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Lowcountry Boil
Sam Larkin--former merchant marine and environmental officer in Louisiana--is unjustly sent to prison. Released under mysterious circumstances, Larkin moves to Covington, South Carolina, to begin a new, peaceful life. His newfound isolation is shattered when undercover federal agent Karen Chaney comes to town as part of a drug sting operation. Together they face an entrenched society willing to look the other way when crime pays and a group of high-profile conspirators ready to kill to make sure it does.
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 10, 2016
Fun book! I think I will move on to #2!
August 10, 2012
A suspenseful story in small town Covington, South Carolina with the main theme involving the DEA and drug smuggling.
My Take
There's a slow, lazy start to this story and reminds me of James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux series. Except the protagonist doesn't drink, is no longer in law enforcement, and just doesn't want to get involved.
I can't imagine that the DEA really would put an agent in an area just because of vague rumors, so that premise is a bit far-fetched to my mind. And her ex-hubby has a lot more clout than the usual since it was her request to come down to the lowcountry on her own. Even if it does make sense to insert only one person. It's just that there's no information she can provide or find.
Smith does a good job of providing enough information to keep me satisfied while keeping Sam's big secret on the back burner. It's always there in the back of my mind that I want to know what has caused a man like him to isolate himself---I do want his house---but not so much that it's all I can think of while I read. There's a strong sense of right and honor in this character and my mind went veering down that black ops path. There's a feel that Sam can protect himself, no problems.
I like the caution that Smith has Karen playing as well. It's very believable although I suspect part of my wanting her choosing to take a chance on Sam was my romantic side wanting them to get together and not Smith's writing efforts. I do appreciate Smith's treatment of Brad Coleman. Phew…nice, with a twist.
Yeah, the story has its clichés: the sexually harassing, redneck superior at work, the poor but honorable black man, the poor AND dishonorable po' white trash, the bad-guy men of power, the philandering weak husband, the wronged man, and clichés exist for a reason—they're true. Of course, the sex, race, and class is interchangeable. Then there are the unexpected characters like Isabel who coldly sets out to take her husband down, the honest little boys who do a damned good job of surveillance(!) and playing it smart, the widow who is comfortable in her own skin—in every sense of the word, and the man who wouldn't die.
If Bitta and Marvon are such great friends, how come Marvon doesn't know who Bitta's uncle is? Oh, please, poor Bill...he's "being used"...
It is a bit odd, though, that for all the thought of food, there isn't much mention of food. It's more about houses—their architecture and how they sit on the land—and the countryside itself.
Come to think of it, the whole story is a lowcountry boil. Smith slowly adds the ingredients and keeps us on simmer until it all heats up.
The Story
There are whispers and possibilities in Covington and DEA Agent Karen Chaney is here undercover to test the waters. It's not just the legal waters that she explores, however, as she gets under the skin of the town loner.
There's the banker's wife who's finally had enough. The widow who knows her own mind and enjoys her complete freedom. The deep, yet low-key friendship between Sam and Skeeter. Then there's Cedric. A decent man who fell into the trap of "why not me, someone else will take it".
The Characters
The mysterious Sam Larkin has slid on into Covington, South Carolina and, when his funds ran low building his house, he hired on to teach biology. Well, it makes perfect sense once you know what his previous job was. He's not interested in being anyone's friend, just to be left alone. He's been doing most of the work on his house since he ran low on money with some help from Skeeter. Mostly, though, he just wants to be with his books and painting.
Skeeter Crewes is Sam's only friend and it's a solid friendship, but nothing that requires closeness. He works when he can over at Harry Tom Cooper's Boat Dock. Ettie is his upstanding wife. Marvon Jeffries and Bitta Smalls are best friends, thirteen and eleven respectively. And very, very clever. Even if Smith did have my heart in my mouth at times.
