Isolated cases of Police Literature in Cuba can be traced on the early years of XX century; the genre officially made its bow at the literature world with two novels closely related regarding to their releasing date, we are talking about Enigma para un Domingo (Enigma for a Sunday) (1971) by Ignacio Cárdenas Acuña and La ronda de los rubies (The rubies` Patrol) (1973) by Armando Cristóbal Pérez.

Making a glance over this genre, we can't simply ignore such internationally-awarded works and writers as Daniel Chavarría, winner of Dashiell Hammett in 1992; writer of Joy and Adiós Muchachos, this last book received the Mystery Writers of America`s Edgar Allan Poe Prize. As soon as it was leaked out the news that a Spanish-language translation defeated four Anglo-Saxon finalists, well-known writers for the North American public, the attendees for the awarding feast wondered about what could have written a Cuban writer to deserve such coveted recognition. But Daniel Chavarría did no more than writing as he always does, he jumpstarts a hugely readable novel, combining sex and humor with an impeccable police scheme.

Around the 80`s, Leonardo Padura`s pen joined the high-profile army of this genre in Cuba, as also well-praised writer, he created a knitted-with-fine-yarn character: the officer Mario Conde, protagonist for Pasado perfecto (Perfect Past), Vientos de cuaresma (Winds of Lent), Máscaras y Paisaje de otoño (Autumn Masks and Landscapes), just to mention a few. Other writers have left milestones pieces of this genre, highlighting Guillermo Rodríguez, Luis Rogelio Nogueras and Juan Ángel Cardi.

The annual Contest of Police Literature "Aniversario del Triunfo de la Revolución", has fueled the consolidation of this genre and its most recent edition acknowledged La calavera de Cristal (The crystal skull) novel by Orlando Hechavarría Fiol with the Main Prize, and the second reward was for Leonelo Abello Mesa`s La espera del cazador (The Hunter`s Waiting).

Consulted from article "A propósito del centenario de Georges Simenon", by Leonardo Depestre Catony. Published by Cubaliteraria