CHICANO NOIR: THE FICtion of manuel ramos

by J. Michael Blue

Moony's Road to Hell is the fifth, and one the best of Manuel Ramos's intense, colorful, crime novels. All of his books are set, at least in part, in Denver, and each one examines elements of the social and political life of the Chicano community there. Unlike the earlier works, however, all of which feature a disaster plagued "street lawyer" named, Luis Montez, the new one introduces us to a truth seeking PI named, Danny Mora (Moony) and his lifelong friend, Tomas Chavez (Chacho).

Ramos is drawn to stories in which aging political activists trade in their ideals for cash or personal power, or abandon their plans to "do good" in order to further their personal ambitions. His 40ish revolutionaries and intellectuals have lost much of their fire, and though none of them are happy about that fact, few can figure out what to do about it. Some join the ranks of the "urban professionals" and seek their own "piece of the pie," while others choose bitterness, disillusion, and alcohol. A few try to hang on to their core values even as they settle into the middle class, and a tiny minority choose independent lives aimed at small victories.

In Moony's Road to Hell we encounter a dark, principled, solitary, man in Danny Mora. He is quiet and approachable, but he has a dangerous edginess and a low tolerance for "assholes with money and nothing better to do than waste it and waste themselves." His determination to get to the bottom of the mysteries entrusted to him by his client, leads us through the illegal immigrant trade between Mexico and the U.S. as well as the politics, and intellectual life of the Denver Chicano community. We go in search of a man who has murdered undercover INS agent, Kiko Vigil, and, like Danny Mora, we long to discover the reason behind the killing.

The men and women of Moony's Road to Hell are bright, passionate, clever, and determined people. Like all of the characters in the books of Manuel Ramos, they are very much alive and endlessly fascinating. Do yourself a favor and make this the first of your "to be read" stack of Manuel Ramos books.

Copyright© 2003 J. Michael Blue

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J. MICHAEL BLUE has published more than 150 short stories, essays and articles in publications as diverse as Byline, The Flying Island, The Concho River Review, Blue Murder Magazine, Papyrus, Hand-Held Crime, The Timber Creek Review, Literally, The Writer's Journal, Vintage Northwest, Arts Indiana, and Plots With Guns. His short fiction has won awards in a dozen contests. Blue Murder Press published a trade paperback edition of J. Michael’s first novel in August of 2000. New editions of Justified Crimes and A Favor For Zodiac have been reissued under the Mystery Writers of America Presents imprint, along with a collection of short fiction entitled 3 Lady Blues + 12. All three books are available as e-books through Coffee-Cup Press.
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