Book Review: The Cuban Affair by Nelson DeMille

The Cuban Affair is one of thrillers from acclaimed author Nelson DeMille published in 2017. It follows the story of ex-Army infantry officer, MacCormick, who embarks on a mission to Cuba to retrieve $60 million in stolen money. Along the way, MacCormick and his team encounter plenty of danger and adventure as they try to make it out alive with their prize intact.

One thing you will undoubtedly appreciate about this novel, it’s not your typical run-of-the-mill thriller. DeMille does an excellent job of creating interesting characters that you can’t help but root for throughout the story. The characters are not your typical honed and perfected for readers, but they are realistically flawed. They have backstories that add depth to their motivations and actions within the novel’s plot.

With that, some of you may find certain aspects of the plot difficult to believe or suspend disbelief for – particularly when it comes to certain plot twists at the end. While these twists serve as a great way to keep us guessing and engaged throughout the story, some may find them too farfetched or illogical for an otherwise well-constructed narrative. Another issue you may take exception with is that some parts can be a bit slow in comparison to other novels in this genre (those are the times I have to fold the book, take a break, and think if I will still continue reading it).

“You can get away with a bad decision, but not a bad mistake.”

All things considered though, it’s a great thriller. The Cuban Affair is a great addition to DeMille’s already impressive roster of books (I like his 1975 The Cannibal). With interesting characters, entertaining dialogue, and plenty of unexpected moments, this book will keep you entertained, although not the type of story that will keep you on your toes until the very last page. It’s still a great read for fans of thrillers looking for something a little different than what they may be used to but still want an exciting read.

Overall, The Cuban Affair is a great read for those looking for an engaging thriller with ‘likable-not-so-perfect’ characters and plenty of twists and turns along the way. While there are certainly some areas where one could find room for improvement like certain plot twists, you’ll still find it entertaining especially if you are a fan of Nelson DeMille’s.