Havana Bay

By: Martin Cruz Smith

Narrated by: Frank Muller

From Martin Cruz Smith, the internationally bestselling author of Gorky Park, comes a mystery that reaches international proportions in this entertaining fourth title in the Arkady Renko series.

Former Inspector for the Moscow Militsiya, Arkady Renko, is summoned to Cuba to identify a liquefying corpse, dragged from the oily waters of Havana Bay. Renko finds himself in a decaying country, the final recess of Communism—a place where Russia is despised, exotic rituals take precedence and unexpected danger meets bewildering contradictions. After a harrowing experience that has left Renko on the verge of suicide, this mystery leads him on a trail of deceit that reaches international proportions, and gives him a reason to relish his own life again.

A clear demonstration of the corruption and hopelessness of a communist dictatorship.

Havana Bay is a tightly woven story Highlighting a point in time involving the dictatorship and corruption in Castro’s Cuba.

This Cuba is real

Having been to Cuba, the title drew me in. When you read about the Malacon after having walked it, seen the decay of the buildings since the Soviet exit you can’t help but think what things could have been. The people are poor, but proud.

I’m not a fan of the ending, while the assassination plot was a great twist ... I hoped Renko had stayed and filled the void in his life. Finding a true love is hard, finding two ... not sure I would have passed up that second chance that rarely happens.

MCS doesn’t disappoint

MCS doesn’t disappoint with this 4th installment. Excellent storytelling and character development. The narration is very good. I am moving on to next book in the series.

Helado.

La verdad. Siii. Claro. Y el bollo. Simple. y Susana. En la sala? No, en la cocina.

Excellent Renko story. If you understand Spanish!

I speak and understand Spanish and loved this book. Lots of atmosphere, surprises, and a glimpse at life in Cuba. If you don’t understand Spanish you will miss a few things that aren’t translated, and some especially juicy insults. This is my fourth Renko book and right up there at the top. Excellent writing, plotting, descriptions, mood, and an intriguing mystery.