Stephen E Murphy

Havana Odyssey: Chasing Ochoa's Ghost Stephen E Murphy

Professor Luke Shannon gets upbraided by a Cuban exile at Seattle University. Thirty years ago, Luke didn't keep his promise to Ana Sanchez, a high-profile dissident and his former lover. Her uncle was Cuba's deceased Hero of the Republic, General Arnaldo Ochoa. Luke promised to tell his story to the world. Luke finds out that Ana is still alive but in failing health. In Miami, he catches Cubana Aviacion's last flight to Havana.




Then COVID-19 hits Cuba in 2020. All bets are off if Luke will prevail. His odyssey takes him through police interrogations, steamy salsa clubs and tropical storms. The Inspector, tipped off by Cuban intelligence, is intent on taking him down. Whom can Luke trust? Startling news slaps him in the face. Now he must escape. Can Luke keep his promise or will he die trying?




Note: The demise of General Arnoldo Ochoa is a topic of debate among expatriates and cognoscenti of Cuba. Ochoa's military campaigns in Africa are still taught at the U. S. and Russian War Colleges. This book is based on 65 interviews of Cubans in-country and from exiles abroad. Its places and names have been changed to protect the innocent.