Customer Reviews

The Betrayal Game

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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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?"

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.

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!

As a young teenager at the time of Castro's shift toward communism and his conflict with the Kennedy administration, I've always had a strong interest in what actually took place in Cuba in the late 50s and early 60s, particularly the efforts by Cubans in the U.S. and certain American government agencies to destabilize and even overthrow Castro's revolutionary government. Reading fairly authoritative books on the C.I.A. had prepared me for some of what lies behind "The Betrayal Game" (and I've long wondered how Castro might have governed if the U.S. had not been so hostile to him), but David Robbins' novel was a welcome reminder of how unprincipled and self-serving were those who tried to topple a government in Havana that was widely supported by the Cuban people. Robbins' book touches on the corporate interests that had much to do with American foreign policy in Latin America, the C.I.A.'s well-documented support for disaffected Cuban expats, and the involvement of the American crime families that had lost their lucrative gambling operations when Castro took over, but he also tells a gripping story with a strong human element, plus a diabolically neat twist at the end. This is the first of his books that I've read, but it certainly won't be the last.

This is my fourth David L. Robbins novel, and the first that did not concern World War II. As I did the others, I liked this one a lot. While the historical strength of the subject here does not quite equal that of The End of War, The Betrayal Game definitely tells an important tale on a still very important and ongoing subject -- Fidel Castro and his Cuba.

I very much enjoyed the credible web of intrigue the author managed to weave throughout this book, and the pacing of his presentation here is always just right. Moreover, David L. Robbins leaves no real doubt with the reader but that Robbins has done his research well. That too has contributed greatly to making this a great read.

Robbins' may be the most skilled contemporary American novelist when it comes to phrasing descriptions of scenes, moods, thoughts and actions. He is a master at choosing precise words of description and in placing them precisely where they need to be. That allows him to time and again succeed in placing the reader right where the reader needs to be to all but personally experience the story's action and the thinking of its characters.

You can't help but like this book and to appreciate the talent of its author. Enjoy.

Ken Keele

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.

After reading Assassins Gallery, Broken Jewel and Last Citadel I was hard pressed to think how Mr. Robbins could come up with another great read, let alone a good one. Seen as a sequel to The Assassins Gallery where we meet Mikail Lemmeck, Professor of History with a renown as an expert in the history of assassinations, we find Lemmeck some 16 years later. FDR and his possible assassination in Assassins Gallery has drifted into the mist of time, and now Lemmeck finds himself embroiled in 1961 Cuba, where Fidel Castro is almost 2 years into his ever tightening rule over that island nation. The turmoil and intensity there post take over,leaves open questions as to who Castro is, Communist or Democratic Liberator,with whom he will align himself, the US or the Soviets, the palpable sense someone or some organization will back the elimination of Castro and return Cuba to a de facto control by the US. Lemmeck continues his research as an academic, but the CIA,JFK, The Mob,the KGB and the security police for Castro, led by Johan who has been loyal to Castro from the beginning, all mix into a story of known history and educated possible reasons for what happened to the numerous plots to assassinate Castro.

Once again, Robbins does his meticulous homework injecting the details of history and rational conjecture in laying out how Castro was pursued by the most powerful nations on earth, supporters who betray their leader,as we all witnesses if it is individuals who make history, or is History itself the real master of events. A great read again, well paced and populated with characters who were there, and others who may or may not have been involved. You will either hate some people here, cheer for others, but will come away with a little bit of a "chill" as you realize how some agencies and governments move people around, betraying their ideals, friends. As avid readers we sometimes find a good story, sometimes great ones will not come to you, hit you, until you get past the first 150 pages or so. I found myself wondering this as well here, but in sticking with it and as I came to the close of the last chapter and page, that warm sense of knowing you have read a very, very good book and story washed over me. As a reader of History and its characters, you will get to wonder "what if" and maybe some "Oh My God" as you ponder the conclusions and consequences here. Good stuff!!

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.

Talk about timing. David L. Robbins has it, and not just in the literary sense. Robbins lays down his new book, THE BETRAYAL GAME --- dealing with a plot to assassinate Fidel Castro in 1961 --- and guess who retires within a couple of weeks after it hits the shelves? If there is any connection between Castro's abdication of his dictatorship and this fine novel, arguably it would be that the bearded one decided he wanted some time off to read this riveting work.

In his introduction, Robbins describes THE BETRAYAL GAME as "thinly fictionalized fact." Indeed, it centers on a plot to end Castro's life on the eve of a clandestine invasion by a U.S.-backed force. Though it is not conclusively documented, evidence would indicate that the coordinated assassination attempt was a joint effort conducted by the CIA and certain members of organized crime syndicates, the latter motivated by the nationalization of mob-owned businesses and industries in Cuba following Castro's takeover.

Robbins drops Mikhal Lammeck, professor of history and retired special forces instructor, into this cauldron as observer and historical force. Lammeck's welcome return --- he was first introduced in THE ASSASSIN'S GALLERY --- is fraught with danger, as he finds himself caught between opposing forces in post-revolutionary Cuba. First approached by (Pablo de Santana) Johan (Guerrero), the pleasant but enigmatic captain of Castro's security force, then by Bud Calendar, a CIA agent inflamed with his own sense of history and destiny, Lammeck finds himself being used as a pawn in a game he can't win. Ostensibly in Cuba to study historical assassinations, he is recruited by Johan to keep his ear to the ground for word of a potential assassination attempt.

Lammeck is still puzzling over his "recruitment" when he is approached by Calendar with an offer he can't refuse. Calendar wants Lammeck, a renowned weapons expert, to evaluate and train a former Marine sniper who has been tasked by the CIA to kill Castro. Lammeck walks a fine line, bouncing between what he can do and what he must do, and torn between doing what is right and what may well be wrong. His ability to judge the correct path becomes increasingly complicated as the motives of all parties involved grow more and more cloudy as the time for the assassination approaches, and he must make a choice that will change both his life and history forever.

Robbins lobs a major grenade into the proceedings here with a plausible supposition concerning one of the major players in THE BETRAYAL GAME, one that makes Lammeck's final path of action all the more ironic. Those readers who were of age in the early 1960s, as well as diligent students of events of the period, will see what is coming almost immediately. But such foreknowledge by no means spoils what occurs at the conclusion, given that it provides an interesting theory regarding one of modern history's most enduring puzzles. Those with only a passing familiarity of the era, on the other hand, will be stunned. If Robbins is going where I think he is, watch for Lammeck --- and at least two other characters --- to return in short order.

--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

David Robbins is a very talented writer and a mentor for aspiring writers. Growing up with him in a small down in VA and knowing the challenges he faced growing up in this town, he has lived an interesting Journey through life and the Journey through life continues for the both of us.
All of his NOVELS should be on your list, including this Novel.