for the assignment expected to last a couple months. Within those few months, so much happens among the task force members that they tell and strive to complete their mission - or rather, their mission as they saw it.
At times the story is convoluted, but also engrossing and horrifying. Ms. Amato is a very talented writer.
February 19, 2021
Great series!
Detective Cruz suffers a lot of abuse from another detective who thinks he's entitled to harass her. She also suffers a lot of abuse and harassment from many of the other detectives who are all male. Sounds just like everywhere else where females pursue previously all male roles. Women always excel in these jobs because they have always been capable and usually smarter. You will enjoy this series if you like strong willed women, in spite of the difficulties they encounter in the rest of their lives.
Detective Cruz suffers a lot of abuse from another detective who thinks he's entitled to harass her. She also suffers a lot of abuse and harassment from many of the other detectives who are all male. Sounds just like everywhere else where females pursue previously all male roles. Women always excel in these jobs because they have always been capable and usually smarter. You will enjoy this series if you like strong willed women, in spite of the difficulties they encounter in the rest of their lives.
March 15, 2021
Well written and, mostly, well edited
The main character is complex enough to be believable and likable. The plots are engaging, and the action scenes move rapidly. The settings seem to be realistically described. Very little seemed contrived. In short, it is surprising that this set was free. I will read more by this author.
The main character is complex enough to be believable and likable. The plots are engaging, and the action scenes move rapidly. The settings seem to be realistically described. Very little seemed contrived. In short, it is surprising that this set was free. I will read more by this author.
August 7, 2020
Almost as much fun as a club med vacation
I enjoyed reading this collection. I wouldn't dare walk the mean streets of Mexico, but I feel like I am. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I HAVE to know what happens next!
I enjoyed reading this collection. I wouldn't dare walk the mean streets of Mexico, but I feel like I am. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I HAVE to know what happens next!
August 17, 2020
Detective Emilia Cruz
An excellent, but depressing series. It is a great mystery series, but showing the reality of the very poor who live in Mexico and the corruption in law enforcement is very depressing.
An excellent, but depressing series. It is a great mystery series, but showing the reality of the very poor who live in Mexico and the corruption in law enforcement is very depressing.
August 27, 2020
Em is one tough chica!
If you like strong, smart women, this series is for you. She makes mistakes. And doesn't always see the consequences of her actions. But she always seems to get where she needs to be.
If you like strong, smart women, this series is for you. She makes mistakes. And doesn't always see the consequences of her actions. But she always seems to get where she needs to be.
April 7, 2021
I'm hooked
My first time reading the Carmen Amato Mysteries!
I'm hooked. On to book 7 to continue the adventures and misadventures of Dective Emilia Cruz of the Acapulco Police Department.
My first time reading the Carmen Amato Mysteries!
I'm hooked. On to book 7 to continue the adventures and misadventures of Dective Emilia Cruz of the Acapulco Police Department.
May 20, 2021
Riveting!
I love reading and this series has kept me busy for days! Every spare few minutes in my days were likely spent reading about Detective Cruz and her adventures. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
I love reading and this series has kept me busy for days! Every spare few minutes in my days were likely spent reading about Detective Cruz and her adventures. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
July 10, 2021
Heading toward disaster.
Detective Cruz is young, smart, female and not taking crap from anyone. Not from misogynistic fellow officers, not from gang members, criminals; not from anyone. Acapulco is beautiful, but it can be deadly, like its daughter Cruz.
Detective Cruz is young, smart, female and not taking crap from anyone. Not from misogynistic fellow officers, not from gang members, criminals; not from anyone. Acapulco is beautiful, but it can be deadly, like its daughter Cruz.
June 20, 2023
Good
Five of the six stories were good a couple really good, one was a little boring. It's the type of series that carriers into the next, so you have to keep reading to find out how the last story ended.
Five of the six stories were good a couple really good, one was a little boring. It's the type of series that carriers into the next, so you have to keep reading to find out how the last story ended.
January 3, 2024
Absolutely Amazing
You live through everything Emily Cruz undergoes. A shocking inside view of life as a Mexican homicide detective. Attention to detail is borderline OCD. You will be shaken to your very core. True evil exists, but can be survived if just barely.
You live through everything Emily Cruz undergoes. A shocking inside view of life as a Mexican homicide detective. Attention to detail is borderline OCD. You will be shaken to your very core. True evil exists, but can be survived if just barely.
February 5, 2024
Fantastic series!
I can't say enough good things about this series!
I couldn't wait to pick up reading again each time I had to stop.
I am going right now to find more books in this series.
I really hope I find more!!!
I can't say enough good things about this series!
I couldn't wait to pick up reading again each time I had to stop.
I am going right now to find more books in this series.
I really hope I find more!!!
July 22, 2020
Great read!
Gutsy female detective in a macho world. The stories kept me engaged. I was hoping for another one. Maybe in the future!?
Gutsy female detective in a macho world. The stories kept me engaged. I was hoping for another one. Maybe in the future!?
August 27, 2020
Good read.
Great .books. Could not put down. Recommend for good suspense. Read all six at one time. I highly recommend this to everyone.
Great .books. Could not put down. Recommend for good suspense. Read all six at one time. I highly recommend this to everyone.
January 7, 2021
I actually read all novels individually rather than in the box set but each was well written, enjoyable and grew in strength with each book. A great set of reads and would recommend wholeheartedly.
February 13, 2021
Intriguing mystery series set in Acapulco. All the characters are well developed (well maybe the Anglo boyfriend is a bit one dimensional), but Emilia rocks.
Read
March 3, 2021This was a six volume set - enjoyed each one. Entertaining and fast moving - held my interest throughout.
May 22, 2021
Nonstop Action
These are the ones you can't put down. Emily's
Cruz shows every little girl what she can do if she tries.
These are the ones you can't put down. Emily's
Cruz shows every little girl what she can do if she tries.
August 10, 2021
My favorite author. This is the second time around for the Emilia Cruz series. I can't say enough great things about this fabulous author...
September 22, 2021
Excellent series
September 23, 2021
Loved them
All 6 books were excellent, I would recommend them to anyone who likes adventure, mystery, and police reads. Can't wait to read more.
All 6 books were excellent, I would recommend them to anyone who likes adventure, mystery, and police reads. Can't wait to read more.
May 1, 2022
Pretty good. Each novel built on the one before and the endings were not what you were expecting. The love affair built in gives us something to cheer for.
Will be reading more in this series.
Will be reading more in this series.
April 13, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed the books
December 2, 2020
Could not put it down.
I loved this series. The first female detective in Acapulco, corruption, intrigue, obnoxious sexist men, inside the police department & out. Yet Emilia kicks butt. Will continue to read as this fascinating character continues.
I loved this series. The first female detective in Acapulco, corruption, intrigue, obnoxious sexist men, inside the police department & out. Yet Emilia kicks butt. Will continue to read as this fascinating character continues.
January 5, 2021
Really enjoyed the first 6 Emilia Cruz novels. Just purchased book 7. Great stories with a nice mix of crime, intrigue, and romance. I'm hooked.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews