What do You think about The Havana Room (2007)?
A very nicely written, engaging thriller that follows what seems to be the pattern for Colin Harrison’s novels: a man is taken from his family, and the familiar comforts of financial stability and status, and dragged through the gutters that vein the vivid underbelly of New York City. The characters are sharp, sexy, believable, and the story compels you to follow it through. A minor disappointment in The Havana Room is that the concluding revelations seemed to overlap too conveniently among the cast of characters, but it’s not a flaw that should stop anyone from enjoying this book, or the brilliant, earlier novel, Manhattan Nocturne.
—William
At times brutal, at times quixotic, this novel by Colin Harrison is always a quirky little read. The sometimes~tough~to~follow plot weaves in and out of many places in New York City and Long Island making both an integral part of the story. Had I not had the benefit of growing up in NYC, I don't think I could have followed the story as well as I did.Additionally, the legalese, real estate jargon, medical and gangsta vernacular could serve to put off some readers. The nearly~formulaic conclusion was a predictably happily ever after that serves as a bit of a let down.Is it worth the read? Sure. It shouldn't take too long to meander through and the assortment of characters is certainly worth it.
—LisaRose
I always enjoy Colin Harrison, but certainly not because of his bright outlook. So often his characters become mired in destructive situations from which they are never able to extricate themselves. Also his books often end with the destruction of said characters. The Havana Room, although darkened by the usual temperament of Mr. Harrison's view of humanity was a surprising and welcome diversion from the previous novels of his I have read. I do, I admit, enjoy his overt sexual depictions and his apparent insight into the seamy side of relationships, neighborhoods, and selves. Because life can be as dark as he often depicts, and is certainly fraught with many dangerous situations and people I appreciate his realism and reminder to watch yourself that you don't become one of the subjects of his next novel.
—Mel Allred
