This is a book for wasting time, as there is a story, but the plot is horrible. A drug cartel is basically a business, and as it's a criminal business they try NOT to draw attention to themselves. And how stupid would a police officer (or any sane person) be to behave like the main character here?

Phoenix detective Veranda Cruz is determined to stop the Villalobos cartel once and for all. With two sons dead, it is now daughter Darius who wants the honorable task of killing Veranda. Framing rival Salazar would be an added bonus.

But a booby trapped coyote body and another bombing that destroys Veranda's house both fail to kill the feisty detective. Daria is demoted by her father but the crazed woman ignores his orders to stop and sets up a final plan to kill both Veranda and Salazar in order to claim her place as heir to the Villalobos cartel. And Veranda defies a direct order from her boss in order to end this stand-off for good.

This was a gritty, thrilling read in the Veranda Cru mystery series.

I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and Midnight Ink with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

Veranda versus Daria. Yes, this is a showdown between two women, one a law enforcement officer and the other a cartel head. Veranda Cruz won't back down when she's trying to fight the drugs which are ruining lives in Phoenix, which is why Daria wants her gone. This is the only series I know where there are two women facing off against one another. Both of them are well written and believable. Maldonado has made good use of her own background to keep this from going over the top. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read and I'm looking forward to the next one.

The third book in the Phoenix Homicide Detective Veranda Cruz series begins with a body found in a warehouse. The man has been tortured, shot and bears a tattoo on his chest…the sign of the Villalobos cartel. Veranda knows that this is the work of Daria Villalobos, daughter of El Lobo aka Hector Villalobos head of the cartel. Veranda is the illegitimate daughter of El Lobo and has spent the past two years trying to bring down the cartel. Daria wants to kill Veranda to find favor with her father as she has every intention of becoming the new head of the cartel. This is a gritty story and there is no forgiveness, only death, for those who fail at what is expected of them. It is a little more violent than the murder mysteries that I usually read, but for those who like a thriller that will keep you up all night, turning the pages, this book and series is for you. Veranda will fight the cartel and is not afraid to take on the members of her own department as well. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

I have enjoyed every one of the Veranda Cruz Mysteries in the series. This is the third book in the series and I can tell by the way it ended that there will be a fourth (Yeah!!!). I would highly recommend that if you are not familiar with the series you start reading it from number one. Although each book does give you a brief history, you miss out a lot of details by jumping straight into number 3.
No spoiler alerts, but there is a lot of drama and suspense, as well as a bit of a lovers tryst thrown into the mix. Highly recommended for anyone that likes police, murder, mystery, suspense and action novels mixed in with a good dose of family drama.

This is the third book in the series and is just as intense as the first two. The violence and tension never let up as Veranda Cruz faces off against her female half-sister and, to make things worse, her half-brother. The author makes good use of the Phoenix setting and her knowledge of police procedures. Strong characters and strong writing.

This is the third book in the Veranda Cruz Mysteries. Although, I did not know this when I read it. However, the writer gives enough and key background information for the reader to feel as if this was a stand alone book.

Veranda Cruz is a Phoenix homicide detective who has vowed to take down the Villalobos Cartel and is now facing the only woman in the Villalobos family, Daria Villalobos. Daria is ruthless and fearless and wants to be the head of the cartel. All she needs to do is to eliminate Veranda.

This is a good pace mystery, action, thriller that engages you from the very first page. The writing is really good and the story flows effortlessly. All of the supporting characters are well thought out and interesting. And of course, it is also great to have a book with two very powerful female leads.

Overall, I give this book 5/5. I would definitely recumbent it to my friends and family.

I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.