Writing From the Headlines: Q&A with Carmen Amato, Suspense Thriller Author

Carmen AmatoYou’ve now published two book series and a few stand alone books, but what inspired you to write that first one?
My first book was the political thriller THE HIDDEN LIGHT OF MEXICO CITY. After living there for several years, I wanted to expose Mexico’s social disparity and gender inequality. It’s baked into the culture in so many ways and was often a topic of conversation with expatriate friends who hailed not only from the US but from all over the world. We saw Mexico’s social ladder for what it is: virtually impossible to climb.

THE HIDDEN LIGHT OF MEXICO CITY is both a Cinderella story and an exposé of how drug money reaches the upper levels of government. It was longlisted for the 2020 Millennium Book Award. After 17 books, it’s still my favorite.

Your Emilia Cruz series features a strong leading female detective. How did you research the workings of a police force to make it believable?
I was a US intelligence officer for 30 years, focusing on counterdrug issues for a large portion of my career, so I knew how Mexican police services operate before beginning the series. There are significant differences between US and Mexican law enforcement and judicial systems. Even more startling is the amount of corruption of civil authority in Mexico, which affects how a crime gets investigated. There’s just so much drug money swimming through the system.

How do you go about plotting your books? 
I often start with a real crime that makes it into the news, such as the 2014 mass disappearance of 43 students from the city of Iguala, not far from Acapulco, which became the basis for the 6^th Detective Emilia Cruz novel, 43 MISSING. I keep a file of printouts and old newspaper stories, such as a story in The Miami Herald about a random shooting of a taxi driver in Honduras that led to the latest book in the series, NARCO NOIR.

What do you think makes for a perfect murder/suspense story?
As for a perfect murder mystery, I think it has to contain multiple elements: more than one suspect, a few red herrings, and a protagonist who is a complex, layered individual with a fatal flaw or two.
 
What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
Early in my writing career I had the good fortune to be part of the Mexico Writers group on Facebook. Members were all writers either living in Mexico or writing about Mexico.
This was a wonderfully supportive group for many years. I hope that every writer finds a similar community.

What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?
Without a doubt, a consistent newsletter has been my #1 most effective marketing effort. Now in its 7^th year, every other Sunday the Mystery Ahead newsletter delivers my top secrets/latest news, an excerpt of what I’m writing now, and a book review of a mystery to read while waiting for my next book. The 3-part format is the secret. Readers always know what to expect.
Most readers subscribe through a link in the back of my Kindle ebooks.

This year I’m also distributing Mystery Ahead via Substack, which reaches a fresh audience. Find it on that platform today: https://mysteryahead.substack.com/
 
What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
The book in my head won’t be on the page until the 3^rd or 4^th draft. Sigh. I’m not the speediest writer.
 
What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Fall in love with the writing process. Write because the story needs to get out.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
Find a role model whose stories you admire, study what makes it resonate, then try to write something of equal or greater quality. Be ruthless in your quest to give readers the best product you can.
 
What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
VIVA ACAPULCO, the next Detective Emilia Cruz mystery is slated for a summer 2024 release. As city elections near, two violent murders in Acapulco lead Emilia to Washington DC where she is stalked by killers determined to make sure she never makes it home alive.

This is the first book that takes Emilia out of Mexico. She’s got no money, no identification, no friends and is on the run in unfamiliar territory. She has survival skills, but will they be enough?
 
That's all for today's interview. Hope you enjoyed learning about Carmen's books, I know I did!

Here's a special bonus she's offering to get you started on loving her books
You are invited to grab a free copy of the Detective Emilia Cruz Starter Library. Two novellas and an exclusive Who’s Who Guide to the series. https://carmenamato.net/starter-library
P.S. Find my Top Secret(s) here: https://carmenamato.net/links
Website: https://carmenamato.net
Instagram: https://instagram.com/authorcarmenamato @authorcarmenamato
 Here's another bonus for my readers... Leave a short comment on this post and you'll be entered to win a free eBook of THE HIDDEN LIGHT OF MEXICO CITY!