Romilla Chacaon Mysteries by Marcos McPeek Villatoro

Home Killings
Introduces us to Romilia Chacaon, a rookie in the Nashville police force. She receives her first murder case when called to the scene of an apparent suicide. Romilia quickly discerns that the young Latino reporter was murdered possibly because of an upcoming article connecting a media-touted Latino philanthropist, lately arrived from Atlanta, with drugs and kids. She is able to tie this murder with two other serials murders that already have someone in jail for killing them. Thus making the other officer look incompetent. Are the ceremonially slaughtered bodies the product of ancient ritual, a serial killer or a campaign to shock rival drug lords into compliance?

Combatingng the machismo of the police force and the challenges of being an outsider within the Latino community. She is also introduced to the drug and illegal trade of the seedy underworld of Nashville. But she has to find balance with her work and personal life, where mother and child are both so dependent on her.

Very interesting read, much more dark and intense than I normally enjoy. I met the author at the Friends of the Cerritos Library mystery author luncheon in January. He is a very intense and intriguing person, plus a great public speaker. I find when I meet authors I want to read their books to see if the impression I got matches how they write. His definitely does.