The Cuban Heiress
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15
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In 1934, a luxury cruise becomes a fight for survival as two women’s pasts collide on a round-trip voyage from New York to Havana in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton's page-turning new novel inspired by the true story of the SS Morro Castle. New York heiress Catherine Dohan seemingly has it all. There’s only one problem. It’s a lie. As soon as the Morro Castle leaves port, Catherine’s past returns with a vengeance and threatens her life. Joining forces with a charismatic jewel thief, Catherine must discover who wants her dead—and why. Elena Palacio is a dead woman. Or so everyone thinks. After a devastating betrayal left her penniless and on the run, Elena’s journey on the Morro Castle is her last hope. Steeped in secrecy and a burning desire for revenge, her return to Havana is a chance to right the wrong that has been done to her—and her prey is on the ship. As danger swirls aboard the Morro Castle and their fates intertwine, Elena and Catherine must risk everything to see justice served once and for all.
Reviews with the most likes.
Chanel Cleeton doesn't disappoint. My second book by her has been just as good, full of colour and fully fleshed out characters. On top of the fabulous story, this has also got a dreamy setting on a cruise ship during Prohibition era. It even felt like a sweet indulgence I the middle of such craziness.
This novel was a complete slog for me. On the surface the topics interested me—an ocean liner, the 1930s, a revenge plot, false identities—but it felt like the author couldn't make up her mind about what she wanted the book to be so she made it everything and nothing all at once.
There were many mysterious circumstances revolving around the Morro Castle in real life, and yet none of them were really explored in the book. Instead she forced her own plot on top of the true story and they never really meshed. As soon as the climax began it felt out of place, because it wasn't really foreshadowed at all. I began skimming, ready to be done... not my typical reaction to what's supposed to be the most exciting part of the book.
As for the writing, the dialogue felt unnatural and there were places that could've used tighter editing. I usually prefer sparse writing but there should've been more detail in this one to establish a sense of place and to make you care about the characters. The whole novel felt a touch lazy to be honest, rushed to the publisher because of a deadline. I won't read another of this author's books.
