Carmen Amato Books in Order

The Best Starting Point: Where to Begin?

If you are new to Carmen Amato’s high-stakes thriller world, you have two primary entry points depending on your favorite subgenre. If you want a gritty, realistic police procedural series set against the backdrop of modern Mexico, start with Cliff Diver, the first book in the Detective Emilia Cruz series. If you prefer historical fiction packed with crime, bootlegging, and familial legacy, begin with either the prequel Road to the Galliano Club or the main novel Murder at the Galliano Club.

For readers who prefer a standalone experience before committing to a full series, the political thriller The Hidden Light of Mexico City is an excellent showcase of Amato’s signature style: rich cultural immersion, complex characters, and authentic procedural detail inspired by her 30 years as a CIA intelligence officer.

The Detective Emilia Cruz Mysteries

The Detective Emilia Cruz series is Carmen Amato’s signature work. Set in the beautiful yet dangerous tourist resort of Acapulco, the series follows the city’s first female police detective as she fights a multi-front war against drug cartels, institutional corruption, and systemic sexism (machismo) within her own police department. Due to Amato's real-life experience in counterdrug operations, these books feel exceptionally realistic and raw.

While the crime investigations in each book are self-contained and resolved by the final page, the underlying story arcs—including Emilia’s personal relationships, her career trajectory, and the changing political climate of Acapulco—develop continuously. For this reason, the author strongly recommends reading the main novels in chronological order.

Emilia Cruz Recommended Reading Order

1. Cliff Diver (2013) – The first full-length novel. Emilia Cruz is assigned to investigate the suspicious death of her lieutenant, plunging her directly into a web of corruption.
2. Hat Dance (2013) – Emilia is assigned to a high-profile case involving a politician's daughter, exposing her to the highest levels of Mexican political danger.
3. Diablo Nights (2014) – A massive earthquake hits Acapulco, and in the chaos, Emilia must track down a killer while navigating personal tragedy.
4. King Peso (2016) – Emilia investigates the murder of a prominent politician's son, matching wits with a dangerous money launderer.
5. Pacific Reaper (2017) – Emilia finds herself hunting a serial killer targeting luxury tourists, threatening the city's vital economy.
6. 43 Missing (2017) – Inspired by the real-life tragedy of missing students in Guerrero, Emilia investigates a missing persons case that hits close to home.
7. Russian Mojito (2019) – Emilia goes undercover at a luxury resort to investigate a Russian national's murder, uncovering a massive fuel-theft conspiracy.
8. Narco Noir (2020) – Emilia is forced to navigate the deadly intersection of local cartels, corrupt politicians, and undercover federal operations.
9. Barracuda Bay (2025) – Emilia takes on a complex case in a coastal community, discovering that old secrets can be just as deadly as active cartel rivalries.
10. Dragon Cartel (2026) – The latest entry in the series finds Emilia investigating an international conspiracy that reaches far beyond the borders of Mexico.

Novellas, Short Stories, and Companions

Amato has written several supplementary works set in the Emilia Cruz universe. These can be read as companions to the main series:

• Made in Acapulco (2013) – A collection of short stories that serves as a prequel, detailing Emilia’s first years on the police force. It includes "The Cliff," the original short story that inspired the debut novel.
• The Artist / El Artista (2018) – A bilingual illustrated short story set in Mexico that captures the atmospheric local culture.
• Feliz Navidad from Acapulco (2019) – A holiday-themed murder mystery novella published after Russian Mojito.
• The Listmaker of Acapulco (2021) – A fast-paced novella published after Narco Noir, dealing with a dangerous list of corrupt officials.

The Galliano Club Historical Thrillers

Stepping away from modern Mexico, the Galliano Club series takes readers back to upstate New York in 1926. This historical crime fiction series explores the wild era of Prohibition, immigrant communities, bootlegging, and organized crime. The series is deeply personal to Amato, as it was inspired by stories of her grandfather, who served as a deputy sheriff during the Prohibition era.

The series consists of one prequel and three core novels. You can read them in publication order or chronological order:

• Road to the Galliano Club (2022, Prequel) – A prequel novella setting up the characters, family dynamics, and the rise of local bootlegging.
• Murder at the Galliano Club (2022, Book 1) – The core novel that starts the main thriller plot, focusing on a murder that threatens the Italian-American community.
• Blackmail at the Galliano Club (2023, Book 2) – The tension escalates as blackmail threats force the characters into desperate alliances.
• Revenge at the Galliano Club (2023, Book 3) – The explosive conclusion to the historical crime family saga.

Standalone Novels and Non-Fiction

Outside of her two main series, Carmen Amato has written standalones and non-fiction books that showcase her range as a storyteller and her love for Mexican culture:

• The Hidden Light of Mexico City (2011) – Amato's debut novel. This contemporary standalone political thriller combines romance, drug war intrigue, and a deep look at the socioeconomic divide in Mexico's capital.
• Awakening Macbeth (2017) – A unique standalone gothic paranormal romance and modern reimagining of Shakespeare's classic play.
• The Insider’s Guide to the Best of Mexico (2017) and Insider's Guide to the Best of Mexican Holidays (2021) – Non-fiction travel guides designed for travelers and cultural enthusiasts.

What to Know Before You Start

Carmen Amato’s books are celebrated for their extreme authenticity. As a former CIA intelligence officer who received the Career Intelligence Medal, Amato brings real-world tradecraft, geopolitical understanding, and institutional realism to her fiction. When Emilia Cruz encounters cartel logistics or institutional corruption, the details are grounded in actual intelligence history. However, the tone remains accessible, friendly, and deeply human, prioritizing the resilience of her characters over simple shock-value violence.