Powder Burn by Carl Hiaasen

The provided text, "Powder Burn" by Carl Hiaasen, centers on Chris Meadows, an architect who becomes entangled in Miami's violent drug underworld after a series of personal tragedies. The narrative follows Meadows as he seeks revenge against José Bermúdez, a prominent Cuban banker and drug lord, believed to be responsible for the death of Meadows's loved ones. Meadows teams up with Captain Octavio Nelson, a Cuban-American police officer, and his pilot girlfriend, Terry, to dismantle Bermúdez's organization. The story highlights the widespread corruption and violence fueled by the drug trade in Miami, contrasting Meadows's "American way" of seeking justice with the brutal tactics of the Cuban and Colombian drug cartels. Ultimately, it culminates in Meadows's direct confrontation with Bermúdez, showcasing his transformation from an intellectual to a determined operative.