The Betrayal Game

Mikhal Lammeck #2

by David L. Robbins

The breathtaking new thriller by suspense master David L. Robbins of a conspiracy so explosive, it could only be told as fiction. You know only half the story. Now the other half will blow you away.

Can one man make history—and can another change it with a single bullet? It was a question that Professor Mikhal Lammeck had devoted his life to answering. An expert on history’s great political assassinations, he’s come to Havana in the spring of 1961 to seek the answer firsthand. For the more he sees of Cuba’s charismatic revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro, the more he’s convinced that he’s witnessing that rarest anomaly: the man who can change history…and who therefore must be murdered.

The wild CIA plots, the treacherous double crosses, the near- miraculous escapes, are already legendary, but it seems as if Castro’s number is finally up. With a massive U.S.-backed invasion of the island looming, a trap has been set that not even Castro can escape. The players of this deadly assassination game are as varied as they are lethal—organized-crime figures, CIA agents, the Cuban underground, even a reclusive American billionaire. And now, perhaps most unlikely of all, a distinguished history professor.

Mikhal Lammeck is thrust dead-center between a Cuban secret-police captain and a chillingly amoral American CIA agent. It’s a devil’s bargain, one that Lammeck has no choice but to accept, and it will give him unprecedented access to the secret history of one of the twentieth century’s greatest coups. Lammeck suddenly finds himself no longer only studying history, but making it. He soon becomes the unwilling mentor of a young man who’s arrived in Cuba—a confused marine sharpshooter determined to become the century’s most infamous assassin.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Thriller, Historical, Action, Audiobook, Mystery

365 pages, Hardcover

First published January 29, 2008

About the author

David L. Robbins was born in Richmond, Virginia, on March 10, 1954. He grew up in Sandston, a small town east of Richmond out by the airport; his father was among the first to sit behind the new radar scope in the air traffic control tower. Both his parents, Sam and Carol, were veterans of WWII. Sam saw action in the Pacific, especially at Pearl Harbor.

In 1976, David graduated with a B.A. in Theater and Speech from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Having little actual theatrical talent, he didn't know what to do for a living. David decided to attend what he calls the “great catch-basin of unfocused over-achievers”: law school. He received his Juris Doctorate at William and Mary in 1980, then practiced environmental law in Columbia, S.C. for precisely a year (his father demanded back the money for law school if David practiced for less than one year – he quit two weeks before the anniversary but got Sam to agree that the two weeks' vacation David had accumulated could be included). David decided to attend Psychology school, having an affinity for people's stories and a fascination with woe. However, while waiting for admisison in 1981, he began a successful freelance writing career. He began writing fiction in 1997, and has since published twelve novels. He's currently working on the thirteenth, the third in his U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen series, as well as several scripts for the stage and screen. He has won awards for his essays and screenplays, and has had three stage plays produced.

David is an accomplished guitarist, studying the works of James Taylor and Latin classical. At six feet six inches tall, he stays active with his sailboat, shooting sporting clays, weightlifting, traveling to research his novels. He is the founder of the James River Writers (Jamesriverwriters.org) a non-profit group in his hometown of Richmond that helps aspiring writers and students work and learn together as a writing community. He also co-founded The Podium Foundation (thepodiumfoundation.org), a non-profit which brings writing and critical reasoning programs to the students of Richmond’s city high schools, as well as support programs for city educators. He also teaches advanced creative writing as a visiting professor at Virginia Commonwealth University's Honors College. David resides in Richmond, near the James River.

Reviews

[Kara Babcock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavy on the suspense and light on the car chases, The Betrayal Game delivers on exactly what it promises, nothing more, nothing less.

Essentially what that means is if you're predisposed to liking David l. Robbins' books or thrillers about assassination plots, you're going to like this book. It fits the formula. The main character (who appears in another book by Robbins, apparently--this is my first Robbins book) is an intellectual, but instead of being an ineffectual egghead, he's a capable fighter. The enemies are numerous, and as the title implies, some of them come posing as friends.

What I really enjoyed about this book was how it totally ignored it was 1961. By that I don't mean that it's historically inaccurate; I mean that it reads like any other thriller set in the present day. It just happens to take place in 1961. Unlike many other pieces of historical fiction, which seem to point at themselves and say, "Hey, look at me, I'm in this historical period, and here's all the stereotypes!", The Betrayal Game is confident enough in its own plotting to tell you: it's 1961, Castro vs. Kennedy no-holds-barred, oh, and there's another assassination attempt.

