Suspicion of Rage

By Barbara Parker

     Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana, Miami lawyers, have recently married. They are leaving for Havana to visit Anthony's sister, Marta, who is married to Cuban General Ramino Vega. With them are Anthony's two children and Gail's daughter and mother. On the eve of their departure Anthony is visited by an agent of the CIA who wants Anthony to deliver a message to Vega: that he must defect or be killed.

     Anthony is friend to Cuban dissident writers, Jose Leiva and Yolanda Cabrera. No one is aware that Yolanda's son, Mario, is a member of an underground group that is plotting the assassination of Vega, believing this will help to topple the Castro government. Anthony and his family are in a precarious situation.

     They are visiting Cuba even though the U.S. government has banned all visits to Cuba. The visit is fraught with intrigue and suspicion. Anthony is questioned by Vega's superior about Anthony's purpose there. Anthony is unsure whether Vega wants to defect; isn't sure why the CIA is so anxious for Vega to do so. The undercurrents of Mario's involvement and the small group fighting against the oppressive tyranny of the dictatorship government are felt with Anthony's connection with Yolanda and Jose. Gail finds herself caught between her love for Anthony and her reaction to the atmosphere of suspicion in the Vega house.

     The author has vividly described Havana and Cuba. The atmosphere of Cuba with its picture of a decaying country is graphically portrayed. The fear and frustration of the dissidents in their struggle to find freedom is described in depth. This is a thought provoking book full of suspense and will hold the reader's attention.