This is an automatically translated description

The life of young Mexican Teresa Mendoza changed in an instant when the "secret" phone given to her by her lover rang. It meant that he had been killed and that she was in danger of death too. Teresa managed to escape from the murderers, and then had to leave her old self behind. Instead of a naive, trusting girl, the world saw a very strong, intelligent, fearless and ruthless woman. A smuggler's girlfriend becomes the queen of drug trafficking in southern Europe - what better way to start a drug ballad?

The story of Mendoza is impressive because it is told by a recognised master, the famous Spanish writer Arturo Pérez-Reverte. But the author does not limit himself to describing the vicissitudes of an extraordinary woman's fate. The other side of his novel is an almost documentary and very convincing investigation of the links between drug traffickers and government officials, who are used by the mafia to ensure the smooth operation of the "system". The novel's publication caused a real scandal, and two successful film adaptations have once again emphasised the relevance of the topic and the novelist's undoubted talent.