The Beggar's Opera

Inspector Ramírez #1

by Peggy Blair

In beautiful, crumbling Old Havana, Canadian detective Mike Ellis hopes the sun and sand will help save his troubled marriage. He doesn’t yet know that it’s dead in the water—much like the little Cuban boy last seen begging the Canadian couple for a few pesos on the world famous Malecón. For Inspector Ricardo Ramírez, head of the Major Crimes Unit of the Cuban National Revolutionary Police, finding his prime suspect isn’t a problem—Cuban law is. He has only seventy-two hours to secure an indictment and prevent a vicious killer from leaving the island. But Ramírez also has his own troubles to worry about. He’s dying of the same dementia that killed his grandmother, an incurable disease that makes him see the ghosts of victims of unsolved murders. As he races against time, the dead haunt his every step …

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Canada, Procedural, Adult Fiction, Thriller

346 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Peggy Blair was a lawyer for more than thirty years. A recognized expert in Indigenous law, she worked as both a criminal defence lawyer and Crown prosecutor before going into real estate. Blair is a Level 5 Boxer, an artist and a renovator. She is named in the Canadian Who's Who and is probably best known for her #DearestMartha tweets during the Freedom Convoy. She lives just outside Ottawa with a friendly cat and a TV watching dog.

Reviews

[Robert Intriago · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was going to give this book a three star but I enjoyed the twists at the end so much that it moved it up to four. The action takes place in Havana, Cuba, and involves what I think are several main characters, despite what the title says. Yes Inspector Ramirez gets the headlines but Celia Jones and Doctor Aspiro have very important roles and could be considered protagonists.

The book has a fascinating description of Cuban Law, food and life under the Castro regime and also has some beautiful descriptions of old Havana. The characters are crisp and the writing is quite good. The story involves pedophilia, which for me is hard to read, and towards the end there are references to the child abuse by priests. I think the author handles the matter in a low key manner and deals mostly with police procedures as practiced in Cuba.

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** Originally posted to: Bookish Book Blog



Real, captivating and ultimately moving, The Beggar's Opera by Peggy Blair is a significant addition to the murder mystery genre. It's a poignant and brutally honest story that paints a truly harrowing picture of poverty, abuse, corruption and abominable living conditions in Hemingway's Havana. It's dark, disturbing, thought-provoking, and heart-poundingly thrilling. Not by any means an easy-to-digest book, but one absolutely worth reading nevertheless.

Inspector Ricardo Ramirez is called in to investigate when the body of a little Cuban boy is discovered floating in the ocean in the Caleta de San Lazaro. Drugged, brutally raped and killed with a blow to the head, the boy had last been seen accepting money from a Canadian tourist, Mike Ellis. Witnesses saw Ellis giving the child money, and later on someone made an anonymous phone call to the police station stating that they witnessed a man with his description approaching young boys for sex in Parque Ciudad. A pair of men's briefs had been found in his room - the underwear had the boy's blood on it. Not to mention the polaroid photographs recovered from under the mattress in his hotel room - they were pictures documenting every step of the brutal rape. Mike Ellis has no memory of the previous evening - after the fight with his wife, he spent the night getting drunk at a local bar. It seems Inspector Ramirez has all the evidence he needs to convict the murderer and close the case, but is the case really as obvious as it appears? Or is there more to the story? Is Mike Ellis a cold blooded, vicious murderer, or is someone trying to frame him? With only seventy-two hours to solve the murder case, the race against time begins. Will justice be served?

The first book in the Inspector Ramirez Series is a taut and atmospheric thrill ride that keeps you guessing until the very last page. It's an exceptionally well-written murder mystery, set against a vividly depicted political and cultural background of Cuba. Blair writes with real understanding of Cuban harsh reality, compelling the reader with insights into the troubled society. Her knowledge about forensics, police procedures and related protocols is apparent on every page. The amount of detail is simply mind blowing. Disturbing at times, but mostly very impressive and fascinating. It's a gorgeously suspenseful mindbender, a great example of how the right approach to storytelling - scattering pieces of information throughout the novel, beautifully braiding together the convoluted threads, and diabolically building the tension and mystery - can elevate the book and turn it into a heart-stopping literary puzzle.

