Tomas Cruz vowed never to follow in his father's footsteps, an abusive cocaine addict infamous in northern Argentina's criminal underworld. When Samuel Cruz is sentenced to thirteen years, he leaves behind a list of cartel obligations. Tomas's older brother, Seba, reluctantly steps into the void, abandoning his legitimate life to settle their father's debts. Until now, Tomas has managed to steer clear of crime, but everything changes when Seba is arrested, and a ruthless cartel boss takes his wife and daughter hostage. Tomas faces a harrowing choice: protect his family or preserve his integrity. He reluctantly takes on Seba's unfinished business, diving into the cartel's dark world to resolve a botched drug deal. His journey leads him through a horrific bar with teenage sex slaves and into the treacherous depths of the Parana River, revealing a capacity for violence he never knew he had. As he grapples with his identity, he must confront whether he truly is his father's son, a realization that may be unsettling. This Christmas-set thriller blends gory action with a poignant exploration of escaping a toxic legacy to seek personal freedom. The novel, by Argentinian noir talent Nicolás Ferraro, is a finalist for the Dashiell Hammett Award for Best Crime Novel.
