Richardson excels at keeping the action going. Tanner runs from one crisis to another, all of them handsomely choreographed, and there's plenty of romantic passion in between when Tanner connects with Dannel, a sultry woman he meets at a bar, who’s keeping her own secrets. The Cuban setting delivers extra flair, and Richardson’s sharp depictions of the bars, the poverty, and the country’s lively charm are riveting. Most striking is the balance Richardson achieves between the Cubans’ interactions with each other and their dealings with the tourists they rely on as a source of income. Occasionally, the narrative gets needlessly complicated, with a political side plot that seems underdeveloped, but Richardson keeps the story on a fast track until the very last page.
Though most of the book is focused on action, Tanner's self-aware narration provides a welcome counterbalance, and even though character loyalties change with dizzying speed, the long-term history linking Tanner, Anabel, and Jackson remains powerful. Richardson binds the set pieces with a consistent theme: Tanner trying to come to terms with his past relationships, especially with Anabel and Jackson, and his attempt to create a new life with Dannel. The ending is bittersweet, as readers see Tanner's growth and a hint of further adventures.
Takeaway: Attorney in midlife crisis faces a violent conspiracy in Cuba in this charged thriller.
Comparable Titles: Ian Fleming, Clive Cussler
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: B+
Illustrations: NA
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
