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Capital Crimes #18
Murder in Havana
Havana may be far from Washington, but DC power brokers are never far from Havana. Neither are danger, deception, and sudden death. That’s what draws Max Pauling there. As an ex-CIA, ex-State Department employee, he faces an uneventful early retirement–until he is asked to secretly fly some medical supplies into the mysterious Cuban city.
If Max is looking for excitement, he finds it. First there’s his contact, a breathtaking beauty with private plans of her own. Then there’s a former senator, in Havana to ease the U.S. embargo, but who may have another, more malevolent, mission. Throw in endless supplies of under-the-table money– not to mention a murder–and Max has landed in a place even more corrupt . . . and more compelling . . . than the U.S. capital itself.
If Max is looking for excitement, he finds it. First there’s his contact, a breathtaking beauty with private plans of her own. Then there’s a former senator, in Havana to ease the U.S. embargo, but who may have another, more malevolent, mission. Throw in endless supplies of under-the-table money– not to mention a murder–and Max has landed in a place even more corrupt . . . and more compelling . . . than the U.S. capital itself.
Author Biography: Margaret Truman has won faithful readers with her works of biography and fiction, particularly her ongoing series of Capital Crimes mysteries (nineteen and counting)–from Murder in the White House to Murder at Ford’s Theatre. Her novels let us into the corridors of power and privilege, poverty and pageantry, in the nation’s capital. She lives in Manhattan.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
68 people are currently reading
526 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Truman
87 books260 followersMary Margaret Truman Daniel was an American classical soprano, actress, journalist, radio and television personality, writer, and New York socialite. She was the only child of President Harry Truman and First Lady Bess Truman. While her father was president during the years 1945 to 1953, Margaret regularly accompanied him on campaign trips, such as the 1948 countrywide whistle-stop campaign lasting several weeks. She also appeared at important White House and political events during those years, being a favorite with the media.
After graduating from George Washington University in 1946, she embarked on a career as a coloratura soprano, beginning with a concert appearance with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 1947. She appeared in concerts with orchestras throughout the United States and in recitals throughout the U.S. through 1956. She made recordings for RCA Victor, and made television appearances on programs like What's My Line? and The Bell Telephone Hour.
In 1957, one year after her marriage, Truman abandoned her singing career to pursue a career as a journalist and radio personality, when she became the co-host of the program Weekday with Mike Wallace. She also wrote articles as an independent journalist, for a variety of publications in the 1960s and 1970s. She later became the successful author of a series of murder mysteries, and a number of works on U.S. First Ladies and First Families, including well-received biographies of her father, President Harry S. Truman and mother Bess Truman.
She was married to journalist Clifton Daniel, managing editor of The New York Times. The couple had four sons, and were prominent New York socialites who often hosted events for the New York elite.
After graduating from George Washington University in 1946, she embarked on a career as a coloratura soprano, beginning with a concert appearance with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 1947. She appeared in concerts with orchestras throughout the United States and in recitals throughout the U.S. through 1956. She made recordings for RCA Victor, and made television appearances on programs like What's My Line? and The Bell Telephone Hour.
In 1957, one year after her marriage, Truman abandoned her singing career to pursue a career as a journalist and radio personality, when she became the co-host of the program Weekday with Mike Wallace. She also wrote articles as an independent journalist, for a variety of publications in the 1960s and 1970s. She later became the successful author of a series of murder mysteries, and a number of works on U.S. First Ladies and First Families, including well-received biographies of her father, President Harry S. Truman and mother Bess Truman.
She was married to journalist Clifton Daniel, managing editor of The New York Times. The couple had four sons, and were prominent New York socialites who often hosted events for the New York elite.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
August 12, 2014
Very enjoyable read. It probably has been over 10 years since I have read a Margaret Truman novel,but really enjoyed this one! I will go back and catch up on her Capitol Crime series.
December 7, 2016
This is the eighteenth book in Truman’s Capital Crimes series. It moves the action away from Washington DC to the island of Cuba, about ninety miles south from Miami but much further in terms of its culture, social reality and politics. Some critics have panned the novel for its political diatribes and what they considered unrealistic depictions of the island, but I enjoyed it.
