Ernest Hemingway, who was residing in Cuba during World War II, made an offer to J. Edgar Hoover to utilize his spy ring known as the Crook Factory. Hoover, however, didn't have much faith in Hemingway's usefulness. Nevertheless, he dispatched FBI operative Joe Lucas to assist "Papa" and incidentally, report back.

Papa's spies consisted of a diverse group including a 12-year-old orphan, a jai alai champion, a fisherman, a priest, and a millionaire. Hoover considered it a bit eccentric but still hoped it might prove beneficial to the United States. Joe was contacted by his operative and started reporting, but with the scale seemingly sliding, he wasn't sure who to trust. Uncertain about who was actually in command, he still diligently completed his reports, risking his life and limb to deliver them.

The Crook Factory achieved some results that could potentially mean something, or perhaps not. It was difficult to determine if what they thought was happening was real or if they were simply becoming extremely paranoid, imagining ghosts in the corner. They stumbled upon an interaction with a German U-boat and managed to secure a secret code, which they deciphered to uncover a battle plan of huge consequence. If they failed to divert the plan, the world could be changed forever. But they had little choice. If they reported their findings to Hoover, they wouldn't be believed, and Joe would probably be ordered home.

The story appears to be historically accurate, although some of the characters must be fictional, and some not. We encounter movie stars, murderers, soldiers, corrupt police, corrupt everything for that matter, local politicians, and the poor whore who distracts Joe from his mission. In this web of intrigue, no one can be trusted, absolutely no one.

Simmons penned this remarkable series commencing with Hyperion, which is one of my absolute favorites. I had the anticipation that a book about Hemingway, with Simmons's fantastical approach, would be truly captivating.

I embarked on reading this work and initially thought...wow, this is *excessively* fantastical.

However, as I reached the conclusion and delved into the author's note, I was astounded to discover that all the seemingly unbelievable fantastical elements...were in fact true.

Yes, the accounts of Ian Fleming as an agent in Canada and the US - True. J. Edgar Hoover's failure to issue a warning about Pearl Harbor due to agency infighting - True. Hemingway's Cuba finca and the "crook factory" amateur spy ring - True. All the German intelligence agency infighting - True. Hemingway's year of sailing around Cuba in an attempt to sink German ships - True. JFK's rumored potential relationship with a German spy - True.

Indeed, history is a curious thing. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in any of the aforementioned points. You'll not only get to experience some thrilling spy intelligence action but also a vivid portrayal of Hemingway to boot.

-4.5- This is a truly superb read. As an avid fan of Hemingway, based on his book review scores on Goodreads, it seems I am in the minority. However, this book was absolutely fantastic.

It delves into a little-known chapter of Hemingway's life, specifically his activities during WWII while in Cuba. He ran "the crook factory" and engaged in all sorts of spy hi-jinx and shenanigans during the war. One of his greatest attempted exploits was his role as a U-boat hunter in his beloved 38' boat, the Pilar.

Although it's highly likely he would have perished had he actually tried to engage a U-boat with Thompson submachine guns and grenades, it's awesome to imagine him giving it a go, as the Brits say. This book not only covers Hemingway's feats of daring but also provides a comprehensive history of the various Nazi spy organizations in the Caribbean, South America, and incredibly, the United States.

Perhaps my favorite element in this book is the coverage of the various Nazi spies landed on U.S. shores by U-boats, from the deep south to Long Island, NY. Fortunately, they were about as effective as the Keystone Cops. If WWII and Hemingway capture your interest, then this is definitely a book for you.

A fun premise but ultimately a pretty generic thriller. I think Simmons and I are quits.

It starts off with an interesting concept that initially grabs your attention. However, as the story progresses, it falls into the typical patterns and tropes of a thriller. The plot becomes predictable, and there are no real surprises or twists that make it stand out from the crowd.

I had high hopes for this book, especially after reading some of Simmons' other works. But unfortunately, this one just didn't deliver. The characters are one-dimensional, and there is no real depth or development. I found myself not really caring about what happened to them.

