Death in Precinct Puerto Rico
- Book Review,
by Steven Torres
From Booklist
Preparing for a celebration of his 25 years as the sheriff of Angustias, Puerto Rico, Luis Gonzalo counts his scars and remembers that Puerto Rico is a poor island whose citizens are easy prey for those willing to exploit the less fortunate. The predators never rest, even on Gonzalo's special night. A deadly arson fire disrupts the celebration, leaving the sheriff convinced that someone was sending a message. But what was the message and to whom was it delivered? And how does the fire relate to Gonzalo's belief that most large-scale crime on the island involves drugs, money, official corruption, or an unholy alliance between at least two of the three? This third entry in an excellent series builds on the unshakable decency of its hero. Even as the world in which he attempts to maintain order becomes more brutal and chaotic, Gonzalo, inspired by his family, struggles daily to keep the wolves at bay. This is a gritty, street-smart procedural that manages somehow to be less world weary and more hopeful than its European counterparts. Wes Lukowsky
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
Praise for Steven Torres and his Precinct Puerto Rico series
Burning Precinct Puerto Rico: Book Three
"Accurate and well-crafted. Steven Torres has made it possible for people to learn about emerging populations and leading-edge trends even as they enjoy accounts of riveting events. Torres's work is in the tradition of popular literature that teaches us even as it intrigues and excites us."--Henry Cisneros, former Secretary for Housing and Urban Development and president of Univision
"Colorful series...rich characters"--Kirkus Reviews
"A fine police procedural."--Library Journal
"This third entry in an excellent series builds on the unshakable decency of its hero. [A] gritty, street-smart procedural that manages somehow to be less world weary and more hopeful than its European counterparts."--Wes Lukowsky, Booklist
"[F]ast-paced...Gonzalo and other people like him who've been in Angustias their whole lives, know each other's strengths and flaws, are laid-back when they need to be, and are unstoppable when it counts."--The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana)
"Burning Precinct Puerto Rico's atmospheric view of the land is comparable to what Tony Hillerman does for the southwest, Steve Hamilton for upper Michigan and James W. Hall for Florida."--South Florida Sun-Sentinel
"Steven Torres expertly combines the solid plotting of a police procedural with a gentle, revealing look at myriad characters. He weaves in the cusoms, lifestyles and politics to give a total picture of Puerto Rico."--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Death in Precinct Puerto Rico: Book Two
"A solid police procedural with an involving murder puzzle and an ever-deepening portrait of Angustias at its core." --starred Kirkus Reviews
"Fast-paced, nonstop action" --Publishers Weekly
"A revealing and realistic examination of a society that, although similar to the U.S. on the surface, possesses its own customs, rhythms, and politics." --Booklist
"A welcome second helping of crazy characters, unique situations, and an unusual protagonist." --Library Journal
"This series shows a lot of promise." --Houston Chronicle
Precinct Puerto Rico: Book One
"Steven Torres has crafted a fascinating tale about illegal immigration and the clash between good and corrupt cops in his native Puerto Rico." --Jose Latour, author of Outcast
"Steven Torres knows what he's doing. He has captured life on the edge of Puerto Rican society with a creepy realism that is consistently well-drawn, powerful, political, and which builds at a furious pace. No passport is needed to enjoy this trip." --K.j.a. Wishnia, Edgar-nominated author of Red House
"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." --starred Kirkus Reviews
"The first Louis Gonzalo novel is a mature thriller that combines the procedural detail of Ed McBain's 87th Precinct novels with the small-town warmth of Steven Havill's Bill Gastner series. A fine debut that will have readers clamoring for an encore." --Booklist
"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." --starred Library Journal
"A diamond in the rough." --Bronx Times Reporter
Review
PRAISE FOR STEVEN TORRES AND HIS PRECINCT PUERTO RICO SERIES
DEATH IN PRECINCT PUERTO RICO
--"A solid police procedural with an involving murder puzzle and an ever-deepening portrait of Angustias at its core." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
--"Fast-paced, nonstop action" --Publishers Weekly
--"A revealing and realistic examination of a society that, although similar to the U.S. on the surface, possesses its own customs, rhythms, and politics." --Booklist
--"A welcome second helping of crazy characters, unique situations, and an unusual protagonist." --Library Journal
"This series shows a lot of promise." --Houston Chronicle
PRECINCT PUERTO RICO: BOOK ONE
--"Steven Torres has crafted a fascinating tale about illegal immigration and the clash between good and corrupt cops in his native Puerto Rico." --Jose Latour, author of Outcast
--"Steven Torres knows what he's doing. He has captured life on the edge of Puerto Rican society with a creepy realism that is consistently well-drawn, powerful, political, and which builds at a furious pace. No passport is needed to enjoy this trip." --K.j.a. Wishnia, Edgar-nominated author of Red House
--"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." --Kirkus Reviews (starred)
--"The first Louis Gonzalo novel is a mature thriller that combines the procedural detail of Ed McBain's 87th Precinct novels with the small-town warmth of Steven Havill's Bill Gastner series. A fine debut that will have readers clamoring for an encore." --Booklist
--"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." --Library Journal (starred review)
--"A diamond in the rough." --Bronx Times Reporter
Book Description
After having spent most of a Friday night making sure that the town's teenage revelers got home safely, the sheriff of Angustias, Puerto Rico, Luis Gonzalo climbs wearily into bed. Moments later he is jolted awake by a woman's piercing scream. He finds 16-year-old Luisa Ferre: barely conscious, naked and beaten.
The ring of suspects range from family to lover, and with Gonzalo on the trail they are taken under custody. And yet the closer he comes to solving the case, the more his own life begins to fall apart...
Filled with the same inriguing characters and stunning local color that made the first two books in the series such a success, Precinct Puerto Rico: Book 3 is nonstop, surprise-a-minute crime fiction from a soon-to-be-famous and not-to-be-missed crime writer.
About the Author
Steven Torres grew up in the Bronx, New York, but lived part of his childhood in a small town in Puerto Rico. He is a graduate of the City University of New York Graduate Center. Torres teaches English at Utica College in Utica, New York, where he lives with his wife, Damaris, and their small but courageous dog, Fluffy.
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