Book Review: Havana Heat

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Havana Heat     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Carolina Garcia-Aguilera
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Private Investigator   Ethnic
Series: Lupe Solano # 5
Morrow, Oct 2000, $24.00, 358 pp.

Cuban-American private investigator Lupe Solano cannot stand attending the society wedding even if her cousin is the bride. However, the boring reception picks up when the groom’s Aunt Lucia declares that an eighth Unicorn Tapestry exists in Havana. Lupe knows that the Upper Manhattan Cloisters Museum houses the seven known tapestries, but the possibility of another one is intriguing except for a trip back to Cuba to obtain the priceless item.

As Lupe mulls over the wisdom of a clandestine visit to Havana, sleazy art dealer Angel Estrada tries to hire Lupe to also go to Cuba to smuggle out paintings by his sister. Finally, her former lover attorney Tommy McDonald wants Lupe to look into the ownership of an apparently stolen painting. When murder enters the fray, Lupe realizes Havana may be her only chance of not becoming the next victim.

HAVANA HEAT, the fifth Lupe Solano mystery, is an exciting tale that provides focus on the Cuban-American population. The story line includes three cases that keep Lupe hopping non-stop. Lupe retains her freshness and the support cast propels the tale forward, provides humor to the plot and adds insight into the lead character. Carolina Garcia-Aguilera has written another strong ethnic mystery that showcases her ability to provide the audience with an engaging novel.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner