Nathan Crowder’s strong debut novel Greetings from Buena Rosa evokes both the grit of the gumshoe detective and the good-vs-evil of superhero fiction.

The novel pits the bright justice of the hero against the dark decisions of the villains, but also grapples with the compromises and pitfalls of being fully human. In the lyrically descriptive prose, we encounter the redemption of identity: Manuel de la Vega has just re-started life. Once a superhero, he now teeters around on a pair of canes. His legs barely support his body. He has firmly shelved his alter ego, telling his cadre of heroes that Gato Loco will not ride again.

Manuel is out of place everywhere. His North American police experience puts him at odds when he returns to Mexico. His romance – such as it ever was - is so far on the rocks as to be grounded. He considers that his power isn’t as “super” as anyone else’s. In the past, he had merely been thrust into circumstances in which failure meant that others would be hurt. However, he was the one hurt the last time. Like others who have experienced significant loss, Manuel seeks to reestablish himself. He simultaneously doubts who he has been and is falsely certain about whom he must now be. Readers meet him when he has moved past despair into resignation.

Readers who have had to invent or reinvent themselves – that is, those who have lived through injury, loss, transformation, or high school – will appreciate how the story turns his resignation on its ear. Villains, family and friendships conspire to prevent Manuel from becoming less than he was before. The redemption of de la Vega comes not only through the rehabilitation of Gato Loco, but due to the ministrations of the friends he had tried to push away.

Helping Gato Loco to ride again is some juicy science fiction. Fans of the genre are given red meat to chew on, from the bio-muscles implanted in superhero armor to the holographic projector that transforms a sapient panda into a beer-swilling mechanic. The technology is fantastic, but unobtrusive. Following the best traditions, the author never substitutes gadgetry for skill, experience, and intelligence. The technology is the tool, not the hero; the hero must choose his destiny, no matter what power or superpower he might bring to bear.

So what is coming next? Throughout the story, Manuel lives the present in the reflection of the dark and bright moments of his past. The author hints at those stories, providing just enough information to deepen the character without wallowing in flashbacks. Readers will appreciate the web of relationships those hints unveiled – and get curious about the unique set of people surrounding the hero. I am looking forward to reading more about the whole crew in Ride Like the Devil, and expect that even more stories featuring Gato Loco will be forthcoming.

the first in the series of gato loco mysteries, this was a fascinating look at human interaction in the harsh climate of small town mexico. add in corruption and crime and there's no asking for more! greetings from buena rosa is very high on my list of favorites!

Another great book! Sure to get you hooked on hero novels!

One of the best books I have read in years! Buy it! Read it!