The second Colson becomes a witness of a crime executed by notorious Mexican gang members, it is easy to assume that Dalrymple will cling to stereotypes of Mexican drug cartels and violence, but he quickly proves this theory wrong with his subtle acknowledgement of these stereotypes through John’s experiences and expectations. Dalrymple represents truthfully the eclectic landscapes of Mexico, masterfully embellishing his writing with historical and cultural knowledge: enough to heighten the impact of the text but without distracting from the novel itself. The slightly disturbing and unsettling effect of the abundance of violence is outweighed by its gripping quality, as it becomes increasingly enthralling and the tension escalates.
As the book unfolds, Dalrymple introduces multiple plotlines, running parallel to eachother as the plot intensifies. Although ostensibly this may be slightly perplexing, connections soon begin to unravel, until every page turned presents the reader with another shocking revelation. Marcus ties these clues together as seamlessly as he carries the reader through a journey from betrayal to romance, from adventure to terror, and from desperation to determination. A real page-turner, Dalrymple’s novel is totally unpredictable and offers an abundance of scandalous surprises.
