Havana Bay

Russian detective Arkady Renko turns up once again, this time in Cuba, where he tries to determine if a body found in Havana Bay is that of his old friend, General Pribluda. Naturally, Renko winds up hip-deep in trouble. Read by veteran audiobook narrator Stephen Lang, this is a spellbinding story. Cruz's knack for creating multilayered, realistic characters is perfectly matched by Lang's skill in lifting dialogue off the page and giving it life. Fans of GORKY PARK will especially enjoy this top-notch production, though familiarity with that novel is not essential. HAVANA BAY stands entirely alone and is a must-listen for anyone who likes well-executed thrillers. D.P. (c) AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Martin Cruz Smith continues the adventures of his reluctant hero, Arkady Renko, maverick Moscow policeman, who has been summoned by the Russian Embassy to locate a missing friend. Stephen Lang ably captures Arkady's dark depression and transitions between Russian and Cuban accents as if dancing on the head of a pin. As usual, Arkady is bucking the authorities, and we're along for the ride. E.K.D. (c) AudioFile, Portland, Maine

This foray into the murky world of Havana, Cuba, follows Russian investigator Arkady Renko on a convoluted search for the circumstances of the death of a former KGB agent. Narrator Frank Muller's skill with atmosphere is masterfully employed. Martin Cruz Smith and Muller make a rich, heady combination. Portraying a Cuba where the "line between real and ridiculous" is very finely drawn, Muller allows listeners to be woven into a web of intrigue and black magic. Like Renko, the listener is also acutely observant of details and nuances. Not for the inattentive, HAVANA BAY can be savored at levels of sheer descriptive beauty or tangled complexity. A rare treat. R.F.W. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c) AudioFile, Portland, Maine