The reader is introduced to Max Pauling a man who retired from the CIA, left Washington and went on to teach flying in New Mexico. He is approached by Vic Gosling, a former operative from the same organization, also retired who now works for a private security firm. Gosling asks Pauling to take on a project flying medical supplies to Cuba, using a route through Mexico, Miami and Columbia. This circuitous path is necessary because the US embargo prevents the sale of all goods between the two countries except for small amounts of agricultural or medical supplies. The Cuban people hate the embargo, but Castro uses it wisely, identifying it as the reason he is unable to accomplish all his promised reforms. Some in the United States want the embargo lifted so they can trade freely with Cuba like other countries. But the U.S. Congress will not lift the restrictions until there is significant improvement on Cuba’s human rights record, in particular its treatment of political dissidents who often disappear suddenly and inexplicably, never to be seen again.
The assignment Gosling has given Pauling is in fact a cover for another more dangerous and clandestine project, one which will pay handsomely for a small investment of time. Pauling, initially reluctant to accept, eventually decides to sign on.
Gosling is an employee of a company called Cell One and Signal Laboratories, a large pharmaceutical company is one of their clients. Signal Labs is currently in a tight race with BTK Industries to be the first to produce the next generation of anti-cancer drugs. These drugs are based on monoclonal antibodies and target a direct hit on specific malignant cells. Whoever is first in developing these drugs will cash in on a big payday, earning millions in profits in the coming years. But Signal One is convinced that BTK is surreptitiously trying to buy into the cancer drug research done in Cuba, where their scientists are making great strides in developing these drugs. They also believe BTK intends to use the German firm of Strauss-Lochner Resources as a front to broker the deal.
BTK Industries benefitted for many years from government largesse and is now headed by Price McCullough, a five time United States senator who is the CEO and major shareholder. His investment in this company has made him a multi-millionaire but he has even greater ambitions. McCullough, now a private citizen, is headed to Cuba as part of an American trade delegation with the goal of developing a dialogue with the Cubans that will facilitate trade between the two countries.
Pauling’s contact in Havana is the beautiful Celia Sanchez who is to be his translator. He finds her both alluring and frustrating as she moves at her own pace and controls events, often making him angry.
Kurt Grunewald is Strauss-Lochner’s liaison in Havana, an unhappy man who has left his family in Heidelberg to work out his remaining years until he can retire on his pension. He hates the work, the food and the heat. His company has tasked him with the job of paving the way for their purchase of a controlling interest in Cuba’s state owned cancer research institute and he needs Castro’s approval to allow the deal to go through. The future viability of Strauss-Lochner depends heavily on Grunewald’s success with the project, but they have concerns about him and have sent Erich Weinert a much younger man to keep an eye on him.
Dr. Manuel Caldoza heads the team of scientists at the research institute in Havana. He has dedicated his entire life to finding the drugs that will eradicate cancer and although Castro has put severe restrictions on his travel, he has recently been able to present some of his research at a National Institute of Health conference in the United States. Dr. Caldoza hopes his team’s discoveries will bring the Cuban scientists the respect and honour they deserve in the world’s scientific community as well as the money his country needs to improve the life of its people.
Havana is not an easy place to be a citizen, a tourist or a businessman. Fidel Castro controls everyone and everything that happens in his country. There are national police and volunteer spies in every neighbourhood to ensure “the bearded one” knows everything that goes on. Individuals and organizations either support Castro or are trying to topple his reign and no one is ever certain who is on which side.
Although initially the action in this novel moves slowly, it soon ramps up when almost everything in Pauling’s plan begins to unravel. There is an attempt on Castro’s life and the body of a dead American is discovered in a small apartment deep in the quiet recesses of the winding city streets. Pauling quickly finds himself a fugitive trying to escape the island with security forces blocking every exit and none of the people he had come to trust wanting to help him.
Truman has done a credible job describing the complex political situation in Cuba including “the man with the beard” who has a flawed and complicated relationship with his people. She explores the views of both his detractors and his supporters as she provides a real life context for her story. Readers who are familiar with the history of the country, have spent time in Havana and have walked its streets, will recognize many of the city landmarks Truman mentions and appreciate her description of the ambiguous life that most Cubans must live.
Truman again succeeds with her straight forward prose, an interesting setting and an array of believable characters.
I found it an enjoyable and interesting read.
The reader is introduced to Max Pauling a man who retired from the CIA, left Washington and went on to teach flying in New Mexico. He is approached by Vic Gosling, a former operative from the same organization, also retired who now works for a private security firm. Gosling asks Pauling to take on a project flying medical supplies to Cuba, using a route through Mexico, Miami and Columbia. This circuitous path is necessary because the US embargo prevents the sale of all goods between the two countries except for small amounts of agricultural or medical supplies. The Cuban people hate the embargo, but Castro uses it wisely, identifying it as the reason he is unable to accomplish all his promised reforms. Some in the United States want the embargo lifted so they can trade freely with Cuba like other countries. But the U.S. Congress will not lift the restrictions until there is significant improvement on Cuba’s human rights record, in particular its treatment of political dissidents who often disappear suddenly and inexplicably, never to be seen again.
The assignment Gosling has given Pauling is in fact a cover for another more dangerous and clandestine project, one which will pay handsomely for a small investment of time. Pauling, initially reluctant to accept, eventually decides to sign on.
Gosling is an employee of a company called Cell One and Signal Laboratories, a large pharmaceutical company is one of their clients. Signal Labs is currently in a tight race with BTK Industries to be the first to produce the next generation of anti-cancer drugs. These drugs are based on monoclonal antibodies and target a direct hit on specific malignant cells. Whoever is first in developing these drugs will cash in on a big payday, earning millions in profits in the coming years. But Signal One is convinced that BTK is surreptitiously trying to buy into the cancer drug research done in Cuba, where their scientists are making great strides in developing these drugs. They also believe BTK intends to use the German firm of Strauss-Lochner Resources as a front to broker the deal.
BTK Industries benefitted for many years from government largesse and is now headed by Price McCullough, a five time United States senator who is the CEO and major shareholder. His investment in this company has made him a multi-millionaire but he has even greater ambitions. McCullough, now a private citizen, is headed to Cuba as part of an American trade delegation with the goal of developing a dialogue with the Cubans that will facilitate trade between the two countries.
Pauling’s contact in Havana is the beautiful Celia Sanchez who is to be his translator. He finds her both alluring and frustrating as she moves at her own pace and controls events, often making him angry.
Kurt Grunewald is Strauss-Lochner’s liaison in Havana, an unhappy man who has left his family in Heidelberg to work out his remaining years until he can retire on his pension. He hates the work, the food and the heat. His company has tasked him with the job of paving the way for their purchase of a controlling interest in Cuba’s state owned cancer research institute and he needs Castro’s approval to allow the deal to go through. The future viability of Strauss-Lochner depends heavily on Grunewald’s success with the project, but they have concerns about him and have sent Erich Weinert a much younger man to keep an eye on him.
Dr. Manuel Caldoza heads the team of scientists at the research institute in Havana. He has dedicated his entire life to finding the drugs that will eradicate cancer and although Castro has put severe restrictions on his travel, he has recently been able to present some of his research at a National Institute of Health conference in the United States. Dr. Caldoza hopes his team’s discoveries will bring the Cuban scientists the respect and honour they deserve in the world’s scientific community as well as the money his country needs to improve the life of its people.
Havana is not an easy place to be a citizen, a tourist or a businessman. Fidel Castro controls everyone and everything that happens in his country. There are national police and volunteer spies in every neighbourhood to ensure “the bearded one” knows everything that goes on. Individuals and organizations either support Castro or are trying to topple his reign and no one is ever certain who is on which side.
Although initially the action in this novel moves slowly, it soon ramps up when almost everything in Pauling’s plan begins to unravel. There is an attempt on Castro’s life and the body of a dead American is discovered in a small apartment deep in the quiet recesses of the winding city streets. Pauling quickly finds himself a fugitive trying to escape the island with security forces blocking every exit and none of the people he had come to trust wanting to help him.
Truman has done a credible job describing the complex political situation in Cuba including “the man with the beard” who has a flawed and complicated relationship with his people. She explores the views of both his detractors and his supporters as she provides a real life context for her story. Readers who are familiar with the history of the country, have spent time in Havana and have walked its streets, will recognize many of the city landmarks Truman mentions and appreciate her description of the ambiguous life that most Cubans must live.
Truman again succeeds with her straight forward prose, an interesting setting and an array of believable characters.
I found it an enjoyable and interesting read.
November 8, 2017
Most, if not all, of the books in Margaret Truman's Capital Crimes series take place in or near to Washington DC. MURDER IN HAVANA has ties to the city but takes place primarily in Cuba forty-some years after United States began its embargo of the country.
Max Pauling, who formerly worked for the CIA and the State Department, retired, moved to New Mexico, and became a flight instructor. He also accepted a contract to fly medical supplies to Cuba through a convoluted route to obscure any US involvement. Cuba's medical research and practice was quite advanced. In the book, the ability to cure cancer was quite close. Since the Soviet Union withdrew its support, financial backing became harder to secure. Foreign companies, such as one in Germany, were trying to take advantage of the research for their own financial gain. Fidel Castro seemed willing to become involved so he could benefit as well. There was suspicion that a United States group was also trying to get in on the action. One of the people involved was a former US senator. When Max went to deliver his next load of medical supplies, he was asked to investigate that connection.
In the process, he encountered many people some supposedly helping him others supposedly trying to stop him. Sometimes was hard to tell which side a person was on.
He was present in Castro's birthday party where someone pulled out a gun and tries to shoot Castro. Later another prominent person was murdered. Max is thought to be the killer and had to get the information he sought as well as leave the island.
MURDER IN HAVANA provides some descriptions of the country, the people, and the politics as well as the inner workings of some US government departments. The book is a quick read with relatively short chapters. There is some repetition and some extraneous narrative. It mentions that the embargo was the best thing that happened to Cuba because it provided a scapegoat Castro could use to explain the island's problems
There are a few of the word plays often found these books: "Pitura's feet might be a wreck, but he could still think on them." "All they could do was hope that the engine turned over and the plane didn't…"
A couple weeks ago I read that Donald Bain had died. The obituary is stated that he was Margaret Truman's ghostwriter for most of her books. He also wrote the few that came out after her death.
Max Pauling, who formerly worked for the CIA and the State Department, retired, moved to New Mexico, and became a flight instructor. He also accepted a contract to fly medical supplies to Cuba through a convoluted route to obscure any US involvement. Cuba's medical research and practice was quite advanced. In the book, the ability to cure cancer was quite close. Since the Soviet Union withdrew its support, financial backing became harder to secure. Foreign companies, such as one in Germany, were trying to take advantage of the research for their own financial gain. Fidel Castro seemed willing to become involved so he could benefit as well. There was suspicion that a United States group was also trying to get in on the action. One of the people involved was a former US senator. When Max went to deliver his next load of medical supplies, he was asked to investigate that connection.
In the process, he encountered many people some supposedly helping him others supposedly trying to stop him. Sometimes was hard to tell which side a person was on.
He was present in Castro's birthday party where someone pulled out a gun and tries to shoot Castro. Later another prominent person was murdered. Max is thought to be the killer and had to get the information he sought as well as leave the island.
MURDER IN HAVANA provides some descriptions of the country, the people, and the politics as well as the inner workings of some US government departments. The book is a quick read with relatively short chapters. There is some repetition and some extraneous narrative. It mentions that the embargo was the best thing that happened to Cuba because it provided a scapegoat Castro could use to explain the island's problems
There are a few of the word plays often found these books: "Pitura's feet might be a wreck, but he could still think on them." "All they could do was hope that the engine turned over and the plane didn't…"
A couple weeks ago I read that Donald Bain had died. The obituary is stated that he was Margaret Truman's ghostwriter for most of her books. He also wrote the few that came out after her death.
October 18, 2016
This book was the usual easy-to-read murder mystery novel.
There was one rather irksome thing about it, however.
In the "Capitol Murder Series" to date, the main female character was Annabel Reed who had married Mac Smith, making her Annabel Reed-Smith. For about tw0-thirds of this book, the she is referred to as Annabel Lee-Smith. Then, suddenly, she becomes Annabel Reed-Smith for the last portion of the book.
This is just plain sloppy writing that the editors should have caught, if they had been paying attention.
There was one rather irksome thing about it, however.
In the "Capitol Murder Series" to date, the main female character was Annabel Reed who had married Mac Smith, making her Annabel Reed-Smith. For about tw0-thirds of this book, the she is referred to as Annabel Lee-Smith. Then, suddenly, she becomes Annabel Reed-Smith for the last portion of the book.
This is just plain sloppy writing that the editors should have caught, if they had been paying attention.
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November 18, 2019This is the only one of the Capital Crimes series that doesn't focus on the Washington, D.C. area and surrounding institutions or history. There was also very little interaction between Mac and Annabel Smith in this novel. It does take us back to the Fidel Castro era and the struggles by American businesses to make money by illegal means and highlights medical research in Cuba that was far more advanced that research in the U.S.
The excitement did build up in the latter part of the book and it was hard to put down once the action began. Information about life in Cuba and Fidel's need for constant adulation and the constant paid spies throughout the country gave me more of a sense of what it must be like to never be able to trust anyone in a Communist country.
The excitement did build up in the latter part of the book and it was hard to put down once the action began. Information about life in Cuba and Fidel's need for constant adulation and the constant paid spies throughout the country gave me more of a sense of what it must be like to never be able to trust anyone in a Communist country.
October 11, 2023
Decent spy thriller about a former CIA spy who signs on to do some investigation of a pharmaceutical company's activities related to cancer research in Cuba, but ends up entangled in a much more complex and dangerous situation. To survive, he has to navigate his way between the CIA, anti-Castro groups and the PNR (Cuban police) without taking the rap for murder. I'd give it 4 stars but it uses the plot device of inventing a fictional US President which always bothers me. With a little work, the story could have been told without this - either always refer to "the President" or actually make it historical fiction and have the President be one of the real US presidents. (Based on the time frame, it would be Clinton's second term or Bush's first.)
June 15, 2021
Not her best. Interesting details about life in Castro's Cuba and the effects of the blockade. Only peripherally related to the rest of the series by phonecalls to Annabel from the girlfriend of the ex-CIA agent at the heart of the story. Corruption, shady business deals, murder and double dealing against an exotic backdrop. Though MacKenzie Smith is coincidentally in Cuba with a trade delegation, he does not have any part in the action. The seamy underside of the political classes in both countries and their government agencies is very much on display. The ending ties things up in a way that is ultimately unsatisfying.
April 7, 2025
Truman provides a wonderful description of Havana, life in Cuba under Castro, and political issues of the day. Although the story does not take place in Washington, D.C. , it involves the CIA and politicians based in America's capital. Truman's story builds slowly, and Max isn't the most likable main character. Although he seems to have a good relationship with Jessica, he lusts after Celia. The last part of the book, when Max is trying to elude arrest, is gripping and escape from Cuba. I couldn't put the book down. However, the first part of the book seemed to plod along. Not my favorite of Truman's books, but still it provided an entertaining and informative read.
December 12, 2017
Strange combination of old friends. Still very confused about the President timeline and the world. But this time Mac is in Cuba with a retired senator who is sort of working for their mutual friend the President to open relations with Castro. But he is also illegally secretly buying Cuban cancer research from El Jefe. Max is working for an old CIA contact to find proof of that sale for a rival company. Max gets caught up in some heady mix of CIA, Presidential, and anti-Castro plots come to a head. Mac and Max never cross paths but their wives talk. Its very strange storytelling style.
April 18, 2020
One of the best mystery thrillers I have read. The plot was twisted and unpredictable but yet believable. The characters well developed and likable. The story left me with unanswered questions as a story involving the CIA should. Over all a great read built upon the author's in depth knowledge of Washington D.C.
April 18, 2024
When I start a book I have to complete it. It took me over 20 years to read this book. I would read some get bored and read something else. I finally had to make myself complete it. It is not a bad book but for having murder in the title you need to get almost to the end of the book to find anyone murdered.
August 17, 2024
As always, the book was slow for the first 2/3 of it. The action happened in the last hundred pages. The murder didn't even happen until about halfway through the book. Most of the story takes place in Cuba, obvious by the title, but being in the Capital Crime series - it doesn't take place in DC.
This book was dedicated to her son who passed away in a car accident at 40. 😭
This book was dedicated to her son who passed away in a car accident at 40. 😭
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December 23, 2024Vic Gosling talks Max Pauling out of "retirement" to fly to Havana. Mac is also there at the same time as part of a trade group.Max befriends a German working for the phara co, who is killed. Max is accused, then released. Max stops a Castro shooter. After the head of the trade group is shot, Max becomes a fugitive & must escape Cuba!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2025
Mackensie Smith, DC attorney and main mystery solver in other books in this series is only a minor characte (as is his wife Annabell) . Former CIA opeative, Max Pauling takes the lead in this novel. Pauling is recuited to do some undercover work in Havana for a private US company. That company wants dirt on a competitor. Murder, of course, occurs.
July 1, 2024
I have always enjoyed Margaret Truman's mysteries and this one did not disappoint.
It is a complicated plot with lots of twists and turns taking place in Cuba and dealing with pharmaceutical companies and cancer drugs. Worth the read.
It is a complicated plot with lots of twists and turns taking place in Cuba and dealing with pharmaceutical companies and cancer drugs. Worth the read.
January 8, 2018
I usually enjoy Margaret Truman mysteries. This one was dull. Literally...the murder doesn't take place until page 177! This is a spy novel that isn't a spy novel. Just horrible. Avoid.
May 18, 2018
Not the best in the series. The Smiths had no reason to be included in b0ok.
June 19, 2019
#78 of 120 books pledged to read during 2019
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August 20, 2019DNF
Max Pauling, too macho man for me.
Max Pauling, too macho man for me.
March 8, 2020
I gave this book a three only because I found it slow to get into. I did enjoy the information about Cuba. I have recently traveled there and it added to my knowledge of the country.
May 26, 2020
Not as good as her other books; it dragged, and didn’t hold my interest well.
Finished on 5/26/20, but I keep getting a system error when I try to add it.
Finished on 5/26/20, but I keep getting a system error when I try to add it.
May 28, 2020
Slow book; not as good as the others in her series.
February 20, 2021
I found this book different than the others in this series. It wasn't my favorite but it was a good read.
June 30, 2021
A reasonably good read
September 4, 2021
Good,fast moving thriller.Ex CIA employee is hired to secretly fly medical supplies to Cuba. His adventures are many as well as dangerous.
February 22, 2022
3.5 stars
It's a fun spy thriller with a confused, likable leading man. The plot in Havana was very interesting. A great beach read. (And I did read it on the beach!)
It's a fun spy thriller with a confused, likable leading man. The plot in Havana was very interesting. A great beach read. (And I did read it on the beach!)
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December 6, 2022Read ALL of her Capital Crimes books.
Enjoyed and learned something from a "Washington Insider" about various venues.
Noticed I hadn't recorded all of them from years past.
February 22, 2024
Max Pauling has a mission to Havana, Cuba and it has nothing to do with his careers at the CIA or State Department. Living by his wits and experience he accomplishes his mission.
June 22, 2024
another well crafted story
New characters with established ones on a well crafted story with real historical characters. Ms Truman never fails to write a interesting tail
New characters with established ones on a well crafted story with real historical characters. Ms Truman never fails to write a interesting tail
August 9, 2025
An interesting plot, but unlike those of the author's preceding novels. And too many minor characters who came & went in a few paragraphs. Not as highly recommended as her former novels.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews