Havana Twist, The Willa Jansson Mysteries

A California lawyer finds herself on the trail of a murderer while searching for her missing mother in Cuba in the final entry of this mystery series.

Attorney Willa Jansson’s mother is a lifelong activist. So it’s no surprise when she and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom disregard federal regulations and head to Cuba for a goodwill tour. The real shock occurs when the group returns . . . with one less member.

Worried about her mother facing a lengthy prison sentence or a hefty fine, Willa springs to the rescue, jetting off to Havana, where nothing’s as it seems. There, she befriends two suspiciously helpful reporters and follows leads from fancy hotels to dark, underground tunnels, finding ample danger along the way. Soon, both the American and Cuban governments get involved—as does Willa’s handsome ex, Lt. Don Surgelato of the San Francisco Police Department.

But things really heat up when Willa’s efforts get her mixed up in a murder. Now she must track down her mom, get home safely, and stay one step ahead of a killer. Willa’s bailed her mother out before, but never like this . . .

“With its page-turning plot, self-realized setting, and terrific characters, one could fairly call this the best Jansson adventure yet—and that’s saying a great deal.” —Booklist

“The beauty of Matera’s writing is that the story, fun as it is, doesn’t shortcut a shrewd social commentary on the current state of the Cuban Revolution and U.S. policy toward that country.” —Houston Chronicle