The Long Way to Mexico

by Roger Rodriguez

The Long Way to Mexico by Roger Rodriguez is a contemporary Western/Suspense Thriller filled with irony and mystery. Peter "Boy" Jenkins has a very bad temper. It does not take much to get him into a raging bad mood, so when his girlfriend Mary Beth dies after he slaps her, he's sure he is responsible for her death. "Boy" is obviously not as tough as his reputation and he doesn't think he'll survive life behind bars. With his best friend and only supporter Curtis Cash at his side, the pair of misfits go on the run to Mexico, but they encounter much more than an escape route. The two men totally expected to come across beautiful señoritas and strong margaritas along the way, but instead they are met with illegal immigration camps, suspicious state troopers, ruthless drug cartels, witch doctors, and even valuable treasures. But was all of this worth it? The ironic ending just may leave readers wonder if it truly was. 

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2020

Reviews

[JPS · Rating 4 out of 5]

One cannot read this book with any sense of logic or reason, it has to be enjoyed for the tall tale that it is. It was an easy read with a ton of action and a lot of two things: metaphors and coincidences. Started with a murder over missing ketchup and ended up with a ranch, a woman, and coming clean in different parts for both Cash and Jenkins without each other knowing about the other. My biggest concern reading this book was Curtis Cash and his association with Peter “Boy” Jenkins to begin with. Everyone was scared of Boy Jenkins including Curtis himself, but instead of ever leaving Boy, Cash helped him dispose of Jenkins wife’s body and stuck with him no matter the occasion. Doesn’t make much sense for someone that is terrified of their friend. Even when Boy suggested several times that Curtis leave, he refused and found reason to stay. Like I mentioned, very little logic.

I enjoyed the story overall. It ended up being a really good read. I did however, found it frustrating that instead of heading to Mexico straight from Tomball they originally took the long way for no reason at all and then again chose to get to Mexico through El Paso with little explanation.

One thing was for sure, no matter where Cash or Boy ended up death, fires , and injury followed them. I have no idea how Boy survived getting shot, getting bit by a rattlesnake, and hit in the head from hail. Curtis survived getting shot twice. They both not only survived death themselves several times but were extremely blessed with how much people gave them and did for them for no cause or grounds. Without that help, this book doesn’t make it.

This book is worth the read. I do like that the author is from Texas. If some of the situations could be more in-depth and explained it has the potential to be a really good story. Just needs some revision.

[Virginia Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author's writing is full of imagery. The read is so easy because it is quite entertaining as it transports you instantly to where the characters live. It really is quite magical.

[Patty York Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting tale of friendship, however twisted it proved to be.