Official Review: Diablo Nights by Carmen Amato

jhollan2 · Post by **jhollan2** » 11 Aug 2014, 16:43

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Diablo Nights" by Carmen Amato.]

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Carmen Amato’s novel Diablo Nights is part of a series she has written that revolves around a female detective named Emilia Cruz in Acapulco, Mexico. Amato brings her characters to life with her vivid writing style and sets them on the streets of a Mexico steeped in Catholicism and corruption. The third book in the series, Diablo Nights is well worth the read.

In Diablo Nights, Detective Emilia Cruz fights against time, Mexican and Honduran drug cartels, and corrupt members of her own department to find justice for the dead. A woman’s finger is sold as an alleged relic of a long dead saint. A man is shot and stuffed in the meat freezer of a luxury cruise ship. A prostitute dies in an alley of a drug overdose. While working these seemingly unrelated cases, Emilia begins to put together pieces of a larger pattern that lead her to a horrifying discovery and put her job, her relationships, and her life in jeopardy. As she juggles a sick mother, a still-new relationship, and a rookie partner with a dangerous crush, she must race against time to find the truth before it is lost forever.

At first glance, this series is quite similar to the In Death books by J.D. Robb. Both feature a plucky female detective with a dark past who has a thirst for justice and a rich foreign lover who plays back-up on occasion. While I couldn’t help but make note of the similarities, Amato’s unique setting, realistic characters, and intriguing plot set her apart. She brings Mexico to life in Emilia’s world of glittering tourist destinations and dangerous back alleys, where luxury cruise ships and rich spring-breakers collide with drug cartels, vigilantes, and corrupt government officials.

Diablo Nights is well written and well researched, providing a fascinating glimpse into a culture Amato is clearly well familiar with. She uses a number of Spanish words and phrases, but they are wonderfully integrated into conversation in a fluid manner that still manages to make the meanings clear for those with no knowledge of the language. There is some heavy subject matter discussed in the novel, which some readers might find disturbing. Aside from the grisly violence of the murder scenes and cartel involvement, the book also deals with drug use, mental illness, the threat of sexual violence, prostitution, and extreme miscarriages of justice. While the case is closed at the end, Amato’s commitment to realism ensures that readers are left with the knowledge that there are some battles that cannot be won and there are some enemies that are too powerful to defeat. Sometimes, the truth must be enough.

I am giving Diablo Nights four out of four stars. I very much enjoyed figuring out the clues alongside Detective Emilia Cruz and learning more about Mexican history, modern martyrs, and the violence that cartels unleash every day. It was a very unique and gripping mystery novel and I will definitely be on the lookout for more from Carmen Amato in the future.

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Kappy · Post by **Kappy** » 16 Feb 2015, 18:57

Excellent review. I would consider reading Diablo Nights if it were available from my public library.

signed · Post by **signed** » 18 Aug 2016, 09:04

Thanks for the review!

Radhika_17 · Post by **Radhika_17** » 18 Aug 2016, 09:21

Although third in a series, I'll read this one first. It looks good!

originaloflaura · Post by **originaloflaura** » 18 Aug 2016, 09:51

Sounds like a book I will have to add to my To Read pile! Thanks for writing this review; I am intrigued.

gali · Post by **gali** » 18 Aug 2016, 10:08

Sounds good! I like books that are well written and well researched as this book seems to be.

Thank you for the nice review and congratulations to the author in the positive review!

Esies98 · Post by **Esies98** » 18 Aug 2016, 10:12

Thank you for your thorough review, I love mystery novels and im very interested in the Mexican culture, so this might be a must read for me.

arelireads · Post by **arelireads** » 18 Aug 2016, 10:33

Thanks for the review! All the hearts for mystery/thriller books <3 <3 hahaha

Janetleighgreen · Post by **Janetleighgreen** » 18 Aug 2016, 10:37

Thank you for the review. This one is getting added to my 'To Read' shelf.

tisme143 · Post by **tisme143** » 18 Aug 2016, 11:11

I am so happy to be able to grab this book today for Free, yes Free!! Although I am just starting to read this book, I know a few peeps who have already engaged themselves into it and really enjoyed reading it, So I do have a bit of insight but before I leave a full review I would want to complete reading of it. What I can say at this moment is that I am so enjoying reading this book , it takes a hold of you and brings you inside ,, So do enjoy!! and don't forget to tell your friends

Joy Boudreau · Post by **Joy Boudreau** » 18 Aug 2016, 11:23

not necessarily a "happy ending" with all the strings neatly tied up in a way that makes everyone satisfied. Well, that IS life. Sounds like a good read!

Mouse22112 · Post by **Mouse22112** » 18 Aug 2016, 11:54

Very good review! I will read this book. I always like learning about other places and cultures while in the midst of a good story.

Strangerthanfiction · Post by **Strangerthanfiction** » 18 Aug 2016, 11:59

Great review. I think I'd like this a lot.

byrstn · Post by **byrstn** » 18 Aug 2016, 12:19

Great review! I have it on my to read shelf now.

MandalynnJDG · Post by **MandalynnJDG** » 18 Aug 2016, 12:24

Thank you for the review. I love J. D. Robb and while I haven't read any of this series, I'm sure I would love the writing if it is comparable to her. I like the fact that writing was well researched and the Spanish parts were easy to understand. While I don't have a problem with any of the descriptions that may put some people off of the reading, I appreciate that you included them in the review in case someone is really sensitive to that type of reading.