Nelson Demille is back at the top of his game after a couple of efforts I felt were lacking by comparison. The lead character, "Mac," reminds me a lot of John Corey, and that's OK by me since he's one of my all-time favorite characters. I couldn't put it down. HIGHLY recommend!

First and foremost, I'd like to thank NetGalley, Simon and Schuster publishers, and Nelson DeMille for an advanced copy of The Cuban Affair in return for an honest review.

I have read DeMille's books for over 30 years, beginning with Charm School, which was an eye-opening shocker to my young, naive soul. I STILL remember the storyline and its impact on me all these years later! Now THAT'S a credit to the author; he is an impeccable writer of suspense, and I am always thrilled when he pens another novel. The Cuban Affair is his newest installment and if Mr. DeMille wasn't already at the apex of his writing prowess, then this one surely rocketed him over the top! It is so enjoyable reading an action packed, suspenseful thriller that has an intriguing plot with well rounded, dynamic characters. The Cuban Affair exceeds that criteria and then some, adding to the mix: excellent research ( which enlightens readers), mysterious situations, many twists, and superb, witty dialogue! There are no missteps in this one! Absolutely engaging! Positively riveting!

My one regret: I wish Mr. DeMille published more frequently, but he obviously desires quality over quantity ...and it is worth the wait!

3.5

A new character for DeMille.

Daniel Graham MacCormick, aka Mac, is a 35-year old Army veteran with two tours in Afghanistan, from Portland, Maine, With a previous stint on Wall Street, Mac is now a charter boat captain in Key West. Carlos, a hotshot Miami lawyer heavily involved with anti-Castro groups, wants to hire Mac and his boat 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 escalates. Add Sara Ortega, a beautiful Cuban-American woman, to the mix. And romance.

A fast-paced action-packed story, laced with humor. Cuban-American politics, the socio-economic situation in Cuba--mostly Havana, what it's like to be part of a tour group [i.e., the cast of characters on the tour and its leaders] and yes, a thriller. The depictions of present-day Cuba as shown to Mac and Sara--as members of a Yale educational tour group--are likely based on DeMille's own trip with such a group. Hence, the realism. Cubans watching Americans. Cuban-Americans in America--plotting. And so on. Though of course, Mac and Sara go off track. And--is the CIA involved? Or not? Lots of intrigue throughout the book.

So, why not a 4 [or 5, as many have already rated]? I was caught up immediately in the story and loved the humor. But I thought the last quarter of the book was somewhat diminished. A race to the end that did not thrill me. Still engaged, but...

However, if you like DeMille, this book will probably not disappoint.

Nelson DeMille is a good writer. That fact is long established. The Cuban Affair is a bit different for him, and for the reader. The story is first-person narrated, and that in a breezy tone. Daniel "Mac" McCormick has seen action in Afghanistan and is mysteriously picked by some Cuban exiles against Castro to lead an adventure into Cuba to retrieve $60 million dollars in bank deposits hidden when Castro came to power. In my opinion, it is a weak plot. Mac meets Sara, a sensual Cuban -American, and for reasons that don't make much sense, he falls in love with her. This makes it easier for Mac to accept the lies she tells. And all Cubans, according to the novel, are liars. They will betray their best friend at the turn of a dime. They simply can't be trusted, and that's the case here. I didn't like that premise. In short, the mission suffers setbacks and there is some tension about whether it will even return to Florida. In all of this, the CIA plays a hidden hand. That hand is stronger than any other hand played in the novel, and ultimately causes the story to falter. For me, The Cuban Affair is 3.5 stars, but I'm a generous guy, so here's four.