Blair did a remarkable job fleshing out the main character, Inspector Ramirez, making him one of the most unique and unforgettable narrative voices in recent fiction. I found him different from all the other detectives/inspectors in popular murder mysteries. Haunted by the ghosts of victims of his unsolved murder cases, dying of a rare (and incurable) type of dementia, struggling to keep his life from falling apart, he was a very convincing and easy-to-connect-with character. And as much as I loved the intelligent and provocative plot line, I think the whole thing wouldn't turn out nearly as good without the well-drawn, complex MC. His presence in the book added a lot of character and flavor, creating a memorable, eerie atmosphere, and turning a solid whodunit story into an absolute masterpiece.

The Beggar's Opera by Peggy Blair is a stunning debut novel and a very promising beginning to a great new mystery series. I'm looking forward to seeing what the author has in store for Inspector Ramirez in the next book.

[Netta · Rating 4 out of 5]

ספר מתח טוב, לא תמיד סגור על עצמו, אבל מאד מעניין, בעיקר בשל התרחשותו בקובה, שם מערכת המשפט והחוק מושחתת, והעולם הנחשף בפנינו מרתק ממש. גם עלילת המתח מעניינת וכתובה בכישרון. מומלץ.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Inspector Ricardo Ramirez mystery and it begins with the death of his grandmother, when he is only nine years old. She passes to him, "my gift to you, as the eldest child." Her gift is the ability to see the dead and, indeed, as the Inspector in charge of the Havana Major Crimes Unit of the Cuban National Revolutionary Police, Ramirez is constantly followed by the victims of the crimes he is investigating. As well as the dead, Ramirez is aided by his subordinate, Detective Rodriquez Sanchez and pathologist, Hector Apiro.

It is Christmas Eve, 2006, and Mike and Hillary Ellis are on holiday. Mike Ellis is a detective from Canada, who recently suffered a violent facial injury, while his partner was killed. However, the holiday which should have helped heal him, has resulted in his marriage crumbling in recrimination and anger. Hillary hates Cuba and, after a major argument, heads home leaving Mike Ellis alone. When a young boy, seen begging from the couple the day before, is found murdered, Ellis is the prime suspect. In Cuba he has no legal rights and Ramirez is under pressure to complete the investigation within a strict timeline. Can Canadian lawer, Celia Jones, save him from the firing squad?

This is an assured and well written debut. If you enjoy crime stories set in unusual locations, then you will enjoy this. I had only a very sketchy idea of what Cuba is like, having never visited the country. Ramirez is hampered, in both his professional and personal life, by shortages - there are few toys, little petrol, meat, soap or even crime scene tape available. At one point, there is no possibility of checking something as there are no batteries for the calculator and the internet is banned. The author cleverly weaves her story and location together, with a well written plot and great characters. I look forward to reading on in this series and hope we hear from from Inspector Ramirez soon.

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best thriller that I have read. Peggy Blair is a new name to watch out for. I can't wait for Peggy to write her next book. Mike a canadian police officer goes to crumbling Old Havana to help save his troubled marriage. A little Cuban boy begs them for a few Pesos. Mike gives the the little boy some Pesos, when the little boy hug's mike. Mike and his wife hillary have an argument. Hillary leaves Havana and mike decides to stay in Havana.
Inspector Ramirez finds a dead Cuban little boy in the ocean. The little boy seem's to have Mike's wallet and his police badge hidden in his underpants. How did the little boy seem to have Mike's wallet?
Mike is arrested for the rape and murder of the little Cuban boy.
Ramirez can see ghost's in his car, office and apartment. The ghost's do not talk to him they just motion in the air to him. The ghost's seem to just disappear once their killers have been identified.

[Dwayne Clayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. I have never been to Cuba and now feel I have an understanding of the culture and challenges Cubans face.

On top of that, a brilliant, fast paced mystery with a Detective you cheer for, cry with and hope so desperately he solves the crime.

A book I wanted to read cover to cover in one sitting, but it had to happen over three evenings with reading well past my bedtime!

I loved this novel.

