Coyote

by Ana Manwaring

Senator Aguirre is dead. Nemesis Anibal wants to get even. The U.S. ambassador won’t help. How will JadeAnne get trafficked teen, Lily, across the border? Anibal ambushes them in an attempt to complete their sale to Los Zetas. JadeAnne learns who’s behind the trafficking scheme, and they are getting closer with every attack. In a reckless move, JadeAnne puts her friends in danger, and gains new allies. She vows to see Lily home even if she has to walk her across the border. JadeAnne turns to human rights activist Rosi and new friend Dafne, for help and come up with Plan B— border jumping—led by a coyote in Rosi’s trafficking rescue network. It’s all top secret, until Quint insists on bringing in his old military comrade Nader. Why has he turned up now? At the mouth of an El Paso storm drain, JadeAnne learns the truth, but not before one is dead, two injured and her nemesis is on her tail. Can they out-run or out-gun him in time?

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2022

About the author

Ana Manwaring writes raw, unflinching crime thrillers that dwell at the crossroads of corruption, survival and vengeance. With a bold, gritty voice and a sharp eye for institutional injustice, her latest novel Mortal Revenge, co-authored with Fernando León Torrens, plunges readers into the sun drenched streets of Veracruz, where power and family secrets collide under the weight of violence and betrayal. Mortal Revenge isn’t just a thriller — based on a true story, it’s a fight for truth, told with unrelenting honesty.

Drawing on a deep-rooted fascination with Mexico, political and social intrigue and the human psyche under pressure, Ana builds morally complex anti-heroes whose fights for justice blur into quests for survival. Her work brings Latin American infused crime fiction to the forefront — combining intense action, layered character drama, and social realism. Her novels include the JadeAnne Stone Mexico Adventures and the the Dafne Olabarrieta Mexico Mysteries. She has also written a memoir of her years living in Mexico, Saints and Skeletons.

When she’s not weaving dark plots or crafting shocking twists, Ana connects with her readers on social media, sharing behind the-scenes insights, cultural inspirations, and the emotional heart of her stories.

Ana also teaches creative writing, produces North Bay Poetics, and is the Vice President of of Sisters in Crime Northern California. https://anamanwaring.com https://linktr.ee/anamanwaring

Reviews

[Lisa Towles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all of the books now in this gripping, regional thriller series, and I'm hoping there are still more to come. I love the way main character JadeAnne Stone meets her challenges with a nice mix of grit and compassion. People are complicated and the characters in this book and the series are very relatable. And the setting in Mexico creates another appealing layer. Memorable and recommended!

[Book Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coyote: Pursuit and Terror Across the Border is the fourth book in Ana Manwaring’s thrilling crime series. It follows the events in book three, where JadeAnne is attempting to bring Lily, a young, trafficked girl to safety. Senator Aguirre is dead and her nemesis, Anabel, is trying to re-kidnap her and Lily to complete the sale to Los Zetas, forcing JadeAnne and Lily to flee to the U.S. border. When they find no help from the U.S. government, JadeAnne calls on the help of her new friends Rosi and Dafne along with her boyfriend, Dylan and her father, Quint. But every move they make puts her and those around her in danger.

The author has sent her characters on a heart-pounding mission in the fourth installment in her series. The ensemble cast and suspenseful story remind me of the consistently entertaining Fast and Furious series. Because this story picks up right where book three ended it was not hard to follow along, so longtime fans will enjoy the blazing speed of this story. For newcomers to the series, I would recommend reading the series in order since the author drops us into the fray without a preamble.

JadeAnne felt very fleshed out as everything is coming from her perspective. While I enjoyed the deep dive into her character I didn’t get to know the other characters as well. Ana Manwaring has a strong narrative voice in her novel which helps guide the reader through some high-octane scenes. I always enjoy Manwaring’s novels because of the detailed scenes. I could clearly imagine it all and there were some fantastically cinematic scenes to read through. There is palpable tension throughout the story which always had me wondering what was going to happen next. Manwaring does an excellent job of keeping the reader on their toes as action strikes at any moment in the story.

The author successfully brings together action and adventure in this explosive thriller set against the unique backdrop of Mexico in Coyote: Pursuit and Terror Across the Border.

[J.W. Bell]

Review for — Coyote
By Ana Manwaring
From the slow burn beginning through the fast-paced, hard-knocking excitement of the final gunfight, Ana Manwaring presents a colorful, well-described vision of Mexico and the tension there. The story moves through the country's interior through the excitement and resolution of a complicated plot that urges the reader along with the promise and enticement of tension to come. It is well worth the read; an even more colorful story is yours if you understand the Mexican language. The frequent use of Mexican culture through the accurate descriptions of food, colors, and personal relationships brings the story alive. Good job, Ms. Manwaring — four stars.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense

"Coyote" will keep you on your toes, constantly second guessing which characters are really trustworthy. JadeAnne is battling one had guy after another in her quest to keep Lily safe and get her back to the US.