The Betrayal Game

by David L. Robbins

Book Overview

Set during the Cuban missile crisis of 1961, this what-if thriller forces readers to question what could have happened--maybe even what should have happened--in the weeks before the Bay of Pigs... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553804421
• ISBN13: 9780553804423
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Bantam
• Length: 365 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.4" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Buy It. You Won't Be Betrayed!

About twenty years ago I read an article about the Kennedy assassination. One of the stories it posed was that the Cuban's were out to assassinate Kennedy. They looked to their Russian allies for help. The Russian's did not want to assassinate Kennedy, but they also did not want to alienate Castro. The answer: send the least likely successful assassin: Lee Harvey Oswald. Sadly, Oswald's success is history. Robbin's Betrayal Game precedes the events in Dallas. Yet, all of the characters are there: Oswald, Castro, the Mafia, the CIA, Russian KGB. The story line is relatively simple: The CIA seeks to terminate Fidel Castro in hopes of ending the communist threat 90 miles from Florida. The main character, Mikhal Lammeck in Cuba for research on, of all things, assassins, is thrust in the middle of several different undercover operations involving all of the alphabet organizations. His convictions are sorely tested by his affection for the Cuban people and the young assassins sent to kill Castro. Robbin's does an excellent job setting the stage and developing the characters who cross paths in and around Havana of the early 1960's. There are no innocents here but the Cuban people. The CIA, the Mafia, the Cuban secret police and the KGB all are in it for their own ends. Robbin's never gets to answer the question posed throughout: can one man change history. Yet, we can see here how one man can direct the events which become history. I strongly recommend the Betrayal Game as a political thriller, a work of historical fiction and as an interesting spring into summer read. Buy it, you won't be betrayed.

INTRIGUING

I have now had the pleasure of reading all eight of D Robbins thrillers and have yet to find one that failed to hold my interest or my desire to keep turning page after page,after page. The Betrayal Game is a fascinating , thought provoking work that with the very cleaver use of 2 sets of annotations, makes you remember (and in some cases rethink what you thought you knew)about the atmosphere regarding US/Cuba relations in the early 60's and the machinations on both sides (along with the Soviets) to make this island an ally-or at least not a threat. I read an inane review on this site by Publishers Weekly saying Mr. Robbins had a hard time keeping readers interest because everyone knew Castro survived so the suspense was lost....One of the best political/historical books of suspense ever written and which was world-widely acclaimed was "Day of the Jackel" by Frederich Forsythe which was a great book about a rogue killer hired to murder Charles De Gaulle, I believe everyone who read that book was quite aware that event did not succeed, but as in the case of "The Betrayal" game it was everything leading up to the conclusion that made it such a compelling book. BTW My two favorite other books of D Robbins are "War of the Rats" and "Liberation Road". If you're looking to discover a new author who maintains a very high level of consistant quality and just plain great writing David Robbins is your man.

Good Historical Fiction!

This was another good book by David Robbins. His previous book "Assasin's Gallery"was very interesting. The hero of this novel is once again Dr. Michael Lammeck. He is an authority on assassinations. He is in Cuba researching Cuba and Castro. He unwittingly becomes involved in a plot to assassinate Castro. He is lured into this plan by CIA assassin Bud Calender. Calender has brought a marine sharpshooter named Alek Hidell to do the deed on Castro. They have also brought his girlfriend Rina a KGB agent. The whole group is being watched over by Castro's chief of security Johan. The story takes many twists turns and you have many doublecrosses taking place. From one second to the next youhave a new twist on the Castro story. Be sure to read this book.

Engrossing and informative

Everyone wants Castro dead. Or do they? The CIA, KGB, Mafia, and the Cuban rebels are all pursuing their own agenda for the future of Cuba. The interesting and plausable hero from the Assassin's Gallery, Mikhal Lammeck, is back to guide the reader through the intricate labyrinth Robbins has created using the actual events of 1961. To say more might give away some of the surprises. David L. Robbins accomplishes what should be the goal of all historical novelist: to entertain and inform. He gives us a symphony of plots, counter-plots and betrayals. Using direct and elegant prose, he hits all the right notes and makes beatiful music. Bravo, Maestro!

Not just a "suspense" novel

As someone who avoids the "spy thriller" genre, I took a leap of faith when I picked up The Betrayal Game at the library. About page 9, I realized what a fantastic leap I had taken. The Betrayal Game is labeled a work of suspense, but it's historic and political complexities, along with an unforgettable cast of characters, propel The Betrayal Game beyond the pigeonhole of a simple "suspense" novel and into a truly brilliant work of American fiction. David Robbins effortless weaving of fact and fiction entices the reader to seek out the Annotations he so brilliantly includes at the novels end. (Note: Don't read Annotations II before finishing the book!) The characters--of which Cuba herself is as central and complex as any human--are rich with emotion and complexity. Though never quite sure of their motivations and true loyalties, each is sympathetic and brilliantly constructed. With America on the brink of invading Cuba, CIA agent Bud Calender--a man consumed with his own role in history--enters the life of Brown professor, prominent historian, and expert on assassinations Mikhal Lammeck. Lammeck, in Cuba to witness history firsthand, is thrust headfirst into the worlds of the Cuban underground, American Mafia, Cuban secret police, and the CIA; all of whom are determined to see Fidel Castro dead. From sometimes comical CIA assassination plots--to a young Marine sharpshooter destined for a history of his own--The Betrayal Game will leave you breathless and wondering "what if?"