The Cuban Affair

The Cuban Affair follows Daniel "Mac" MacCormick, a U.S. Army combat veteran who now operates a fishing charter boat in Key West, Florida. When he's offered a lucrative but dangerous job involving a covert mission to Cuba, Mac must decide whether the potential rewards outweigh the considerable risks. The narrative takes place against the backdrop of newly opened diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba in 2015. Mac partners with a Cuban-American woman and her team to recover documents and treasure hidden during the Cuban Revolution, requiring them to navigate both the physical terrain and complex political landscape of modern Cuba. The story combines elements of adventure, romance, and historical intrigue as Mac confronts present-day Cuban authorities while uncovering secrets from the past. The mission forces him to draw upon his military training and street smarts as he operates under the guise of a Yale educational tour group. This novel explores themes of loyalty, greed, and the lasting impact of historical conflicts on modern relationships between nations and individuals. Through its depiction of U.S.-Cuba relations, the book examines how the past continues to influence present-day politics and personal lives.

Readers found The Cuban Affair engaging but not on par with DeMille's previous works. Many appreciated the detailed descriptions of Cuba's atmosphere and culture, with several noting they learned about modern Cuban life and U.S.-Cuba relations. Readers liked: - Mac's sarcastic humor and wit - Historical insights about Cuba - Accurate boating and sailing details - Research into Cuban-American relations Readers disliked: - Slow pacing in first half - Predictable plot - Romance felt forced - Too much technical detail about boats - Less complex than DeMille's other novels One reader noted: "Missing the depth and intrigue of John Corey novels." Another said: "Great travelogue of Cuba, mediocre thriller." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (2,100+ ratings) BookBrowse: 3.9/5 Barnes & Noble: 3.8/5 Many long-time DeMille fans rated it lower than his previous books but still found it readable.

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🏝️ The book's protagonist, Daniel "Mac" MacCormick, was inspired by DeMille's own son, who served as a U.S. Marine officer in Afghanistan. 📚 Nelson DeMille spent significant time in Cuba researching the novel, visiting in 2015 shortly after U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations were restored. 💰 The plot's treasure hunt aspect is based on real historical events—many wealthy Cuban families did hide or bury valuables before fleeing Castro's revolution. 🚤 The author drew from his experiences as a charter boat captain in Key West to create authentic sailing scenes throughout the novel. 🗓️ The book was published in 2017, making it the first major American thriller to be set in Cuba during the post-embargo thaw in U.S.-Cuban relations.