Leonardo Padura was born in 1955 in Havana and lives in Cuba. He has published a number of short story collections and literary essays but international fame came with the Havana Quartet, all featuring Inspector Mario Conde.Like many others of his generation, Padura had faced the question of leaving, particularly in the late 80s and early 90s, when living conditions deteriorated sharply as Russian aid evaporated. He chose to stay. And to write beautiful ironic novels in which Soviet style socialism is condemned by implication through scenes of Havana life where even the police is savagely policed.The crime novels feed on the noises and smells of Havana, on the ability of its inhabitants to keep joking, to make love and music, to drink rum, and to survive through petty crime such as running clandestine bars and restaurants.

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