Since I delved into Dan Simmons' 2007 novel The Terror, Simmons has rapidly ascended to become one of my most cherished novelists.

The Terror was among the pioneers of what I term as "historical fiction" books. In this genre, he takes a genuine historical event and elaborates on it fictitiously. For example, The Terror hypothesized what might have befallen the crew of The Terror and Erebus during their 1848 expedition to the Northwest Passage. Subsequently, Abominable explored the possible scenarios for Irvine and Mallory on their fateful Everest climb. Drood theoretically expounded on what could have happened to Dickens while penning his unfinished novel, and his latest, The Fifth Heart, fabricated a chance encounter between Sherlock Holmes and Henry James.

Recently, however, they republished one of Simmons' initial endeavors in such "historical fiction" books, The Crook Factory, originally released in 1999 during his sci-fi/horror phase. This particular work centered around Ernest Hemingway during the summer of 1942 in Cuba, when the writer resolved to play spy and assembled a troupe of submarine hunters known as the Crook Factory. The FBI took notice and dispatched Joe Lucas, the book's sole major fictional character, to monitor Hemingway and his troupe and report back. Much of what transpires in this book is grounded in truth, yet Simmons takes liberties and invents details that are not publicly known. It is a fine read, but perhaps due to its close proximity to the truth, it lacks a touch of the imaginative creativity present in his later works.

I was given this book by a friend from work for Christmas. We talk a lot about books. He knew I read Hemingway, had an interest in WW2, hated Nazis with a passion, and enjoyed espionage books in general. He told me that Dan Simmons, whom I had never heard of to be honest, was a really good author of both historical fiction and Sci-Fi, two of my favorite genres. Other than Game of Thrones, we have similar taste in books. He further stoked my intrigue by telling me Ian Fleming is in The Crook Factory.

In my opinion, The Crook Factory is not a good example of historical fiction. Maybe because it did not take place that long ago or due to the style it was written in. But there was something very modern about the book. Joe Lucas was a very modern character. He is very like Alex Cross, Jack Reacher, Jack Ryan, and Jason Bourne in construct, which is a good character construct for the action thriller genre but not historical. When you read a James Bond book, he seems to be from a different era, and that's all I'm saying.

The Crook Factory is more like two separate books. The first half is where Simmons lays down the set-up and most of the book's impressive 95% true facts. Simmons sprinkles celebrity guests in between boring, tediously exact FBI Files on noteworthy personages of the day, everybody from movie stars, politicians, intelligence agents, Eleanor Rosenfield, JFK, and Hemingway himself. It's interesting but very boring the way they are relayed to the reader. Simmons almost kills the intrigue of espionage. Overall, the first half is awful, and I had to struggle to keep going. But I did because of the encouragement of Ned (my friend), "Stick with this one until the end. The payoff is good!" he said.

The book's style changes with the death of a young boy and Lucas deciding to tell Hemingway everything. From that point on, The Crook Factory becomes a true spy thriller, not historical fiction. The fact that this is about Ernest Hemingway becomes less important as Hemingway morphs into a legit espionage operative. The book's best character, Lucas, stands in awe of him, less of a professional and more of an adviser. The book makes some predictable twists and wraps up nicely with a debrief courtesy of Beta Phillip and Ian Fleming. Where the book should have ended but continues a little longer. I would tell you to skip ahead to the last 150 pages, but you would be lost without the excruciatingly long set-up.

The way Hemingway is portrayed in the first half is mostly negative. In the second half, he is portrayed completely differently, seeming less of a posturing joke and more of a badass and underappreciated genius. This, in a time frame of his greatest popularity, is another reason The Crook Factory seems less like historical fiction. Hemingway is a divisive character himself in the early 21st century. Some hate him, some respect him, some like him, some call him a hack. But almost all have an opinion. Check a GR review of any of his books like Old Man and the Sea, and you will get a taste of the viciously passionate arguing that sometimes makes GR and other social media sites unbearable. But Hemingway is an interesting guy if not a literary icon. This book is only notable because of him.

The plot of this story is intricately weaved around an FBI agent and Hemingway’s amateur spy ring known as the Crook Factory in Cuba at the dawn of World War II. The FBI agent, Joe Lucas, initially had no inkling as to why he was tasked with this seemingly pointless job. However, as the old adage goes, the plot thickens. Soon enough, readers will be introduced to the typical cast of characters found in a spy novel. There is a mysterious and ruthless killer, a beautiful whore, and a hero reminiscent of James Bond.

Anyway, it is a great thriller that features Ernest Hemingway as a main character and other famous personalities of the era as guest stars. It offers an exciting and engaging read without being overly burdened with heavy or complex themes.

Overall, it is an enjoyable book that is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

Like Black Hills, this is extreme historical fiction.

It is truly remarkable how well-researched it is, with most of the details being real.

However, there are certain parts in the text that seem a bit dry.

The main subject matter of the book, which is Hemingway's amateur spy ring in Cuba during World War II, didn't initially pique my interest as much.

Nevertheless, as I delved deeper into the story, the book managed to suck me in completely.

It turned out to be a very enjoyable read, filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Despite its flaws, the overall quality of the writing and the engaging nature of the plot made it a worthwhile experience.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a touch of mystery and adventure.

I truly relished this book. It was a delightful read that kept me engaged from start to finish. I would say it is about 95% true, which added an extra layer of authenticity to the story.

The setting of the book is in Cuba during World War II, a time of great turmoil and mystery. The plot involves spies, the FBI, and all the other intelligence agencies, as well as U-boats lurking in the shadows.

Although the book is quite long, the journey is fast-paced, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The characterizations are full and complete, making it easy to become invested in the lives of the characters.

Overall, this is a great book for anyone looking to escape into another time and place, and to solve a riddle while also learning something new. It is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and mystery novels.

This is one of those rare books indeed.

Before I embarked on reading it, I truly wish I had known more about it.

The author's list at the conclusion of the book reveals which incidents are founded on actual events.

This realization made me understand that there is a significant amount of fact interwoven into the fabric of the fiction.

I firmly believe that had I known this from the outset, I would have relished the entire story to a much greater extent.

As it stands, I found the story to be moderately engaging, yet nothing out of the ordinary.

I constantly found myself wondering why I persisted in reading it.

Perhaps it was the hope that there would be some hidden gem or unexpected twist that would suddenly make the entire experience worthwhile.

But as I progressed through the pages, that moment never quite arrived.

Nonetheless, I still completed the book, albeit with a sense of mild disappointment.

Maybe in the future, I will be more cautious when choosing books and make sure to do my research beforehand to avoid similar situations.

Ernest Hemingway, a renowned literary figure, found himself involved in the world of espionage in Cuba during World War II. This captivating premise alone is enough to pique one's interest. Dan Simmons, the author, has a remarkable talent for creating fictional worlds that make you question whether such events could have truly occurred.

In "The Crook Factory," Simmons introduces us to an exemplary hero in the form of Joe Lucas, an FBI Special Agent. Lucas, who is valued for his assassination skills off the record, is reluctantly assigned to babysit Hemingway. Hemingway, on the other hand, has established his own spy "network" to pursue German submarines, much to Lucas's chagrin.

The story is filled with action and intrigue, driven by a diverse cast of uniquely colorful characters, many of whom were real-life participants in Hemingway's life. However, the best moments arise from the tension between the soft-spoken, strategic Lucas and the bombastic, spontaneous Hemingway.

Despite the numerous brawls, love affairs, and shootings that occur throughout the book, the highlight is surprisingly the quiet and touching epilogue. Here, an aging Joe Lucas confesses, while writing the very book we are reading, that his acquaintance with Hemingway has had a much deeper impact on him than he ever thought possible. This break from the drama to reveal moments of respect and admiration provides a perfect ending to the book.

I highly recommend "The Crook Factory" without hesitation. After all, it is yet another outstanding work by Dan Simmons.

The title on my copy of this book boldly proclaimed "a novel of suspense." However, as I delved into its pages, I was rather disappointed to find that there was very little actual suspense.

Hemingway, the protagonist, seems to spend much of his time having dinner parties with famous individuals, getting drunk, and going fishing. All the while, he is embroiled in a confusing web of spies and government agencies.

Despite my initial misgivings, I stuck with this one simply because I am a dedicated fan of the author. And, as it turns out, there were indeed some satisfying moments towards the end that made me glad I hadn't given up.

Nonetheless, I have to admit that I consider this one to be among Simmons' more lackluster novels. It seems that in this case, the research took center stage, overshadowing the story itself. (Black Hills was another example of a similar issue.)

Overall, while it wasn't a total loss, it certainly didn't live up to the promise of its "suspense" label.

An Enjoyable Historical Fiction Novel

This historical fiction novel is based on Earnest Hemingway's Crook Factory during World War II. It presents a captivating story that takes readers back to that tumultuous era.

The Crook Factory was established with the specific purpose of finding Nazi submarines. The novel delves into the operations and challenges faced by the individuals involved in this crucial mission.

Readers will be immersed in a world of espionage, danger, and adventure as they follow the characters' exploits. The author vividly描绘s the historical backdrop, bringing the events of WW2 to life.

With its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and attention to historical detail, this novel offers an enjoyable and educational reading experience. It provides a unique perspective on a lesser-known aspect of the war and is sure to appeal to fans of historical fiction.

Book Thoughts: The Crook Factory by Dan Simmons

What could have been a typical thriller about espionage in WWII turns into something far more literary, and surprisingly intimate.

Introduction: Who is Dan Simmons?
Dan Simmons is one of those rare authors who defies categorization. He's a literary chameleon. He's written everything from genre-defining science fiction in the Hyperion Cantos, to classical reimagining in Ilium, to gothic horror in Drood, and nostalgic coming-of-age chills in Summer of Night. Each book feels like it was written by a completely different person—but in the best possible way. The Crook Factory, a work of historical fiction centered around Ernest Hemingway's real-life counterespionage activities in WWII Cuba, only reinforces Simmons' status as one of the most versatile authors I've ever read.

Espionage, Literature, and a Strange Partnership
The Crook Factory documents the short-lived but real intelligence network created by Hemingway in 1942–1943. In Cuba, the famous author used his connections, resources, and sheer force of personality to play amateur spy. It sounds like pulp fiction, but it's based heavily on actual FBI files and historical sources. What makes the book even more compelling is its narrative perspective. Instead of telling the story directly through Hemingway, Simmons writes from the point of view of Joe Lucas, a fictional FBI agent dispatched by J. Edgar Hoover to surveil Hemingway. Lucas is no fan of literature. He doesn't read fiction and doesn't see the point of it. His perspective is practical, skeptical, and emotionally closed off. And that's exactly what makes him such an interesting narrator.

Lucas vs. Hemingway: Two Worldviews Collide
The novel shines in its quieter moments, especially in the conversations between Hemingway and Lucas. Hemingway talks about writing, art, and meaning. Lucas listens. And slowly, something shifts. One of the most satisfying and unexpected turns is watching Lucas grow—not just as a character, but as a narrator. There's something powerful about seeing a man who doesn't value fiction end up writing a book about a fictionalized version of his experience. It's subtle, but Simmons uses that narrative arc to do something clever: he lets Lucas become a writer, even if he doesn't realize it.

On Characters
All of the characters in this novel are incredibly well realized. Hemingway, of course, looms largest—charismatic, unpredictable, and consistently entertaining. Any scene with him crackles with energy, and fortunately, he's at the center of most of them. Simmons paints him as both mythic and deeply human, a compelling contradiction that drives much of the book's appeal. The side characters are just as memorable. Cameo appearances from real historical figures like J. Edgar Hoover and a young Ian Fleming add texture and intrigue. The members of the Crook Factory itself—especially Santiago and Hemingway's two sons—each have a presence and personality that feels distinct. Even those on the other side of the intelligence war, quietly working against Lucas and Hemingway's efforts, are given depth and weight. Simmons gives every character, no matter how brief their role, a sense of authenticity and purpose that makes the world feel alive.

One standout scene that perfectly captures both the adventurous spirit of the book and its character dynamics involves Hemingway's son catching fish while out on the Pilar. Instead of hauling the fish into the boat, he hooks them to himself and trails them in the water. This choice quickly attracts a frenzy of sharks. What starts as a peaceful outing turns into a dangerously tense situation. The sharks swarm fast, drawn by the blood and motion, and suddenly, everyone is scrambling. Hemingway's response is classic: bold, fearless, and utterly composed under pressure. But when the danger passes, the mood shifts. In a burst of parental fury and exasperation, Hemingway tears into his son, berating him for the reckless decision. It's a powerful scene—thrilling, cinematic, and deeply human, showing both the magnetism and volatility that define Hemingway's presence throughout the novel.

Where This Ranks in Simmons’ Body of Work
Having read Hyperion, Fall of Hyperion, Ilium, Drood, and Summer of Night, I can confidently say that The Crook Factory feels the least like Simmons in terms of voice—but that's not a bad thing. He adapts his writing style to fit Lucas's worldview, which means the prose is intentionally colder, clipped, and more procedural. While that makes the writing feel less lyrical or experimental than his other works, it feels right for this character. Still, I did feel the writing was weaker compared to Simmons' other works I've read. That choice fits the story and its themes, but it limits the narrative’s emotional range and literary power. After the layered, lyrical prose of Drood or the philosophical richness of Hyperion, Lucas’ straightforward narration felt a bit flat. It’s a trade-off: we get a tightly grounded, espionage-toned novel but lose some of the stylistic depth Simmons usually brings.

Final Thoughts
What could have been a conventional WWII spy thriller becomes something stranger and more thoughtful in Simmons’ hands. The Crook Factory is about how people see the world—through fact or fiction, through skepticism or imagination—and what happens when those views collide. Hemingway represents the literary patriot, full of bravado and belief in stories. Lucas represents the realist, the nonbeliever. But the fact that Lucas is the one telling the story suggests that, in the end, fiction might win. If you're already a Dan Simmons fan, this book will surprise you. And if you're new to him, it's another entry point into a fascinating and ever-changing body of work.

A fictional account of Ernest Hemingway's real spy ring in 1940s Cuba had the feel of classic John Le Carre.

The story unfolds through the eyes of a likely fabricated FBI agent. At first, the agent is sceptical but soon finds himself taking orders from the famous writer.

We are treated to glimpses of iconic figures such as Ingrid Bergman, Gary Cooper, and Marlene Dietrich, as well as two of Hemingway's sons.

My interest in reading this was piqued after visiting Hemingway's House in Key West, Florida. The house is filled with cats, just as it would have been during his residence.

The vivid descriptions and the incorporation of real historical figures make this fictional account a captivating read. It offers a unique perspective on Hemingway's life and the possible intrigues that surrounded him during that era.

Overall, it is a fascinating exploration of a bygone time and a talented writer's possible involvements in the world of espionage.

I have an intense love for Hemingway, not only as a fascinating character but also as an outstanding author!

This, in my personal opinion, stands as one of Dan Simmons’ most captivating and exquisitely written novels! I found myself completely engrossed, unable to tear myself away from its pages!

His vivid descriptions were so powerful that they made me yearn to be right there in the heart of the action, on the Pilar with Papa and the rest of the Crook Factory. It was as if I could smell the sea, feel the wind, and experience every moment along with the characters. Simmons has truly mastered the art of storytelling, transporting the reader into a world that is both thrilling and unforgettable. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who has a passion for great literature and a love for Hemingway’s works.