Quarter horse racing and drug trafficking converge in this true story of brothers José and Miguel Treviño. José became an American citizen and worked for many years in Dallas as a bricklayer. Miguel, aka Cuarenta (Forty), became the leader of Los Zetas, a notoriously violent Mexican drug cartel. Add an ambitious FBI agent and a Texas rancher-turned-informant to the mix, along with a cast of colorful minor characters, and it results in a recipe for a compelling read.

Tone excels at providing just enough background to help the reader understand quarter horse racing and breeding, the various law enforcement agencies involved in counteracting illegal drug trafficking, and the mechanics of money laundering. Tone’s background in reporting is evident in his ability to sort through a massive amount of research and bring it together into a fascinating narrative. He has a knack for storytelling, but occasionally takes a rather coarse, slang-laden approach, which somehow didn’t bother me as much as it usually does.

He does an excellent job of conveying the complexities involved in issues related to the US/Mexico border, especially as related to how law enforcement agencies sometimes get in each other’s way. He makes some valid points about the politicization of the “War on Drugs” and the element of racism involved in crackdowns. It is unfortunate, but certainly understandable under the circumstances, that he was not able to persuade one of the main characters to grant him an interview.

Recommended to readers of true crime, especially those curious about drug cartels or the more nefarious aspects of horse racing. As a warning, this book includes descriptions of graphic violence employed by drug cartels. I received an advance copy of the e-book from NetGalley and the publisher.

The Morales brothers use drug money and fast quarter horses to build an empire. The FBI used a man close to Jose Morales to get to the center of the shananigans and bring down the house. Fascinating read!

... With FBI Agent Scott Lawson as Eliot Ness, Miguel Trevino (aka Cuarenta aka Forty) as Al Capone, and money laundering instead of tax evasion.

This meticulously researched book is an illuminating read. Each chapter revealed something new and fascinating, both about Los Zetas and American quarter horse racing. I picked it up a couple of times, reading a few chapters each time, because there's such a wealth of information that it was hard to assimilate it all. This is one to keep on your shelf and refer to when you need it. Kudos to Mr. Tone.

FYI: Bones, for which the book was titled, was the nickname of Tempting Dash, Forty's most prized stallion - the horse that finally lured his brother Jose into quarter horse racing, laundering millions in drug profits, and helping the Zetas infiltrate American horse-racing; brought a number of people under the feds' microscope; and turned Tyler into an invaluable informant.

*ARC via netgalley*

Way. Too. Long. Overall this book had a good story line. The author's passion for the topic was evident. However, there were too many extra details and side stories included. It made for a very long read that at times felt tedious. While those who are extremely passionate about the topic may enjoy the extra details, I would have loved an abridged version of the important and astounding story being told.

The Trevino brothers, Jose and Miguel, were raised in a large family in Nuevo Laredo. Jose migrated to the American side in pursuit of a dream – opportunity and economic independence. He became a bricklayer and worked his way up to afford a modest living for himself and his family. It may be said that Miguel, who stayed on the Mexican side, also wanted opportunity and economic independence. But he pursued his dreams by entering and excelling in the deadly world of the Zetas and the cartels. The two brothers co-existed but saw little of each other. But soon they would be held within the same circle – the world of quarter horse racing.

Miguel needed an outlet to launder his money. Both Jose and he had always had a love of the quarter horse sport. What better way for both to enter that world? Jose would do the purchasing and “run” the horses on the American side, Miguel would provide the muscle, expertise and money to achieve their goals.

But the sudden entry of a modest bricklayer into the quarter horse arena did not go unnoticed. Large sums of money exchanged hands, many horses were bought, trained and bred. An FBI agent was watching and seeking how to link the brothers together so they could bring down the enabling Miguel with the novice Jose. Scott Lawson was the rookie FBI agent assigned to this Southwestern locale. He saw an opportunity to make the case through following the money, the communications, and the quarter horse circuits.

Joe Tone takes the reader to the border world where money, drugs and quarter horse racing intercept. Many are involved but justice does not always bring a resolution where all the guilty are punished in accordance to their involvement. Race, class and culture are explored within this tableau of violence and a seemingly pastoral but lucrative horse racing setting.

Recommended for those seeking a better understanding of how our drug wars are waged, lost or won on the border.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book which brings a deeper awareness to so many issues.

Joe Tone has taken three subjects I like a lot, the Mexican drug wars, cops, and racehorses, and written an in-depth true-life study of their intricacies. In “Bones: Brothers, Horses, Cartels, and the Borderland Dream,” he has researched the tangle of their being and tries to explain it to his readers. Good luck with that. In spite of the threat of personal harm for daring such a thing, Tone has tackled a toxic pudding of evil subterfuge that has defied all attempts at getting it together in a bowl.

The drug cartels of Mexico, Central and South America amass huge amounts of money; so much that stashing it all in safe places is a daunting task. “Bones” lays out one such method, laundering some of the receipts in the equally hard to follow industry of horse racing. Who knows about the rest of it? I picture moldy bags of paper profits secreted in tumbledown barns all over the border

The author tells of a group of Mexican brothers with differing views of life’s struggles. One works for thirty years as a bricklayer in Texas, barely surviving, and initially rejects the life of a drug smuggler. Another adopts a life among the drug dealers, eventually rising in stature to become a vicious drug lord. Another ultimately rises to the number two position. Others drift in and out of the shadows but over time get caught up in the intoxication of possessing great wealth. Even the bricklayer, a picture of virtue for so many years, cannot stay away from the piles of money, riches he went without for so long.

Outsiders enter the picture, of all ethnic groups, lured by the call of money. There are many jobs in the business of illegal drugs, particularly in cartels as large as Los Zetas, and many characters who want a piece of the action. Tone goes into the depths of the activity and does his best to keep it straight. His research is tremendous. His tracking of the activities of these untouchables is relentless. His ability to create suspense is amazing, making the story a thrilling expose.

The author has even exposed the territorial battles between the governmental agencies charged with keeping these illegal activities in check. That’s not a pretty situation. Combining the complicated criminal acts with the confusion and complexity of law enforcement indicates a battle that will long be with us. The ultimate victims are everywhere.