Latin American Fiction, Multicultural Detectives - Fiction, Police Stories

Precinct Puerto Rico, Book 1

Name: Precinct Puerto Rico, Book 1
Author: Steven Torres
ISBN: 9781429981880

by Steven Torres

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Overview

Near Rincón, Puerto Rico, 1987.
Even a tropical paradise may have its little murders.

In his years as sheriff of Angustias, a small town nestled in Puerto Rico's mountainous heart, Luis Gonzalo has seen his share of violence. People kill for love and money in Angustias just as they do anywhere else. But it is during a visit to his wife's family in the seaside town of Rincón that Gonzalo encounters his greatest challenge.

A midnight call brings Gonzalo to a beach where bodies are washing ashore, victims of a shipwreck, victims of the illegal traffic in humans from the Dominican Republic. When he discovers evidence that the shipwreck was no accident, that the ship's captain was murdered, Gonzalo's life is threatened. When he discovers proof that Puerto Rican police were involved in the deaths of the illegal immigrants, the lives of his wife and children are threatened. The murder of one of his deputies brings Gonzalo no closer to the bottom of this mystery-- a mystery no other law enforcement agency wants to help him solve.

The first in a series of police procedural mysteries featuring Luis Gonzalo and the citizens and cops of Angustias, Precinct Puerto Rico: Book One is a brilliant beginning to a continuing story from a long overdue locale.

Synopsis

Best Mystery Novel of the 2003 Latino Book Awards

The first in a series of police procedural mysteries featuring Luis Gonzalo and the citizens and cops of Angustias, Precinct Puerto Rico: Book One is a brilliant beginning to a continuing story from a long overdue locale.

Near Rincón, Puerto Rico, 1987.
Even a tropical paradise may have its little murders.

In his years as sheriff of Angustias, a small town nestled in Puerto Rico's mountainous heart, Luis Gonzalo has seen his share of violence. People kill for love and money in Angustias just as they do anywhere else. But it is during a visit to his wife's family in the seaside town of Rincón that Gonzalo encounters his greatest challenge.

A midnight call brings Gonzalo to a beach where bodies are washing ashore, victims of a shipwreck, victims of the illegal traffic in humans from the Dominican Republic. When he discovers evidence that the shipwreck was no accident, that the ship's captain was murdered, Gonzalo's life is threatened. When he discovers proof that Puerto Rican police were involved in the deaths of the illegal immigrants, the lives of his wife and children are threatened. The murder of one of his deputies brings Gonzalo no closer to the bottom of this mystery-- a mystery no other law enforcement agency wants to help him solve.

About the Author, Steven Torres

Steven Torres was born in the Bronx, New York, but spent part of his childhood in Puerto Rico. Several members of his family lived in small towns there, not unlike Angustias, the setting for the Precinct Puerto Rico series. He studied at Hunter College in Manhattan and is currently completing his doctorate at the City University of New York Graduate Center. He and his wife, Damaris, live in New York City.

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Editorials

New York Times Book Review

Bennett's prose is like stained glass: if you stare at it, you see things you missed.

Library Journal

Sheriff Luis Gonzalo of Angustias, Puerto Rico, helps recover the bodies of illegal Dominican immigrants washed up on shore near his sister-in-law's village. He can tell that one was murdered, but when he tries to coordinate with coroners and local police, he finds that the body has disappeared. As he pursues the matter, he receives warnings from a youthful photographer and threatening phone calls that lead him to suspect police corruption. This is a most promising start to a new procedural series that stars a dedicated, sensible "hero" in an almost quaint but decidedly unique locale. Strongly recommended for most collections. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

After 15 years of routine police work and relative ease, veteran sheriff Luis Gonzalo gets hit from all sides, and all at once. Now that it's 1987, Puerto Rico's urban criminals have finally discovered Angustias, his sleepy little seaside town. The crime wave comes closest to home when Gonzalo's elderly father-in-law faces off against three young Dominican druggies who break into his house. Though he lands a few good whacks with his machete, the feisty 90-year-old ends up in the hospital. Ramirez, the town's slick, ambitious mayor, grants a request for three additional deputies, doubling the Angustias police force. Veteran deputy Emilio Collazo teams with stoic Nuyorican trainee Rosa Almodovar. Newcomer Iris Calderon, a beautiful computer whiz, is combustibly paired with loose cannon Hector Paredo. Gonzalo himself takes Abel Fernandez, a streetwise transfer from San Juan, under his wing. As it turns out, Gonzalo's eclectic new force, which provides increased opportunities and fresh challenges, comes not a moment too soon. When a boatload of dead Santo Domingans headed for illegal entry to the US washes up on the town's beachfront, some of the bodies bear signs of violence. The investigative trail leads to corrupt, ruthless cops and hard choices for Gonzalo-choices of the sort he never expected to face in sleepy little Angustias. A top-notch police procedural whose engrossing details create an authentic feel. Terse, deadpan prose, believable characters, and an offbeat setting add up to a promising series kickoff.