The life of young Mexican Teresa Mendoza changed in an instant when the "secret" phone given by her lover rang. This meant that he had been killed and that she, too, was in danger of death. Teresa managed to escape from the killers, and later had to leave her former self. Instead of a naive trusting girl, the world saw a very strong, intelligent, fearless and ruthless woman. The smuggler's girlfriend becomes the Queen of drug trafficking in the south of Europe — what is not a plot for a drug mess?

Mendoza's story is impressive, because it is told by a recognized master, the famous Spanish writer Arturo Perez-Reverte. But the author is not limited to describing the vicissitudes of the fate of an unusual woman. The second side of his novel is an almost documentary and very convincing investigation of the connections between drug traffickers and government officials who are attracted by mafiosi for the smooth operation of the "system". The publication of the novel caused a real scandal, and two successful film adaptations once again emphasized the relevance of the topic and the undoubted talent of the novelist.