Title: Havana Play
Product review: Smith captures a romantic notion of Havana from both the late 1950's (pre-Castro) and the early years of the Special Period. Readers familiar with Cuba now will be a bit disappointed with the slightly outdated descriptions of Havana and Cuban life. Current conditions on the island are not as desperate and erotic as Havana Bay would lend one to believe. Also the Cuban secret police seems to be notoriously lax and I can't imagine how Arkady Renko made it past immigration and customs at Jose Marti. Nonetheless, those looking for a post-Cold War novel brimming with intrigue and suspense will not find better material. Unlike Le Carre, Smith seems to have adjusted well to the New World Order.
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