Producer David Garcia Jr. Secures Rights to Manuel Ramos' Detective Drama 'The Ballad of Rocky Ruiz' With Hector Galan Attached to Direct
San Antonio based, entertainment attorney David Garcia, Jr. has announced that he has secured motion picture and television rights to The Ballad of Rocky Ruiz by noted Chicano author Manuel Ramos. Ramos is an attorney in Denver.
With The Ballad of Rocky Ruiz , Ramos became the founder of the lawyer-turned-detective genre. The novel was nominated for an Edgar Mystery Prize and is the first in the acclaimed Luis Montez series.
The Ballad of Rocky Ruiz introduced a hero unique in detective fiction: a world-weary middle-aged lawyer steeped in the politics, history, and culture of the golden age of Chicano activism. Twenty years ago, a gang attacked four Chicano student activists and shot down their leader, Rocky Ruiz. Now the survivors, Montez's former compatriots in the movement, are in danger. One is killed, another beaten, and a third driven into hiding.
Enter Teresa Fuentes, a beautiful young lawyer determined to solve the mystery and just as determined to avoid becoming involved with Montez. To save his friends, Montez must reexamine the central event of their shared past-the murder of Rocky Ruiz. Just as difficult, he finds, may be to untangle his feelings for Teresa Fuentes.
Critical praise was soon to follow its debut: "A very impressive debut." --Los Angeles Times
"That rare mystery novel that delivers both suspense and a vivid glimpse of a culture often overlooked by the genre. An impressive, accomplished novel." --El Mundo Latino
"You know, Luis, you remind me of Easy Rawlins. . . . Your first case is a seamless blend of politics and plot, with a tone of wry humor throughout. It's nice to get to know you: You're a rare and lovable spirit." --San Francisco Review of Books
Garcia has put the film project based on the novel into fast track for development. Acclaimed documentary director Hector Galan has been attached to direct.
