[A Veranda Cruz Mystery 03] • Death Blow

**Homicide detective Veranda Cruz takes on the most ruthless member of the Villalobos cartel in this fast-paced follow up to *Phoenix Burning***

Phoenix homicide detective Veranda Cruz is on a mission. After Hector Villalobos tried to destroy her family, Veranda vowed to take down his powerful crime family. Beautiful, shrewd, and lethal, Daria Villalobos is on a mission of her own. Determined to be the first woman to take the reins of her father's notorious cartel, she hatches a plot to eliminate Veranda, framing a rival to take the fall.

When the investigation blows up in Veranda's face, the hunt is on to stop the bomber. Now she must battle her department and her personal demons as she takes on Daria. To survive her most cunning adversary yet, will she make a pact with a killer?

**Praise for *Phoenix Burning*, Book 2 in the Veranda Cruz Mysteries: **

"Maldonado's a writer to watch, and she showcases her own extensive law enforcement background in this tightly plotted police procedural."--*Publishers Weekly* (Starred Review)

"Maldonado, a former law enforcement officer, brings her experience and expertise to this gripping police procedural. With its gritty heroine, this action-packed mystery will attract readers who enjoy crime novels about the war on drugs."--*Library Journal*

"Phoenix may be burning, but Maldonado's star is rising. Gritty and gripping."--J. A. Jance, *New York Times* bestselling author

"Maldonado's writing always bristles with urgency and authority."--*MysteryScene Magazine*

"Delivers a brilliant and complicated heroine, accented by a take-no-prisoners plot...It's spicy, smart, and entertaining, definitely worth your time."--Steve Berry, author of *The Lost Order*

**Praise for *Blood's Echo*, Book 1 in the Veranda Cruz Mysteries: **

**Finalist for the Mariposa Award for Best First Novel**

"A highly entertaining police procedural . . . Maldonado rises to her written challenge to entertain, enthrall, and engage readers in this high-octane thriller."--*Suspense Magazine*

"A tense thriller with a strong sense of place and an insider's look at some of the most dangerous work in law enforcement."--Jan Burke, *New York Times* bestselling author

"The Phoenix sun isn't the only thing burning in this thrilling debut and I look forward to more."--Shannon Baker, bestselling author of the Kate Fox mystery series

"An ex-narc leads a war against a powerful crime family. The payoff is satisfying."--*Kirkus Reviews*