Book Review: Where There's Smoke

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Where There's Smoke     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Mel McKinney
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Dunne, Oct 1999, $22.95, 224 pp.I

In 1955 Havana, Victor Salazar pays the ultimate price when the Mafia’s accountants realized he was skimming money from the casino operation. Before he dies, Victor arranges with the Don to allow his son Raul to relocate in the States. Victor tells Raul to look for his grandfather’s cigars.

In 1963, President Kennedy imposes an embargo on Cuba. However, just before shutting down imports from the island, the President obtains 1,000 elite Cuban cigars. Raul calls South Florida Congressman Wesley Cameron to ask if he would have any interest in stealing Kennedy’s thousand cigars sitting in Massachusetts. Wesley and his elderly patron, father-in-law Cornelius Gessleman, agree to finance the plot as a prank to get back at the president they loathe.

In November, Raul calls Wesley to inform him that he has obtained the cigars by using a sleight of the hand to distract everyone. Now Raul blackmails the member of Congress and his relative who fear their link to the assassination. However, the Mafia trails Raul who they think possesses the missing money embezzled by his father. That loot was converted into diamonds lying within the former president’s cigar collection.

WHERE THERE’S SMOKE is a wild ride that offers a different explanation to the Kennedy assassination. The main plot is well-designed centering on the need of vengeance and retaliation by several of the key, but offbeat players. The flashback sequences seem laggard and just slows down the plot. However, due to the wonderful cast of characters and the unique plot, this droll thriller makes for interesting entertainment.

Harriet Klausner

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