Advanced
Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.
Title details for Queen of Bones by Teresa Dovalpage - Available

Queen of Bones

Havana Mysteries Series, Book 2

#2 in series

by Teresa Dovalpage
Cynthia Farrell
Audiobook
2 of 2 copies available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
2 of 2 copies available
Set between Cubas twenty years apart, Havana native Teresa Dovalpage's new mystery features an unusual detective-an ex-cop turned Santeria priest and a familiar face from her acclaimed crime fiction debut, Death Comes in through the Kitchen. Juan, a Cuban construction worker who has settled in Albuquerque, returns to Havana for the first time since fleeing Cuba by raft twenty years ago. He is traveling with his American wife, Sharon, hoping to catch up with Victor, his best friend from college-and, unbeknownst to Sharon, discover what has become of two of his ex-girlfriends, Elsa and Rosita. Juan is surprised to discover that Victor has become Victoria, and runs a popular drag show at the local hot spot Caf. Arabia. Elsa has married a wealthy foreigner, and Rosita, still single, works at the Havana cemetery. When one of these women turns up dead, it will cost Padrino, a Santeria priest and former detective on the Havana police force, more than he expects to untangle the group's lies and hunt down a killer.

  • Creators

  • Series

    Havana Mystery

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    November 12, 2019

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781980053972
      • File size: 230961 KB
      • Duration: 08:01:10

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      November 18, 2019
      Cuba’s distinctive culture and cuisine again serve as the backdrop for Dovalpage’s enticing second Havana mystery (after 2018’s Death Comes in Through the Kitchen). Twenty years after Cuban Juan Chiong barely survived a raft trip to Miami, Fla., his life has certainly improved: he has a stable, well-paying job as a contractor in New Mexico and is married to wealthy real estate agent Sharon. Juan now plans to return to Havana, though Sharon senses he’d rather do so alone. Concerned about Cuba’s political instability and her husband’s vague plans, Sharon accompanies him to the island nation. Juan, who’s determined to find his lost love, Elsa, is oblivious to the danger of delving into the past that still haunts him. Even after a childhood friend’s murder, he continues to dig, putting everyone around him at risk. Dovalpage skillfully evokes the lights and shadows of life in Cuba as the forlorn, reckless Juan contends with the women who try to control him. Vibrant supporting characters such as Padrino, a Santería priest, and Lt. Marlene Martínez, a police detective, lend color. This moving tale of love, loss, greed, and betrayal will also appeal to non-mystery readers.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Narrator Cynthia Farrell's mellifluous and confident rendering of Cuban speech patterns alternating with perfectly colloquial American ones gives the listener a delicious sense of having been transplanted to Havana, a treat you couldn't get from the page alone. In Dovalpage's atmospheric tale, Juan Chiong returns home 20 years after barely surviving his escape to Florida on a raft. He misses his old flame, Elsa, and has no idea that his best friend, Victor, is now Victoria, host of a prominent drag club. This is not the Cuba that Juan left behind. His prosperous American wife, Sharon, has at the last minute decided to come along precisely because she senses Juan doesn't want her to. Bad idea. Farrell's performance is atmospheric and assured, a delightful listen. B.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Loading