This one was a mixed bag for me. The plot drifted slowly to its conclusion. Not very satisfying. The characters were vibrant. Cuba itself was interesting. The theme, which seemed to be substantial, was based on a quote from Hemingway. All in all, three stars out of five.

The first half of this book was filled with intrigue, danger, and pretty believable relationships between the characters. Then the second half kind of fell apart when the main female character became a completely weak do-anything-for-a-man-you-just-met stereotype and all of the major plot points just felt a little too convenient. I also really hate when a main character goes into a situation knowing less than the people around him, yet always knows better than everyone else simply because he "has a hunch."

This was better than I expected. I liked the characters and the witty dialogue. It had some romance mixed with danger. It was a good read.

Thanks NET GALLEY

A newer version of an old master as the "Mac" attack builds off the keys and then the story line will just blow you away! With dry wit and nice t-shirts throughout this one is easily followed and enjoyed!

This Nelson DeMille novel features an exciting new character—US Army combat veteran Daniel “Mac” MacCormick, now a charter boat captain, who is about to set sail on his most dangerous cruise.

Daniel Graham MacCormick—Mac for short—seems to have a pretty good life. At age thirty-five he’s living in Key West, owner of a forty-two-foot charter fishing boat, The Maine. Mac served five years in the Army as an infantry officer with two tours in Afghanistan. He returned with the Silver Star, two Purple Hearts, scars that don’t tan, and a boat with a big bank loan. Truth be told, Mac’s finances are more than a little shaky.

One day, Mac is sitting in the famous Green Parrot Bar in Key West, contemplating his life, and waiting for Carlos, a hotshot Miami lawyer heavily involved with anti-Castro groups. Carlos wants to hire Mac and The Maine for a ten-day fishing tournament to Cuba at the standard rate, but Mac suspects there is more to this and turns it down. The price then goes up to two million dollars, and Mac agrees to hear the deal, and meet Carlos’s clients—a beautiful Cuban-American woman named Sara Ortega, and a mysterious older Cuban exile, Eduardo Valazquez.

What Mac learns is that there is sixty million American dollars hidden in Cuba by Sara’s grandfather when he fled Castro’s revolution. With the “Cuban Thaw” underway between Havana and Washington, Carlos, Eduardo, and Sara know it’s only a matter of time before someone finds the stash—by accident or on purpose. And Mac knows if he accepts this job, he’ll walk away rich…or not at all.

Brilliantly written, with his signature humor, fascinating authenticity from his research trip to Cuba, and heart-pounding pace, Nelson DeMille is a true master of the genre. Tons of humor and action in this one!

Love Nelson DeMille's books. I have read many. The Cuban Affair was one of the best I have read so far. As always his writing captures the readers attention immediately and keeps you involved to the very end. Highly recommended for all who love a good adventure story.

Nelson DeMille offers another thriller. This book features "Mac" MacCormick who runs a charter fishing boat service out of Key West. When offered the opportunity to work a ten-day Cuban fishing tournament, he is sure that there is more to the story. He is right. His charter clients aren't actually interested in fishing, they want to sneak into Cuba and locate millions of dollars hidden before the revolution. Mac knows he'll either hit it big, or be in big danger. An Army veteran, of course, he goes for it.

Gripping! Another smash hit by Nelson DeMille! I couldn't put this book down! DeMille never disappoints. Ever!

I have read many of Nelson DeMille's books and have enjoyed all of the. His new book did not disappoint. It is filled with historical facts regarding Cuba and the relationship between Cuba and the United States. even so, DeMille has been able to put forth a good thriller with his signature humor which makes for an entertaining read. I am looking forward to another book featuring Mac.

One of my favorite authors writing about one of my favorite places. Demille never fails to create a story that is engaging and gripping. The scenes of Cuba are vivid to my memory of visits to many of the same locations and feelings I had while there.

I have been reading Nelson DeMille FOREVER and I think I’m done. All the books are starting to sound the same and all of his male protagonists are copies of each other. Mildly misogynistic, damaged war hero, but super badass, smart, and crucial to everything. The insufferableness of Mac overshadowed a very well-researched book. The writing is what you’d expect from a mass market thriller by an older white dude. It’s a fine book but fine to pass up.

After two tours in Afghanistan, Daniel MacCormick ("Mac") is enjoying a quieter existence as captain of his charter boat, The Maine. He's mostly content taking tourists out for leisurely cruises, but a small part of him misses the excitement of life and death missions.

While drinking a beer at his favorite bar one day, he's approached by a group of Cuban exiles who (eventually) ask him to take part in their efforts to secretly recover a few million dollars and some priceless artifacts hidden in Cuba. The job is risky and dangerous, but, if completed, Mac would be filthy rich. At first, he's unsure, but then he meets Sara Ortega, a beautiful Cuban-American woman who would be posing as his girlfriend during the assignment. Suddenly, Mac is all in---and only slightly unsure he'll make it home in one piece.

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This is a fun little book that zips right along. The characters don't have much depth, honestly, but the story is entertaining. The mysteries of the secret mission build nicely (albeit for a touch too long), and the last 130 pages of the novel are excellent. The relationship between Mac and Sara gets cheesy and unrealistic at times, but I didn't mind. The point of this book is to get lost in the adventure, and I definitely did. Overall, a really solid read. I will definitely check out DeMille's other (apparently very popular) books.

It was a fun read -- the perfect beach or vacation book.

The relaxation of relations with Cuba has certainly reignited people's interest in visiting this country. Books are a good way to get a feel for places like that. Mac MacCormick, a charter boat captain, is in the right place (Key West) at the right time to make a bundle for piloting the boat for a fishing tournament. I liked the descriptions of area, but the characters didn't draw me in as I hoped.

I have friends who love DeMille's books no matter what so I'm sure they'll enjoy this one but for me, it was slow reading. It dragged quite a bit in the middle and seemed repetitive. Not a 'bad' book, but not for me.

I've read all of DeMille's books before, so I knew what to expect. Some suspense with a lot of wit and sarcasm, and boy, once again I was not disappointed. The book was set on a boat, with a maverick sea captain with a very fine sense of humor. Well done, can't wait for a follow-up read!

Very entertaining read-My first by this author but won’t be the last. Strong storyline that would appeal to a wide range of readers. Thanks to the publisher for the advance e-book in exchange for an honest review.

I am a long time fan of Nelson De Mille, he is the consummate story-teller. In the past once I started a De Mille novel I could not put it down, The sarcasm, the humor, the hero you want to spend time with we’re all glaringly absent in THE CUBAN AFFAIR.

Wordy, wordy, wordy, a new experience for me in a De Mille novel. I am very disappointed; I will surely read the next DeMille novel but other than the knowledge I gleaned about Cuba, for me, the book was a bust.

Cliqued dialogues, weak and predictive plot and dull characters.

This is an immensely popular book that I thought was only mediocre. The main character ruminates too much. The plot is slow-moving, and the premise is pretty thin.

I received a review copy of "The Cuban Affair" by Nelson DeMille (Simon & Schuster) through NetGalley.com.