When a prominent land developer is brutally murdered on the U.S.-Mexico border, it’s not just another cartel killing to journalist Kyle Dawson. The dead man is his father.
Dawson, a veteran war correspondent, vows to uncover the truth. To do that, he must confront the ghosts of his past: including his cousin and confidant, DEA special agent Raoul Garcia; his former high school sweetheart, Anita Alvarez; his mystical Mexican-Indian mother; and his estranged children and ex-wife.
When Dawson and Alvarez, now a star reporter for a local TV station, go out to dinner after two decades apart, they witness the slaying of cartel boss Don Diego Borrego. Although they reignite their relationship, the two find themselves locked in a deadly competition. Alvarez is desperate to stay one step ahead, using her ties to the Borrego family, hoping the story will take her to the big time.
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Meanwhile, Dawson must make dangerous choices when he uncovers his father’s ties to the cartel drug trade, ties that include a man on the verge of being elected to the White House. He tracks Alvarez high into the Sierra Madre mountains, where she’s been enticed by the promise of an exclusive interview with the new drug cartel boss. But who will leave alive with the story of a lifetime exposing the sordid truth behind a rising star in U.S. politics?
From The Book:
Garcia nodded to the deputies as he lifted the tape and stepped closer to get a good look. The victim’s head was held together by the duct tape, the jaw mangled, upper teeth and bone exposed. Yeah, it was Sam Dawson. As if Sam was hard to miss. The jowly face, no neck, barrel chest, and medicine-ball belly covered by a bloodstained polo shirt monogrammed with the country club logo.
Garcia had known Kyle Dawson’s dad since forever. “Shee-it,” he said with a sigh. Times were different back then. Innocent. Where had it all gone wrong?
The gun battle at the border crossing two days earlier was bad enough. Now this. Sam Dawson was dead, executed to be precise. A high-profile land developer with strong political connections. And the father of his cousin and best friend. That black cloud that he felt hovering over Juárez was growing. Now Kyle was involved.
Two medical technicians from the Las Cruces hospital unfolded a black body bag, placed it on the ground, and zipped it open. They pulled on latex gloves.
“Help me here,” one said, swatting at swarming flies.
The other brushed away crawling ants and used a pocket blade to cut the tape that bound Sam’s wrists, freeing the arms beset by rigor mortis.
Garcia remembered Sam’s hands, big enough to palm a basketball. Sam used them to pat the backs of friends and prospective land buyers. The technicians stooped to lift the body, then worked the legs into the bag.
He gazed at the wire fence that marked the U.S.-Mexico border, stretching into the horizon, fading into the sand and sparse brush. Just five strands of barbed wire that marked the dividing line between two countries tied together in more ways than most people wanted to admit. The sun felt heavy on his shoulders. Garcia had already made one call. He dreaded the next.
Praise For BORDERLAND:
“Smart, fast tale by a true storyteller. This book grabs you from the first page and takes you on a hell-bent gallop across the perilous border between the USA and Mexico.” –Ron Franscell, author of Morgue, a Life in Death; and mysteries including The Deadline and The Obituary.
“A highly entertaining read.”— Max Blake
“A sweeping political thriller…” –J. Boekhoff, author of Crevice
“Suspenseful, well-paced action thriller.”— Craig McGuire, author of Brooklyn’s Most Wanted
“Fast and furious – a great read!”— Barbara Mulvaney, reader
“It has everything! Highly recommended!” – Larry Gerber, reader
“I hope … this book … will be picked up and made into a film, preferably by Tarantino. Russell, or Scott.”— Novemberday, reader
Praise For Peter Eichstaedt:
“Exhilarating… and written with a passion for troubled land.” – Rob Crilly, author of Saving Darfur
“This no-holds barred book should be on the desk of every politico in our nation and beyond…. A gripping page-turner….” – Salem-News.com
“A powerful and long-overdue exposé of greed and violence… a harrowing and important work….” – Greg Campbell, author of Blood Diamonds
“An insightful…account of how the U.S.-Mexico divide had turned into (a)… frontier of fear.” – Peter Andreas, author of Smuggler Nation
“Brilliantly illuminates the strange world of the U.S.-Mexico Border, a world inhabited by ruthless drug traffickers and gunrunners… politicians of all stripes and views, (and) multiple layers of law enforcement….” – Timothy Henderson, author of A Glorious Defeat
Paul Barrett says
Can’t wait to read it. Peter is a superb writer, blending action, fiction and facts like few can.
jamesbyronhuggins huggins says
Eichstaedt is a master of perfect prose and crisp, captivating dialogue while laying out captivating plot twists that no one will anticipate. When I finished Borderland I was humbled at Eichstaedt’s exacting mastery of style and his instinctive sense of how to create a great story not easily created.
James Byron Huggins, author of Dark Visions
Peter Eichstaedt says
Thanks!