Miami Heat

The promising plot of this first novel--an ex-FBI man is caught up in a Cuban and KGB-backed scheme to murder Castro and must, at great risk, work through a series of mazes to foil the plan--is defeated by verbosity and inept characterization. The hero, David Knight, is a dullard with a tendency toward emotionalism--``a wetness in his eyes'' is not uncommon--and the major difference between Americans and Cubans is the latters' more formal speech. While a would-be John Wayne cold warrior convinces, the local color of Florida, Spain and Mexico is no more exciting than a shopping mall. The interesting concepts of Castro's betrayal by his Soviet patrons and the view of Miami as a new Casablanca haven't a chance against all the words (``Her comments increased his data base with additional information to test theories by hypothesis as well as speculation.''oy! ). With better editing, Sanford's thriller might have delivered on its promise. (Feb.)