Overview

Blackford Oakes launches a wild attempt to kill Castro on behalf of the CIA. Ever since the botched invasion at the Bay of Pigs, Fidel Castro has run amok. He has executed thousands of his enemies, driven his countrymen to emigrate, and done everything possible to run Cuba into the ground-all in a deliberate attempt to humiliate the White House. At least, that's how the situation looks from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, where hatred of Castro has grown into an obsession. Under orders from John and Bobby Kennedy, the CIA will do anything necessary to kill Castro-no matter how ridiculous. Even-tempered CIA agent Blackford Oakes is dismayed at the agency's wild schemes, which include everything from poisoned wet suits to Mafia hit men. But the evil of Castro's regime is not a joke, and Oakes won't be laughing when he tries to knock the dictator off his throne.

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9781504747196

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Reviews

Buckley details a macabre (and largely factual) comedy of errors in which the CIA devises some murder weapons (poisoned wet suits, for example) that would do Maxwell Smart proud...Once again, Buckley proves to be an ingenious plotter, creating suspense even when we know what will happen. -- Booklist Blackford Oakes plays a relatively quiescent part in this retelling of the Kennedy assassination, which links Oswald to the Castro regime...With a deft ear for the Cuban phrase and respect for technical detail, Buckley has again loosed the fox among the pigeons with satisfying results. -- Library Journal Arguably, this is the best of the Blackford Oakes series. Since we first met him at a callow twenty-six, in Saving the Queen, Oakes has matured-he's become more worn around the edges, less abrasive and, as a result, more likable...This high-flying thriller is grounded in reality, thanks to Dorothy McCartney, research editor of the National Review, whose help Buckley acknowledges. Readers will enjoy the sheer exuberance of this all too plausible caper. -- Publishers Weekly Buckley's best Blackford Oakes thriller, ...for here he wades into the shadows of the Kennedy assassination and gives us a somber eye throughout...Gripping. -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Compelling and literate...His best book. -- New York Times Book Review

Author Information

William F. Buckley Jr. (1925-2008) was the founder of National Review and the host of one of television's longest-running public affairs programs, Firing Line. The author of more than fifteen novels, many of them New York Times bestsellers, he won the National Book Award for Stained Glass, the second in the series featuring Blackford Oakes. John MacDonald (1952-2008) was a director, producer, and founder of the Washington Stage Guild in Washington, DC. A graduate of Catholic University, MacDonald was a popular figure in the Mid-Atlantic theater scene. He made dozens of recordings for the Talking Book program at the Library of Congress before entering the commercial audiobook field.

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