The Cuban Heiress

Informationen zum Autor Originally from Florida, Chanel Cleeton grew up on stories of her family's exodus from Cuba following the events of the Cuban Revolution. Her passion for politics and history continued during her years spent studying in England, where she earned a bachelor's degree in International Relations from Richmond, The American International University in London, and a master's degree in Global Politics from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Chanel also received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Klappentext "In 1934, the ultimate vacation becomes a fight for survival as the secrets of two women's pasts collide aboard a luxury cruise liner on a round-trip voyage from New York to Havana in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton's page-turning new novel inspired by the true story of the tragedy of the SS Morro Castle. New York heiress Catherine Dohan seemingly has it all. There's only one problem. It's a lie. As soon as the Morro Castle leaves port, Catherine's past returns with a vengeance and threatens her life. Joining forces with a charismatic jewel thief, Catherine must discover who wants her dead-and why. Elena Palacio is a dead woman. Or so everyone thinks. After a devastating betrayal left her penniless and on the run, Elena's journey on the Morro Castle is her last hope. Steeped in secrecy and a burning desire for revenge, her return to Havana is a chance to right the wrong that has been done to her-and her prey is on the ship. As danger swirls aboard the Morro Castle and their fates intertwine, Elena and Catherine must risk everything to see justice served once and for all"-- Leseprobe Chapter One Elena The dead woman stands in the line for the tourist-class passengers, her shoes pinching her toes, the cheap fabric of her dress itching her skin. The Morro Castle's diligent clerk examines her papers-the fake passport, the assumed name-Elena Reyes-hopefully flawless enough to pass muster. She certainly paid enough for them, money she could ill afford. The clerk glances down at Elena's photograph on the documents and back at her face again, comparing the two for any obvious differences. The photo itself is genuine, the image contained there of a young Cuban woman looking surprisingly vibrant considering she is essentially-for practical purposes, at least-a ghost. It was taken two weeks ago in an apartment building in Greenwich Village by a man to whom Elena gave nearly her entire life savings to be able to get on this ship. It was worth every penny and then some. The clerk waves her on. A group of women pass by, their laughter spilling out on the gangway. Her fellow passengers are in high spirits despite the tourist-class accommodations, their excitement over their weeklong party on this round-trip voyage from New York to Havana obvious. This ship is billed as a fantasy for those wealthy enough to afford it in these difficult times. Before the repeal of Prohibition, the Morro Castle-named after the fortress guarding the Havana Harbor-offered an alcohol-filled cruise, where passengers could escape the dry streets and raging economic depression. Now that liquor is again legally available in the United States, the cruise's appeal hasn't lessened much. Thanks to the Labor Day holiday weekend, the pier is packed with guests in a celebratory mood. There's a breeze in the air as Elena walks on deck, her dark brown hair whipping around her. Guests hang over the railing waving to friends and family on the dock below as though they will be separated for far longer than a week. But that's part of the adventure-the sensation that they are all embarking on uncharted territory, the voyage brimming with unlimited possibilities. Elena leans over the railing herself, scanning the crowd. She's antsy for the ship to leave port, for the first ...

Autorentext

Originally from Florida, Chanel Cleeton grew up on stories of her family's exodus from Cuba following the events of the Cuban Revolution. Her passion for politics and history continued during her years spent studying in England, where she earned a bachelor's degree in International Relations from Richmond, The American International University in London, and a master's degree in Global Politics from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Chanel also received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Klappentext

**An NPR Books We Love selection for 2023

"An unforgettable read that should be at the top of every TBR list."—NPR

In 1934, a luxury cruise becomes a fight for survival as two women’s pasts collide on a round-trip voyage from New York to Havana in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton's page-turning new novel inspired by the true story of the SS Morro Castle.

New York heiress Catherine Dohan seemingly has it all. There’s only one problem. It’s a lie. As soon as the Morro Castle leaves port, Catherine’s past returns with a vengeance and threatens her life. Joining forces with a charismatic jewel thief, Catherine must discover who wants her dead—and why.

Elena Palacio is a dead woman. Or so everyone thinks. After a devastating betrayal left her penniless and on the run, Elena’s journey on the Morro Castle is her last hope. Steeped in secrecy and a burning desire for revenge, her return to Havana is a chance to right the wrong that has been done to her—and her prey is on the ship.

As danger swirls aboard the Morro Castle and their fates intertwine, Elena and Catherine must risk everything to see justice served once and for all.

Leseprobe
Chapter One

Elena

The dead woman stands in the line for the tourist-class passengers, her shoes pinching her toes, the cheap fabric of her dress itching her skin. The Morro Castle's diligent clerk examines her papers-the fake passport, the assumed name-Elena Reyes-hopefully flawless enough to pass muster. She certainly paid enough for them, money she could ill afford.

The clerk glances down at Elena's photograph on the documents and back at her face again, comparing the two for any obvious differences.

The photo itself is genuine, the image contained there of a young Cuban woman looking surprisingly vibrant considering she is essentially-for practical purposes, at least-a ghost. It was taken two weeks ago in an apartment building in Greenwich Village by a man to whom Elena gave nearly her entire life savings to be able to get on this ship.

It was worth every penny and then some.

The clerk waves her on.

A group of women pass by, their laughter spilling out on the gangway.

Her fellow passengers are in high spirits despite the tourist-class accommodations, their excitement over their weeklong party on this round-trip voyage from New York to Havana obvious.

This ship is billed as a fantasy for those wealthy enough to afford it in these difficult times.

Before the repeal of Prohibition, the Morro Castle-named after the fortress guarding the Havana Harbor-offered an alcohol-filled cruise, where passengers could escape the dry streets and raging economic depression. Now that liquor is again legally available in the United States, the cruise's appeal hasn't lessened much. Thanks to the Labor Day holiday weekend, the pier is packed with guests in a celebratory mood.

There's a breeze in the air as Elena walks on deck, her dark brown hair whipping around her. Guests hang over the railing waving to friends and family on the dock below as though they will be separated for far longer than a week. But that's part of the adventure-the sensation that they are all embarking on uncharted territory, the voyage brimming with unlimited possibilities.

Elena leans over the railing herself, scanning the crowd. She's antsy for the ship to leave port, for the first part of her …