In true E. M. Duesel fashion, ILLEGAL (Aignos 2018) is a rousing venture into the lives of Mexican-American and other undocumented immigrants who live on the border between Mexico and the United States.


Unknown to Americans who are not plagued with this specific kind of prejudice, the Peña family illustrates how difficult it can be as first generation Mexican-Americans in an environment battling vigilantes, hate groups, and Mexican cartels. The story focuses on girls on the border who go missing. Some are found murdered and desecrated in the desert. For others, this terrifying reality is just another hurdle that must be overcome. The Peña’s and their friends, together with a number of girls who narrowly escape abduction, find a way to fight back. This leads down a dangerous path, dragging innocents into hair-raising exploits and the reader into a world of heart-pounding excitement.