Book Review: Havana Top Secret by David Pereda

Havana Top Secret
by David Pereda
Eternal Press

Reviewed by Wil Hough

From the moment Pepe tells his good old long-lost Cuban-American buddy, Dr. Raymond Peters, a Miami-based plastic surgeon, “… believe me… I’m here because you have a problem, and I want to help you solve it,” we know the main protagonist is in for a world of trouble. Despite his natural suspicions, Dr. Peters, still grieving over the recent loss of his wife, finds himself agreeing to assume a fake identity and sneak into Cuba, ostensibly at the behest of a son he never before realized existed—a son now apparently dying and wishing for his last request to meet with his biological father. But, as any consumer of mystery would suspect, until the final chapter is written, things are never what they seem to be.

Once in Cuba under an assumed identity, Raymond finds himself involved in a CIA plot to replace Fidel Castro and return democracy to Cuba—all in a most intriguing manner. To reveal Dr. Raymond Peters’s place in this scheme would give away too much of the plot, but suffice it to say that it is not long before Raymond finds himself searching for a way out of his dilemma. However, such plans become even more complicated when he falls for his old flame, Sonia, all over again. Now, how could he possibly desert her a second time? And, what of their son; how can Sonia leave him behind, even though he has no desire to leave his homeland? But, what choice is there? As they say, “dead men tell no tales” and he is in danger of joining that silent fraternity.

Complications abound in this fast-paced thriller. The author, David Pereda, truly believes in the adage that “no plan ever survives contact with the enemy.” Raymond’s dealings with Sonia, the offspring of their brief romance of thirty years past, the Cuban army major who has been her long-time boyfriend and surrogate father of Sonya and Raymond’s son, who may or may not be dying, a voluptuous female assassin who seems intent on eliminating Raymond, and even the old revolutionary, Fidel Castro, and his brother Raul. And then there are the unseen agents working out their own agendas. Finally, how a plastic surgeon like Dr. Peters fits into this international plot leaves the reader gasping for breath and wondering, at the end, is it actually fiction or a cleverly disguised expose'.

The novel is a neat read, not overgrown with the sort of descriptions with which many authors decorate their works. At first I felt the characters might have been underdeveloped. For example, how does a successful plastic surgeon walk away from his schedule in such a cavaleer manner? However, as I fell into the plot line, I realized the author was trusting me, the reader, to get to know his characters through their behavior rather than killing the action with overblown descriptions. I certainly appreciate that sort of writing. After all, the doctor had just lost his wife -- a wife he dearly loved.

In Dr. Peter's place, I would have taken a leave of absence to get my head back on straight. Who would want an emotionally distraught man working over their face, no matter his capabilities? It was plain from his dialog with his long lost friend that the doctor's loss had made him vulnerable to the chance of recapturing a lost part of his past. Such an emotional milieu would easily justify his actions.

While there are moments of violence and sexuality, most deliciously with the Bond-like female agent/provocateur, Marcela, these scenes are intrinsic to the plot, tastefully managed, and not allowed to take over for the sake of porn appeal. As a result, this is an adventure appealing to both male and female readers alike. I give it a 7.5 on the “Heretic’s Scale.” It’s not often that such a yarn leaves me wondering if it was based on real events or not.

Nah, it couldn’t have really happened... could it? Hmm...



David Pereda is an award-winning author and college writing instructor living in Asheville, North Carolina. He is the regional director of Florida Writers Association's Western North Carolina division and the founder of Asheville Writing Enthusiasts (AWE).
His latest novel, Havana: Top Secret, published by Eternal Press in May, is the first in his mystery-thriller Havana series.

Pereda has published three previous novels: Getting Filthy Rich, Havana Confidential and The Highest Hurdle. Two other completed manuscripts have garnered him several literary awards: Who Killed Fidel Castro?, the second in his mystery-thriller Havana series, which has been adapted to a screenplay recently by a Hollywood producer, and However Long the Night, formerly titled Beyond Midnight.

Pereda earned his MBA from Pepperdine University in California. He earned bachelor degrees in English literature and mathematics at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He is a member of MENSA and speaks four languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese and French. To find out more about David Pereda visit his Web site at: www.davidpereda.com.



Wil Hough, a senior editor at The Rose & Thorn, lives and reads north of Chicago IL.