Hinton returns to the ethnically diverse Southern California community that served him so well in his debut, Cathedral City, updating the stories of the residents from that book while spinning out a new series of interwoven yarns that are heavy on the romance. Hinton is downright hyperactive in his tendency to overplot, but the most compelling story revolves around the simple efforts of Maria Quintero to cope with her young daughter Conchita's disappearance after a car accident. Maria refuses to accept her daughter's fate despite the overwhelming evidence of Conchita's death, and she finally decides to use Conchita's inheritance money to launch a desperate search for the girl. Another subplot tracks the romantic hijinks of Pablo, a gay hustler who falls in love with an immigration officer named Bob Roberts. Hinton also follows the fate of Maria's sister, Soila, who tries to get a birthmark removed and ends up with a scar that looks like the Virgin Mary. Hinton's enthusiasm and compassion for his characters comes through in every scene, and the sheer charm of these characters tends to overcome the problems of the cluttered plot. Still, the book feels episodic and unfocused, with some subplots veering toward soap opera. Those who read Cathedral City
may also feel that this follow-up echoes the first book a little too closely. A shift to new narrative terrain and a stronger sense of focus might serve this talented author well now that he has thoroughly explored this unique desert melting pot. (Aug.)