Really, it's hard to complain about this book. There's nothing wrong with it. It's not a great book; like most thrillers, it's formulaic and rather predictable. But if you ignore the fact that it's formula and just let yourself enjoy watching the story play out, you will have a good time.

[Chuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

A history professor who's specialty is assassins gets caught up in a CIA plot to assassinate Fidel Castro in the 1960s. This is a so-so story.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

i especially enjoyed the true history at the end of the book.

[Rancher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Authentic feel for time and place. Love the portrayal of Fidel Castro. Great fun! Exciting reveal near the end.

[Rho · Rating 1 out of 5]

Enjoyed book 1 of this series. Could not get into this one. Slow , too many characters , not a believable story line.

[Lexie · Rating 3 out of 5]

See the review on my blog!!!!!!! W&M alum time!!!!!!!

[Marty Greenwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, especially the way that it is so close to the real history of the time before the Bay of Pigs. A bit too many twists of the plots, for me.

[Karl Jorgenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of David Robbins, ever since 'War of the Rats'. Here he brings back Lammeck, the professor of assassination. Lammeck has come to Cuba to research a book about assassins, assuming that Fidel is about to catch a bullet. This is the thinnest of excuses for Lammeck's involvement, and it jars me here as it did in the 'The Assassin's Gallery'. Lammeck is both bookish professor AND James Bond. By having it both ways, I don't really believe either. A CIA agent threatens Lammeck with death and destruction if he doesn't risk his life to help assassinate Castro. Lammeck, afraid and unable to defend himself, agrees. Next, Lammeck, super spy, runs his own game, helping the assassins, then not helping them. He's resolute, unstoppable, and won't compromise his principles. Where were all these traits when the CIA leaned on him? Really, one or the other, but not both.
That said, the rest of the plot is wonderful, with layers of deception, conspiracy, and humanity, including one big surprise I saw coming from a mile away, either because I've read this book before (possible) or because I've seen the same device used elsewhere (I have). A wonderful thriller, once you're past Lammeck's unlikely behavior.

[Stefan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed most of Robbin's works and though this was not my favorite work of his, it was not his worst work either. The action was pretty much non-stop. The dialogue and plot line was intelligent and thoughtout. Though I've never been to Cuba, the geography was sort of fun to read about. This book has some clever plot twists some of which resulted in me being awestruck with amazement. A book that is well written with believeable characters, well researched settings, and a fast plot. Recommended.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this before The Assassins Gallery (which is one of the worst novels I've ever read) and this one is much, much better. But that's a very low bar. This is a very mediocre novel despite the interesting history behind it. Robbins is an ok writer but the Lammeck character is a dull, uninteresting block of wood. He's one of the worst protagonists in thriller history. The Lee Harvey Oswald angle is interesting if predictable. I would give The Betrayal Game a 2.5 but since that's not an option I'm rounding up.

It's a so so story but do yourself a favor and stay far, far away from book 1.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read most of the books by this author and generally enjoy them. He does extensive research and never fails to get me wrapped up in the story. That being said I feel this was not his strongest book to date and the fact that he has a recurring main character makes me hope he isn't starting a series.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Betrayal Game explores the world of covert operatives in Cuba prior to the Bay of Pigs. Though the story follows Mikhail Lammeck, a fictional main character, many of the people and events mentioned were real. As in War of the Rats, Robbins' compelling plots, along with excellent research, make for a suspenseful story/history lesson.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first David Robbins book I've read and another good mind-candy type read. I haven't been a big fan of historical books, even as fiction, but this was a page turner that I couldn't put down. I'll try another of his books one day.

[Simon Koenig · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Robbins is one of favorite Historical Fiction writers. While compelling, this work was not as solid as his other novels. Still a good read the characters were not as developed nor did there seem to be an overriding theme to the novel. I still recommend it but, like prior works better.

[Garry · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting but a slow read

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fidel Castro, plots to kill, Cuba 1960's. Good beach read.

[Wynter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good spy novel, I really enjoyed the book.

[Marion Mockridge · Rating 1 out of 5]

Audio book: This plot is a roundabout way to a disappointing end.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating what if fiction.

[Jeff Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever historical thriller.

[Tory Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Betrayal Game by David Robbins is a fictionalized account of the plot in the early 60's to assassinate Fidel Castro. Robbins does an excellent job of grounding the story in historical fact while creating a suspenseful story. The characters, both historical and fictional, are fully realized and the action is gripping. While most readers know the outcome of the story, the writing will draw you in and demand your attention. Robbins ends with several appendices filled with verified historical facts.