by Alan Weisman
First published 1986
Amelia lives in a small town on the US-Mexico border. Every day she watches families risk everything to cross the dangerous frontier. When her young son disappears, Amelia must navigate a maze of cartels, vigilantes, and shifting alliances to find him. As Amelia's search intensifies, she confronts the complex realities of life on the border—the desperation of migrants, the brutality of smugglers, and the harsh choices that come with survival.
Genres: contemporary, social-issues, mystery-thriller, family-drama
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: family-secrets, search-and-rescue
Setting: United States, Mexico, Mexican-American Border Region
200 pages · Paperback · University of Arizona Press
Content warnings: violence