From Publishers Weekly
In her 18th Capital Crimes mystery, Truman relegates frequent star Mackensie to a supporting role as ex-CIA agent Max Pauling (featured in Murder in Foggy Bottom) takes center stage. Washington, D.C., also plays a supporting role, as Havana, Cuba, becomes the focus and capital crime site of this pedestrian spy-story-cum-political diatribe. The status of Cuban-American relations, the rule of Castro and living conditions in Cuba replace the usual D.C. intrigues. The author indulges in a lot of Castro-bashing, reserving her praise only for the Cuban government's medical care and research that also is at the heart of Pauling's errand. Pauling, a maverick who has found profitable work as a freelance pilot, gets talked into a supposedly quick and easy job in Cuba. A German pharmaceutical company is trying to buy into Cuba's remarkably advanced cancer research. Pauling's job is to find proof that the German firm is acting as a front for an American company. In traditional spy novel fashion, just about everything that could go wrong does, and Pauling must use his wits, skills and luck to avoid the pitfalls caused by the dealings and double-dealings of various factions. Truman paints a bizarre picture of a Cuba where the people are poor, happy and healthy, and spy on one another with gusto while living in constant fear of Castro and his minions. The author's core fans will welcome this new outing, but she won't win new converts with this effort. Agent, Ted Chichak.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Pilot and ex-CIA operative Max Pauling's undercover assignment is clear: determine if BTK Industries and the Strauss-Lochner Enterprises are attempting to buy into Cuba's world-class anti-cancer medical research. Richard Poe is at his best when portraying the anti-Castro freedom fighters' bravado, a pretentious British potentate, and a sultry Latin beauty. He also delivers a gritty look at the streets of Cuba. . .bustling, blaring with car horns, and filled with incessant music. Poe's diversity is without flaw. Intrigue, code words, a superstitious Castro, corporate skullduggery, greed, and deadly duplicity all work together to create the drama. K.A.T. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine--
Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
