The Ballad of Rocky Ruiz [Paperback]

Manuel Ramos (Author), Ilan Stavans (Introduction), Gary Phillips (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: Latino Voices | Publication Date: November 1, 2003

This debut novel in the acclaimed Luis Montez series introduced a hero unique in detective fiction: a world-weary middle-aged lawyer steeped in the politics, history, and culture of the golden age of Chicano activism.

Twenty years ago, a gang attacked four Chicano student activists and shot down their leader, Rocky Ruiz. Now the survivors, Montez's former compatriots in the movement, are in danger. One is killed, another beaten, and a third driven into hiding. Enter Teresa Fuentes, a beautiful young lawyer determined to solve the mystery and just as determined to avoid becoming involved with Montez. To save his friends, Montez must reexamine the central event of their shared past-the murder of Rocky Ruiz. Just as difficult, he finds, may be to untangle his feelings for Teresa Fuentes.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Twenty years after four Chicano campus activists were attacked by a masked gang along a lonely road outside town and their leader, Rocky Ruiz, was shot down, the survivors begin to feel the heat. Tough- talking Tino Pacheco is killed; community center leader Orlie Martinez is beaten; and Judge Hector Garcia goes into hiding. Luis Montez, another friend who left early on the fatal night, now finds his own life on the rocks. His ex-wife is touching him for money he doesn't have; his crummy clients are beginning to turn up their noses at him; and when one of them, enormous Donna Armstrong, enlivens her eviction proceedings by attacking her landlord, the Denver disciplinary committee gets on Luis's case. The only bright spot in his life is impossibly young Teresa Fuentes, who's so determined not to get involved with him that she takes off with surly Detective Philip Coangelo on her tail, determined to tie her into the killings. A thickly atmospheric first novel--with just enough mystery to hold together a powerfully elegiac memoir of the heady early days of Chicano activism. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A very impressive debut." --Los Angeles Times

"That rare mystery novel that delivers both suspense and a vivid glimpse of a culture often overlooked by the genre. An impressive, accomplished novel." --El Mundo Latino

"You know, Luis, you remind me of Easy Rawlins. . . . Your first case is a seamless blend of politics and plot, with a tone of wry humor throughout. It's nice to get to know you: You're a rare and lovable spirit." --San Francisco Review of Books

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: Northwestern University Press; 1 edition (November 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810120909
• ISBN-13: 978-0810120907
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,169,978 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Crazy Hayride of a Chicano Mystery Novel, July 15, 2003

By 

Daniel Olivas (West Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ballad of Rocky Ruiz (Mass Market Paperback)

Though I'm not one for buying up every new mystery novel that comes out each year, I had a particular interest in "The Ballad of Rocky Ruiz" by Manuel Ramos because, as with Ramos, I am an attorney, a Chicano and a fiction writer. Well, I wasn't disappointed. Because this is a mystery with a fine, surprising ending, let me just say that I enjoyed the voice of the hardened, divorced, booze-loving protagonist, Luis Montez, a solo practitioner who finds his old friends from El Movimiento - the Chicano political movement - dying all around him. Throw in a beautiful, mysterious Chicana and things really start hopping. This short, tight novel will keep you guessing until the last pages. I highly recommend this book.