I am traveling to Cuba this spring.

I had a strong desire to read a book by a Cuban writer that is set in Cuba, and fortunately, I came across a remarkable one.

In the story, a body is discovered buried on the property known as the Finca, which was owned by Hemingway and where he resided during his time in Cuba.

A retired detective named Mario Conde, who is also a writer and was deeply influenced by Hemingway's writing but whose connection with him soured as he learned more about the man, is called in to assist with the investigation.

Conde has no hesitation in the possibility of discovering that Hemingway was a murderer, yet he doesn't want to wrongly convict him if he was truly innocent.

"I would love to find out that it was Hemingway who killed that guy. That bastard has been getting up my nose for years. But it pisses me off to think they might land him with a murder he didn't commit," he remarks.

The point of view alternates between Conde's investigation and Hemingway's description of his life in Cuba. Hemingway presents a picture of a great man whose physical abilities are waning.

Meanwhile, Conde skillfully pieced together Hemingway's last few days by scouring the house, which is now a museum, reading biographies, and interviewing Hemingway's last remaining confidant.

Conde describes the work of a detective: "Conde knew the process: prejudices were like thorns in your hand and hunches struck you like a prickling feeling in the stomach, sharp and uncomfortable. But they both worked like seeds, and only if they fell on fertile ground could they grow and turn into painful certainties."

The author explores Hemingway's attachment to Cuba and delves into the possible reasons behind his eventual suicide.

I also learned that Cuba at the beginning of the millennia lacked good food and many modern conveniences, but rum was still in plentiful supply.

Overall, this book offers a fascinating and thought-provoking look into Hemingway's life in Cuba and the mystery that unfolds.

Our friend Padoura is one of the best writers in the broader spectrum of the Spanish-language novel, and this is evident from this small study of the great Hemingway through a mystery murder.

Without reaching the levels of "The Lost Past in the Fog", it still results in an excellent book that remains with you from its depth and emotional load.

Padoura's work in this regard is truly remarkable. He manages to capture the essence of Hemingway's world and bring it to life in a unique and engaging way.

The mystery murder at the center of the story adds an element of excitement and suspense, keeping the reader hooked from beginning to end.

Overall, this is a must-read for fans of Spanish literature and those interested in exploring the works of Hemingway from a different perspective.

The book, which extends Ernest Hemingway's myth and attempts to join his popularity, but does it in an inappropriate way. The created criminal story is quite interesting, but the former policeman detective superhero does not succeed. In fact, it only remains to be proud of the spirit of Cuba Libre.

This book seems to be trying too hard to ride on the coattails of Hemingway's fame. While the criminal plot has its moments, the character of the detective superhero falls flat. He doesn't come across as believable or engaging. Instead of creating a memorable and unique work, it feels like a pale imitation. The only redeeming quality might be the mention of the Cuba Libre spirit, which adds a touch of authenticity and charm. However, this alone is not enough to save the book from being a disappointment. Overall, it fails to live up to the expectations set by its connection to Hemingway and falls short in many aspects.