Bitter Sugar

Surprises abound in Lupe Solano's sixth foray into the seamier side of Miami's Cuban émigré community

Garcia-Aguilera saves her best surprise until last, leaving fans wanting more.

Private investigator Lupe Solano knows that her old-school Cuban father has never really approved of her career choice, which makes it all the more meaningful when he turns to her for help. His best friend and fellow exile, Ramón Suarez, has been offered millions of dollars by a Spanish company for his now-defunct sugar mills that were confiscated by the Cuban government, and he wants to know why—even though Ramón has no intention of selling off his family's legacy. International business matters are not Lupe's cup of tea—or café con leche, in her case. However, she's soon on more familiar ground when Ramón becomes the prime suspect in the murder of his nephew, the co-owner of the sugar mills. Greed is the obvious motive for the family feud, but as bodies begin to pile up around Lupe, she’ll realize just how far this case reaches—and how what happens on an island ninety miles away can still put her six feet under.

Simultaneously juggling various current and past boyfriends, Lupe cracks the case with style and a sense of humor—and teaches readers a bit about Cuba in the process.