"Missing in Mexico" is the first of the Mystery Tourism Book Series by Stuart Gustafson, America’s International Travel Expert. Stuart has flown over one million miles and has been to 27 different countries. The Los Cabos area of Mexico’s Baja California is one of his favorite places to visit and the location for this book.
I saw this book as being really three different books: a fun language book where I could practice my Spanish Skills and learn a little more, a travel book where I could learn about Mexico, Los Cabos in particular, and a mystery.
As a Language Book
Don’t expect to read this book and become fluent in Spanish, but you could pick up some words and phrases to help you on your next trip to a Spanish speaking country. At the beginning of every chapter, Stuart introduces a new word and uses it in a sentence.
For example:
familia (fă•mĭl’•ē•ă) – family. Hay cuatro personas en mi familia. There are four persons in my family.
I thought this was an extremely interesting way to start a chapter and as someone who is working hard to become fluent in Spanish, it was a great review and I learned a few words that I didn’t know. Additionally, the book is peppered with Spanish phrases, which Stuart translates in the book. Stuart states in his pre-reading guide, “I have found that my travels around the globe have been enhanced when I am able to converse a little with the locals in their own language. They typically know English fairly well, at least in the primary tourist spots, and they’re aware that I’m not fluent in their language. But it never hurts to try to speak a little of their language; it can open many doors and hearts.” I completely agree with him and this book offers a start on those beginning words.
As a travel guide
Stuart’s love of the Los Cabos region and the people there comes through in the book. I wanted to walk through the art district, eat in the restaurants and immerse myself in the culture after reading the book. For a first time traveler to Mexico, he really walks you through all aspects of the travel from filling out custom forms to getting a taxi. While many people have fears about traveling to Mexico, he demonstrates that this area is relatively safe and the people are helpful.
As a mystery
The story revolves around a family who takes a Christmas vacation to Los Cabos with their 19 year old college daughter and her friend. The parents come back early leaving the girls there for another week. When the parents go to pick them up at the airport, they find their daughter has not returned and her friend is frantic. They hire Stan Walkorski, a private eye to find their daughter. After some extensive searching, he believes that the daughter is alive and has gone missing of her own free will. However, he is unable to find her and returns home. Months later he receives a letter with the break that he is looking for and returns to Mexico to search again.
The strength of the book lies in the language and travel aspects. If you want to learn about Los Cabos in an entertaining way, this is the book for you. As a mystery, I figured the puzzle out fairly quickly. While I’m sure the private eye research was true to life, the plodding through dead ends, while good for the travel aspects, did not advance the mystery story.
Stuart Gustafson's website provides a pre-reading guide for Book Clubs including snack suggestions and discussion questions. Your book club can receive a check for 15% of the sales of the books you order for your non-profit activities or a charity you designate.
Four stars out of Five.
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