A truly unforgettable story, "Nights in Heaven" is a splendidly crafted tale filled with suspense, adventure, and the rich beauty of the Mexican wilderness. This thoroughly absorbing novel set in 20th Century Mexico is a blend of fact and fiction uniquely constructed from historical archives that give the book its special appeal. Hidden within the beauty and energy of "Nights in Heaven" is a cruel strain of oppression and inhuman violence. At the center of the conflict is Clara, a young girl who runs away from an arranged marriage and Rigoberto, the handsome detective sent to find her. The main characters are well-developed throughout the story and their struggle to survive keeps readers locked-in right up to the explosive climax. "Nights in Heaven" is penetrating and generously plotted, filled with social and environmental themes that add to the book's intensity. Guzman's descriptive mastery projects breathtaking images of scenery and culture, serving up an exhilarating narrative that's impossible to put down. "Nights in Heaven" will linger in the reader's mind long after the book is closed.