I hadn't read a DeMille book for some time, but it was great to visit his writing style again. Mac and Sara have a nice sparring relationship, with plenty of snappy repartee. Signature dry humor abounds and the local is unique; with the author adding liberal sprinkles of local color, history and descriptions of Cuba that is new to most of his readers.

Definitely an exciting, engaging read. I would definitely recommend it, whether this is your first book by this author or, like me, a return to an old friend.

Thanks to the author, Simon & Schuster, as well as Netgalley.com for the opportunity to enjoy this book, for the price of an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Nelson DeMille for this advanced copy of The Cuban Affair. I appreciated that the book is relevant to current affairs, taking place in Cuba.

Daniel “Mac” MacCormick, 35-year-old former US Army veteran and now Key West charter boat Captain, is offered an opportunity to not only fill his depleted personal coffers, but overflow them to the tune of several million dollars. All he needs to do is lend his skill set to the retrieval of a treasure hoard hidden in Cuba by the grandfather of a beautiful Cuban-American named Sara, when he fled Castro’s revolution. Mac is not dumb enough to think this would be strictly legal and he initially turns down the offer. But there is just something about a beautiful woman and the temptation of a huge payday that has a way of overcoming more prudent action. And now, at the time of President Obama’s Cuban Thaw initiative, is the time to go after it. But as the plot develops, it becomes clear that Mac is in for much more than he bargained for.

As a long-time reader of Nelson Demille novels, I tend to get giddy at the news of a new publication and so it was with great interest that I was able to read and review an advanced reader’s copy of this one. While I am always hoping for a new John Corey book, I was certainly not disappointed with this new concept and the new character of “Mac” MacCormick. The plot started fairly slowly with Mac and Sara blending in with a Yale University Educational tour of Cuba. Nelson DeMille’s research is extensive and his trip there really brings an element of authenticity to the book. We readers get lots of information about modern-day Cuba and the conditions there after so many years of US embargo. I will confess to never having had much interest in Cuba or its history but this book has changed that for me.

The character of Mac MacCormick reminds me a lot of John Corey, especially his sarcastic humor and while I was fine with it, I could see that becoming annoying for some readers. He is also much more of a skirt chaser and many of his jokes fall to the 12-year-old level. Mac has lived through some horrific experiences during his prior Afghanistan duty and he seems to take life as it comes, and not really concerning himself too much with how others think of him or of his own long term future.

Thankfully, the plot of this book was anything but predictable and right up until the very end, I could imagine it going in any number of different directions. The action element continuously ramps up throughout the novel and is truly explosive by the end. The stakes become higher and higher. Nelson Demille is a master of his craft and has created several interesting characters that interact in different books within the “DeMille Universe”. While this novel does stand alone, it is my hope that we haven’t seen the last of Mac MacCormick.

3.5 Stars

I'm a fan of Nelson DeMille and was extremely excited to be able to read and review this book. The Cuban Affair is part history - party story. I found myself sometimes getting lost in the details and the description but yet wondering where the line was between fact and fiction.

Daniel Graham MacCormick—Mac for short— is owner of a forty-two-foot charter fishing boat, The Maine. Jack is his friend and sometimes skipper who keeps us informed of his opinions with his t-shirts. Which kept me entertained, even if I didn't always agree with them. A fishing trip to Cuba and the chance to make $2 Million dollars is more than than Mac can turn down.

The Cuban Affair was written in true Nelson DeMille style with comedy, history and more. Though it's not my favorite of his titles, it was a great story.

I received this book through NetGalley and its publisher, Simon & Schuster. In full disclosure, I am a fan of Nelson DeMille’s books.

This book gets your interest right from the start. It is a story about a vet, the protagonist, Daniel MacCormick (“Mac”), who has found his way to owning a boat in Key West. He, his first mate, and his boat are hired to go to Cuba on a mission for a family. Mac is not informed of the entire purpose of the trip until he is committed and in the middle of the trip. The mission doesn’t go as planned with many twists and turns.

There is suspense, romance and a great deal of light-hearted humor. I very much enjoyed the light, flippant humor in the book. Even when times are dire, there is humor. The book is informative about Cuba, some of its history, and past relations with the U.S. Numerous references are made to Hemingway – in Cuba and in Key West.

There is some foreshadowing that provides the reader an inkling that troubles will come. You know more action is coming around the corner and it doesn’t let you down. The book keeps you engaged until the end. I flew through the book and didn’t want to put it down as most of DeMille’s books have done.

If you've read or are familiar with Nelson DeMille's previous works then you already know the kind of humor and writing style that awaits you behind the pages of his books. I jumped into this book with arms wide open and I wasn't disappointed. Filled with laughs, adventure and lots of tense moments, Nelson provides yet another thriller for action readers of any background. With Cuba as the focal point of this book, a location that is very present in our minds today because of the relations that the US-Cuba are presently courting, it worked itself wonderfully to both provide wondrous scenery and the back-drop to lots of drama.
If you're already a fan of Nelson DeMille then know that his book will not disappoint. And if you're like me, you'll be left wondering if any of the characters will show their face in another book in the future... (fingers crossed). For the first time DeMille readers, get comfortable and get ready to laugh, think and plot along with Daniel “Mac” MacCormick, Sara Ortega, and the rest of their friends (and foes).

Daniel “Mac” MacCormick is a US Army veteran with two tours of duty under his belt as an infantry officer in Afghanistan where he earned two Purple Hearts and the Silver Star. Now he lives the good life as captain and owner of a forty-two foot fishing boat which he charters out of Key West. The good life… drinking heavily, chasing women for one night stands, and smart mouthing anyone who will listen… it’s all good expect for the monumental loan on his boat and a yearn for the adrenalin rush from the action he saw in the army.
One day a Miami lawyer approaches Mac about entering a fishing tournament in Cuba, a promotional event that is part of the US move, known at the Cuban Thaw, to improve relations with long chastised Cuba. But the lawyer has more purpose in mind than fishing. He offers Mac two million dollars to help Sara Ortega, a Cuban American from Miami, recover cash ($60 million) and valuable documents now hidden in Cuba that once belonged to her anti-Castro grandfather. As a cover, Sara and Mac join a Yale travel group to Cuba that is coincidently concurrent with the fishing tournament. Mac’s first mate captain’s the fishing boat to Cuba with the intent of breaking away from the tournament to rescue Sara and Mac after they recover the treasure. Mac is skeptical about the mission but he needs the money and longs for the action. Plus Sara Ortega is beautiful and he has to admit his chance to romance her enhances the adventure.
But the mission is not simple. Castro regime spies are everywhere in Cuba and are particularly suspicious of Americans. Many would like to create an international incident that would squelch the Cuban Thaw. Gathering the guns and transportation needed for a successful mission proves more dangerous than Mac thought particularly when he learns the true objective of their trip. This caper may be more than he can master even with his combat training and battlefield experience.
DeMille is an excellent story teller. He delves deep into the personal lives and motivations of his protagonists and gives you a history lesson along the way. He holds your interest with several key plot twists and with the bold and brazen personality of Mac, the lead character. The book is well researched, well written, and entertaining. Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the advance look.

Welcome back Nelson! Snappy dialogue, Cuban politics and intrigue, romance (!) and great characters. Nelson is a decorated vet and brings his experience and soul to the story. So much fun!

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. I'm a big Nelson DeMille fan, but this one just didn't quite make the cut. The Cuban Affair starts out well enough, with an interesting premise about a charter fishing boat owner in Florida who is persuaded by an exile's granddaughter to venture to Cuba to retrieve a mysterious fortune her father buried before escaping from Castro's revolution. But DeMille wrote this book after a trip to Cuba, and much of the description reads more like a travel journal than a novel. Then, at the climax, the story devolves into one long, uninteresting action sequence that's so dependent on geography, you almost need a map to follow it... if you still care by then.

The Cuban Affair is the latest stand alone thriller by Nelson DeMille and introduces us to DeMille's newest character, Mac. Mac reminds me a lot of John Corey, my favorite character of DeMille's. Mac has the same wise cracking wit and charm as John. Intense at times with edge of your seat page turning The Cuban Affair is another winner. I was given an early copy to review.

I found The Cuban Affair to be a book that would lend itself well to be the start of a great new series. This book had nonstop action and moved at a fast past. The storyline was captivating and held my interest. I loved the characters of Mac and Jack and really hope to see them again.

This one had plenty of suspense, a little romance, and lots of information on the history of Cuba and their relations with the US. This is a really good one by DeMille!

“A journey of a hundred miles to Havana begins with a single misstep.”

That thought, shared by protagonist Daniel Graham MacCormick, reveals the main character’s misgivings early in the story. In retrospect, he probably should have listened to himself, but then we would not have had the pleasure of enjoying this fine story by author Nelson DeMille. MacCormick (who goes by “Mac”) allows the lure of a two million-dollar paycheck to sway his doubts and jumps into an adventure that gradually builds to a pulse-pounding climax.

Mac, ex-infantry officer turned charter boat captain, is hired by Carlos and his two clients, Eduardo and Sara. He agrees to accompany Sara and be part of a tour group to Cuba, which is where the mission is to take place. Even with the Cuban Thaw going on there is ever-present danger, which ratchets to a higher level as Mac realizes that there is more going on than Sara and Eduardo have revealed.

While I thought the story was a bit slow in the middle third, one cannot fault Mr. DeMille for his attention to a realistic storyline. Once the groundwork is laid, the author teases the reader along, slowly building a solid framework to support both the characters and the plot. The running commentary by Mac (the story is told in first person) helps to keep the book interesting, and we are constantly privy to Mac’s secret thoughts, no matter whether he is thinking about the payday, the danger, or his interest in Sara. While I wasn’t happy with some of the sophomoric sexual comments that wander through Mac’s mind, one cannot say that a full character picture is not drawn. Truthfully, the book would have been extremely dry without Mac’s constant views on the action.

Mr. DeMille has created a fantastic, believable story, held together through the many hours of research covering the different areas connected with this book. If there is a flaw anywhere, I must have missed it, buried deep in the interesting dialogue and the just-enough description. In a world filled with stories where everything works out picture-perfect in the end, this offering has enough surprises to keep the pages turning until the end. Five stars.

I received a free Kindle copy of The Cuban Affair by Nelson DeMille courtesy of Net Galley and Simon & Schuster, the publisher. It was with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and my book review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google Plus pages.

I requested this book as I have read some of the other books by the author and found them to be interesting reads.

This book is a fast read that maintains the readers interest. As the title implies the plot of the book revolves around a trip to Cuba under false pretenses and the narrow escape back to Key West. DeMille weaves in some of the existing attitudes and prejudices of both sides, exiled Cubans and those still on the island, and how even under a different regime from Baptista, that some of the things that were happening then still do except that the infrastructure of the country has deteriorated.

I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an escape read that is entertaining, but not overly complicated.

Nelson deMille: The Cuban Affair, Simon & Schuster, 9781501101724, $ 28, - pub date: September 19, 2017
Thanks to the courtesy of Simon & Schuster I was able to read the proof of Nelson DeMille’s latest book, “The Cuban Affair”. I had read previous thrillers by him and liked Plum Island in particular. His style of writing reminds me a little of the late Robert B Parker.
To my great disappointment I never got into “The Cuban Affair” however much I tried, the plot felt improbable, too far stretched , the sex and romance too matter of fact and not romantic at all (perhaps guys will disagree with me here) to qualify for the turn of events later in the book. We need a little work here Mr. DeMille. The story as such sounded interesting when I read the blurb but having read the book, I feel the concept was put together too quickly to coincide with reader’s interest during the defrosting period of American / Cuban relations under President Obama. Having visited Cuba myself, I found his descriptions of the island and political atmosphere authentic and well written. But America’s greatest living thriller writer he is not.
Dan MacCormick, Mac for short, is a former army veteran who fought in the Afghanistan and is now the owner of “The Maine” , a charter boat sailing out of Key West whenever tourist book her for fishing cruises or other expeditions. When mysterious Carlos, a lawyer from Miami, approaches him on behalf of an older Cuban exile Eduardo Valazques offering him very serious money for a dangerous mission into Cuban territory to retrieve 60 million hidden US dollars, Mac accepts against his better judgement as this would bail him out of financial issues. Sara Ortega, a beautiful Cuban American woman appearing as the other client Carlos represents, makes the deal even sweeter for Mac. But as I said, perhaps this is a “wham bam thank you Madam” type of thriller meant for guys mainly; it did not do it for me.

