Cuban mystery writer loves tidy endings
 
Sherry Boas
Sentinel Correspondent

September 7, 2002

When mystery writer Carolina García-Aguilera was a child growing up in Havana, Cuba during the 1950s, she loved to read the Spanish translation of books like Nancy Drew and Sherlock Holmes.

She had no idea then that her own books would one day be written in English and translated into her native language.

The Rollins College graduate and author of the award-winning novel Havana Heat, spoke at a recent book signing at the Citrus Ridge County Library in south Lake County.

"The classic example of escaping reality was me. During the revolution there were gunshots outside my house all the time. I spent a lot of time reading under the kitchen table," she said. "To be a writer, you have to be a reader."

García-Aguilera, 52, now lives in Miami, but moved to New York City with her family after the revolution. She graduated from Rollins College in 1972 and holds an MBA from University of South Florida. She spent 10 years working as a private investigator before becoming a writer of mystery novels and has published seven novels since 1996. Havana Heat won the 2001 Shamus award by the Private Eye Writers of America.

"Detective novels have tidy endings. Everything is always wrapped up and there is a sense of justice. That has always appealed to me," she said.

Her books have been translated into a dozen different languages including Spanish. She said a deal is currently in development with the ABC television network to produce a series based on her book Bloody Waters.

Her first six books revolve around the character of Lupe Solano, a Miami-based Cuban-American woman who is a private investigator by profession.

"I had the idea to do book about a Cuban-American woman detective and I thought if I get a job as a private investigator first, I'd know more about my subject," said García-Aguilera, who is also the mother of three daughters.

Her plan was to work as a private investigator for three to six months. Ten years later she was still on the job.

In 1995 she decided to write full-time. Her first book, Bloody Waters, was published in 1996.

García-Aguilera said she tends to do her writing at night, from around 9 p.m. until 3 or 4 in the morning. Writing daily is always a goal.

"I write a chapter each day. Every chapter has a beginning, middle and end. I find that a doable, manageable goal."

Six years and six mysteries later, García-Aguilera switched lanes again, venturing into a different literary genre. She wrote her first contemporary romance novel.

Rayo/Harper Collins released One Hot Summer in June 2002. A love story rich with generational and cultural conflicts she said are faced by many Cuban-American professional women, García-Aguilera's newest book is meant to be a light read. She said it was also a fun book to write.

Margarita Castañer, a staff member at the Citrus Ridge County Library, has read several of García-Aquilera's books and was excited to meet her.

"Her books are easy for me to read in English," said Castañer, the coordinator of English-as-a-second-language classes at the library. Several other authors are scheduled to give presentations and book signings at Citrus Ridge County Library in September and through the fall and winter. For more information call toll-free 877-292-7930 or 352-243-1840.

Copyright © 2002, Orlando Sentinel