Lethal Little Tequila
Most people celebrate Cinco de Mayo with mariachi bands and tequila shots. I’m spending it in Puebla, assassinating a cartel boss. The mission is to take out Esteban “El Alacrán” Montoya publicly, painfully, and with enough flair to send a message. Just your average bloody cleanup on aisle five.
Things get complicated when Camille Noir crashes the party. Last I heard, she was with French intelligence. Now I have to execute Montoya, piss off the French government, and settle a long-overdue score with the woman who once thought she broke me. But I’m a professional, and I don't walk away from an assignment over a little geopolitical drama.
Cue a public showdown at a bar called The Poison, a jungle ambush, flying bullets, and a tense border run with a twitchy coyote named Mateo. It's time to return the favor—with interest.
- Marin - Professional assassin
- Jane - Marin’s agent
- Camille Noir - French operative
- Esteban Montoya - Cartel boss, Marin’s target
- Vera - Marin’s friend, former assassin for Jane
- Mateo - Vera’s cousin
- Marin is sent to Puebla to kill cartel boss Esteban Montoya.
- Marin goes to The Poison and sees her nemesis Camille with Esteban.
- Marin goes to Vera’s shop to buy something to kill Esteban.
- Marin returns to the bar and talks to Camille and Esteban.
- Marin sprays Camille with poisoned perfume she bought from Vera.
- Esteban smells the perfume on Camille and they both begin coughing before collapsing.
- Marin meets up with Mateo, who drives her south.
- While driving through the jungle, they are attacked by armed men.
- Marin kills both attackers, and they continue their journey.
Lethal Little Tequila by Joan de la Haye is another great short installment in the Holiday Quick Kills series. It manages to pack a lot of story into a small page count.
I really enjoyed meeting both a friend and an enemy from Marin's past, which gave her backstory so much more depth. The book also features another fun, unique hit kill, along with a great little bonus. If you enjoy fast-paced, bite-sized thrillers that build well on an established series, this is a fantastic quick read.
- Murder
ASIN: B0F5WWB4CP
Publication Date: April 22, 2025
Note: Details are for the original edition. Other formats, editions, and audiobook versions may be available.
