Reviewed By Liz

ISBN 1-4137-5434-1

Requital is the story of an American woman named Jenny who, as an airline stewardess in 1959, decides to take her first vacation someplace tropical – starting with Cuba. She and her co-worker Phyllis are pretty young and naïve and are unaware that Fidel Castro is consolidating his power in Cuba by nationalizing all the foreign businesses and that the reception that awaits foreign tourists has turned chilly. They discover that the hotel in which they were supposed to be staying is now Castro’s headquarters. But they meet an American businessman who takes them under his wing and carries them off to one of the few foreign-owned businesses still operating – the casino he manages on behalf of the mafia.

At the casino, Jenny and the floor manager, a suave, older Cuban man named Jack, see each other and fall instantly in love. In the middle of political turmoil, they have a few whirlwind days together. Jenny learns that Jack is trying desperately to get out of Cuba and Jenny is drawn in and tries to help him. They plan a life together before Jenny returns to the U.S. to await Jack’s arrival. But word reaches her that Jack was caught and killed on the day he was supposed to leave. Jenny tries desperately to confirm this and get details, but her contacts in Cuba are cut off. Thirty-two years later she gets a phone call…

The label on the cover of Requital says “romantic thriller” and I must admit that I read it with some trepidation because I don’t care much for romances. And I did roll my eyes once or twice in the beginning. However, I was curious to see where the author would take the story. From the beginning of the book, it is obvious that some sacrifices are going to have to be made and you read this book wondering when and on whom the sword will fall. This book really has a classic tragedy story structure and that and the political backdrop of the story sucked me in.

Favorite character? Jack, the latin lover. Did I guess it? Yes. Will I read another? Maybe – this is more of a romance than I usually like, but for those of you who lean in that direction, this is an engrossing read.

Mystery Book Reviews by Liz at http://reviewedbyliz.com ©2007

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