Havana Bay
Stacy Bush reviews Martin Cruz Smith's Havana Bay.
Reviewed by Stacy Bush, Fri., Oct. 1, 1999
Havana Bay
by Martin Cruz SmithRandom House, $24.95 hard
Met any happy Russians lately? You're not likely to find any in Havana Bay, Martin Cruz Smith's latest book. Arkady Renko, the hero of Gorky Park, Polar Star, and now this novel is beseiged by forces that sorely try his weighty Slavic soul. Intending to commit suicide in the sunny land of Cuba, Renko is sidetracked from his suicide attempt by a would-be assassin. So go the best-laid plans. Fortunately for the reader, this stirs cool, matter-of-fact Renko's sleuthing instincts, which lead him into a labrynith of entwined mysteries. This detective novel is one of Smith's best. He's meticulous with details of local Cuban culture and color and he manages to convey the weary jadedness that possesses a rich culture that has fallen on hard times. He doesn't skimp on developing the secondary characters in the book, either, providing Renko with an intelligent female sidekick. Even if you're not a mystery buff, you can appreciate Smith's style and skill.
