Bram Stoker and Shirley Jackson Award-winning novel. The bloody story of a man desperately trying to save what is left of his family. To do this, he will have to plunge into the very abyss of violence - both real and supernatural. Murder never became an ordinary job for Mario. But the way of the sicario is the only way to cure the little daughter. Only now the stack of medical bills is not decreasing, and family relationships are on the verge of breaking down. In this time of crisis, Mario receives an offer: a final order that will either pull him out of poverty forever, or send him to another world with a bullet in his head. A man named Juanca needs a partner to raid Mexican drug cartel couriers carrying two million dollars. With nothing to lose, Mario sets off on a journey. Every Every day, unspeakable horrors happen around you, and at the end of the road the devil himself awaits him. “Sometimes, when you wake up from a nightmare, you plunge into an even worse nightmare. Then Gabino Iglesias reaches out from the darkness and leads you home.” – Stephen Graham Jones “A true neo-noir, brimming with all the rage and sadness of our times. This novel is cruel, hallucinatory, but nevertheless beautiful. And he confirms what some of us already knew: Gabino Iglesias has a vibrant, fierce voice." – Paul Tremblay “A vintage noir with a Heart of Darkness vibe, set on the Mexican border, with all the heartache that entails (the author himself calls the genre barrio noir). What you don't expect is magical realism (and horror) paired with dark crime fiction about repeated violence again and again." – Chicago Tribune “Nobody writes like Gabino Iglesias. His prose combines rich and magnificent poetry with metaphorical cruelty." ― HorrorDNA “A novel filled with folklore and horror. Odyssey in hopes of ending his suffering - in any way possible. Filled with a noir atmosphere and a delightful critical eye, this book demonstrates the intricate logic of a nightmare that reminds the reader that there is no one direct path to redemption." ― Rue Morgue “Part road movie, part nightmare, part revelation.” ― Tor.com “A dark reflection on the emptiness that comes with losing something important in life, and what we become when we try to fill it with something. Oh yes, there is a lot of blood here, and unexpected lyrical madness adds spice to the main dish of misfortune. And every time you think the book is going quiet, it starts screaming again. Be warned: you will never be able to look at bolt cutters and crocodiles the same way again.” – Josh Malerman “Filled with genuine brutality, this novel is one of the best I have read in a long time. An incredible and unforgettable journey." – Alma Katsu “Iglesias has written a dark tale about the hardships of loss, the struggle with poverty and the long, present shadow of death.” - Chuck Wendig "This novel certainly establishes Gabino Iglesias as one of the most innovative, exciting and talented novelists who once again mixes genres with deliciously dark, compelling and provocative results." ― Los Angeles Review of Books “The world of the novel is harsh and unforgiving, and its desert is an incredibly treacherous place. IN With his masculine, sinuous and surprisingly piercing text, the author achieves maximum heights.” ― Bookpage “A frontier odyssey combining noir and magical realism, reflections on religiosity and human cruelty, social commentary on guns, drug trafficking and growing social exclusion.” ― The New York Times “This is not your average thriller. Scenes of magic, love and faith contrast with cruelty, violence and terror. This is a master class in creating an uncomfortable atmosphere, a barrio noir, a raw crime story that involves the ghosts, culture and traditions of the peoples in question. This is a gripping tale of revenge with a deadly twist that will leave the reader hooked. The violence is brutal and graphic, but the story remains lyrical and dazzling beautiful. This is a fascinating novel that makes you think about human principles and the monsters at their core." ― Library Journal “A gripping barrio noir that forces the reader to consider the depth of darkness in this world, the consequences and cycles of violence that we enter again and again, willingly or not. The mixture of religious, superstitious and mystical elements gives the novel a dimension that enhances the horror of the events. And this, of course, is not a cheerful novel, but nevertheless, in it you can see glimpses of love, human affection and the radiance of beauty. Even if they cannot save us, they are still a beacon that reminds us that with some effort and luck, a way can be found.” ― NPR.org “A novel that cycles between action-packed thriller, diabolical horror and violent literature about drug dealers... Those who are drawn to the motives of the characters and the occult will quickly swallow the book whole.” ― Kirkus Reviews “The author effectively depicts Mario's fragile state of mind and weaves a subtle yet complex mythology of the story out of chilling details. Readers should prepare for plenty of graphic violence. Fans of creepy but emotionally deep books will be pleased." ― Publishers Weekly “There are both real and supernatural horrors, all in a fast-paced, dizzying journey.” ― Austin American-Statesman “A terrifying journey through Texas and nearby Mexican cities. The author calls his fiction “barrio noir,” meaning a combination of crime and horror. The incompatibility of family devotion with brutal vigilantism creates chilling tension as Mario tests his moral compass again and again.” ― Washington Post “A brutal journey across the Mexican border and back, through an underworld where unearthly forces are used to their advantage (like the bolt cutter scene that will give us nightmares). It's a devastating book about the cycles of violence, poverty, and love that leads us to the conclusion that the true test of life in America is choosing which devil you will sell your soul to." ― NY Magazine / Vulture “A surprising mixture of genres, filled with unbridled and righteous anger. Part horror, part crime thriller. The author takes a fresh look at social problems and the feeling of being an “other.” Even more brilliant is how he uses his hero's inferiority to immerse the reader and motivate him to action. This is a dark and exciting road movie with no easy answers or easy solutions for all the characters until the bittersweet ending." ― Bloody Disgusting “This is both a fast-paced thriller and a heartfelt, elegiac tale of a man constantly fighting for his existence in foreign, inhospitable lands, be it the country where he has become the “other” or a monster-infested underground world.” – The Big Thrill “This story begins with pain. Like life, it begins with tears. And it ends with changes. In between, we're treated to some of the best, scariest, most heartbreaking fiction you'll ever read. Iglesias, like the old masters Spanish Baroque, paints hyper-realistic images right in your head. Images that will make you cry, that will make you gasp, that will make you see the world in a new light.” – S.A. Cosby “An unforgettable neo-noir nightmare written from the heart of a poet.” – Steve Kavanagh “An author like no other, with a powerful, distinctive and daring voice that transcends genre. In his book, he combines elements of noir, thriller and horror into a brutal and delightful novel. Get ready - this is his best work." – Jennifer Hiller “This novel is like a rhythmic song, razor-sharp and completely crazy. The author, being a true master, keeps his foot on the pedal, at times slowing down, but then inevitably pressing it to the floor and riveting us to the spot.” – David Joy “Buckle up tight, embarking on a journey with this amazing novel, a hallucinogenic mixture of crime and horror. Unforgettable characters, a thrilling plot and a couple of scenes that will haunt you until the end of your days." – David Heska Wenbley WadenBook contains strong language