Overview

"In this ""taut, tense international thriller"" (Alafair Burke), streetwise U.S. agent Valentine Pescatore investigates a brutal killing that reveals a vast conspiracy of wealth and power. One of Kirkus Reviews's Best Mysteries of the Year! Valentine Pescatore, the globetrotting former Border Patrol agent, finds himself back on American soil investigating the merciless killing of a group of women in a motel room. At first, the crime seems to be a straightforward case of gangsters battling for territory. Soon, however, the motive is revealed to be much deeper and more sinister: a single witness who knows too much is being hunted, at any cost. From an author who has been praised for his ""pounding action scenes [and] ferocious prose style"" (Marilyn Stasio, NYTBR), Rip Crew races at breakneck speed as Pescatore finds himself face-to-face with his most terrifying assignment yet."

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Reviews

The Convert's Song is a revelation. Sure, it's a smart, gripping thriller that will have you turning the pages at high speed. But it's also a deep, emotionally resonant story of identity, friendship, and faith. I loved it. --Ivy Pochoda, author of Visitation Street Excellent . . . Rotella ratchets up the action with an absorbing look at international politics. --Publishers Weekly (starred) I read like a zealo.... The story got me in a chokehold as the characters grew more and more complex and Rotella's style thickened and boiled and bubbled. --Alan Cheuse, NPR Praise for THE CONVERT'S SONG Riveting.... Skillfully layered.... The Convert's Song is just that rare thing, a rousing thriller with a fine weave. ... There's plenty of action, all of it fast-paced and gripping, but it's the relationship between the men that drives the story, giving it depth and urgency.... His background as a journalist proves useful in his fiction. He handles complex subjects with confidence and seeming ease. --Steph Cha, Los Angeles Times A devastating tale of drug trafficking and corruption. Anyone who has spent time crossing between San Diego and Tijuana will recognize the sharp and accurate picture that Rotella has created in these pages....The reader will be racing along through the pages of Rotella's novel at near break-neck speed. --Alan Cheuse, Dallas Morning News A remarkable first novel....The pounding action scenes are driven by Rotella's ferocious prose style. --New York Times Book Review An honest and engrossing journey into a world of violence and corruption....Rotella knows how the police work, how the criminals operate and how bribes and violence subvert the law. He employs a journalist's sharp eye and a novelist's deft touch to give us a rich portrait of the sights, smells, sounds, beauties, and dangers of life south of the border. --Patrick Anderson, Washington Post Praise for TRIPLE CROSSING This is one of the most accomplished first novels I have ever read. Triple Crossing is full of dangers, deep characters and a story writ on a grand scale. --Michael Connelly The Convert's Song hooked me from its opening scene and kept me hooked to the very end. Sebastian Rotella has written a novel filled with suspense and intrigue, as well as real-world insights into those who commit terrorist acts and those who try to stop them. --Ron Rash, author of Serena and The Cove I read like a zealot, following Valentine as fast as I could into the thick of Argentina's criminal justice system and into the thicket of international terror. . . . The story got me in a chokehold as the characters grew more and more complex and Rotella's style thickened and boiled and bubbled. --Alan Cheuse, NPR Praise for THE CONVERT'S SONG The Convert's Song is that rare thing, a rousing thriller with heart and heartbreak. . . . An affecting drama of human ties, raising big themes of loyalty, obligation, loss and love. . . . [Rotella's] prose is vivid and precise, his sense of setting sharply illuminating. . . . He's also a thoughtful writer, treating the loaded topic of Islamic terrorism with commendable subtlety. . . . A skillfully layered thriller --Steph Cha, Los Angeles Times

