Monkey Morales: The True Story of a Mythic Cuban Exile, Assassin, CIA Operative, FBI Informant, Smuggler, and Dad

by Sean Oliver, Ricardo A. Morales Jr.

336 pages, Paperback

Published September 9, 2025

Reviews

[Amys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unimaginable tale that shows truth is stranger than fiction.

Welcome to world of Ricardo Monkey Morales, a legendary Cuban exile who was totally engaged in espionage, crime and the Miami underground. In many stories I have been reading lately about true crime, many focus on Miami, and the drug trade that started in the 1070s. This is a riveting biography that is like reading a fiction spy thriller, but everything in this book is true. Sean Oliver and Ricardo Morales, Jr. have created a definitive account of Ricardo "Monkey" Morales, a man whose life was stranger and more compelling than fiction. From his early days as a Cuban revolutionary and secret police agent, through his transformation into a CIA operative, FBI informant, and key player in Miami's criminal underworld, Morales's story is told with pace, depth, and a keen eye for the human drama behind the headlines. What I like best about the book is that it separates the myth and the man, brining life to the chaotic world of the dark side of life in Miami, where exiles, spies, drug lords, and law enforcement collide bringing intrigue and even fearfulness. This was real. This is real, and it's disheartening and interesting at the same time. What people will do to each other, still astounds me. Monkey Morales is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. I look forward to reading many more titles by this author. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that readers of this book, be kind, and also write a review.

[Jose · Rating 1 out of 5]

interesting but very flawed look at a interesting and just as flawed person.filled with errors and or relaying on bad sources. the train of Santa Clara incident was troops who got paid not to fight yet same myth is perpetuated. Castro was supported by The Middle Class and more so the rich not peasants which there wasn't they are called Campesiños/guajiros.Fidel never got his license for law. also a group was misidentified being that group was a gangster group and not a freedom fighting one. The most insulting would be that over and over Freedom fighters are referred to as "Mercenaries." despite the book contradicting this and itself. Lastly. El Mono was a Cuban Spy aka double agent that is omitted. A Masferrer he was Not. perhaps revolutionary at one point but A Castro spy nonetheless. streets and areas are erroneously not put in correctly. While I sympathize with the co author son in some degree the book has errors galore and glaring omissions. it does not sugarcoat El Mono and the most important part of the book is that as El Mono gave an interview where he said he was responsible for the 1976 Cubana 455 incident over Barbados along with another and not Dr.Bosch and Posada as is mistakenly attributed to this day. although not noted Cuba itself sabotaged its own plane to blame on Exiles. interesting read but facts it has not.