Rio Grande FallA New Mexico PI tries to stop a cult leader’s murderous rampage in “a fascinating hybrid of detective story, adventure yarn, and shamanistic magic.” —Kirkus Reviews The world-famous International Balloon Fiesta of Albuquerque is one of the city’s most eagerly anticipated annual events and its biggest moneymaker. But when a woman plunges to her death from one of the balloons—foreshadowed by Sonny Baca’s vision of a body plummeting from the sky—Sonny’s sure it’s murder. The dead woman was the chief witness to testify against the cult implicated in the murder-for-hire of Sonny’s cousin Gloria, whose death still haunts him. In addition to motive, Sonny finds means and opportunity: a homeless family who saw someone push Veronica Worthy out of the hot-air balloon. Worthy was one of the four wives of Raven, leader of the sun cult, and a dangerous, shamanlike criminal who’s supposed to be dead. But the four black feathers found on the corpse are his calling card—clues to let Sonny know he’s alive and kicking. And his murder spree isn’t over. Now, led by his spirit guides, Sonny must race to stop a vengeful madman and save the woman he loves. From the American Book Award–winning author, this is “a completely entertaining mystery novel [that] offers two parallel lands of enchantment” (Booklist). |
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Common terms and phrases
Alburquerque Alisandra Anaya Andres Vaca balloon fiesta black balloon Bobby Lee body bosque brujo Cali cartel called cartel Chicano coffee Concha cops coyotes Cristina curandera cursed Damn dark Diego don Eliseo door dope dream drove Elfego Elfego Baca evil eyes father Garcia Gilroy Gloria going Gracias heard hell Howard John Gilroy Juárez kids killed la Llorona laughed light Llorona Lorenza Madge Swenson Marcos Mario Secco Mexican Mexico morning murder nagual night Okay Oñate Owl Woman pistol pulled Raven Río Río Grande Rita river RUDOLFO ANAYA Sandia Mountains shaman shook his head shot shouted someone Sonny answered Sonny asked Sonny Baca Sonny looked Sonny nodded Sonny replied Sonny smiled Sonny thought Sonny whispered Sonny's soul Stammer Stone story talk Tamara told took truck Turco turned valley Veronica walked women world of spirits Yeah Zia medallion