Overall, it was a disappointment. I think Simmons and I have reached a point where we are no longer on the same page. I may give his other books a try in the future, but for now, I'm done with this one.

I've been a follower ever since I delved into the Hyperion Cantos. It was like opening a door to a whole new world that captured my imagination.

Though my experiences with his subsequent novels have been somewhat of a mixed bag. I absolutely adored The Terror, it was a thrilling and captivating read that kept me on the edge of my seat. However, my feelings towards The Abominable were rather lukewarm.

This latest book, in many ways, reminds me most of The Abominable. It's not because the subject matter is strikingly similar. Instead, it's because I didn't form a full connection with this story for the same reasons I struggled with that one. Namely, it's incredibly dense, filled to the brim with an abundance of minutiae. The plot, too, unfolds at a rather sluggish pace, meandering along slowly.

Now, I'm not suggesting that this is necessarily a negative aspect. I can envision plenty of readers who would find great joy and satisfaction in this kind of detailed and deliberate storytelling. But for me, I often found myself feeling weighed down and longing for a bit more excitement and momentum from the plot developments.

If you're a die-hard fan of Dan Simmons or have a keen interest in Ernest Hemingway, you're likely to discover aspects of this book that you'll appreciate. Just don't approach it with the anticipation of a fast-paced, heart-pounding thriller.

I have a deep affection for Dan Simmons. However, his works often have a tendency to slow me down.

His books are known for their density. The print is small, spread across large pages, which can make the reading experience a bit challenging.

Despite this, I truly enjoy his writing style. The way he crafts sentences and weaves stories is quite remarkable.

But sometimes, I can't help but feel that I invest a significant amount of time in reading his books, only to make what seems like relatively little progress.

One aspect that always astounds me is his research on historical figures included in his works. It is always incredibly accurate, adding a layer of authenticity and depth to the stories.

This particular book was a solid spy novel. But in my opinion, it served better as a fascinating glimpse into one aspect of Ernest Hemingway than as a traditional spy book.

While it may not be his best work, I would still highly recommend giving it a read. There is always something to be gained from exploring the mind of a talented author like Dan Simmons.

J. Edgar Hoover had a significant role in the downfall of one of America's most renowned writers, Ernest Hemingway.

Hemingway endured electroshock therapy, which diminished his ability to create stories, partly because his doctors, friends, and wife thought his belief that the FBI was surveilling him was just paranoia. In a July 1, 2011 article, Hemingway's close friend A.E. Hotchner wrote about the FBI's impact on him.

Decades later, in response to a Freedom of Information petition, the FBI released its Hemingway file. It disclosed that starting in the 1940s, J. Edgar Hoover had Ernest under surveillance due to suspicions about his activities in Cuba. Over the years, agents filed reports on him and tapped his phones. The surveillance persisted throughout his stay at St. Mary's Hospital. It's likely that the phone outside his room was indeed tapped.

In the years since, I have attempted to reconcile Ernest's fear of the FBI, which I unfortunately misjudged, with the reality of the FBI file. I now believe he truly felt the surveillance, and it greatly contributed to his distress and ultimately his suicide.

The Crook Factory by Dan Simmons utilizes FBI files and other sources to create a fictional work based on real events. During WWII, Hemingway used his yacht, the Pilar, to patrol the waters around Cuba in search of German subs. He assembled a motley crew he named The Crook Factory for this project. They also tried to uncover undercover operatives using Cuba as a base. Simmons' story features the fictional Joe Lucas, an FBI agent sent to monitor Hemingway's activities. There is a lot of action, much of it from historical records. If you're interested in Hemingway, Simmons provides a vivid portrayal of the man.

I have a deep affection for Dan Simmons. However, this particular book has to be the weakest one among those I've read by him.

It seemed to be a strange concoction, with part of it feeling like a dry WWII historical textbook, another part being a love letter to Hemingway, and yet another part resembling a spy novel.

