Note: ARC Reader Review
“The Serpent's Bridge” by S.Z. Estavillo delivers an adrenaline-pumping plunge into the gritty streets of Los Angeles. Detective Anaya Nazario leads a relentless murder investigation that exposes the city's underbelly.
But it's more than a whodunit—what I loved was how Estavillo was able to blend themes of immigration, trauma, and justice. This was a page-turner where there was tension on each page. As the reader, I thoroughly enjoyed that this book had several big twists.
The prose of this debut was razor-sharp and had complex characters, making this thriller a total heart-pounding ride from start to finish.
Set in the gritty streets of Los Angeles, the story follows Detective Anaya Nazario as she delves into a murder investigation that hits painfully close to home. But this isn't your typical “guess the killer”.
Alongside the investigation, Estavillo explores themes of immigration, personal trauma. There’s also family issues that this book tackles from each POV. Millie Ann Goodwin, the counselor in the book, is great at helping others sort out their issues, but she's struggling with her own. Her marriage is on the rocks, and she just can't seem to connect with her son the way she used to. Then there's Esperanza, who's all about protecting her child—her maternal instinct is on full display. And Nazario, he really misses his dad who passed away; you can feel his longing on every page.
This book really dives into the messy, often contradictory world of family relationships, showing just how hard it can be to juggle personal problems while trying to be there for your loved ones.
Estavillo's writing had me hooked, pulling me into the minds of the characters and the heart of the action. Her prose is sharp, her dialogue is especially realistic, and the voice is as compelling as it is haunting. From Detective Nazario, a flawed yet fiercely determined protagonist, to the undocumented immigrant Esperanza Flores, each character is layered with complexity and depth. Estavillo's careful plotting and cleverly interconnected POVs created a great story that was as satisfying as it was suspenseful.
At its core, “The Serpent's Bridge: is a call for positive change, tackling issues of immigration, racism, and personal trauma with sensitivity and nuance. I wholeheartedly give this book 5 stars and enthusiastically recommend it to fans of thrillers, detective stories, and crime fiction. It's a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery and gripping storytelling!