Restaurant Oaxaca

A second-class bus ride back from the mountains of southern Mexico to Oaxaca City ends for expat "Roberto" Evans when a gang robs the passengers and shoots an off duty state cop. Evans finds himself entangled in crime once again helping his taxista friend search for the killer in Oaxaca and in Mexico City. "The colors, smells, music, and especially the food of Oaxaca and its surrounding villages jump off the pages in this tale. The pace remains leisurely. Roberto walks slowly; he takes the time to study the streets, the architecture, the people; he needs his afternoon naps; and he never misses an opportunity to eat...An entertaining mystery propelled by a hero to be savored, a smart, gentle cynic who comfortably interacts with both expats and locals." --Kirkus Reviews Evans manages to eat well, drink a bit, and explore his favorite city as two reformed thugs, daughter Randy, and new friend Pedro Perro help to chase after the good life with some crime fighting on the side.

Charles Kerns writes mysteries about Oaxaca. Sometimes his characters end up in Mexico City and California, as well. Kerns loves the land, architecture, peoples, foods, music, and style of life in Oaxaca. He writes to celebrate and explore, and show how the US is slipping down below the beltline of Mexico into this city-Starbuck’s, Walmart, cable TV, the internet and all the products of post-modern world impinge on the lives of the poor, the newly growing middle class, and the rich. Some changes help, some lead to yet more corruption and crime, and some destroy the communal ways and rich family culture. Kerns lives in Oaxaca and Oakland, CA. He retired after 30 years as technical educator at Stanford University and Apple Computer. He is married to Roshni Rustomji-Kerns. He thinks God provides churros, chocolate, and mezcal in heaven.