This latest installment in a series including Triple Crossing and The Convert's Song is about as tightly woven and rock-solid as international thrillers get. Rotella is as good at setting up action scenes as he is at springing them (which is saying something: the shootouts are terrific). The crisp dialogue feeds the sculpted plot and vice versa. There is nary a wasted moment in the book or one in which Rotella isn't in complete command. . . . Rotella's latest is a tense, gritty thriller-perfectly seedy when it needs to be and near-perfect in its overall execution. --Kirkus Reviews (starred) The Convert's Song is a revelation. Sure, it's a smart, gripping thriller that will have you turning the pages at high speed. But it's also a deep, emotionally resonant story of identity, friendship, and faith. I loved it. --Ivy Pochoda, author of Visitation Street Excellent . . . Rotella ratchets up the action with an absorbing look at international politics. --Publishers Weekly (starred) I read like a zealo.... The story got me in a chokehold as the characters grew more and more complex and Rotella's style thickened and boiled and bubbled. --Alan Cheuse, NPR Praise for THE CONVERT'S SONG Riveting.... Skillfully layered.... The Convert's Song is just that rare thing, a rousing thriller with a fine weave. ... There's plenty of action, all of it fast-paced and gripping, but it's the relationship between the men that drives the story, giving it depth and urgency.... His background as a journalist proves useful in his fiction. He handles complex subjects with confidence and seeming ease. --Steph Cha, Los Angeles Times A devastating tale of drug trafficking and corruption. Anyone who has spent time crossing between San Diego and Tijuana will recognize the sharp and accurate picture that Rotella has created in these pages....The reader will be racing along through the pages of Rotella's novel at near break-neck speed. --Alan Cheuse, Dallas Morning News A remarkable first novel....The pounding action scenes are driven by Rotella's ferocious prose style. --New York Times Book Review An honest and engrossing journey into a world of violence and corruption....Rotella knows how the police work, how the criminals operate and how bribes and violence subvert the law. He employs a journalist's sharp eye and a novelist's deft touch to give us a rich portrait of the sights, smells, sounds, beauties, and dangers of life south of the border. --Patrick Anderson, Washington Post Praise for TRIPLE CROSSING This is one of the most accomplished first novels I have ever read. Triple Crossing is full of dangers, deep characters and a story writ on a grand scale. --Michael Connelly The Convert's Song hooked me from its opening scene and kept me hooked to the very end. Sebastian Rotella has written a novel filled with suspense and intrigue, as well as real-world insights into those who commit terrorist acts and those who try to stop them. --Ron Rash, author of Serena and The Cove I read like a zealot, following Valentine as fast as I could into the thick of Argentina's criminal justice system and into the thicket of international terror. . . . The story got me in a chokehold as the characters grew more and more complex and Rotella's style thickened and boiled and bubbled. --Alan Cheuse, NPR Praise for THE CONVERT'S SONG The Convert's Song is that rare thing, a rousing thriller with heart and heartbreak. . . . An affecting drama of human ties, raising big themes of loyalty, obligation, loss and love. . . . [Rotella's] prose is vivid and precise, his sense of setting sharply illuminating. . . . He's also a thoughtful writer, treating the loaded topic of Islamic terrorism with commendable subtlety. . . . A skillfully layered thriller --Steph Cha, Los Angeles Times

Rotella writes convincingly about the realities and mechanics of investigative journalism, and his detailed action scenes add just enough mayhem to keep thriller readers on the edge of their seats. --Publishers Weekly This latest installment in a series including Triple Crossing and The Convert's Song is about as tightly woven and rock-solid as international thrillers get. Rotella is as good at setting up action scenes as he is at springing them (which is saying something: the shootouts are terrific). The crisp dialogue feeds the sculpted plot and vice versa. There is nary a wasted moment in the book or one in which Rotella isn't in complete command. . . . Rotella's latest is a tense, gritty thriller-perfectly seedy when it needs to be and near-perfect in its overall execution. --Kirkus Reviews (starred) The Convert's Song is a revelation. Sure, it's a smart, gripping thriller that will have you turning the pages at high speed. But it's also a deep, emotionally resonant story of identity, friendship, and faith. I loved it. --Ivy Pochoda, author of Visitation Street Excellent . . . Rotella ratchets up the action with an absorbing look at international politics. --Publishers Weekly (starred) I read like a zealo.... The story got me in a chokehold as the characters grew more and more complex and Rotella's style thickened and boiled and bubbled. --Alan Cheuse, NPR Praise for THE CONVERT'S SONG Riveting.... Skillfully layered.... The Convert's Song is just that rare thing, a rousing thriller with a fine weave. ... There's plenty of action, all of it fast-paced and gripping, but it's the relationship between the men that drives the story, giving it depth and urgency.... His background as a journalist proves useful in his fiction. He handles complex subjects with confidence and seeming ease. --Steph Cha, Los Angeles Times A devastating tale of drug trafficking and corruption. Anyone who has spent time crossing between San Diego and Tijuana will recognize the sharp and accurate picture that Rotella has created in these pages....The reader will be racing along through the pages of Rotella's novel at near break-neck speed. --Alan Cheuse, Dallas Morning News A remarkable first novel....The pounding action scenes are driven by Rotella's ferocious prose style. --New York Times Book Review An honest and engrossing journey into a world of violence and corruption....Rotella knows how the police work, how the criminals operate and how bribes and violence subvert the law. He employs a journalist's sharp eye and a novelist's deft touch to give us a rich portrait of the sights, smells, sounds, beauties, and dangers of life south of the border. --Patrick Anderson, Washington Post Praise for TRIPLE CROSSING This is one of the most accomplished first novels I have ever read. Triple Crossing is full of dangers, deep characters and a story writ on a grand scale. --Michael Connelly The Convert's Song hooked me from its opening scene and kept me hooked to the very end. Sebastian Rotella has written a novel filled with suspense and intrigue, as well as real-world insights into those who commit terrorist acts and those who try to stop them. --Ron Rash, author of Serena and The Cove I read like a zealot, following Valentine as fast as I could into the thick of Argentina's criminal justice system and into the thicket of international terror. . . . The story got me in a chokehold as the characters grew more and more complex and Rotella's style thickened and boiled and bubbled. --Alan Cheuse, NPR Praise for THE CONVERT'S SONG The Convert's Song is that rare thing, a rousing thriller with heart and heartbreak. . . . An affecting drama of human ties, raising big themes of loyalty, obligation, loss and love. . . . [Rotella's] prose is vivid and precise, his sense of setting sharply illuminating. . . . He's also a thoughtful writer, treating the loaded topic of Islamic terrorism with commendable subtlety. . . . A skillfully layered thriller --Steph Cha, Los Angeles Times