[Charlene Intriago · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the setting - Old Havana, Cuba - hated the crime that Inspector Ramirez had to investigate - a young boy killed - Mike Ellis, a Canadian cop, on holiday with his wife, who just might be the killer, but he can't remember - and a story filled with so many twists and turns and such an unlikely ending - it just goes to show that even the best investigator has a hard time finding out what really happened. I probably should have bumped this up to 4 stars based on the story and the parts about criminal justice in Cuba but I just can't based on the writing style. This author has a lot of promise and I do have to find out what is next for Inspector Ramirez so I will be looking for the second book in this series.

[Ivanna Matsyupa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing will make you fall in love with old Havana more this book. From the pages of this book you can almost feel the heat of the sun, the breeze of the wind and that cool taste of mojito. If only to hide the secrets that the city holds, deep inside...deep inside each and every one of us there is a secret we will hold until escaping from it you just run right into it. Beautiful tale of crime, prejudice and a fight for survival.

[Silver Thistle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #1 in the Inspector Ramirez Mystery series.

I was drawn to this one for two reasons. The first is pretty shallow but I really, really love this cover and it drew me in. I just think it's one of the best covers I've seen in a long time. The second reason was the mention in the blurb that the main character, Inspector Ramirez, can see the ghosts of unsolved murder victims. I'm in!

The fact that it's a police procedural set in Cuba was also a draw for me. I know not the first thing about Cuba so thought it would be an interesting move away from the usual US/UK crime settings. It was an eye opener as to Cuban politics, everyday living and laws. It's not a place I've ever considered visiting but I definitely wouldn't want to travel there now. It sounds like a scary place. What I wasn't aware of (and had I known before starting it I would never have picked it to read) was that the murder victim is a little Cuban boy and that child abuse, rape and pedophilia are strong themes. I mention this in case it's a deciding factor for anyone else but I can also confirm that those themes are dealt with on an 'after the fact' basis and are not dwelt on unnecessarily.

As to the story itself... I liked it a lot. Interesting, exciting, puzzling all the things you'd expect from a crime thriller. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to like Inspector Ramirez though. He's the main character and I'll be honest, it took me almost 3/4 of the book to warm to him and even now I'm still not 100% sure about him... I suppose it comes with the territory but he just seemed so blinkered and judgmental and sure of himself. I think he might take a bit of time to grow on me. All the other characters came alive for me and there was more to them than met the eye. I liked the setting, I liked the twists and turns and even though I guessed at the twist at the end I liked that too. I thought it was a great story. Perhaps parts of the ending were a little unbelievable but easy to overlook when the story was so strong.

What disappointed me most though was the lack of 'ghosts of unsolved murder victims'. Since they were mentioned in the synopsis I had thought that they'd play a bigger role but really they were few and far between and in the background mostly. I'd have liked more involvement from them. They were interesting and so was the Inspector's interaction with them...or would have been if it was given more page time. I'm hopeful that maybe that side of things will take off a bit more in the next book(s) which I will definitely read. I've got the next Inspector Ramirez mystery all lined up.

A note of warning - 'Midnight in Havana' is a renamed edition of 'Beggar's Opera' which has been republished for the UK market. Given a new name and new cover but the same book nevertheless. I very nearly bought that other one thinking it was a different book. It's not mentioned in the blurb anywhere (on the edition I have) so thought it worth noting.

Note: I received a free copy of this title from the publisher.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Good story, well plotted, no loose ends, great characters. Despite being part of a series, it stands alone well. The best part of this book for me was the setting, Cuba. I know little or nothing about the place, other than what is in the media, so it was refreshing to have the action take place somewhere so very different. An easy read, but well-written.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t familiar with this author, but I selected this book for a challenge because it was set in Cuba.

There are some interesting characters, including a police detective who sees the victim’s ghost until the case is solved.

Trying to solve a case, or do pretty much of anything, was very difficult in 2007 Cuba as depicted in the book. I was very surprised by the following:

- The Canadian accused of the murder had no right to an attorney in Cuba. Cuba did not observe the rights of other countries. Warrants weren’t required for searches. Cuba executed murderers by firing squad.
-Automobiles frequently ran out of gas due to shortages.
-The internet and cell phones were illegal in Cuba, other than a few authorized exceptions.
-Due to free public education, many low wage workers had graduate degrees. Due to free health care, Cuba had more doctors than cab drivers, but no medical supplies.
-The police only had 3 days to conduct a felony investigation.
- The average monthly salary in Cuba was $10.00.
- It’s illegal for Cubans to criticize Fidel Castro.
- U.S. dollars were illegal in Cuba.

I would probably read the next book in the series.

[Phoenix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ramirez's Ghosts

Cuban Detective Ricardo Ramirez sees the ghosts of the murder victims whose cases he must solve, a late life genetic gift of his grandmother which signals onset of a fatal disease. Canadian Detective Mike Ellis is left adrift in Havana after failing to save his marriage. 8 year old street urchin Arturo Montegri is pulled dead from the sea, a victim of both a blow to the head and sexual abuse.

A very enjoyable first novel but there were a couple of duplications where two different characters drew similarly phrased conclusions that seemed redundant. The characterizations of people and place are well done and the writing draws you in. There were a few plot holes that bothered me, such as why no-one picked up on the fact that there were 5 CDs of child pornography under Ellis' hotel room bed, but Ellis didn't have a computer to display them on, and the epilogue unravels the rational for attempting to frame Ellis in the first place. I thought it a nice touch that Ellis' wife Hillary resembled Maria Vasquez, the prostitute who seduces Ellis, but Blair leaves us dangling when Hillary shows up in a picture on a camera stolen by the ominous Nasim. Another nice touch was Blair's disguised cameo appearance as Candice Olefson, a character who, while providing useful information on the case, is, like the author herself, in Cuba trying to tidy up a mystery novel set in that country, and worried about too much foreshadowing. ;-)

Organized into 79 short chapters to punctuate the action it's easy to put down and pick up again, making it an excellent read for commuting or a weekend afternoon. The political tidbits and brush strokes of Havana and Cuba ring true showing both positive and negative aspects of the regime, especially the humour and the illegal aspect of locals having Internet connections - the law has only been changed in the last two years. The tie in to abuses at Canadian Residential schools is both plausible and an intriguing opening to a second novel.

[Deane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book ....read until after midnight to do so. A Canadian policeman, Mike Ellis of Ottawa, on holiday in Cuba finds himself accused of rape and murder of an 8-year old Cuban boy who had earlier in the day begged and received some money from him, much to the annoyance of his wife. I nearly stopped reading when I read the autopsy report of the brutal rape and murder of this young child...stopped reading it for a day or two but because it was a Canadian writer, a Canadian in trouble with the law in Havana, I picked up the book again....and read most of the day and into the early morning hours to finish. The fact that Cuba had 'residential schools' run by Catholic priests the same way as the residential schools in Canada brought me feelings of shame, anger, sadness for these young children who were forcibly taken from indigenous and/or poor families and were physically and sexually abused by the priests. I really liked and respected Inspector Ricardo Ramirez, Head of the Havana Major Crimes Unit and will certainly search out the other two books in this series. There are so many twists and turns which were not expected, the story just flowed off the pages and since there was an Epilogue, all loose ends were tied together.

[Anitha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good, well researched introduction to Cuban life, especially how the people react to life under the embargo.
The plot was interesting enough for majority of the book, the characters likable and easy to sympathise with.
The last part of the book was a little too pat for me, everything and everyone were inexplicably linked to one other a little too neatly (how small is Cuba?) and the last 10 pages were completely needless, it could have ended on Maria's big reveal and bid us adieu with a big wink and a nudge.

Otherwise, a good little dark mystery.

[Paula Schuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one got my highest rating. Incredible setting - a perfectly paced story that begins in Cuba and unravels in a spellbinding drama of a man accused of killing a little boy. A brutalized orphan child and a cop trying to fix his marriage and the crumbling setting of Havana, almost a character itself.

Giveaway right now happening for Canada only on
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[Theo · Rating 2 out of 5]

A well-plotted crime novel, for sure, but the writing was often a bit on the clunky side, although we're not talking Dan Brown levels of shoddiness by any means.

Probably a 3-star book but Goodreads puts 2-stars as 'okay' and 3 as 'I liked it' and I'm not sure I did like it, exactly. The author has a few too many moments where she dwells on stereotypes, but not in a way that makes it clear this is a character's view (as Stephen King does, say).

[Catherine Saykaly-Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the fortune of being in Havana, Cuba in 2005. Reading the Beggar's Opera, I could feel the city I've not returned to in nearly 20 years. I enjoyed the story and the author captured the political unrest, the devastating poverty and the people's conflicting feelings towards Castro. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Krista · Rating 2 out of 5]

Struggling through this....75% finished, and am hoping for a satisfying ending to help me over the fact that Ms Blair's writing style is pedantic and too Canadian.

Ok...finished now....a couple of surprises at the end, but still a "mehhhhh" rating.

[Mary Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great mystery. Not at all what I expected and that is always a nice surprise. It takes place inCuba and has the feel of it with all its shortages, and yet the people make up for the shortages with their variety. I look forward to the next mystery.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Great new characters in a setting, Cuba, that fascinates me.

[Caroline Ingvaldsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong police procedural set in contemporary Cuba starring the ingenious and insightful Inspector Ricardo Ramirez with an engaging supporting cast of colleagues and family.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

good murder mystery read - set in contemporary Havana. Not really my genre but having been to Havana I was interested in the setting.. would like to read more of this Canadian writer's books.

[Debbie Ladd · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kind of book, mystery, intrigue, problem solving...set in Cuba. Lots of attention to detail regarding daily life in Cuba.

[Meg Morden · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting roller coaster of a mystery, delving into Havanna's seamy side. Populated with interesting characters who I will look forward to meeting again.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the mystery with the back drop of Cuba. Sounds like it was well researched. The book was a page turner and I finished it in a day. Can't wait to read the next book and learn more about the characters.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This was a lovely tale. Although dark in many ways set against the interesting backdrop of Cuba it's exotic and well worth while.

[Luanne Ollivier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peggy Blair worked as a Canadian lawyer for over thirty years, on both sides of the fence - defense and prosecution. A Christmas vacation in Havana, Cuba one year "where she watched the bored, young policemen on street corners along the Malecon, visited Hemingway's favourite bars, and learned to make a perfect mojito" provided some great inspiration for her debut fiction novel - The Beggar's Opera.

2006. Michael Ellis, a Canadian police detective from Ottawa and his wife Hillary head to Cuba for some warm weather over the Christmas vacation. Mike is also suffering some fallout from the death of his partner. There seems to be more to this story than we are intially led to believe. Their marriage suffers a blow when Hillary cuts her time short and heads back to Canada. Mike decides to drown his sorrows in one of Hemingway's favorite bars. But when he wakes up the next day, he can't find his wallet, has no idea what he did the night before.....and finds himself being arrested for the rape and murder of a young street boy. He remembers giving the begging child some pesos the day before - but murder....

Inspector Ricardo Ramirez of the Havana Major Crimes Unit has 72 hours to secure an indictment. He'll be moving fast on this horrific crime. And the possible sentence? The firing squad is still in use in Cuba. Mike's commander at home sends a female lawyer, Celia Jones, to Cuba to see if she can help Mike in any way.

The Beggar's Opera was such a great read on so many different levels. The setting itself was a major character. Blair brings to life a Cuba outside the confines of a tourist resort. A Cuba where "anything could be a crime if it served the government's objectives." Unauthorized internet access = a five year prison sentence. Renting a room to a tourist, insulting Castro, possessing tourist pesos and much, much more. Where bribery and corruption are rampant. A Cuba where the legal system is completely foreign to our Canadian sensibilities and weighs heavily in favour of the police. I think the most stunning example is the 'pre-dangerous' charge."The police could arrest almost anyone, even someone the merely considered 'likely' to be dangerous in the future." A Cuba where the poorest have access to a high degree of eduation, but children run hungry in the streets. Where soap and pencils are great treasures. I found myself running to the computer many times to follow up on a detail that Blair included. (Yes, Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Fidel Castro did open Terminal Three of the international airport in Cuba)

But the star of the show is Inspector Ramirez. He is a dedicated policeman and honest (but not above sampling the rum from the evidence locker) Ghosts of murder victims have recently begun following Ramirez. As a small boy, his dying grandmother promised that "The dead will come. My gift to you, as the eldest child." His friend and the local coroner, Dr. Hector Apiro says it may be a form of progressive dementia. Dr. Apiro actually runs a very close second for character I most enjoyed.

Blair has conceived an intricate, multi layered plot that kept me guessing until the very end. I was captivated by both the main story, and the players and their lives. I'm eager to read the second in this series. It looks like Ramirez may be coming to Canada to assist on a case.

The title? The Beggar's Opera is a ballad opera and Ramirez's favourite.

"An opera about political corruption, with a lively case that included well-bred whores with impeccable manners, men disguised as women, beggars, even prisoners. It was a story of poisoned chalices, violence, and revenge; false charges, even a threatened execution. But it was also about love and loyalty and above all, friendship."

And it's also a pretty apt description of Blair's book. Definitely recommended.

[Lou Allin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspector Ricardo Ramirez can’t shake the ghosts which tormented his dead grandmother. They follow him everywhere, sending mute messages from beyond the grave. How can he tell his wife and children that he suffers from the same rising dementia?
“That policeman should be more careful where he stands,” Ramirez said to the dead woman sitting at the medical examiner Apiro’s desk….She wore a frilly southern-belle dress and a wide white bandana….The several strands of beads around her neck revealed who she was –or rather had been—a follower of Santeria.”
As a nation waits for a new era at the end of the punishing embargo, citizens walk a narrow line on ten pesos a month. The tourist hotels and destinations are off limits to Cubans unless they work there. Soap is impossible to buy, and coffee comes with sugar only. To manage to find a chicken for the Christmas holidays is a triumph.
Suddenly Ramirez’s holiday goes on hold. Major Crimes has just picked up a vacationing Canadian lawman for the rape and murder of a young Cuban boy. Mike Ellis gave the kid spare change earlier. But he has no memory of the evening. His quarreling wife left him to return to Canada, and he was alone in a bar, drowning his sorrows in too much rum, wandering from the safe tourist paths into the dangerous back alleys of a raw but tempting world. Forensics from his hotel room look bleak for his case. Unless he can find an advocate, he’ll soon be in jail at the mercy of hardened criminals who would welcome the chance to teach a lesson to someone on the other side of the law.
Canadians find Cuba a popular winter destination, but the pleasures of mojitos and white sands mask danger for thrill-seekers. The price is high for Cubans who would break the rules for a few US dollars: the forbidden Internet, closed doors, and a brush with the netherworld. To bribe or not to bribe? It may be the only chance, especially for an innocent.
Under the Cuban system, an indictment must come before seventy-two hours have elapsed. So everyone’s under the gun. Help from Canada may be too little too late. Ellis has a high profile, but the beleaguered country is out to show the world that it isn’t a mecca for sex tourism. Justice will be swift, but will it punish the right man? Does Ellis, disfigured and wounded from a previous tragic case, have an additional secret or does a monster walk unchallenged through the dark streets of the once exotic city? The horror may twist far into the past.
Talented lawyer turned author Peggy Blair places herself in the forefront of crime fiction with this stellar entry, which came close to snagging the Debut Dagger in Harrowgate. Her characters move with the surety of canny locals or the naiveté of a visitor. The plot advances with the ticking of the clock and the scenes shift seamlessly while maintaining maximum suspense. Whether strolling the crumbling streets of one of the world’s most enigmatical cities or moving into the dangerous countryside, the way is smooth and sure. Grabbing life by the throat, the characters are as full-bodied as Cuban coffee and as beguiling as confiscated anejo rum. In the background, along with the ancient African gods that still colour the imagination of this cultural melting pot, is the shadowy figure of Fidel Castro, amid a thousand jokes, orchestrating for the eventual re-entry of his fabled country into the challenges of the 21st century.

[Yahel Tzori]

I opened my goodreads account only to leave a review on this book. I've always loved crime-mystery books ever since reading Sherlock Holmes. Peggy Blair gives the book a vacation-y feel as she describes Havana, the beaches and the beggars. The twists in the book are marvelous and none of them are expected unless you read very closely. Blair gives hints throughout the entirety of the book which foreshadow the amazing twists. I recommend this book 100% to all crime- adventure-mystery lovers.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when it first came out and it is still one of my favourites. It had me hooked and then it threw me for a loop with the twists. Would recommend this one if you love a good procedural that transport you to the sights and sounds of unique locations.