Kiss The Detective

The Godfather of Narco Lit Elmer Mendoza returns with Kiss The Detective the latest book to feature his wily Detective Edgar 'Lefty' Mendieta.

When a fortune-teller is brutally murdered it is his underworld contacts in the drug world that 'Lefty” turns to for help.  Unfortunately, they want something in return, but is it something he can do? The request? Help the head of the Pacific Cartel get out of hospital where she is recovering after an attempt has been made on her life.  A difficult request as both the Mexican Army and the Federal Police are hovering.  Things however do not go to plan and he soon finds himself not only fired from the police force but dealing with the kidnapping of his son.  The only person he can turn to for help is the Pacific Cartel.

Kiss The Detective is the fourth book in the series featuring this fascinating character who tries his hardest to deliver justice even though he knows that his hands are tied by others. It is at times bleak and harsh but there are also laugh out loud comedic moments which releases some of the tension.  You can never predict what he is going to happen in this series and in Kiss The Detective this is clearly evident.  Furthermore, Mendoza does not shy away from highlighting the real-life brutal effects of drug trafficking and the repercussions not only amongst the various cartels and their rivalry but also everyone else.  It is hard not to sympathise with the tactics used by the police whether or not they are legal.

If you are looking for an intelligent, atmospheric police procedural that is as thought provoking as it is page turning then Kiss the Detective certainly hits the spot.  Latin American crime fiction is a joy to read and Elmer Mendoza is certainly at the top of the tree.  If you haven’t read any of this series before, then what are you waiting for?