Praise
This is one bangin' thriller! In seeking the cause of his uncle's sudden death, a promising Georgetown college student stumbles into an international conspiracy of epic proportions - and is pulled in deep. Set during the Cuban Missile Crisis, rich in historical detail, this story had me at hello - I couldn't flip the Kindle pages fast enough. Written so vividly that it made me wonder if there really *was* more to that dangerous moment in history than what was told in the newspapers. Tom Clancy, John Le Carre, and Daniel Silva - you've got some serious competition.
Great read! I'm looking forward to more books in the series.
This is a wonderful novel based on events surrounding the Cuban Missile crisis in 1962. I had so much fun reliving this period when I was a 16-year old vaguely aware of what was going on. According to the author, this story was ten years in the making, and he has brought scores of memories back with his detailed and period-perfect descriptions of locations, venues and credible characters. From the upscale--opulent mansions, Adlai Stevenson's suite in the Waldolf Astoria and the Pool Room of the Four Seasons in NYC-- to humble--gang turf in NYC, Caribbean airports and back country locations in Cuba and Puerto Rico, it is easy to feel the plot sequencing and make you want to turn the page to the next plot event. Lou Santiago has created an exciting plot that he melds with historic background details and concludes with a bold plot event even established action authors seldom approach.
I enjoyed the history review, especially relevant today, the flashbacks to my teens and the constant plot action.
Looking forward to where Daniel Guerrero will appear next.
I highly suggest everyone go out and pick up this thriller. I couldn’t put it down, it’s a masterpiece.
Absolutely wonderful first novel. Gripping, suspenseful, and completely believable characters and storyline. It's going to make a great mini series. Keep going, I can't wait for the next one!! Loved the local Montclair connection- I knew exactly which house the Senator lived in even before you showed the address...
After the missiles of October comes the warheads of December
Reviewed in Ireland on 19 April 2026
Format: Hardcover
To anyone alive during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and who breathed a sigh of relief when it was over at the end of 13 terrifying days, author Louis G. Santiago offers The Ambassador's Apprentice, which lets you know … it really wasn’t over.
Santiago has cleverly rooted his adventure thriller in a frightening omission in the actual U.S.-Soviet Union deal that kept the Cold War from suddenly turning nuclear hot.
The omission? Nah, that'd be a spoiler. What you need to know about the author’s debut novel is that it is a great read. Its hero is Daniel Guerrero, who came from the tough streets of a New York City housing project to Georgetown University, where he’s latched on to a summer internship with UN Ambassador Adlai Stevenson. On an errand for Stevenson to Puerto Rico he stumbles onto a plot to hijack several nuclear warheads before the Soviets can take them home. Part James Bond, part Indiana Jones, all thoroughly enjoyable.