Markéta Pilátová: Tsunami blues

Personal Cuban experiences and contacts served as inspiration for Markéta Pilátová's third novel, Tsunami Blues. The story is set in the present day, but its roots lie deep in the 20th century: In 2004 in Thailand, a young trumpeter Karla loses her parents and her ability to play and compose music due to the tsunami. Thanks to the Cuban emigrant Lázaro, Karla learns Spanish. Her knowledge of Spanish enables her to go on an adventurous expedition to Cuba with Jenůfa, an aging Hispanic woman whose life hides many ancient secrets. The journey to support the opponents of the totalitarian regime is not going well and powerful shadows of the past are entering the scene. The author has proven her excellent knowledge of everyday Cuban life and has managed to create a well thought out plot with elements of a spy novel.