Full disclosure: Nelson DeMille is one of my very favorite authors, and I jumped at the opportunity to get an advance copy of his newest novel from Simon & Schuster via NetGalley. I loved The Cuban Affair. In it DeMille introduces a new character, Daniel "Mac" MacCormick. Mac hails from Portland Maine, is ex-military, ex-Wall Street trader, and current owner of a charter boat in Key West. Jack is enjoying his life in the Keys when he is approached by a Miami attorney (Carlos) who wants to hire Mac's charter for a sketchy expedition to Cuba, in return for which he will pay Mac $2 million. He assures Mac that the only laws he'll be breaking are Cuban laws. Carlos then introduces Mac to a beautiful Miami architect (Sara) and a Cuban exile named Eduardo who are planning the Cuba expedition. Sara and Eduardo provide Mac with more details about the operation for which they want to hire him, disclosing that their intent is to retrieve $60 million owed to families of Cuban exiles hidden in a cave in Cuba by Sarah's grandfather. Needless to say, Mac is attracted to Sara and could really use the money to pay off the bank loan on his charter boat, so he agrees to the mission. What follows is a terrific thriller, the kind for which DeMille is known. The timing of this novel is timely given the US's warming position on Cuba. Anyone with romantic ideas of finally being able to travel to Cuba will definitely want to rethink them after reading The Cuban Affair. It is still a communist country with all of the cruelty and graft that prevailed under Fidel's rule. The writing is strong, the characterizations fully formed, and the story tight. All in all, a terrific ride and terrific read. If I had one complaint it would be that the Mac character is very much like DeMille's John Corey character, I.e. Strong, smart, and extremely sarcastic. After all the Corey novels, I would have liked someone a bit more differentiated. Nonetheless, I highly recommend The Cuban Affair.

I was mesmerized by this book and couldn't put it down. DeMille never disappoints.
He has such unforgettable characters and manages to capture their wit and warmth.
Excellent read

Glad to receive an advance copy of DeMille's latest. I had read some of his recent books, but nothing captivated as much as his early classics like The Charm School. Sad to say that The Cuban Affair was a slog. The setting at the beginning of "the Cuban Thaw" was interesting, but the plot and characters did not develop. The last half of the book was very slow with no action or suspense.

Exciting new book from Nelson DeMille. He does great research for his novels. This one is particularly
interesting about Cuba. Great read!

I tried hard to like this book, but thought the plot was thin, characters were not developed and the ending was wrapped up too conveniently in a neat little bow. Bring back the punchy writing of Word of Honor, Charm School, Up Country, etc...

This is another terrific adventure from Nelson DeMille. Mac is a great character, and I look forward to seeing him in future books. The opening scenes in Key West made me feel like I was right there. And the trip to Cuba was fascinating. It was authentically described, and no surprise there as DeMille recently made a trip there. This novel reminded me of Up Country in that there was a long, harrowing trip through dangerous country. I highly recommend this book.

One of Nelson DeMille's best books. Besides a great plot, there is a lot of information on Cuba.

I think Nelson DeMille is a lot like a good cabernet--better with age. His latest is an action packed adventure to Cuba in present day--a timely topic. I had to look at DeMille's bio to make sure he had not moved to Florida, as the snark level of his new character rivaled some of my favs: Jake Travis, Serge Storm,Travis McGee.
Daniel “Mac” MacCormick is an Afghanistan veteran who now lives in Key West, drinks at the Green Parrot, and captains a charter boat for fishing and cruising. He's off to Cuba to help repatriate 60 Million American dollars and a trunkload of deeds to Havana businesses and property confiscated during the revolution. On his arm is the beautiful Cuban-American Sara Ortega, who immediately becomes a liability. The action is fast-paced and fun, and like all good Florida novels, it includes a high-speed boat chase. Oh, did I mention the CIA?
Over the years, I've come to know quite a few Cuban-Americans from South Florida. Their stories of the conditions in Cuba, the apathy of the young people there, the lack of jobs and hope all ring true with DeMilles descriptions. He is to be commended on the level of research for this book.

My thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

Timely in his novel location of Cuba, Nelson DeMille takes us on a whirlwind exploration of it's history while we visit the island during a time when travelers from America could walk its streets and shorelines. It was hard to not consider the precariousness of our situation with the country for now, especially since Raul Castro recently announced his impending retirement. It was hard to not reflect on these politics while reading a very entertaining novel which takes the reader from Key West to Cuba, by air, sea and on land. Like previous DeMille novels, the main characters are military or former military, but this one is not driven by the military, just dependent upon the skills developed while in service. Again, as with previous DeMille novels, I could not wait to return to reading, not stopping until I'd read the last words. His characters are fully developed and although at times predictable, the events were well drawn.

