(Drivebycuriosity) - Martin Cruz Smith belongs to the masters of contemporary mystery thrillers. I enjoyed many books of his Arkady series about a Moscow based homicide investigator. The novel "Gorky Park", directed by Michael Apted featuring Joanna Pacula & William Hurt, became a popular Hollywood movie.
Smith`s novel "Havana Bay" - published 2012 - trades the icy northern climate with the tropics ( amazon). On Cuba Arkady investigates the death of a Russian citizen. The novel starts with grizzly details, lovingly served, followed by lots of thrilling violent action scenes & surprises, set in a lush exotic environment mixed with steamy sex and funny episodes(this is a spoiler free blog).
The novel covers post cold war politics, conspiracies, the beauty, but also the decay of Havanna, thanks to Fidel Castro`s revolution. Cruz Smith mixes the fragile relationship between Cuba & Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union, Voodoo & African cults, prostitution, espionage, tropical fishing and many more items into a intoxicating and delicious tropical cocktail.
I indulged into Smith`s elaborately designed action scenes, his cynical humor, political insights and descriptions of Havana`s tropical charm. A masterpiece.
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