Rio Grande Fall (Mass Market Paperback)

~ Rudolfo Anaya (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Private investigator Sonny Baca, a thirtyish Mexican American with deep cultural roots in New Mexico, uses his developing spiritual powers to halt a vengeful cult leader's rampage. The game-playing bad guy, Raven, who murdered Baca's cousin and supposedly died in a flash flood, challenges Baca by killing a visiting balloonist at Albuquerque's balloon fiesta. Baca's restaurant-owning girlfriend, homeless Hispanics, an exotic curandera, and drug smuggling others add spice. Colorful visuals, sensuous descriptions, and the mythic clash of good and evil result in a thrilling adventure. For all collections.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

When a woman dies after falling from a hot-air balloon at Albuquerque's world-famous balloon fiesta, private investigator Sonny Baca's intuition tells him it's murder. His intuition also tells him that the murder is the work of the Raven, the leader of a violent cult that murdered Sonny's cousin, and a man Sonny thought he'd killed. The murder jeopardizes the millions of tourist dollars connected with the fiesta, but Sonny knows the Raven has more on his mind than simple mayhem. This is a completely entertaining mystery novel, but Anaya actually offers two parallel lands of enchantment. One is temporal New Mexico; the other is Nuevo Mexicano, a land of santos, milagros, spirits, visions, and even brujas (witches). It's a land of old ways, old values, and old wisdom. And it's a land where small farms and multigenerational families are fast being wiped out by modernity. Both mystery fans and armchair travelers will enjoy Anaya's second Sonny Baca novel. Readers who love both genres will find it enchanting. Thomas Gaughan --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (November 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446604860
• ISBN-13: 978-0446604864
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,302,762 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sonny Baca and Raven square off for Round 2!, September 6, 2000

By	Bruce Jones (Houston, Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

Rio Grande Fall is the second novel featuring the resourceful Alburquerque private eye, Sonny Baca. Rita, Lorenza, Turco, Don Elesio, Howard, and the rest of the unforgetable characters from Zia Summer are featured and so is the diabolical eco-terrorist, Raven!

The Hot Air Balloon Festival of Alburquerque is in danger of being cancelled unless Sonny Baca can figure out who is responsible for the murder of two balloon pilots. It doesn't take Sonny long to realize that his arch rival, Raven is responsible, but Raven has more on his agenda than just vengance. A beautifully written novel with suspense and surprises all set in the mysteriously charming state of New Mexico.

Not as good as Zia Summer, but an enjoyable sequel nontheless!

5.0 out of 5 stars Anaya's writing is like a breath of fresh air after a thunderstorm, October 13, 2008

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rio Grande Fall (Paperback)

Born in Pastura, outside of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, Anaya was the fifth of seven children. He attended the University of New Mexico with an undergrad degree in English, then obtained his master's degree in English, as well as one in guidance and counseling. Anaya taught for the Albuquerque Public Schools, became a counselor, and ended up as a member of UWM faculty. He retired in 1993 after twenty years. He is well known for Chicano literature, and has published several books that deal with the history of New Mexico and the influence of Old/New Spain; as well as the Mexican; Native American; and Anglo influences that make up today's magical Southwest.

Mexican P.I. Sonny Baca finds himself once again in a struggle against the evil Raven. Not only did Raven murder Sonny's beautiful cousin, but his murderous tricks threaten to disrupt the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival, the area's biggest money-maker. Clues point to a conspiracy between government; drug cartels; and the cult leader Raven Sonny is also on a personal quest to discover his own spiritual guides, the coyotes, and how they can help him as his search for Raven becomes increasingly dangerous:

"From where he watched, Sonny could sense the fury that bristled between the two men. They hated each other, they didn't trust each other, but the deal kept them together. Sonny knew it was always like this; the money to be made on drug deals made strange bedfellows. The hate and distrust grew, and only death could ease the greed that was always part of the world of drugs."

Rudolfo Anaya treats the reader to a panorama of the New Mexico landscape. Then he charms us with the history of these wonderful people. Finally, he digs deeper into the disservice that's been done in the name of government and tailors it into a plot that is fascinating and impossible to put down. Sonny Baca is a modern day medicine man, as well as being a charming private eye. Sonny is a compelling hero, and he constantly puts his heart, as well as life and limb, in danger for his friends. RIO GRANDE FALL is one heckuva read by an author who has much to teach. Anaya's writing is like a breath of fresh air after a thunderstorm.

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer

4.0 out of 5 stars Best of Chicano Literature, for Chicanos, May 30, 2003

By	JAC_the_Reader (Mission Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews

I strongly recommend this author and particularly this book. However, care should be taken when reading Some background in spanish is recommended since author likes to throw in a bit of "Spanglish" in,Englis, and Spanish mix, expecting that readers will catch on. A most interesting character Sonny Baca, its very refreshing to read about Latino heros, which go unmention in American Literature.