Unfortunately, none of these elements really came together well for me. This was especially due to the first-person point of view of a rather flat and unlikable character.

Moreover, I managed to figure out the moles quite quickly. In fact, I was highly suspicious of them for the majority of the book, even before their presence was officially known.

There was still a bit of a reveal at the end, but it only served to further dampen my already lukewarm view of the main character, as he didn't figure it out sooner.

On the positive side, the end was exciting, and I did learn a great deal about the spy games during WWII. So, that was a nice aspect of the book.

Overall, while there were some redeeming qualities, this book didn't quite live up to my expectations of Dan Simmons' work.

If you like to read a boring report after report, the FBI documents and summaries, as well as about the confrontation between the ORS, FBI, OKR, MI5, AMT, SD, Abwehr, SS, BKRG and God knows what other abbreviations of 3 - 4 letters. All this is seasoned with a good bunch of names, where against the background there will constantly be a buzz and a rustle of Ham. Then congratulations - this book is for you.

Although in the end, the book began to pick up momentum, but here, as if a royal flush hits the head a couple of times, stars even fall from the eyes.

In the best case - mediocre.

This book seems to be a jumble of various elements that might appeal to a certain niche of readers who are interested in the specific topics and abbreviations mentioned. However, the overall experience of reading it might not be overly exciting or engaging. The description of the constant buzz and rustle adds a bit of atmosphere, but it doesn't necessarily make up for the lack of a more captivating storyline.

Perhaps with some improvements and a more coherent narrative, this book could have the potential to be more enjoyable. As it stands, it remains in the realm of the average or mediocre.

Think what you might about Ernest Hemingway’s writing, personality, attitude toward women, etc., there is no denying that the man lived life to the fullest.

And, of course, he went out with a bang, further ensuring his legendary status in the world of American literature. But, as detailed in the Dan Simmons novel, The Crook Factory, there is much more to the Hemingway life story than most realize.

Lest readers be left wondering how much of the novel is based on fact, Simmons adds a clarifying note at the end of the book. He states that “The incredible story of Ernest Hemingway’s Cuban spy-catching, submarine-chasing, World War II adventures in my new novel, The Crook Factory, is – I think – all the more incredible for being 95 percent true.” He then goes through a list of plot twists and main characters that are based on “confirmed fact.”

Fictional FBI man Joe Lucas, under direct orders from J. Edgar Hoover, is in Cuba to keep tabs on Hemingway and the little network of spies Hemingway is running there. Hemingway, though a bit suspicious of Lucas, only knows that the U.S. ambassador to Cuba will not approve the operation unless Lucas is part of the team. He is not overly happy to have Lucas on board, and Lucas, in turn, is unhappy as he thinks he has been assigned simply to “babysit” Hemingway to keep him out of trouble or from embarrassing the U.S. government.

But then people start dying and everything changes. In this world of agents, double-agents, traitors, and professional killers, all Lucas knows is that someone wants Ernest Hemingway – and him – very, very dead. Now, if he can figure out why, he might be able to save both their lives.

The Crook Factory is a superb World War II thriller that will, I believe, leave the reader with a new appreciation for just how wild a man Ernest Hemingway truly was. Its seamless blending of fact and fiction includes appearances by the likes of Gary Cooper, Marlene Dietrich, Ingrid Bergman, Hoover, John F. Kennedy, Ian Fleming, and other figures from both sides of the war.

The author’s account of Hemingway’s end is both touching and disturbing, and readers will long remember it. That such a famous man could have been so ill-treated by the medical community and his own government is shocking. This, combined with the incredible “missions” undertaken by Hemingway’s Crook Factory, makes for engrossing reading.

However, I do have one word of warning. The story involves a great deal of infighting between Hoover’s FBI and the other intelligence agencies of the U.S. and Britain, and Simmons spends far too many pages explaining how it all happens and why. Several long sections within the book’s first two hundred pages read more like mind-numbing pages from a bad history textbook than like content from a war thriller. But don’t give up because the last 350 pages or so will greatly reward your patience.