Nelson DeMille has written a winner. And introduced a wonderful new character—Mac McCormick. Witty, sarcastic, and tough, Mac is a veteran of Afghanistan and now runs a charter fishing business in Key West. His life is more or less on auto-pilot. Then Carlos, a Miami lawyer who is deeply involved in the anti-Castro movement, and the beautiful Sara Ortega appear. They want to hire Mac for a fishing tournament to be held in Cuba. The price is right so Mac considers it. The kicker? Mac learns that the tournament is a smoke screen and that while in Cuba, Sara plans to retrieve sixty million dollars her grandfather had secreted in a cave. Mac’s cut is three million. Well, that changes things. Mac is in. He quickly learns that there is more to the plan and more danger involved that he could have imagined. Mac is an amazing new character and this story is well plotted and told. It’s Nelson DeMille at his best. Don’t miss what is surely the beginning of a new series.

DP Lyle, award-winning author, lecturer, and story consultant

Mac, an army vet, owns a charter fishing boat in Key West, and is making a barely adequate living when he is visited by Carlos, a lawyer from Miami. Carlos is interested in hiring Mac and his boat, The Maine for a job. Mac agrees to meet his clients Eduardo, an older Cuban exile, and Sara, a beautiful Cuban American woman. Against his better judgement, Mac and his mate Jack agree to take the boat into Cuban waters on the pretext of joining a fishing tournament; the real mission is to enter Cuba and find a cache of sixty million dollars plus a couple of steamer trunks full of documents and deeds belonging to Cuban exiles. Mac and Jack are promised $3 million dollars if the mission is successful.
At times it seems as if author Nelson DeMille is more interested in writing a tour book of Havana as Mac and Sara are supposedly strangers to one another within an educational tour of the city. The numerous details of the places they visit are undoubtedly more interesting to readers who have visited Cuba, but don't contribute much to the pacing of the novel or the mission that Mac and Sara have undertaken. Hints and speculation of trouble to come are all we get throughout most of the story. Not until towards the end of the novel when the two of them and their companions get into real trouble, does the pace pick up, and one can honestly say that readers who have stuck with it thus far, may find the action satisfying.
DeMille peppers his narrative with much dry wit as Mac makes side comments about the people and actions happening all around them. He is a skilled writer who can hold the reader's attention with little hints of trouble to come, but he should leave romance writing to others. I will leave it at that. Guys might like this novel, but not many women will.

Thanks to Netgalley and Nelson DeMille for this Advanced Copy.

I really, really enjoyed this book. I forgot how great this author was. The details of Cuba were so specific, I felt like I was along for the ride.

This book was such fun, and I enjoyed learning more about Cuba. It kept me guessing until the very end. I can't recommend it enough!

One of my favorite authors and this book does not disappoint. The setting in Cuba was really fascinating and added to the intrigue and background of the story.

Nelson DeMille really never disappoints. In the style of a Clive Cussler or Robert Ludlum, he always creates a great hero (okay, occasionally stereotypical but easy to root for), a complicated plot in an intriguing setting, and a solid page turner. This time around he has "Mac" MacCormick, a war veteran with a chest full of medals, quick-witted and humorous, and never afraid to take a few risks. This mystery involves a cargo coming out of Cuba to America, deeds to land taken during the revolution, and skulls and bones of Vietnam veterans, all things the Cuban government does not want seen by the rest of the world. As the mystery unfolds, one see the lack of trust within government, with everyone on the take; it definitely did not make me want to vacation in Cuba yet. If you're looking for a strong thriller for the person in your life who loves this kind of book (it's one way to get my husband to pick up a book), you won't go wrong with The Cuban Affair.

3.5 stars - very good book by one of my favorite authors. I liked the introduction of some new characters, "Mac", Jack and Sara. I could also tell that DeMille had put a lot of time into researching Cuba - the detail on Cuban politics and landscape was very thorough.

"Mac", a retired veteran of the Afghanistan war, has moved to Key West and is enjoying a less stressful life as a fishing boat captain in Key West. He's approached by Sara and Eduardo, Cuban Americans, looking for someone to take their fishing boat to Key West under the guise of a fishing tournament but in actuality, to recover some money and property left behind by wealthy Cubans when they had to escape Fidel's regime. Jack, Mac's assistant, takes the boat to the fishing tournament and Mac is called into service to play a tourist in a tour group to get on the ground in Cuba. Along the way, he and Sara become romantic and the mission becomes a lot more tricky than expected.

Pretty fast paced, although it dragged in parts when they were touring with their tour group, but a fun "caper" read by DeMille. I liked having some new characters and whether is the start of a new series or a standalone, I'll definitely be checking out DeMille's next novel as well.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.