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Jane Rosenthal
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Del Rio: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Jane Rosenthal (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 85 ratings
See all formats and editions
Del Rio, California, a once-thriving Central Valley farm town, is now filled with run-down Dollar Stores, llanterias, carnicerias, and shabby mini-marts that sell one-way bus tickets straight to Tijuana on the Flecha Amarilla line. It’s a place you drive through with windows up and doors locked, especially at night—a place the locals call Cartel Country. While it’s no longer the California of postcards, for local District Attorney Callie McCall, her dying hometown is the perfect place to launch a political career and try to make a difference.

But when the dismembered body of a migrant teen is found in one of Del Rio’s surrounding citrus groves, Callie faces a career make-or-break case that takes her on a dangerous journey down the violent west coast of Mexico, to a tropical paradise hiding a terrible secret, and finally back home again, where her determination to find the killer pits her against the wealthiest, most politically connected, most ruthless farming family in California: her own.
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  1. Print length
    281 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    She Writes Press
  5. Publication date
    May 17, 2021
  6. File size
    797 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

2022 International Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Mystery/Suspense
2021 American Fiction Awards Winner in Mystery/Suspense: Multicultural & Diverse
2021 American Fiction Awards Winner in Thriller: Legal
2021 American Fiction Awards Finalist in Mystery/Suspense: General
2021 American Fiction Awards Finalist in Thriller: Crime
2021 American Fiction Awards Finalist in Thriller: General
2021 American Fiction Awards Finalist in Thriller: Political
2021 Best Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Multicultural

“A thought-provoking look at heinous crimes and their effects on larger society.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Complex and atmospheric . . . Del Rio is a suspenseful international thriller involving two countries, multiple crimes, and a district attorney driven by the need to succeed.”
—Foreword Clarion Reviews

“Showcasing author Jane Rosenthal's exceptionally impressive flair for originality and complete mastery of the crime thriller genre, Del Rio is a well-crafted mystery replete with unexpected plot twists right down to the finish.”
—Midwest Book Review

“A page-turner; its final chapters will keep you up until dawn.”
—Debra Thomas, author of the award-winning novel Luz

“Jane Rosenthal joins the small but vital community of authors using fiction to reveal the complexity and heartbreak of the US–Mexico relationship. Del Rio delivers a compelling story rooted in empathy and authenticity. The scope of the plot, breadth of character motives, and clever narrative style resonate long after the last page is turned.”
—Carmen Amato, author of the award-winning Emilia Cruz Mystery Series

About the Author

Jane Rosenthal studied creative writing at San Francisco State University. She worked for NPR and California Public Radio before teaching radio production and English in public high schools in Oakland, California. For fifteen years, before relocating to Santa Fe, New Mexico, Jane lived on a ranch in the Sierra mountains complete with horses and cattle, fulfilling her dream of being a western cowgirl. Now, she can be found exploring the many cultural offerings of her new home in New Mexico or traveling to her favorite pueblos mágicos in old Mexico when she’s not in her office with a window overlooking the Georgia O’Keeffe landscape around her and writing those novels that have been kicking around in her head all these many years.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08F2J94K9
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ She Writes Press (May 17, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 17, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 797 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 281 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 85 ratings

About the author

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Jane Rosenthal

Jane Rosenthal

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Jane Rosenthal studied creative writing at San Francisco State University. She worked for NPR and California Public Radio before teaching radio production and English in public high schools in Oakland, California. For fifteen years, before relocating to Santa Fe, New Mexico, Jane lived on a ranch in the Sierra mountains complete with horses and cattle, fulfilling her dream of being a western cowgirl. Now, she can be found exploring the many cultural offerings of her new home in New Mexico or traveling to her favorite pueblos mágicos in old Mexico when she’s not in her office with a window overlooking the Georgia O’Keeffe landscape around her and writing those novels that have been kicking around in her head all these many years.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
85 global ratings
Grounded in Personal Experience.
5 Stars
Grounded in Personal Experience.
Jane talks about her novel and how it was born: My novel Del Rio is set in a fictional town in the Central Valley of California, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Central Valley is a place made up of small towns, near where I lived, towns so accessible that they were where I went to get my hair styled, grocery shop or go to the bank. This particular town, Del Rio, doesn’t really exist, except in my imagination. One of the best compliments I ever received for my manuscript occurred when I was pitching at a conference. An editor, looking over his glasses at me, pronounced: “Wow, so do you live in Del Rio?”You too will find yourself carried away to experience the color, excitement and tension that is this fascinating novel.
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Top reviews from the United States

J. Havey
5.0 out of 5 stars Grounded in Personal Experience.
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2021
Verified Purchase
Jane talks about her novel and how it was born: My novel Del Rio is set in a fictional town in the Central Valley of California, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Central Valley is a place made up of small towns, near where I lived, towns so accessible that they were where I went to get my hair styled, grocery shop or go to the bank. This particular town, Del Rio, doesn’t really exist, except in my imagination. One of the best compliments I ever received for my manuscript occurred when I was pitching at a conference. An editor, looking over his glasses at me, pronounced: “Wow, so do you live in Del Rio?”

You too will find yourself carried away to experience the color, excitement and tension that is this fascinating novel.
Customer image
J. Havey
5.0 out of 5 stars Grounded in Personal Experience.
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2021
Jane talks about her novel and how it was born: My novel Del Rio is set in a fictional town in the Central Valley of California, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Central Valley is a place made up of small towns, near where I lived, towns so accessible that they were where I went to get my hair styled, grocery shop or go to the bank. This particular town, Del Rio, doesn’t really exist, except in my imagination. One of the best compliments I ever received for my manuscript occurred when I was pitching at a conference. An editor, looking over his glasses at me, pronounced: “Wow, so do you live in Del Rio?”

You too will find yourself carried away to experience the color, excitement and tension that is this fascinating novel.
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Richard E. Young
5.0 out of 5 stars Something new in the world
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2021
Verified Purchase
Del Rio is like nothing you’ve ever read before. It begins in a place so off the beaten path and so anti-glamorous as to become downright exotic. Rosenthal brings it to life before your eyes and clicks it into your world. And just as you are blinking and getting your bearings, she whisks you south of the California border to a scenic and tropical Mexico few Americans know - all of this with a narrative style that will make you grin. I’m alternately savoring and turning pages to see what happens next. Although I’m not even finished with the book, I couldn't wait to recommend it because the ride so far is such a blast. I’ll check in again when I get to the end.
4 people found this helpful
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Lawrence Caroff
5.0 out of 5 stars A Most Compelling Read
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2021
Verified Purchase
I read Ms. Rosendahl’s first book and liked it. I LOVED this book. I found myself admiring so much the author’s craftsmanship in structuring this novel. The characters, especially the main characters, are real and sharply drawn. The dialogue is authentic, and the sense of place fits perfectly with my knowledge of the Central Valley, San Francisco, and Mexico. The story is compelling; she draws you into it quickly and holds you there throughout the novel, making it hard to put down. There are surprises aplenty, but never the ‘miraculous’ variety that some novels need to rely on. The attention to detail is awesome, but never gets in the way of the story, it just makes it more believable. I can’t wait for her next book!
4 people found this helpful
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Susan Z
4.0 out of 5 stars An intense crime thriller
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2021
Del Rio is a run down farm town in California, filled with poverty, but that doesn't stop DA Callie McCall from trying to make a difference, fighting crimes of both the rich and the poor. She's hoping to make it big some day, and has her eyes on a senator seat.

The book takes place in both California and Mexico, and is written so well, I felt transported to the underbelly of the crime world. It seemed to capture the essence of the places and culture of the people.

The book started off slowly for me and I had a hard time finding my reading groove. In addition there was a tangential story which felt completely out of place. Until it didn't. As I approached the halfway point, things started to come together and the words started to fly off the page. There was some serious nefarious stuff going down and nobody was to be trusted. The lengths people go to for money is disgusting. The ending was extremely action packed, at moments so intense I had to take a break 😱🤣
One person found this helpful
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T B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping page-turner rich in California history as well as complex characters.
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2021
Verified Purchase
Hard to put this book down. The past and present connections between Mexico and the Central Valley of California are a vibrant background for the mystery that unfolds for the principle characters, Cassie and Nathan. The decisions of these two are endearingly frustrating, and as I read the book, I found myself saying, "No! Don't do that!", or other comments. Place descriptions are evocative, so that you feel like you "are there" as the action progresses to the weaving together of all the parts of the story.
2 people found this helpful
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Kate M
5.0 out of 5 stars I recommend!!
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2021
Verified Purchase
I just finished reading Del Rio. A very thrilling novel. It is an exciting, fast paced crime story which I highly recommend. The crimes are disturbing and are committed at every level including high level politicians. I have lived in California for most of my life and was quite unaware of the many issues the author reveals which plague the central California valley area. I truly feel that in addition to being gripped by the action of the story, I also learned quite a lot.
One person found this helpful
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Adele Holmes
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast Paced
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2022
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Once you pick this book up, you'll follow Callie through all the thrills . . . and goosebumps, and lies, oh my! Jane Rosenthal writes believable characters and paints memorable places that your mind will see as vividly as in any movie theatre.
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Pat C
5.0 out of 5 stars Central Valley skullduggery
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2021
Verified Purchase
The Central Valley, that vast stretch of California between Raymond Chandler’s LA and Dashiell Hammett’s San Francisco, now has its own authentic voice noir. Murder, human trafficking, political corruption, cultural and economic exploitation, “Del Rio” has it all. What makes this a fun read is a vivid cast of characters, whip-smart dialog, evocative atmospherics and well-timed plot bombs. Read it out loud with your partner or “person of interest”.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Craig Delaney
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read that entertains and keeps you guessing
Reviewed in Japan on May 31, 2021
Verified Purchase
Del Río begins with a body in an orange grove and takes us down the Pacific coast of Mexico. The smooth narrative drew me in and compeled me to keep reading. Jane Rosnthal is a master storyteller and is expert at mixing her cocktail of suspense with a
splash of humor and settings banal and exotic. I enjoyed the way she juxtaposes the cultures of California and Mexico and the way she kept me guessing about how the book would end.
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