Lydia, a bookstore owner in Acapulco, befriends one of her customer, a charming, debonair gentleman, who isn't exactly what he seems. When Lydia's husband, a journalist, writes an article about the local cartel, she discovers that her friend is, in fact, El Jefe, the man in charge of this dangerous, violent organization. When Lydia's family is massacred in retaliation, only she and her young son, Luca, manage to escape. But the cartel's reach is long and Lydia knows their only hope of survival is to get out of the country to el norte, the United States. And so they join the thousands of others making the long, perilous journey to what they hope is a better place. You will never watch the news footage of migrants swarming to the border in the same way again. Cummins will bring to light the sometimes heartwrenching stories that accompany the migrants on their travels. Filled with suspense, heart, violence and beauty, this book has it all. Destined to be one of the best and most memorable of the year. I could sit down and read it again right now.