The Queen of the South by Arturo Perez Reverte

This excerpt comes from the novel "The Queen of the South" by Arturo Perez-Reverte, as indicated by the title and copyright assertion. The text includes various sections of the book, beginning with copyright and publication details, followed by a dedication. The narrative focuses on Teresa Mendoza, a Mexican woman thrust into the violent world of drug trafficking, particularly following the death of her partner, Güero Dávila, a secret DEA agent. The story alternates between Teresa's present life and reflections on her past in Mexico and her subsequent rise in the criminal underworld of the Strait of Gibraltar and Spain, detailing her relationships with figures like Santiago Fisterra, Patty O'Farrell, and a journalist, while also illustrating the high stakes, betrayals, and ever-present danger of her business dealings, culminating in her return to Culiacan, Sinaloa for a final confrontation.