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Phoenix Burning (Veranda Cruz Book 2)

When a brutal turf war hits Phoenix, Detective Veranda Cruz is forced to confront a deadly adversary who holds a secret that could destroy her

One of Book Riot's Best 25 Suspense Books of 2018

Detective Veranda Cruz is still reeling from her last battle with the Villalobos crime family when one of their enforcers carries out a brazen attack in the heart of Phoenix. The terrified public demands action, and Veranda is named lead detective of a new task force. Their mission: stop the violence before it engulfs the city.

Adolfo Villalobos is next in line to rule the criminal dynasty. Cunning, ambitious, and tech-savvy, he devises a brilliant strategy to sabotage the task force and humiliate Veranda before killing her. He begins by manipulating a police operation to eliminate his competition, then leaks devastating information that costs Veranda her gun and badge.

Framed as a traitor and left to her own devices, Veranda has only one chance at redemption: stay out of Adolfo’s crosshairs long enough to stop him before he also takes away her family, her freedom—and her life.

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About the Book

    
 
 
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   RatBruce 
 24 September 2025
 
 
 Verified Excellent addition to a great series Isabella Maldonado writes strong female protagonists in fast paced thrillers with a few interesting twists thrown in. I blew through the second book in the Veranda Cruz series in one day. Definitely start with the first book, "Blood's Echo" and read this series in order. The story continues from book to book. I can't wait to read the third book in the series. Highly recommended
  
 
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   MEG 
 10 August 2025
 
 
 Verified GREAT READ Fast Moving, Suspenseful, Great Characters.
  
 
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   Sue 
 30 July 2025
 
 
 Verified veranda series Great series. I have accidentally read out of order but was worth back tracking. Kept me in suspense and hard to put the story down
  
 
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   Robert D. Cohen 
 13 November 2024
 
 
 Verified Gobsmacked! Plot and terror top! Depiction of Cruz and Villalobos families realistic. However jumping from one to the other not smooth. Me gustan muchas las palabras Españoles
  
 
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   Amazon Customer 
 24 September 2024
 
 
 Verified Amazing! With so many books with the tile character bring a hard police woman. This series leaves them all in the dust. Intense, action packed. I couldn't put this book down once I stared creating it.
  
 
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   Pauline Dempsey 
 19 September 2024
 
 
 Verified Worth buying Loved it, can’t wait for next one
  
 
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   Nana 
 11 September 2024
 
 
 Verified Phoenix Burning 091124 Phoenix Burning is another amazing book by Isabella Maldonado. She writes beautifully and her books are easy to read, follow and understand. Each book - as of today, I have read seven/eight - are difficult to put down. I have yet to find how many she has written but I am definitely up to the challenge. Her time in the FBI surely gave her stories to work with and I am interested in her FBI experiences. Ready for Veranda Cruz Book 3 Death Blow. See you back here shortly.
  
 
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   Dave Scott 
 8 October 2023
 
 
 Verified Great Story! This is a lot more than a strong lady cop story. The main character is stronger than a well rope, and a great character as are all the players in this drama. It is also a warm look at a Hispanic family. I am looking forward to reading the third book in the series.
  
 
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   SkyGrey 
 26 September 2023
 
 
 Verified Fabulous! Another fabulous Veranda Cruz book two. The fast paced action in this story just doesn’t stop even when Veranda is checking on her family or home alone. She is also always ready for action. There is a mole, people turning on each other and nerves frazzled. I love all the details Isabella put into her books. You really understand what each department and group of people are doing. Please keep Veranda Cruz coming our way!
  
 
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   JuleeB 
 9 February 2022
 
 
 Verified Cant put the book down. It's late...after midnight. I have a dsy of intricate work ahead, but I have had to read this book to the end! Brilliant story. It feels great to have a female heroin to read about. It makes me feel so much is possible. The story is pacy, the characters interesting. Loved it.
  
 
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   robert jones 
 22 September 2021
 
 
 Verified When is the next book coming out I found it very entertaining
  
 
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   Dharma Kelleher 
 5 May 2018
 
 
 Verified Even Better than the First Book in the Series I loved this book even more than I did BLOOD'S ECHO, the first book in the series.PHOENIX BURNING builds on the conflicts, both external and internal, revealed in the first book and taking them to a whole new level.Phoenix PD Detective Veranda Cruz is selected as lead detective in a multi-agency task force determined to take down the Villalobos cartel. What Detective Cruz and her fellow LEOs don't realize is that their mission is compromised from the beginning. Their initial efforts to end a gang turf war in Phoenix only strengthens the cartel's position, calling Detective Cruz's loyalties into question.The story crackles with tension, taking sudden turns the reader doesn't expect.One of the other things I love about this story is how Isabella Maldonado immerses the reader in the beauty of Latino culture, including the food and traditions like quinciñeras. At one point, I developed a serious craving for homemade horchata ice cream when it was mentioned by one of the characters.At the same time, she doesn't flinch away from the ruthlessness of Mexican drug cartels and how deeply they've penetrated law enforcement in that country while trying to do the same in the United States. The portrayal is honest, complex, and nuanced.If you're looking for a gripping thriller, you won't go wrong with this series. I can't wait to read the next one.

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Preview

Other Books in the "Detective Veranda Cruz Series"

Blood's Echo (Veranda Cruz Book 1)

Death Blow (Veranda Cruz Book 3)

Exit Wound (Veranda Cruz Book 4)

Details

Series: Detective Veranda Cruz Series, Book 2

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