Nelson DeMille has found John Corey's "brother from another mother" and his name is Daniel MacCormick, aka Mac, a former special ops soldier living the life in Key West. Like Corey he's tall, dark and handsome with an affinity for women, wine, a sarcastic sense of humor and a general disdain for authority, particularly the "government kind". Unfortunately, living the life also comes along with a hefty loan on his charter fishing boat that earns his keep. So, when he's approached by a Cuban lawyer from Miami with a deal to retrieve hidden treasure in Cuban, left there by fleeing Cubans during the revolution, Mac can't resist the money's siren call. So, off to the "new" Cuba Captain Mac goes with his crusty sidekick Jack and most importantly Sara Ortega, a beautiful, smart, Cuban-American architect whose family hid these treasures. Author DeMille has the gift for creating a fun romp, combining witty repartee with the intrigue and adventure. His well researched information about the "new" Cuba, the politics and the people affected is a bonus. I'm never disappointed in a DeMille novel, except that there's too much time waiting for the next one.

I have always been a huge fan of Nelson DeMille. This book did not disappoint. It was quite a page turner. Loved his main character as well as the Cuban background.

A little different then previous DeMille but very enjoyable. ..
Characters that you can root for and a interesting plot.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this proof in advance of publication. The following is an unbiased review.

A real gem of a book is when an action-packed read moves a well-paced storyline and tags along a parallel theme that educates on something lesser-known. The Cuban Affair delivers in classic DeMille style that keeps the pages turning. The injection of the narrator’s inner thoughts enables character development on a very personal level - you’re hearing their voice from inside their head. It doesn’t take long to feel you know this person, and then you begin to feel the character and know an inner thought is coming before it’s delivered. It’s a subtle humor that works so well.

The Cuban Affair takes a risk-filled trip to Cuba with Mac, a former US Army combat veteran, as the narrator aboard his boat The Maine. The first mate, Jack, also a an Army and Vietnam vet, comes with a caustic outlook on life and serves as Mac’s reality check, or to keep them awash in a state of alcohol-induced amnesia. The pairing makes great reading. A 10-day fishing trip to Cuba injects great risk amongst a backdrop of tense beauty and devastation during the Cuban Thaw between Havana and the US. Much of the Cuban history is told as we get a glimpse of today’s Cuba throughout the story.

A stand out line in this book refers to a flashback to those days of fading American innocence which captures a touching snapshot of Dan and Jack as they pause and reflect on their pasts. DeMille’s depiction of post-Vietnam soldiers is most quintessential. The surprise that evolves in the story brings a full circle closure that is quite touching, meaningful, and educational.

The beginning takes a bit more time to grab your reading interest than some other DeMille openings, but it hits its pace a shortly thereafter. One might consider that to be appropriate given it’s location, a slow easy pace of life in the Keys.

Time spent with a Nelson DeMille book is always entertaining, and The Cuban Affair doesn't disappoint.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. Years ago I read The Charm School and was hooked on books by Nelson DeMille. Then they all started to be so similar that I stopped reading him. I am now a renewed fan. I loved the main character MAC and the banter between him and Jack and him and Sara. Also love the cynicism, sarcasm and don't forget the action. I very often found myself laughing out loud while reading. I am planning a cruise to Cuba in the spring and I really enjoyed learning the history and politics and am looking forward to comparing it with what I see when I am there. It was so well researched. Mac who is a charter boat captain in Key West is approached by a group of Cuban Americans to help them get back $60 million and documents establishing true ownership of properties and lands that was confiscated by Castro. Mac goes on this adventure with Sara, the grandaughter of the man who hid the money and documents. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy. I give this book 5 Stars and would definitely recommend it.

I loved *Up Country* and *The General's Daughter.* They are up in the top 100 of my favorite novels. *The Cuban Affair* was fairly interesting, fairly readable. The characters were a little more cookie-cutter than DeMille's usual suspects. Still, it's a good choice for a summer read.

Thoroughly enjoyable book. I love this author. Love his sense of humor, his characters, his writing style. And I love that every book sends me to the dictionary to look up at least one word. Usually more. He's an intelligent writer and I appreciate that he doesn't gloss over the political truths - tells it exactly like it is. This was a fabulous and entertaining read.