Synopsis
In 1895, Antonio Sonoro is the latest in a long line of ruthless men. He’s good with his gun and is drawn to trouble but he’s also out of money and out of options. A drought has ravaged the town of Dorado, Mexico, where he lives with his wife and children, and so when he hears about a train laden with gold and other treasures, he sets off for Houston to rob it—with his younger brother Hugo in tow. But when the heist goes awry and Hugo is killed by the Texas Rangers, Antonio finds himself launched into a quest for revenge that endangers not only his life and his family, but his eternal soul.
In 1964, Jaime Sonoro is Mexico’s most renowned actor and singer. But his comfortable life is disrupted when he discovers a book that purports to tell the entire history of his family beginning with Cain and Abel. In its ancient pages, Jaime learns about the multitude of horrific crimes committed by his ancestors. And when the same mysterious figure from Antonio’s timeline shows up in Mexico City, Jaime realizes that he may be the one who has to pay for his ancestors’ crimes, unless he can discover the true story of his grandfather Antonio, the legendary bandido El Tragabalas, The Bullet Swallower.
Rating
★★★★★
Thoughts
What a wild ride! With badass banditos, cowboy cantinas, train robberies, desert shootouts, and a familial curse, this story is a page turner. Interested in southwest history and culture, I was immediately drawn to the book’s synopsis. And through outstanding storytelling, James exceeded my expectations of an interesting tale.
James’s characters are well-developed and the story is compelling, so I found this book to be unputdownable. Based loosely on her own family’s story, the author did an amazing job of weaving border history with enough fiction and magic to craft a riveting tale. If westerns are due for a comeback, I think this book would make a fantastic movie!