Havana Bay

The Arkady Renko Novels, Book 3

By: Martin Cruz Smith

Narrated by: Frank Muller

Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

From Martin Cruz Smith, the internationally best-selling author of Gorky Park, comes a mystery that reaches international proportions in this entertaining fourth title in the Arkady Renko series.

Former Inspector for the Moscow Militsiya, Arkady Renko, is summoned to Cuba to identify a liquefying corpse, dragged from the oily waters of Havana Bay. Renko finds himself in a decaying country, the final recess of Communism - a place where Russia is despised, exotic rituals take precedence and unexpected danger meets bewildering contradictions. After a harrowing experience that has left Renko on the verge of suicide, this mystery leads him on a trail of deceit that reaches international proportions, and gives him a reason to relish his own life again. 

©1999 Martin Cruz Smith (P)2019 Simon & Schuster Audio

This Cuba is real

Having been to Cuba, the title drew me in. When you read about the Malacon after having walked it, seen the decay of the buildings since the Soviet exit you can’t help but think what things could have been. The people are poor, but proud.

I’m not a fan of the ending, while the assassination plot was a great twist ... I hoped Renko had stayed and filled the void in his life. Finding a true love is hard, finding two ... not sure I would have passed up that second chance that rarely happens.

Excellent Renko story. If you understand Spanish!

I speak and understand Spanish and loved this book. Lots of atmosphere, surprises, and a glimpse at life in Cuba. If you don’t understand Spanish you will miss a few things that aren’t translated, and some especially juicy insults. This is my fourth Renko book and right up there at the top. Excellent writing, plotting, descriptions, mood, and an intriguing mystery.

Probably my favorite

I’m delighted that Havana Bay is now available digitally in this recording—which is MUCH better than the previous one on compact disk. I love this book from its near constant humor to the heart-breaking depiction of Irina’s senseless (but very Russian) death and Arkady’s deep despair. Osario glows, Luna glowers, Chango nods, and Arcady slowly figures out why Pribluda, his most difficult friend, ended up a neumatico. I wish I could write a book like this.

A clear demonstration of the corruption and hopelessness of a communist dictatorship.

Havana Bay is a tightly woven story Highlighting a point in time involving the dictatorship and corruption in Castro’s Cuba.

Excellent book below average narration.

Renko never disappoints but this narrator does. Ending every sentence by stretching the last word in a weird gasping manner is just hard to listen to.

Arkady Renko #4

Since this is the first book in the series that I have read, I am curious to know what came before. Many years ago, I watched the film of Gorky Park and don't remember it well. I plan to read it to refresh my memory and learn more about Arkady's life.