OMG.

Okay, let's face it. Dan Simmons is an extremely accomplished author. He is consummate in his craft because he undertakes a vast amount of remarkable research, demonstrates thorough follow-through, and creates fantastic characters. Not only that, but ever since I read Hyperion way back when, he has been one of my all-time favorite authors. Since then, he has become equally renowned as a hard-SF writer and an epic horror novelist, excelling in both branches.

But then something strange occurred. He has been writing historical novels. I didn't fully realize this until now, which makes me feel a bit foolish. I read Drood, which was all about Dickens and Wilkie Collins, and then there's The Terror and THIS novel. And there are obviously more.

I'm... frankly astounded. Drood was a vivid portrayal of Victorian England. This one is completely set in WWII Cuba. :) HEMINGWAY, PEOPLE! As the author states, 95% of everything in this novel is true, and any narrative liberties he takes are all for the better.

Ernest Hemingway ran his own spy ring in Cuba to fight the Nazis. Prominent figures involved in the story include Hoover, Ian Flemming, Ingrid Bergman, Gary Cooper, and a wide cast of real people I'm not familiar with, and it all makes for an exciting and awesome spy tale. :)

For anyone who knows anything about Hemingway, he was a man's man with a great deal of animal magnetism that shone through not only his excellent prose but also in his real-life actions. It would be very easy to go on and on about the man, but that's the point. He had a truly fascinating life.

He had many wives, lost a briefcase containing all his early short stories, was wounded in wars, served as a war correspondent and an ambulance driver, was a significant part of the Lost Generation, was an expatriate, and was generally a superstar literary genius. To have a novelization of his spy ring, though? The Crook Factory?...It's truly extraordinary. :)

But I should mention that this will only appeal to fans of Hemingway, lovers of spy fiction in general, WWII enthusiasts, and the extremely curious. Otherwise, all this name-dropping and focus on the man will be in vain. Sadly.

Good thing I'm a fan of everything that's going on here, right? :)

The Crook Factory had its moments, but they were rather scarce. The front cover proclaims it as "A Novel of Suspense", yet I'd argue this caption is more of a genre classification than an accurate description of the book.

I don't wish to repeat what others have said in their reviews, but as with many of Dan Simmons' books, there were an excessive number of details and a lot of info-dumping that didn't blend well with the story. In other works, it can be tolerable, even interesting. I often find myself learning new and fascinating things when reading Simmons, so perhaps it really depends on the subject matter.

The main subject of The Crook Factory was espionage. Surprisingly, I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. Simmons goes on and on about trading secrets, gathering information, the placement of ships, the movements of subs, radio codes, and all the interpersonal relationships. Whenever we delve into someone's dossier, my attention starts to wane. And when Lucas, Hemingway's spy partner, intercepts a new code, it takes several pages to describe the decoding process. By the time the reader finally sees the decoded message, its significance isn't clear until much later.

However, there were also many positives. There was enough good in this book that I'm glad I read it, and I mostly enjoyed the last half. The characters were likeable, which is crucial. Ernest Hemingway, in particular, is impossible not to like. Beneath his rough exterior, he has a big heart. Joe Lucas, the narrator and an SIS spy, can be cold and calculating, but his intentions are good. Santiago is also a cool little character.

Overall, I liked the atmosphere. The entire story is set in Cuba, so you learn a lot about the culture, geography, and even the weather. This book is best read in the summer, on a beach, as much of the setting is the sea. I enjoyed the camaraderie between Lucas, Hemingway, his two kids, and his group of amateur spies. They were like a family, always out on the boat fishing in some exotic location in the Caribbean, sitting around driftwood campfires, enjoying plenty of food and sandwiches, and, of course, having a fair share of booze.

All in all, once you get past the politics and the minute details, this was a fun read. And if you're a fan of WWII espionage novels, it's an excellent choice.