Gritty dialog rings convincingly with authenticity as Rotella playfully inspects multiple layers of meaning inherent in dialects, news stories, and eyewitness accounts. For fans of tough crime fiction in the tradition of T. Jefferson Parker. --Library Journal Gritty dialog rings convincingly with authenticity as Rotella playfully inspects multiple layers of meaning inherent in dialects, news stories, and eyewitness accounts. For fans of tough crime fiction in the tradition of T. Jefferson Parker. --Library Journal (starred) What a setup! It's heartrending, violent, and intriguing...readers will hang on for the revelation and the mighty clash at the end. --Don Crinklaw, Booklist Rip Crew is a taut, tense international thriller, filled with complex characters and gritty dialogue. Utterly riveting. --Alafair Burke, New York Times bestselling author of The Wife Rotella writes convincingly about the realities and mechanics of investigative journalism, and his detailed action scenes add just enough mayhem to keep thriller readers on the edge of their seats. --Publishers Weekly This latest installment in a series including Triple Crossing and The Convert's Song is about as tightly woven and rock-solid as international thrillers get. Rotella is as good at setting up action scenes as he is at springing them (which is saying something: the shootouts are terrific). The crisp dialogue feeds the sculpted plot and vice versa. There is nary a wasted moment in the book or one in which Rotella isn't in complete command. . . . Rotella's latest is a tense, gritty thriller-perfectly seedy when it needs to be and near-perfect in its overall execution. --Kirkus Reviews (starred) The Convert's Song is a revelation. Sure, it's a smart, gripping thriller that will have you turning the pages at high speed. But it's also a deep, emotionally resonant story of identity, friendship, and faith. I loved it. --Ivy Pochoda, author of Visitation Street Excellent . . . Rotella ratchets up the action with an absorbing look at international politics. --Publishers Weekly (starred) I read like a zealo.... The story got me in a chokehold as the characters grew more and more complex and Rotella's style thickened and boiled and bubbled. --Alan Cheuse, NPR Praise for THE CONVERT'S SONG Riveting.... Skillfully layered.... The Convert's Song is just that rare thing, a rousing thriller with a fine weave. ... There's plenty of action, all of it fast-paced and gripping, but it's the relationship between the men that drives the story, giving it depth and urgency.... His background as a journalist proves useful in his fiction. He handles complex subjects with confidence and seeming ease. --Steph Cha, Los Angeles Times A devastating tale of drug trafficking and corruption. Anyone who has spent time crossing between San Diego and Tijuana will recognize the sharp and accurate picture that Rotella has created in these pages....The reader will be racing along through the pages of Rotella's novel at near break-neck speed. --Alan Cheuse, Dallas Morning News A remarkable first novel....The pounding action scenes are driven by Rotella's ferocious prose style. --New York Times Book Review An honest and engrossing journey into a world of violence and corruption....Rotella knows how the police work, how the criminals operate and how bribes and violence subvert the law. He employs a journalist's sharp eye and a novelist's deft touch to give us a rich portrait of the sights, smells, sounds, beauties, and dangers of life south of the border. --Patrick Anderson, Washington Post Praise for TRIPLE CROSSING This is one of the most accomplished first novels I have ever read. Triple Crossing is full of dangers, deep characters and a story writ on a grand scale. --Michael Connelly The Convert's Song hooked me from its opening scene and kept me hooked to the very end. Sebastian Rotella has written a novel filled with suspense and intrigue, as well as real-world insights into those who commit terrorist acts and those who try to stop them. --Ron Rash, author of Serena and The Cove I read like a zealot, following Valentine as fast as I could into the thick of Argentina's criminal justice system and into the thicket of international terror. . . . The story got me in a chokehold as the characters grew more and more complex and Rotella's style thickened and boiled and bubbled. --Alan Cheuse, NPR Praise for THE CONVERT'S SONG The Convert's Song is that rare thing, a rousing thriller with heart and heartbreak. . . . An affecting drama of human ties, raising big themes of loyalty, obligation, loss and love. . . . [Rotella's] prose is vivid and precise, his sense of setting sharply illuminating. . . . He's also a thoughtful writer, treating the loaded topic of Islamic terrorism with commendable subtlety. . . . A skillfully layered thriller --Steph Cha, Los Angeles Times

Author Information

Sebastian Rotella is the author of The Convert's Song and Triple Crossing, which the New York Times Book Review named its favorite debut crime novel of 2011, as well as the nonfiction book Twilight on the Line. He is a senior reporter covering international security issues for ProPublica, a newsroom dedicated to investigative journalism in the public interest. He worked for twenty-three years for the Los Angeles Times, serving as bureau chief in Paris and Buenos Aires. His honors include a Peabody Award; Columbia University's Dart Award and Moors Cabot Prize for Latin American coverage; the German Marshall Fund's Weitz Prize for reporting in Europe; five Overseas Press Club Awards; The Urbino Prize of Italy, and an Emmy nomination. He was a Pulitzer finalist for international reporting in 2006.

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