Rio Grande Fall

by Rudolfo Anaya

Book Overview

"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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446518441
• ISBN13: 9780446518444
• Release Date: September 1996
• Publisher: Warner Books (NY)
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Anaya's writing is like a breath of fresh air after a thunderstorm

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

Sonny Baca and Raven square off for Round 2!

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!

A great mix of mystery and spirituality

I had not read "Zia Summer" when I stumbled upon "Rio Grande Fall." Rudolfo Anaya's second Sonny Baca mystery filled in the "Zia Summer" gaps enough that I had no problem following "Rio Grande's" exciting and intricate story of murder, deception and spiritual power. Anaya's carefully crafted use of Spanish without translation adds to the flavor, as do his descriptions of Sonny's shamanic journeys, as he learns to use his power animal, Coyote. When religion appears at all in popular literature today, it usually is in the mainstream. Thus, it is refreshing to find a hero who devoutly espouses an alternate belief system. Also, Anaya packs this page-turner with Hispanic-American socio-political history, working it in so entertainingly that you don't realize till later how much you have learned. "Rio Grande Fall" is an all-around good read.

Not up to Zia's standards

While I enjoyed Rio GRande Fall a lot, it could not comapre to Zia Summer. To read Rio, you must have read Zia to understand the book. The plot was a little more deliberate. ZSonny, the main charater did not develop as well as can be expected. You woyld think that he would learn after the first 5 times Raven almost kills him that he should be more careful. But in the end of the novel he doesn't. It is still a very enjoyable novel and paints an elegant picture of the Southwest and its culture.

Anaya writes a mystery novel with a classic taste!

"Rio Grande Fall" picks up where "Zia Summer" left off. Sonny and Rita are back, along with most of the other original characters. Anaya introduces a few new, intriguing characters as well. The story will certainly grab your attention, and the final chapters will have you on the edge of your seat! Things certainly end with a bang! or perhaps, to be more precise, a zap! A must read for both Anaya and mystery fans.