“[An] exquisitely made thriller…A remarkably powerful narrative. The interrogation scene repulses while it grips…but readers are advised to stay with it for a rich reading experience.”

“This potent noir sheds light on Cuban life in the post-Soviet era…Building to an explosive ending, this atmospheric mix of proletarian literature and Graham Greene–style espionage informs as it entertains.”

“This novel is rich in atmosphere and political critique.”

“Amidst the action, the quiet star…[is] Arellano’s rich landscapes of daily life in Cuba during the special period.”

“Highly recommended…A memorable portrait of Havana at its most colourful and a gallery of wonderful characters moving through a rainbow of human emotions and experiences at all levels of Cuban and Miami society. [Predecessor] Havana Lunar was nominated for the Edgar; its follow-up deserves a similar fate.”

“There’s a fine tradition of crime writing in Cuba and Havana Libre is a great new addition to the pantheon. A mix of spy story and political thriller, the characters and places are very grounded in the real world, but the story has a slightly surreal touch… Havana Libre, cleverly, doesn’t draw cheap political conclusions but like all the best crime fiction the plot is bolstered by a deep understanding of the political, economic, and social situation in the country.”