King Bongo: A Novel of Havana

by Thomas Sanchez

Havana, New Year’s Eve 1957, a terrorist bomb rips through the Tropicana nightclub. King Bongo, a rogue Cuban-American, tortured by a mysterious past and possessed of a mythic musical talent, goes on the hunt for the culprits, and for his sister, Cuba’s most exotic showgirl, who disappeared in the explosion.

Navigating Havana’s maze of Colonial backstreets, red-light districts, swank country clubs, and opulent casinos, Bongo encounters an outrageous cast of characters—American hit men, decadent movie stars, prophetic shoeshine boys, and a beautiful American socialite. At the center of the mystery is a sinister secret police operative with whom Bongo is destined to have a lethal showdown.

Genres: Fiction

321 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Connie Bobonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book I borrowed from the Kansas City Library, so yay.
First book I ever borrowed to read on my iPad, so more yay.
I read it because I was intrigued at setting a mystery in a country that, to mist Americans, is itself a mystery. As mysteries go, it was only so-so, but it made me want to actually learn a little about the country so close and yet so far away, so yay for making me curious. Three yays equals three stars.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable mystery romp situated in Havana. Quick read, colorful characters.

[Oz Cabana · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love ❤️ Classic mob and gangster stories, and are ready for a mystical, musical twist, then I fully recommend! This is one of my all-time favorites. It begins a little “typical,” with the P.I. Who just decided that “doesn’t do P.I. Work anymore,” only to find himself wrapped up in a whirlwind of a dangerous and suspenseful investigation in which his sister’s life as well as his own are at stake.

It also makes a huge difference for the imagery and feel of the story, that it’s set at the very peak of the start of the Cuban revolution.

[IRA · Rating 5 out of 5]

King Bongo was a great read.
Fast and Fun with full of music, murder action, sex and violence, politics, good drinks, that all play a part of the intrigue set in a tropical foreign land setting.
I don't remember where or when I picked up this book, but it was on our shelf for a while constantly beckoning me to read it every time I saw the cool cover. So glad I did.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could I would give this novel a 7. Living in Miami my entire life with Havana basically down the street like New Jersey is to New York, I can feel the breeze, smell the rum, and taste the sweat. Well done.

[Michael]

Another pretty cool book about Havana. More of a noir style detective story. I will check out some more books by this writer. Entertaining.