Santo Domingo Stakeout - (Cuban Noir Novel) by John Keyse-Walker (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

It's 1965, and cynical former private investigator Henry Gore just wants to drink his days away in corrupt, sun-soaked Santo Domingo - but life has other ideas in this novel of pitch-black noir, the sequel to the savage, gut-punch of a crime thriller, Havana Highwire.

Thirty-five-year-old American expat Henry Gore used to be a private investigator, scratching a living in balmy, rum-soaked Havana. He might not have been someone, but he was something.

Now, exiled from Cuba and with a target on his back, he's nothing but a washed-up drifter, spending his days drinking with gringos he despises and his nights with women he doesn't love.

But one day he chooses the wrong bar to drink in - or maybe the wrong friends. Henry wakes up in hospital to find that someone blew up the building, and he's seemingly the sole survivor.

Who set the bomb, and why? Henry's certain that whatever the answer, he's better off not knowing. But with the police on his tail, Henry - aided by a beautiful dame from the US embassy he's not sure he can trust - reluctantly investigates, soon finding himself up to his neck in corruption, revolution . . . and deadly conspiracy.

Dark humor, dark secrets and even darker crimes . . . Santo Domingo Stakeout is crime noir at its finest, and will appeal to fans of classic noir by Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, along with modern masters like James Ellroy and Walter Mosley.

Review Quotes

Speckled with dark humour, the author paints a graphic picture of the sultry, sun-soaked paradise, rife with political corruption and violence-- "Historical Novels Review"

Guaranteed to please with its suspenseful, twistfilled plot, likeable hero, romance, and fast-paced action.-- "Booklist"

A likeable, all-too-human hero, vivid characters, a twist-a-minute plot, and the languid, sun-drenched Caribbean setting make this an entertaining, engaging read for mystery buffs-- "Booklist on Reefs, Royals, Reckonings"

A principled hero, solid details of police work and the practices of Palo Mayombe and Sateria, and lushly described settings permeated by unease and possible supernatural phenomena combine to distinguish this ambiguous, unusual mystery-- "Booklist on Palms, Paradise, Poison"

A treat both for readers new to the franchise and for die-hard Teddy Creque fans-- "Kirkus Reviews on Reefs, Royals, Reckonings"

A tropical treat like no other-- "Kirkus Reviews Starred Review of Palms, Paradise, Poison"

An intriguing look at island life with a likable hero whom readers will want to get to know better-- "Booklist on Beach, Breeze, Bloodshed"

Darkly atmospheric writing, an action-packed plot, plenty of suspense, and a sometimes-hapless hero caught between saving his own life and doing the right thing drive this outstanding, packs-a-punch thriller-- "Booklist Starred Review of Havana Highwire"

Keyse-Walker captures the feel and power dynamics of pre-Castro Cuba. Readers will eagerly await the sequel-- "Publishers Weekly on Havana Highwire"

Keyse-Walker smoothly integrates Caribbean lore and culture into the narrative, which is peopled with distinctive, well-wrought characters . . . Readers will look forward to Teddy's further adventures.-- "Publishers Weekly on Palms, Paradise, Poison"

Plenty of action, entertaining and appealing characters, and colorful depictions of island life . . . A solid read-alike of AGATHA CHRISTIE's A Caribbean Mystery and BOB MORRIS's "Zack Chasteen" series-- "Library Journal Starred Review of Beach, Breeze, Bloodshed"

Spectacular as a Caribbean sunset, Keyse-Walker's debut is a well-paced puzzler no one should miss-- "Kirkus Reviews Starred Review of Sun, Sand, Murder"