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The Boy Who Said No #2
Stalked: The Boy Who Said No: A True-Life Novel
Patti Sheehy continues Frank Mederos's true-life story of romance, suspense, and intrigue in The Boy Who Said An Escape to Freedom. After a harrowing escape from Cuba, Frank faces new challenges in America. With five dollars in his pocket and a boatload of determination, he sets off to make a life for himself and his sweetheart, Magda. But unimaginable events intervene in his personal life. Meanwhile, sinister forces in Cuba plan to avenge his escape. Will Frank survive? Can he outwit his stalkers? A tale of tender love, heart-wrenching loss, and the life-saving power of friendship."
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2014
11 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
About the author
Patti Sheehy
3 books3 followersPatti Sheehy grew up along the Delaware River in Yardley, Pa, where she swam and waterskied with her rambunctious siblings and fellow river rats. She attended Bishop Egan and Pennsbury High Schools and earned a bachelor's degree in history from Rider University.
Patti spent her career as a marketing executive, primarily in the healthcare industry. She has done extensive magazine writing and has edited award-winning corporate publications.
Patti lives with her husband, Bob Hunter, and the ghosts of two dogs in an old yellow house in Haddon Heights, New Jersey, where she is losing the Battle of the Dust.
When not writing, Patti can be found taming her piano fingers and murdering weeds. She plays a mean game of Scrabble and a not-so-mean game of Bridge.
Patti spent her career as a marketing executive, primarily in the healthcare industry. She has done extensive magazine writing and has edited award-winning corporate publications.
Patti lives with her husband, Bob Hunter, and the ghosts of two dogs in an old yellow house in Haddon Heights, New Jersey, where she is losing the Battle of the Dust.
When not writing, Patti can be found taming her piano fingers and murdering weeds. She plays a mean game of Scrabble and a not-so-mean game of Bridge.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 5, 2015
This story was as good, if not better, than the first. It sounded like a movie plot - it's so shocking to know these situations go on in real life. I don't want to give anything away, but there were very heartbreaking moments in this book. I admire Frank's courage so much and was amazed at what he had to go through in his lifetime, especially enduring so much tragedy and crisis at such a young age. I was also really surprised at the fact that foreign intelligence agents can be waking among us at any time. This book was a real eye opener. I hope it get the chance to meet Frank someday as well as the author of this book. She did a great job of filling in the blanks. One of my favorite recurring themes in both books was the "drum of the blue eyed boy." So amazing so acknowledge that feeling in your gut. I've never heard anyone describe it that way before. I wish I could give this book 10 stars!!
October 25, 2014
Frank Mederos finally made it out of Cuba and successfully escaped the dictatorship of Castro. When he landed in Florida he was as much a fish out of water as any refugee with one huge asset, his elite military career that the CIA was eager to learn more about. But Frank only had one goal and that was to reunite with his true love Magda who immigrated months earlier and who had actually precipitated Frank’s decision to defect when he did leaving his family and everything he knew behind. Frank follows Magda and her family to New Jersey where the weather is something else he must get use to, but as long as Magda is by his side he knows he’s home and will make a success of himself.
Back in Cuba, life under Castro continues. Poverty and unemployment reign along with the Communists. However Lieutenant Pino, Frank’s bitter enemy has been severely punished for his part in allowing Frank to escape but even under the dire conditions he finds himself he’s vowed to one day enact his revenge on Frank.
Stalked is the sequel to The Boy Who Said No that follows the early life of Frank Mederos up until the time of his defection. In Stalked Patti Sheehy follows Frank from his successful escape from the dictatorship of Castro up until the present. She tells it in a conversational style of narrative that lets the reader right into each room. She conveys the frustrations, the joys and the tragedies of this very special man on his journey from oppression to freedom. And while she may not have meant to she also tells the real story of America because Frank is what makes America what she is today, his is the story of every immigrant who left behind all that was familiar to be able to think, live, love and pray the way they choose without persecution or prosecution in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
It’s inspirational and informational and a book that should be required reading for all Politian’s.
In the end Frank did what a good friend he left behind told him, he became a good American.
Back in Cuba, life under Castro continues. Poverty and unemployment reign along with the Communists. However Lieutenant Pino, Frank’s bitter enemy has been severely punished for his part in allowing Frank to escape but even under the dire conditions he finds himself he’s vowed to one day enact his revenge on Frank.
