Santo Domingo Stakeout

by John Keyse-Walker

It's 1965, and cynical former private investigator Henry Gore just wants to drink his days away in corrupt, sun-soaked Santo Domingo - but life has other ideas in this novel of pitch-black noir, the sequel to the savage, gut-punch of a crime thriller, Havana Highwire.Thirty-five-year-old American expat Henry Gore used to be a private investigator, scratching a living in balmy, rum-soaked Havana. He might not have been someone, but he was something.Now, exiled from Cuba and with a target on his back, he's nothing but a washed-up drifter, spending his days drinking with gringos he despises and his nights with women he doesn't love.But one day he chooses the wrong bar to drink in - or maybe the wrong friends. Henry wakes up in hospital to find that someone blew up the building, and he's seemingly the sole survivor.Who set the bomb, and why? Henry's certain that whatever the answer, he's better off not knowing. But with the police on his tail, Henry - aided by a beautiful dame from the US embassy he's not sure he can trust - reluctantly investigates, soon finding himself up to his neck in corruption, revolution . . . and deadly conspiracy.Dark humor, dark secrets and even darker crimes . . . Santo Domingo Stakeout is crime noir at its finest, and will appeal to fans of classic noir by Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, along with modern masters like James Ellroy and Walter Mosley.

224 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2024

Reviews

[Kate O'Shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second in the series so perhaps I should have read Havana Highwire first. I don't think it's necessary to the plot though but the protagonist, Henry Gore, refers, on several occasions, to his time in Cuba.

Henry is apparently a private investigator but from reading this novel you'd never know it. He's certainly not very good at his job since he keeps ending up in hospital when a suspect got the jump on him.

Aside from trying to discover who set the bomb at his favourite bar, nearly killing him in the process, Henry spends the rest of his time drinking with the Police Chief, Salazar, and falling in love/having sex with any woman who crosses his path for more than 5 seconds.

He does a very irritating impression of a little lost boy when it comes to anything. All he wants is to get his name cleared of the communist label he got in Cuba, so he can go back to the States but then he rejects any help offered by CIA operatives.

I'm afraid I found Henry an extremely annoying narrator. The storyline would be simple but all investigations are complicated because of the coup, counter-coup and US involvement. The history itself is extremely interesting but it gets lost within Henry's story.

I felt this book was neither one thing or the other and it left me dissatisfied.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Severn House for the advance review copy.

[Rutvij · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Havana highwire better. It evoked the setting of Cuba more — the DR here felt more like a copy pasted island country. And I feel like there is a whole book missing about Henry Gore fighting for Castro? He alludes to it a lot, but the last book left off when he was hired by the Batista govt to go fight Castro. We missed the entire twist of him changing sides.

Val in this book is a caricature, as are most of the other women. Overall the book seemed more hasty than the first in the series

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

“Santo Domingo Stakeout” by John Keyse-Walker is a masterful blend of historical fiction and crime noir, set against the vibrant yet tumultuous backdrop of 1965 Santo Domingo.

This novel, the second in the Cuban Noir series, continues the story of Henry Gore, a former private investigator whose life is a cocktail of danger, deception, and dark humor.

Keyse-Walker excels in crafting complex and flawed characters. Henry Gore is a quintessential noir protagonist—cynical, world-weary, yet driven by a sense of justice. His interactions with the enigmatic embassy aide add layers of intrigue and tension to the story. The supporting cast, from corrupt officials to revolutionary figures, are vividly portrayed, each contributing to the rich tapestry of the narrative.

Keyse-Walker's writing is atmospheric and evocative, capturing the essence of 1960s Santo Domingo with meticulous detail. His prose is sharp and engaging, with a perfect balance of action, suspense, and dark humor. The pacing is brisk, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the plot twists and turns. Keyse-Walker’s ability to blend historical context with gripping storytelling makes for a compelling read.

"Santo Domingo Stakeout” explores themes of corruption, loyalty, and the quest for justice in a world where moral lines are blurred. The novel delves into the geopolitical tensions of the era, reflecting on the impact of foreign intervention and the struggle for power. Keyse-Walker also examines the personal cost of survival in a corrupt society, highlighting the resilience and resourcefulness of his characters.

"Santo Domingo Stakeout” is a standout addition to the crime noir genre, offering a thrilling and thought-provoking narrative that will captivate readers from start to finish. John Keyse-Walker has crafted a story that is entertaining and intellectually stimulating, with characters that linger in the mind long after the final page.

Whether you’re a fan of historical fiction or crime thrillers, this novel is a must-read.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oof. This book was bad. Keyse-Walker can write. His depictions of historical events and descriptions of Santo Domingo are competent. It's just that there's no story here. A dude almost gets blown up and then decides he's got to find his friend, who disappeared right before the explosion. That's it. There are no stakes. He's just curious. And then, between instances of people sending notes to our hero telling him to show up somewhere for a clandestine meeting (which he does on more than one occasion, no questions asked), beautiful, buxom women throw themselves at him. That's the story.

No stakes, no story. What else? Oh, these women, they are cardboard cutouts. Tissue paper thin character development. All that matters about them is that they love the main character. (I would tell you his name except I don't remember it and he's so repellant that I can't bring myself to flip through the book to remind myself.) One of the women is his housekeeper who is devoted to him even though he rejected her. Another is a woman whom he meets and who then throws herself at him about 24 hours later, literally refusing to take no for an answer. He's ambivalent about her, even pushing her away, until she takes off all her clothes and then he begrudgingly beds her. It's gross and honestly kind of rapey, on her part. No means no, lady. And this happens over and over. And then there's the woman he truly loves, for no reason at all, since they only have one interaction before he's utterly charmed and devoted. And of course she's a nun. Or almost a nun. But don't worry, dear reader, she's willing to ditch God to take up with our hero.

The only action in the book comes from what I presume are real-life historical events playing out on the page. But I just didn't care about any of it. I was not invested in this loser, and couldn't care less about any of these ridiculous women.

Terrible. Boring. Preposterous. Don't bother.

[Ira Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Havana Highwire was one of my favorite books of 2022. I had no idea that it was the first book in a series, and was pleasantly surprised when I heard that another book was forthcoming.

In Santo Domingo Stakeout, which takes place in the mid 1960s, our “hero”, Henry Gore, a prior PI, finds himself in the Dominican Republic, a U.S. citizen unable to return to his country. While drinking in a bar with another expat, he receives a warning to vacate the premises and ends up being the sole survivor of a bombing. He decides to investigate as no trace of his friend can be found. As the book goes on, Henry finds himself drawn into Dominican politics and a possible conspiracy with international overtones.

This was a very enjoyable sequel to Havana Highwire. Once again, the author brings the Caribbean setting to life, and definitely transported this reader back to the Sixties. My only minor complaint is that Val, the US cultural attaché who becomes involved with Henry, seemed at times to be more of a caricature than a character. But, other than that, I thought the book was a great read.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

My thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing an ARC of the book.

[Alex Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second absolute fire cracker in this noir series set in the Caribbean islands in the 60s. Whilst entitled Cuban Noir, this 2nd book finds the irresistible Henry Gore now in the Dominican drinking his days away in the sultry heat.

A geo-political noir thriller plays out that rips along at pace as Henry, his many conquests and the rest of the cast of this story all make this to be a read up there with any historical noir.

Government meddling, Coups, corruption and lots and lots of rum, this Is a superb follow up to the first book which I raved about. This is just as good.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for the ARC! I really enjoyed this books, and despite taking place in 1965 I found the geopolitical landscape that's the backdrop for all of this to still feel relevant to current events today. Without getting into spoilers, I thought the characters were all well written, as well as the action. At times, exciting, mysterious, fun, and heartbreaking. I'm definitely going to go back and read the first book in the series, and wish I had read it first. Two thumbs up! (or five stars)

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A political novel of the Dominican Republic civil war in 1965 and involvement of the U.S. told through the experiences of Henry Gore, an American ex-pat, with previous experiences in Cuba during its civil war. Gore has trouble finding someone to trust after he escapes a bombing at one of his favorite bars. Well-structured and paced.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm loving this mix of noir and thriller, a gripping and intriguing read. Well plotted, fast paced, exciting.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine