Years before the arrival of the notorious drug cartels, the Colombian coastal town of Santa Marta was an idyllic place blessed with natural wonders, a choice destination for cruise ships and steamboats loaded with visitors and adventurers from all over the Caribbean. This was the environment in which Miguel Angel had aspired to grow up until a case of police brutality and the murder of a young British backpacker he had befriended causes the fabric of his world to unravel.
In the midst of violent persecution enabled by rogue mechanisms of state, a single mother moves heaven and earth in a constant attempt to shield her son from the horrors of being on the run, her search for truth and justice leading to a perilous confrontation with the Establishment – with disastrous repercussions for the future of a nation.
Paradise Erased: Chronicle Of An Exile by Miguel Ángel Monzón is based on real-life events which certainly had me emotionally invested.
Through Miguel’s narrative, we learn of the awful struggles and fears that his mum faces in order to keep her son safe. Protecting him from the harmful grip of the ruthless drug cartels and rogue enforcement officers.
Carmen, Miguel’s mum, who is ex-military works for the F-2 police state. She soon discovers not all is what it seems and she reveals some very grim secrets that potentially put both her and Miguel’s lives at risk.
The disappearance of individuals sparks Carmen’s determination to uncover the truth. Carmen is truly inspirational, refusing to let fear dictate their lives, yet going to the ends of the earth to keep her son safe and secure as eyes watch over them.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Paradise Erased: Chronicle of an Exile. The echoes of actual events infuse the story with an authenticity that resonates with me. Especially as I am a mum too, and would go above and beyond for my boys as did Carmen! What an amazing woman.
Is this something you would love to read?
You can find Miguel on
Some real life stories are bigger than fiction and this certainly sounds like that. I’ll look up the book – thank you! #MMBC
Oh wow; that does sound like an amazing story! I’ll definitely have to add that to my reading list.
As I started reading I thought it was a plot for a fiction book, until I read further down! What an amazing woman!
I really like the sound of this book – another one for my Christmas wishlist!
#MMBC
Sounds like a great book
I’m going to add this to my book list. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Always looking for suggestions to read Thanks for the fab review
Yes, it is! However, I find books based on real events rather sobering even though they are important to read. Thanks for the review.
I like books with strong and positive female characters. This is definitely one for me.
Thanks for the recommendation I love a good book