Latour,
José. Comrades in Miami. Grove. Nov. 2005. c.352p. ISBN
0-8021-1810-0. $23.00. Fiction.
Col. Victoria Valiente of the Cuban General Directorate of
Intelligence and her husband Manuel Pardo, a computer expert
in the Ministry of the Interior, appear to have everything–a good marriage, a hot sex life, elite governmental
positions with all the attendant benefits, and the favor of the commander in
chief. In Miami, Cuban expatriate Elliot Steil is in a more precarious state.
Prior to boarding a flight for Havana, he is approached by the FBI and forced
to become an informant. Meanwhile, Victoria and Manuel, disillusioned by the
failed revolution, plot their defection, buoyed by nearly $3 million siphoned
from the government. In time, all three Cubans become involved in a gripping
adventure wherein each surprising development leads to yet another. With this
brilliant espionage novel, peopled by characters of striking intelligence, Cuban-born
Latour (Havana World Series) delivers a tour de force of intrigue that also serves
as a fascinating portrayal of both contemporary Cuba and the expatriate community
in Miami. The conclusion packs surprises galore, icluding at least two shocking
twists that are guaranteed to stun readers. Meticulously researched and beautifully
crafted from start to finish, this compelling tale is highly recommended for
public and academic libraries.