BOOKS --->> Precinct Puerto Rico Book One Book Two Book Three Book Four

Burning Precinct Puerto Rico: Book 3

Angustias, Puerto Rico, 1989
Even a tropical paradise may have its little murders.

While the town of Angustias in the mountains of Puerto Rico prepares to celebrate the sheriff’s twenty five years of service, one of Angustias’ own, Pedro Ortiz, is being visited by two young men with guns. In the middle of the ceremony honoring Sheriff Luis Gonzalo, a fire is spotted on a distant hill. Gonzalo and his deputies rush to put out the flames. It’s the Ortiz home, and inside, Gonzalo finds what’s left of the Ortiz family.

When the young men return to Angustias with their guns, Gonzalo’s biggest problem appears to be getting them to put down their guns but soon Gonzalo has many more questions than he can answer.

Why did the young men return? How did they get a department issued shotgun? Why does the investigation into their identities lead to Nestor Ochoa, a corrupt cop who attacked Angustias two years earlier? And, maybe most important of all, what’s the connection between the two young men and Francisco Primavera, the new mayor of Angustias?

Before he can get to the answers, Gonzalo will need the help of Sheriff Susana Ortiz of Naranjito, lawyer Maria Garcia, and Lucy Aponte, a young photojournalist who knows more about corruption and brutality in Puerto Rico than anyone so young should.

Praise for Burning Precinct Puerto Rico: Book 3

“This book involves a truly intricate puzzle, with a strong main character, and is gripping and well written.”

Sue Reider,
Mystery Scene Magazine

“In his third mystery set in Puerto Rico, author Steven Torres expertly combines the solid plotting of a police procedural with a gentle, revealing look at myriad characters. Old-timers, new residents and those suspicious of the police each receive a thoughtful examination.

“Torres weaves in the customs, lifestyle and politics to give a total picture of Puerto Rico. Burning Precinct Puerto Rico's atmospheric view of the land is comparable to what Tony Hillerman does for the southwest, Steve Hamilton for upper Michigan and James W. Hall for Florida.”

Oline Cogdill,
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

“Steven Torres is a new author to me; his story of a remote village in Puerto Rico and the people there really works.

“Torres writes with a sure hand and introduces new faces, new places and new cultures. Gonzalo's worth reading about. He may be a small town sheriff, but he doesn't have a small town mind. All these factors make Steven Torres worth reading.”

Andi Shechter,
I Love a Mystery Newsletter

“A fine police procedural.”

Library Journal

“I commend this novel to readers of police procedurals, international detective stories, and just plain mystery lovers.”

John Leech,
Mystery News

“This third entry in an excellent series builds on the unshakable decency of its hero. Even as the world in which he attempts to maintain order becomes more brutal and chaotic, Gonzalo, inspired by his family, struggles daily to keep the wolves at bay. This is a gritty, street-smart procedural that manages somehow to be less world weary and more hopeful than its European counterparts.”

Booklist