Desert blood : the Juárez murders

Man, between the award and the fact that it was assigned for a college literature class, I really wanted to like this book. Sadly, I just couldn't. The characters seemed like flat cliches, the plot excessively violent (I'm okay with violence, but it seemed a bit overwrought in this particular book), and the Very Important Message pounded into me so frequently and with such force that it completely overwhelmed the story. I will say, however, that this book did at least raise my awareness of the environment around Juarez, Mexico, and that publicity will hopefully lead to a better future for any who are still suffering.