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.

LJ, vol. 130, no. 18 (November 1, 2005), 66.


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