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lcoverosey's review against another edition
4.0
Wish I had read this before going to Cuba. Interesting info and a wild chase!
krism's review against another edition
I've read many (most of?) Nelson DeMille books. Maybe too many. I enjoy the wit and the sarcasm but I found many of the lines in this book predictable and repetitive. I had to put it down. That makes me sad.
melsosa's review against another edition
3.0
Overall I think this book does a good job at highlighting the problems in Cuba from the point of view of an outsider who may not fully understand the extent of the situation. At the beginning of the book I was put off by Mac and Jack and just didn’t think I would be able to enjoy it. In the end I just think it accurately depicts how the average caught off guard American would react to a situation such as this. That being said I do wish the book moved faster and had more action when they were actually in Cuba as opposed to only when they were leaving. Also disappointed that the concept of the money in the cave was kinda tossed away with so easily and that there is no closure as to the final state of the two trunks they got onto the boat.
jennielanz's review against another edition
1.0
DNF. Did not like the main character off the bat (sexist, racist, immature).
teddien's review against another edition
4.0
As someone with Cuban heritage, I loved the glimpse of Cuba and Cubans between the snappy dialogue and sometimes tense moments. The beginning was a little slow - just get going already! - but certainly picked up with a few twists at the end.
lizajane38's review against another edition
3.0
It was ok
Being that this my first Nelson Demille book I’m not sure it lived up to the hype. The dialogue was stilted and juvenile. No one was really likable. Mac is a formulaic “bad boy” that is changed by love.. yawn. Sara is a woman on a mission, but has time to screw her way across Cuba...come on.
I may try another DeMille book, but not anytime soon.
Being that this my first Nelson Demille book I’m not sure it lived up to the hype. The dialogue was stilted and juvenile. No one was really likable. Mac is a formulaic “bad boy” that is changed by love.. yawn. Sara is a woman on a mission, but has time to screw her way across Cuba...come on.
I may try another DeMille book, but not anytime soon.
constantreader471's review against another edition
4.0
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. It is a very good adventure thriller. Daniel "Mac" MacCormick, a 35 year old Army Afghanistan veteran, and now Key West charter boat captain, is approached by Carlos, a Cuban American lawyer with an unusual proposition. He is offered $2 million to take some people to Cuba who want to retrieve $60 million. He will also be picking up a trunk full of deeds to property confiscated by the Castro government. He initially says no, but then meets Sara Ortega, a stunningly beautiful woman who will accompany him on the trip. He asks for $5 million and settles on $3 million.
Of course things do not go as planned and there are some surprises along the way. But I liked the way the plot developed and the pace of the story which moved along quite well. There is some snappy dialogue. Mac is the narrator and the story takes place in the present tense.
Some Mac quotes:
"Being captain of your own fate doesn't mean you always make good decisions."
"My financial advisor is Jack Colby who likes to say, 'I spent most of money on booze and broads and I wasted the rest of it'."
"Yalies, like vampires, can recognize each other in the dark. Similarly, Bowdoin alum can recognize each other in a bar-they're the ones passed out on the floor."
I apologize for taking so long to read this book, but I did see the author on CSPAN, talking about this book and the craft of writing. I recommend watching the interview, which is available on their website, booktv.org
He explained that he produces a book about every 2 years, because he likes to do a fair amount of research. DeMille mentioned that there are mystery/thriller authors who put out a new book every year and even some who produce 3 or 4 a year. He said "I called James Patterson's house to talk to him recently. His wife answered and said 'He can't come to the phone, he is writing a book.' I said 'That's all right, I'll wait."
Of course things do not go as planned and there are some surprises along the way. But I liked the way the plot developed and the pace of the story which moved along quite well. There is some snappy dialogue. Mac is the narrator and the story takes place in the present tense.
Some Mac quotes:
"Being captain of your own fate doesn't mean you always make good decisions."
"My financial advisor is Jack Colby who likes to say, 'I spent most of money on booze and broads and I wasted the rest of it'."
"Yalies, like vampires, can recognize each other in the dark. Similarly, Bowdoin alum can recognize each other in a bar-they're the ones passed out on the floor."
I apologize for taking so long to read this book, but I did see the author on CSPAN, talking about this book and the craft of writing. I recommend watching the interview, which is available on their website, booktv.org
He explained that he produces a book about every 2 years, because he likes to do a fair amount of research. DeMille mentioned that there are mystery/thriller authors who put out a new book every year and even some who produce 3 or 4 a year. He said "I called James Patterson's house to talk to him recently. His wife answered and said 'He can't come to the phone, he is writing a book.' I said 'That's all right, I'll wait."
lv_reads's review against another edition
2.0
Far too much Cuban history and not enough action. Boring.
filmcritic23's review against another edition
4.0
Was a fun book to listen to for a mystery book club that I am apart of. The guy reading it had a great voice. Ironically, the action scenes were my least favorite part but the rest was fun. Definitely a man's man book but I still enjoyed the man character and his comedic insights. 4 stars.