Stalked is the sequel to The Boy Who Said No that follows the early life of Frank Mederos up until the time of his defection. In Stalked Patti Sheehy follows Frank from his successful escape from the dictatorship of Castro up until the present. She tells it in a conversational style of narrative that lets the reader right into each room. She conveys the frustrations, the joys and the tragedies of this very special man on his journey from oppression to freedom. And while she may not have meant to she also tells the real story of America because Frank is what makes America what she is today, his is the story of every immigrant who left behind all that was familiar to be able to think, live, love and pray the way they choose without persecution or prosecution in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
It’s inspirational and informational and a book that should be required reading for all Politian’s.
In the end Frank did what a good friend he left behind told him, he became a good American.
Read
August 5, 2016Frank Mederos defects from Cuba’s Special Forces and making a harrowing escape from his homeland, Frank faces new challenges in America.
I enjoyed reading of Frank’s life, the story was depicted from the human side and less focus on the history aspect. Riveting towards the end as we read of the assassination attempt on Frank’s life. A harrowing journey defecting Cuba, landing in a unfamiliar country where the language is unknown, few familiar faces, no means to support yourself, five dollars in your pocket, yearning for the reunion and the rosebud lips of your true love. Frank finds his footing relatively quickly and easily. Although his new life is stable, he is not immune to personal tragedies. Frank succeeded and continually serves as an inspiration to those under Castro’s rule in Cuba.
Sheehy crafts an admirable story, part nonfiction and fiction, quite affecting. Frank Mederos – an average man with above average circumstances in combination with his integrity create one incredible life story.
Exciting story of one brave man experiencing severe loss in the name of freedom.
For this and other reviews visit http://ravenhairedgirl.com
I enjoyed reading of Frank’s life, the story was depicted from the human side and less focus on the history aspect. Riveting towards the end as we read of the assassination attempt on Frank’s life. A harrowing journey defecting Cuba, landing in a unfamiliar country where the language is unknown, few familiar faces, no means to support yourself, five dollars in your pocket, yearning for the reunion and the rosebud lips of your true love. Frank finds his footing relatively quickly and easily. Although his new life is stable, he is not immune to personal tragedies. Frank succeeded and continually serves as an inspiration to those under Castro’s rule in Cuba.
Sheehy crafts an admirable story, part nonfiction and fiction, quite affecting. Frank Mederos – an average man with above average circumstances in combination with his integrity create one incredible life story.
Exciting story of one brave man experiencing severe loss in the name of freedom.
For this and other reviews visit http://ravenhairedgirl.com
April 23, 2015
I liked the first one, "The Boy Who Said No," a lot better. I wanted to read this because I wanted to know what happened to our hero after he arrived in the States, but was disappointed by the disjointed story telling and "purple prose" - everything from the descriptions of Frank and Magda's lovemaking to the (not very) suspenseful search by Frank's nemesis, Peno and the shootout in the woods. If you have an interest in Cuba, and if you've read the first book, go ahead and read this one - otherwise, don't bother!
August 17, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this based on true story about Frank after his escape from Cuba.
January 20, 2019
Giving this book a 2-star rating was tough, being that I have the utmost respect for Frank Mederos, but this “part two” of his story was very hard to get through. The first book, “The Boy Who Said No”, was a page-turner for me...I literally could not put it down, and I gave it five stars. Needless to say, I was very excited to read how the rest of his story played out in the sequel.
I thought this book was poorly written, which very much surprised me, being that the first one was phenomenal.
There was way too much written about Lieutenant Pino and his story. I found those chapters boring, and I ended up skimming through those.
After about 175 pages (and about two weeks of reading time), I ended up just skimming the rest of the book so that I could find the answers to the questions I still had.
As I mentioned before, the first part of Frank Mederos’ story (“The Boy Who Said No”) was riveting and an absolute page-turner. I was very, VERY disappointed with its sequel.
I thought this book was poorly written, which very much surprised me, being that the first one was phenomenal.
There was way too much written about Lieutenant Pino and his story. I found those chapters boring, and I ended up skimming through those.
After about 175 pages (and about two weeks of reading time), I ended up just skimming the rest of the book so that I could find the answers to the questions I still had.
As I mentioned before, the first part of Frank Mederos’ story (“The Boy Who Said No”) was riveting and an absolute page-turner. I was very, VERY disappointed with its sequel.
July 18, 2014
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 2.5 of 5
It's been a little while since my review of The Boy Who Said No, but I had really liked that book and when I was informed that there would be a follow-up, I jumped at the chance to read it and made sure there would be room in my week of biography reviews for it! And I can report that the follow-up book ... does not live up to the predecessor.
First, a reminder that this is a novelized biography. Taking what we presume to be fact from Frank Mederos' life, author Patti Sheehy weaves a tale more like an espionage thriller than a biography. There are multiple times when the story isn't even on Frank, but rather back in Cuba, from where he escaped in the previous book. This novelized biography idea is new to me, but it worked very well the first time around so I was game for giving it another shot.
The problem with this book is not the format in which it is written... the problem is the subject. Part of what made the first book so compelling was Mederos' drive. He had a clear, focussed goal and despite an army (literally) standing in his way, he was determined to overcome every obstacle in order to get away from Cuba and in to the arms of his girlfriend. This was the motivating action throughout the entire first book, and Sheehy heightened the tension with her taught writing. But in this book, Mederos has already found the freedom he was searching for and is quickly married to the girlfriend who was his guiding force to freedom. So what motivates him? Nothing out of the ordinary, really. He wants to live the American dream ... and does.
Mederos' drive in this book is to live in peace. It is the peace that is shattered -- by his friend who leads him in to riot territory, then by the death of someone very close to him, and then by men, loyal to Cuba, who are looking to kill Frank Mederos.
It's a nice idea, but a goal of living in peace is hardly an active, exciting challenge. Certainly not when compared to trying to avoid an entire military and escape an island! It's a wonderful goal, but it's the same as mine ... to live the American Dream without disruption. Sheehy does everything she can to liven it up, but ultimately, the book is about a man living in New Jersey.
The book definitely picks up when we are back in Cuba with Pino, Frank's former military commander and the man who took the heat for Mederos' escape, but also with Lazo, Frank's former Special Ops fellow soldier who knew of Frank's plans to escape. Lazo's contributions to the book are mighty and provide the spark that is otherwise missing. Unfortunately, it's not nearly enough.
The book is titled "Stalk" and I think it's safe to assume, especially with Pino's early inclusion in the book, that we are going to see Frank being menaced ... stalked ... by the Cuban Special Forces, or by Pino at the very least. We do, and it's easily the best and most exciting part of the book, but it only comes about the last 62 pages of this 310 page book. That's right...we have 248 pages of Frank living the American Dream and Pino plotting revenge. There are moments that overcome the tedium of this... Frank's wandering blindly in to a riot zone, for instance ... but mostly we lack excitement. It's the biography, without the interesting novelizing.
***WARNING-- MAJOR SPOILER AHEAD!!***
In the first book, Frank was driven by his desire to be with Magda, his girlfriend. It felt as though anytime he was on the verge of giving up, thoughts of Magda kept him going. Here again, we have nothing, it seems, driving Frank. He meets up with and marries Magda. They have a child. Magda gets sick and dies. All within a relatively short passage of time. Magda's illness and death feel dragged out, to draw on some sympathies, but already in this book there's less spark between them than there was when they weren't even together.
Note: there's a sex scene in here that is pulled out of the steamier romance novels and just really feels out of place. It's beautiful that Frank and Magda get to live their dream and get married, but why is it necessary to describe, in detail, their sexual congress?
The best parts of this book don't really involve Frank. The best parts are back in Cuba, with Pino, with Lazo, with Damian. And then in the United States, with these same people. It is interesting to note, that while Frank struggled for years, trying to get away from Cuba, Lazo arrives to protect Frank, with no trouble ("Lazo arrived in Key West the next day, exhausted.... he had tossed and turned the night before..." -- we never learn HOW Lazo managed to get away from Cuba!), and Damian and his 'handler' arrive in the United States to stalk Frank. How is it so easy? Recognizing that time has passed (more than thirteen years), we don't know if it's just that much easier to flee/leave Cuba now, or if their insider help makes all the difference.
I was very excited and eager to read this, but it definitely didn't hold the magic that was in the first book.
Looking for a good book? Stalked: The Boy Who Said No tries to recreate the adventure and excitement of the first book in the biography/novel series but ultimately Frank Mederos' life in America lacks the danger and excitement that he had when, as a Special Forces soldier, he was trying to flee Cuba.
It's been a little while since my review of The Boy Who Said No, but I had really liked that book and when I was informed that there would be a follow-up, I jumped at the chance to read it and made sure there would be room in my week of biography reviews for it! And I can report that the follow-up book ... does not live up to the predecessor.
First, a reminder that this is a novelized biography. Taking what we presume to be fact from Frank Mederos' life, author Patti Sheehy weaves a tale more like an espionage thriller than a biography. There are multiple times when the story isn't even on Frank, but rather back in Cuba, from where he escaped in the previous book. This novelized biography idea is new to me, but it worked very well the first time around so I was game for giving it another shot.
The problem with this book is not the format in which it is written... the problem is the subject. Part of what made the first book so compelling was Mederos' drive. He had a clear, focussed goal and despite an army (literally) standing in his way, he was determined to overcome every obstacle in order to get away from Cuba and in to the arms of his girlfriend. This was the motivating action throughout the entire first book, and Sheehy heightened the tension with her taught writing. But in this book, Mederos has already found the freedom he was searching for and is quickly married to the girlfriend who was his guiding force to freedom. So what motivates him? Nothing out of the ordinary, really. He wants to live the American dream ... and does.
Mederos' drive in this book is to live in peace. It is the peace that is shattered -- by his friend who leads him in to riot territory, then by the death of someone very close to him, and then by men, loyal to Cuba, who are looking to kill Frank Mederos.
It's a nice idea, but a goal of living in peace is hardly an active, exciting challenge. Certainly not when compared to trying to avoid an entire military and escape an island! It's a wonderful goal, but it's the same as mine ... to live the American Dream without disruption. Sheehy does everything she can to liven it up, but ultimately, the book is about a man living in New Jersey.
The book definitely picks up when we are back in Cuba with Pino, Frank's former military commander and the man who took the heat for Mederos' escape, but also with Lazo, Frank's former Special Ops fellow soldier who knew of Frank's plans to escape. Lazo's contributions to the book are mighty and provide the spark that is otherwise missing. Unfortunately, it's not nearly enough.
The book is titled "Stalk" and I think it's safe to assume, especially with Pino's early inclusion in the book, that we are going to see Frank being menaced ... stalked ... by the Cuban Special Forces, or by Pino at the very least. We do, and it's easily the best and most exciting part of the book, but it only comes about the last 62 pages of this 310 page book. That's right...we have 248 pages of Frank living the American Dream and Pino plotting revenge. There are moments that overcome the tedium of this... Frank's wandering blindly in to a riot zone, for instance ... but mostly we lack excitement. It's the biography, without the interesting novelizing.
***WARNING-- MAJOR SPOILER AHEAD!!***
In the first book, Frank was driven by his desire to be with Magda, his girlfriend. It felt as though anytime he was on the verge of giving up, thoughts of Magda kept him going. Here again, we have nothing, it seems, driving Frank. He meets up with and marries Magda. They have a child. Magda gets sick and dies. All within a relatively short passage of time. Magda's illness and death feel dragged out, to draw on some sympathies, but already in this book there's less spark between them than there was when they weren't even together.
Note: there's a sex scene in here that is pulled out of the steamier romance novels and just really feels out of place. It's beautiful that Frank and Magda get to live their dream and get married, but why is it necessary to describe, in detail, their sexual congress?
The best parts of this book don't really involve Frank. The best parts are back in Cuba, with Pino, with Lazo, with Damian. And then in the United States, with these same people. It is interesting to note, that while Frank struggled for years, trying to get away from Cuba, Lazo arrives to protect Frank, with no trouble ("Lazo arrived in Key West the next day, exhausted.... he had tossed and turned the night before..." -- we never learn HOW Lazo managed to get away from Cuba!), and Damian and his 'handler' arrive in the United States to stalk Frank. How is it so easy? Recognizing that time has passed (more than thirteen years), we don't know if it's just that much easier to flee/leave Cuba now, or if their insider help makes all the difference.
I was very excited and eager to read this, but it definitely didn't hold the magic that was in the first book.
Looking for a good book? Stalked: The Boy Who Said No tries to recreate the adventure and excitement of the first book in the biography/novel series but ultimately Frank Mederos' life in America lacks the danger and excitement that he had when, as a Special Forces soldier, he was trying to flee Cuba.
July 1, 2018
This sequel wasn’t as compelling as the first book of the Boy Who Said No but it was definitely worth reading as to find out what the future held for Frank and his family. I am still amazed at the many things he had to endure and the strength of his character.
December 6, 2018
Loved this sequel
An incredible story. Having just returned from a trip to Cuba this book and the first one, The Boy Who Said No, were insightful and compelling. Well written. The sweet story of Frank and Magda stirred my heart.
An incredible story. Having just returned from a trip to Cuba this book and the first one, The Boy Who Said No, were insightful and compelling. Well written. The sweet story of Frank and Magda stirred my heart.
September 12, 2021
This is not as good as the first book in my opinion, but still worth the read. You just have to get the rest of the story after the first book.
I wish that some pictures of Frank and Magda had been included in the book.
I wish that some pictures of Frank and Magda had been included in the book.
February 26, 2022
Part two of The Boy who said No and his life in the US.
February 16, 2024
This one, based on a true story, and what I would call recent history, is very interesting.
October 12, 2018
This sequel was as good as the first book "The Boy Who Said No". The story is riveting and the characters are well developed and evoke strong emotions. This is a very well written true life novel.
January 8, 2015
Followup sequel book that was very interesting to learn of the true-life (partially fictionalized) story of Frank Mederos after he escaped from Cuba and landed in Key West, based on interviews with Frank and Lazos. Love, loss, revenge and friendship are interwoven nicely. Frank’s struggle as an immigrant and his life with Magda, Pino’s obsession to revenge Frank’s defection from Cuba’s Special Forces, and Lazo's unwavering friendship with Frank. Glad I read it.
July 14, 2015
If you read the first book about Frank Mederos you have to read this follow up! Again, an amazing, well written story about this exceptional man and his fight for freedom from Cuba. I gave this only 4 stars because, for me, I found that in certain places it was a little word and also, I was disappointed that there was nothing shared at the end on what happened to Lt Pino. Love, drama, tragedy and suspense!!
June 29, 2016
Worth k knowing the ending
Worth knowing the ending to the BOY WHO SAID NO. Could have been a much shorter book though. Too much detail on uninteresting areas. I felt like author was just filling pages. I skipped through some sections. Worth the read if you read the first book in the sequel. Not worth it as a stand alone . it was only Interesting knowing the background story
Worth knowing the ending to the BOY WHO SAID NO. Could have been a much shorter book though. Too much detail on uninteresting areas. I felt like author was just filling pages. I skipped through some sections. Worth the read if you read the first book in the sequel. Not worth it as a stand alone . it was only Interesting knowing the background story
May 13, 2016
True life adventure
The story of Frank and Madga is an inspiration. Immigrants and exiles, they make their way to America only to have more obstacles and danger thrown into their path. Frank's determination and the support of the anti-Castro resistance make this an incredibly timely story. The fact that it is true, makes it amazing!
The story of Frank and Madga is an inspiration. Immigrants and exiles, they make their way to America only to have more obstacles and danger thrown into their path. Frank's determination and the support of the anti-Castro resistance make this an incredibly timely story. The fact that it is true, makes it amazing!
November 19, 2014
A story of courage and will power, an immigrant's extraordinary journey.
I enjoyed the first book about Frank Mederos,
and the second one was as interesting and full of action. I could not stop reading this remarkable story and the sad story of Cuba.
I enjoyed the first book about Frank Mederos,
and the second one was as interesting and full of action. I could not stop reading this remarkable story and the sad story of Cuba.
December 28, 2014
Great 2 book series that illustrates the plight of the Cuban people. A timely read, considering the recent relationship changes between the two countries. References to northern NJ really brought the story home for me . Highly recommend
February 28, 2016
This book was great
I enjoyed reading this account that happened during my life. Keep up this type of factual based writing. I have traveled the east coast. And am formiluar with the states and cities oinvolved.
I enjoyed reading this account that happened during my life. Keep up this type of factual based writing. I have traveled the east coast. And am formiluar with the states and cities oinvolved.
June 25, 2016
Good book about how Frank Mederos makes it in America after defecting from Cuba. The only reason I gave the book 4 stars was that you would have a really hard time with this book if you hadn't read the first book: The Boy Who Said No, a head of time.
September 22, 2014
Great story, beautifully written. Picks up where "The Boy Who Said No" leaves off. Action packed!
November 10, 2014
Amazing story
November 29, 2014
Mangled history riddled with prejudice and bias.
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January 8, 2015
This wasn't as exciting as the first one when he escapes from Cuba, but it put closer to so many of the questions I had after reading the first book. I did enjoy it, but the first book was better.
May 16, 2016
Book Club Choice.
August 15, 2015
Read this book for a book group. The author and main character visited our group to discuss the book.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews