Umbrella Man

Inspector Ramírez #4

by Peggy Blair

The fourth book in the gripping Inspector Ramirez series by bestselling author Peggy Blair.
Inspector Ramirez races to stop an international assassination in this expertly crafted mystery from bestselling author Peggy Blair.
When Mama Loa, a witch doctor, tells Inspector Ramirez that people in the sky are going to die, he thinks she’s crazy. After all, there hasn’t been a violent death in Havana in months.

But things quickly change when a Russian is murdered, execution-style, on the Malecón and three flight crew members die in suspicious circumstances. When Russian intelligence officer Slava Kadun arrives in Havana warning that a CIA hitman has plans to assassinate Raúl Castro, Ramirez starts to wonder if the deaths are connected. With the political future of Cuba at stake, he has only hours to stop a cold-blooded killer.

Genres: Mystery, Canada

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 7, 2016

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

[Charlene Intriago · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love Peggy Blair's descriptions of Havana and life in Cuba. This is the fourth book in the Inspector Ramirez series and this time there's some international espionage along with a possible serial killer. I love how she's incorporated the Russian FSB and the American CIA into this story. Great title - and even though Inspector Ramirez thought the ghosts that have haunted and helped him solve cases in the past had finally disappeared, I'm thinking they might be back in the next book. Looking forward to it!

[Debbie Young-Mayhew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this 4th book in the Inspector Ramirez series. Couldn't get through it fast enough because of normal interruptions i.e. work. I first heard about Peggy Blair on CBC radio when introducing her first book, The Beggar's Opera. Anxious for a new writer to put into my varied library, I listened and was captivated by the story line and the main character. It takes a lot to fool my thought process when figuring out who-done-it or why and Peggy certainly had my brain doing double time. Ghosts, I know too well. Canadian, Cuban and world realities with ugly undertones, I was all too ignorant of. Set in Cuba, Inspector Ramirez must solve the most ugliest of crimes. His wife
Francesca has a heart of gold while being a strong supporting character. Dr. Apiro is a necessary 'side kick' for Ramirez in helping find solutions with knowledge in the medical field. Maria, you'll want to cry and cheer her on while you learn how life has created the Cuban beauty. I have learned so much from Peggy about the realities of First Nations, aboriginal life in Canada, life for Cubans and the involvement of the Catholic Church in the most gripping crime mysteries written. There is laughter, crime, spies, mystery and ghosts galore. Peggy includes a character in each book who becomes a key to the solution. Someone you would want to meet for real. In this book, Russian Slava is charming, tough, bad but good. The books read with an intensity that make you realize this really happens. Peggy is straight up, no nonsense with her choice of words. Buy the book! Read and become lost in many mysteries in one.

[Mary Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful series that gets better with each addition. The complexity of society in Cuba is well and sympathetically portrayed. There was even some Russian and American activity that adds to the depth of the mystery. My only complaint is that the ghosts were quite absent but there is hope for them in the next in the series.

[Sherry Monger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was introduced to this author by Jo-anne and started with number 4 in the series. I am now intending to search out the first three. Set in Havana Cuba, this is the only story I have read that uses this historic city and its people as background. Inspector Ramirez is the head of the Major Crimes Unit but needs to find a killer with political motivations without the necessary resources to do so. The country's leader, Raul Castro is at risk. Ramirez' car is a rust bucket with doors that won't lock and additional information cannot be reliably sought from computer data banks. He is hardworking, bright, often in trouble with his wife and never quite sure who the bad guys are.
Peggy Blair writes with compassion and wit - she obviously has a deep understanding of the intelligence systems in the US and Russia and the drug runners in Colombia. She turns corners frequently so that the reader and the protagonist are never sure whose side to be on - a great mystery read!

[Jane Mulkewich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book while on vacation in Cuba, and enjoyed it very much. It was published last year and set in modern Cuba, although Fidel Castro is still alive in the story. The author is a lawyer (and as a lawyer myself I am interested in reading fiction written by lawyers) and the author is obviously knowledgeable about modern Cuba and Havana in particular. I now know that this book is the fourth in a series about Inspector Ramirez, so I will now go and try to read the other books in the series.

[Nick Bachusky · Rating 5 out of 5]

another absolute classic. Peggy, you have to keep the Ramirez stories going, you are incredible at teaching history and culture while instilling suspense and gripping story telling. I pray that someday a major motion picture deal comes your way. This story would be great on screen!

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this mystery. Hope there is another soon

[Deane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is the 4th by Peggy Blair in the Inspector Ramirez series.... today the local library emailed me that #2 and #3 are ready for me to pick up and I am really looking forward to reading them. I did find this story a bit slow starting because it involved the intelligence departments of the USA, Russia and Cuba with each country sending spies to Cuba because of a planned assassination of Raul Castro. Several of the agents were double spies so had a couple of aliases and with the names being either Russian or Cuban, it was difficult for me to keep them all straight in my mind. I should have done some note taking as I read so I could refer to it when I got confused :-) The way the governments, especially the secret services, justify their wheeling and dealing, lying, even hiring professional "hit men", the huge amount of money being made by a few, boggles the mind of an ordinary person such as I. Do these things really happen?? Somehow I think they do . . .The last 100 pages or so are tense page turners; I do like the epilogue and the fanciful "ghosts" of victims that try to help Ramirez solve the case. The one in this story was quite a surprise; very unexpected.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peggy Blair's Inspector Ramirez series is much more than mystery/detective stories. All the novels take place in Havana, Cuba and contain so many interesting details about Cuban history, politics and society. Umbrella Man is no exception although it is somewhat more of an espionage story than a murder mystery.

I really enjoy these books and I hope that Ottawa lawyer/author Blair writes many more of them. I also really like the Canadian connections she includes in each story.

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. So glad the ghosts returned. Maybe this means there will be more books in this series? I love how the people in Cuba accept their lifestyle and make the most of what they do have. Many here could learn from this.

[Vontel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another most interesting murder mystery and suspenseful Cuban political thriller, with Ramirez and Apiro working against the clock to identify murderers and victims in Cuba, impacted by various political plots among the US, CIA, Russia and various KGB/various new entities, the Chechyens, the oligarchs and other Russian mafia, the Colombians and others. This one even involves a "decommissioned" Soviet submarine.

Complex and multi-layered plot, with interesting endings and surprises which make me anticipate the next volumes in the series. Always elements are included of the realities of Cuban life for virtually all people, both in their personal and professional lives, and the various schemes to try to make it work, as well as the levels of conniving and corruption in every organization. A good suspenseful summer read!

[Caroline Ingvaldsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth adventure of Inspector Ramirez is another intriguing police procedural set in the glorious and gritty streets of Cuba's decaying capital. Assassination attempts and human trafficking animate a complicated plot of espionage and stratagem which concludes with the satisfying reappearance of the Inspector's ghosts.

[Sharon Meehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Peggy! I read all 4 books back to back and can't fathom that I have to wait to read another adventure of Inspector Ramirez! I love your incorporation of Cuban, Aboriginal and Canadian (to name a few) history and traditions to decorate your stories. I love your expertise from your previous professions to add flavour to the stories. Keep writing please!! Sharon

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

#4 in the series, this one was more thriller/espionage than mystery. A Russian is murdered execution-style in Havana. In trying to solve the case, and several more suspicious deaths which occur, Ramirez finds that not only Russian, but Cuban and American intelligence are involved. As always, the glimpse into everyday life in Cuba is fascinating.

[Wendy Hearder-moan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far-fetched? The author admits as much, although she gives real life examples that show it might not be as far-fetched as it seems. Confusing? Yes! Full of cross and double-cross. I think that Ramirez is the only character who is what he purports to be. Even Arpino has his little secrets. However I enjoyed the ride! Looking forward to Ramirez’s next escapade.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome book from Peggy Blair. Great story line and red herrings. Well researched, and very well written. The way the lack of ghosts, who were so prominent in the preceding books of this series, was handled was brilliant.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't as fond of this book as I was of the first two in the series. The Russia/CIA plot was a little too outside the world that Inspector Ramirez usually inhabits. Still, this series is generally good.

[Jo-anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The very believable political intrigue in this novel is enhanced by the descriptions of life in current Cuba. Ramirez has the assistance of a new ally, this time Russian. I knew it had to come but I missed Charlie Pike, a character from earlier novels.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super book, it was a bit deeper than her previous books which l enjoyed. She really paints a picture of Cuba that is fascinating and her plots always resolve well

[Dianne Scaturchio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Keep them coming Peggy. Each book so intriguing. I have yet to guess who done it before the end.
Can't wait for the next installment

[Anita H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly well researched. Interesting and exciting. Love the characters and reading about Havana. Can't wait for the next one.

[Lynn Kearney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haven't read any others in this series, but I will. I like Inspector Ramirez and the insights into life in Cuba. Wonder if it's as unrelentingly grim as it's depicted?

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm not my favourite in this series . It was ok but I was never really hooked.

[Art Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I’ve read by Canadian author Peggy Blair. Her series involves a Cuban police detective who sees ghosts, a dwarf doctor, his transgendered prostitute girlfriend not to mention an overbearing dead grandmother. Why does this seem so completely Canadian to me? There is the a cameo by an Irish Canadian policeman who figured prominently in the other one of the series which I read, "Hungry Ghosts".

Her plots are equally as eclectic as her choice of characters. This one involves a labyrinthine scheme to steal a submarine from Russia, sell it to the Columbian drug cartels, using an assassination attempt on Raul Castro as a cover and involves Chechen gangsters, the CIA, the Soviet FSB and even Putin himself! (who by the way steals a Superbowl ring in the process)

Admittedly the plot is so contorted and convoluted that you may be tempted to head straight back to the police station and get out the whiteboard and map this out but save your time and your sanity and just sit back and enjoy the ride.

As with any good mystery, plausibility at some point gets sacrificed for the sake of a ripping good yarn and this is definitely one of those!

On a different note, I try to read as much CanCon as I can and particularly mystery and historical fiction. If you’ve discovered a hidden gem, please feel free to let me know!

[Reggie Billingsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one I really liked ...and after marching through the previous two (still missing the first title in this series) felt Blair can easily stand up to and match the original premise contrivances of plot and spies and espionage with the best.
Less gory detail in the morgue but lots of tension and flip flopping of speculation, identities and loyalties: whether it's one country or simply capitalism/greed.
It's also nice that our hero is allowed to get 'back on track' with his unusual investigatory guides.

[Tammy Flanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lot more political intrigue and spy stuff going on in this one. Enjoyed it but not my favourite in the series.

[Martha]

interesting way to learn more about Havana

[Johanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always like to come back to Cuba and Inspector Ramirez. I wish the book wouldn't have involved an international ploy as it made the story less believable to me.

[Lorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little confusing

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could never really get into it