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The Perfect Backdrop
Kickback follows a woman who receives a call from an old friend telling her that her daughter has been kidnapped, leading her to go to Mexico to rescue the child. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Three days after flying to Minneapolis for a memorial, my husband and I came down with COVID and were stuck in our Air B&B for a week. With nothing to do, I spent a lot of time surfing the net and happened on an article about the State of Mexico issuing phony contracts for goods and services. My blood surged; I got goosebumps. This was the perfect backdrop to a political thriller I wanted to write. When Aisling is kidnapped, Dafne’s BFF from Cambridge, a journalist, calls her pulling her into the sphere of the corruption. No spoilers!
What was the inspiration for the main character’s traits and dialogue?
Dafne lives in Mexico City, the daughter of a wealthy Mexican real estate empire and a British filmmaker. At her Cambridge women’s college, Dafne organizes the release of a kidnapped co-ed and has continued hostage negotiation as a side gig since. Dafne’s personality is based on a co-worker I had in the 80s, smart, cheerful, funny, pushy, and a little wild. Dafne introduced herself to readers in (Literary Titan Silver award winner) Nothing Comes After Z and wouldn’t let go. Her half-Mexican, half-British upbringing gives her a unique perspective. I’m grateful to my BritCrit group—three British novelists who are my first line of critique. They know the vocabulary!
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
I plotted much of the book, listening to Dafne dictate in my head before I sat down in October 2023 to, OMG! outline. When I started writing in November for Nanowrimo (yes, I “won”) I had all the plot points as guide posts. Dafne is not one to toe the line and she often acted outside the plot outline, surprising me, and adding tons of spontaneity and excitement to the plot, including a few chapters I hadn’t anticipated—the visit to the chareada was all hers! I mean, how would I have known she took riding lessons as a kid? I should have known she’d take over.
When will book two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
Dafne Olabarrieta’s first Mexico Mystery launched for Thanksgiving 2024. My next research trip to Mexico is scheduled for January where I’ll be visiting the site of one of the giant Mexico City dumps. Like here, the dumps in Mexico are run by garbage mafias, and someone Dafne is close to will be found dead by a dump picker, drawing her into the corrupt world of trash collection. Hopefully, it will be out in 2027. Be sure to plug your nose when you read! I’ll also visit the Cuernavaca site of the takedown of the Beltran Leyva Organization kingpin for the sixth JadeAnne Stone Mexico Adventure, scheduled for fall 2025. And if you’re a domestic suspense lover, 2025 is slated for release of a standalone novel co-written with my ex (read Literary Titan gold book winner, Saints and Skeletons). It’s set in Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico and has plenty of betrayals, revenge, and murders to satisfy the most crime-voracious reader.
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With her team of investigators, Dafne must outsmart the kidnappers and a killer, confront high-level politicos, face her own past betrayals, the disapproval of her family.
From high-speed car chases to intense shootouts, Kickback delivers non-stop action and suspense. But this isn’t just a thriller; it’s a deeply emotional journey of a woman torn between duty and desire, love and loyalty.
Will Dafne save the innocent child and bring the perpetrators to justice, or will she become the next victim in this deadly game? Find out in “Kickback,” where every page sizzles with tension, peril, and the vibrant culture of Mexico. Perfect for fans of fast-paced thrillers with strong female leads, this novel will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last word.
Kickback A Dafne Olabarrieta Mexico Mystery Book 1
Ana Manwaring’s Kickback, the first installment in the Dafne Olabarrieta Mexico Mystery series, delivers a gripping crime thriller set against the backdrop of Mexico’s complex criminal underworld. The novel’s fast-paced narrative introduces Dafne Olabarrieta, a determined and multifaceted protagonist, whose journey unfolds with both intensity and emotional depth. The story begins with an intimate domestic moment: Dafne and her husband are having breakfast, debating the prospect of starting a family. While her husband pushes for this next step, Dafne remains focused on her career. The tranquility is shattered when a call from an estranged friend catapults Dafne into a dangerous world. From leading her firm to utilizing her hostage negotiation training, Dafne is drawn into a high-stakes race to rescue a child, navigating a labyrinth of corruption, loyalty, and moral ambiguity.
Manwaring’s intelligent prose is enriched by seamless cultural integration, with Spanish phrases and expressions adding authenticity and texture to the dialogue. Even common idioms, such as “ay,” resonate naturally in the narrative. The book’s structure also deserves praise, with its numbered and titled chapters, a thoughtful touch that enhances the reading experience in a genre where such details are often overlooked.
Dafne’s character is skillfully portrayed as both relatable and compelling. Torn between family obligations, her class-conscious mother’s expectations, a husband eager for stability, and the betrayal of her former friend Alba, Dafne’s internal struggles parallel the external chaos of the mission. The stakes are high, and personal tragedy intensifies the emotional gravity of her journey. Yet, Dafne’s resilience and moral grounding guide her through the violence and grief, reflecting a powerful arc of growth and healing.
While Kickback is undeniably a taut thriller, it transcends genre conventions by exploring themes of forgiveness, loss, and the human capacity to endure. Dafne is not without flaws, but these imperfections make her all the more believable amid the novel’s relentless pace and intricate plot. Manwaring’s nuanced exploration of the human condition elevates the story, ensuring readers are both captivated by the suspense and moved by its emotional resonance.
Kickback is a crime thriller that is a testament to the complexities of human relationships and the strength required to confront life’s darkest moments. With its engaging narrative and deep emotional undertones, this is a book that will leave readers eager for the next chapter in Dafne Olabarrieta’s journey.
Pages: 363 | ASIN : B0DJL8F8NL
LITERARY TITAN 