written between 1999 and 2002, lucia: testimonies of a brazilian drug dealer's woman (voices of latin american life), by robert gay, professor of sociology at connecticut college. 

this is fascinating book looking at life in the favelas of rio seen through the eyes of a woman who was deeply involved with the drug trade through the 90's.

the author successfully alternates between interviews with lucia and sociological contextual analysis of how residents negotiate survival caught between institutions, urban violence, and drug trafficking. 

many of the shaping forces within rio's favelas are examined, including gangs, drugs and religion - the full introduction is available on this link, while the full  book is available on google books, and it can be read on this link.