Sunday, July 3, 2011

Triple Crossing-Sebastian Rotella

Triple Crossing
Sebastian Rotella
Mulholland/Little Brown, Aug 10 2011, $24.99
ISBN: 9780316105309

Career Conditional Border Patrol agent Valentine Pescatore works the San Diego- Tijuana Line. He understands the rules, but cannot help feeling for some of the women and children caught in the righteous political anti-illegal immigration fever. In fact he has given money to some of those he arrested. Valentine’s idealism clashes with his vicious supervisor Arleigh Garrison, who sees these illegal “animals” as sport.

During a stoppage, Valentine notice notorious human-drug smuggler Pulp escaping. He follows the nasty supplier into Tijuana, violating the treaty and the laws of both countries. Federal Agent Isabel Puente finds Valentine on the wrong side of the border and the law. She recruits him by blackmailing him to go undercover inside a particularly nasty Mexican mafia family. As he falls in love with his puppeteer, Valentine becomes a double agent working the lethal South American "triple border" crossing.

Reporter Sebastian Rotella pulls no punches in this dark look at working undercover amongst extremely dangerous people. The story line is action-packed while containing a strong cast and not just the three above as for instance Mexican official Mendez diligently works anti-corruption in Tijuana. Except for the suits who use the illegal immigration issue as a tough on crime vote getter, readers will appreciate the dangerous rest of the story.

Harriet Klausner

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