Karen Chaney is an undercover DEA agent at Fish and Wildlife. Ray Breslin is a South Carolina Environmental Resources Officer and Karen's boss here in the area. Neil Dougherty is the supervisor and ex-husband who assigned her here. The Judge Thornton Hunnycuts of the world oughta be ashamed. Right along with the cops and lawyers involved!
Isabel Reichert is a very classy principal living precariously in her glass house. Bill is her philandering bank president husband. In name only. Cedrick Hamilton is a well-dressed, well-educated black man and superintendent of schools. His business as usual is gonna land him in some hot water. Morgan Hannah is a young widow happily living her life the way she wants its. No strings, no commitments.
Charlie Clay is a widower and a lawyer. Everything he built was to enjoy with his wife until she died. Now he spends most of his time with the Oyster Creek Inn, even tends bar upon occasion. Just lookin' for a bit of excitement. Brad Coleman is a middleman, a very successful one. Turner Lockett fishes, shrimps, and hunts for his living. For the good life, he's piloting smugglers through the bayou. Jared Barnes has worked with him shrimping, but now he's askin' too many questions.
The Cover
The cover is black and white, sorta. A little over one-third of the bottom is black and showcases the author's name while the less than two-thirds has the feel of one of those searingly hot days with its almost-white cloudless sky. That sky reflects in the low waters that form this landscape of bayou. Clumps of trees in the far distance, hummocks of grass up close, and more islands of grasses beyond the boats gathered in the waters. It's a lazy, hazy cover that just gets you in the mood.
The title makes you think of eatin' Cajun, boudin and shrimp, but I think this Lowcountry Boil refers to the cookin' that Sam and Karen are doin' on a suspicious group of the high and mighty of Covington.
My Take
There's a slow, lazy start to this story and reminds me of James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux series. Except the protagonist doesn't drink, is no longer in law enforcement, and just doesn't want to get involved.
I can't imagine that the DEA really would put an agent in an area just because of vague rumors, so that premise is a bit far-fetched to my mind. And her ex-hubby has a lot more clout than the usual since it was her request to come down to the lowcountry on her own. Even if it does make sense to insert only one person. It's just that there's no information she can provide or find.
Smith does a good job of providing enough information to keep me satisfied while keeping Sam's big secret on the back burner. It's always there in the back of my mind that I want to know what has caused a man like him to isolate himself---I do want his house---but not so much that it's all I can think of while I read. There's a strong sense of right and honor in this character and my mind went veering down that black ops path. There's a feel that Sam can protect himself, no problems.
I like the caution that Smith has Karen playing as well. It's very believable although I suspect part of my wanting her choosing to take a chance on Sam was my romantic side wanting them to get together and not Smith's writing efforts. I do appreciate Smith's treatment of Brad Coleman. Phew…nice, with a twist.
Yeah, the story has its clichés: the sexually harassing, redneck superior at work, the poor but honorable black man, the poor AND dishonorable po' white trash, the bad-guy men of power, the philandering weak husband, the wronged man, and clichés exist for a reason—they're true. Of course, the sex, race, and class is interchangeable. Then there are the unexpected characters like Isabel who coldly sets out to take her husband down, the honest little boys who do a damned good job of surveillance(!) and playing it smart, the widow who is comfortable in her own skin—in every sense of the word, and the man who wouldn't die.
If Bitta and Marvon are such great friends, how come Marvon doesn't know who Bitta's uncle is? Oh, please, poor Bill...he's "being used"...
It is a bit odd, though, that for all the thought of food, there isn't much mention of food. It's more about houses—their architecture and how they sit on the land—and the countryside itself.
Come to think of it, the whole story is a lowcountry boil. Smith slowly adds the ingredients and keeps us on simmer until it all heats up.
The Story
There are whispers and possibilities in Covington and DEA Agent Karen Chaney is here undercover to test the waters. It's not just the legal waters that she explores, however, as she gets under the skin of the town loner.
There's the banker's wife who's finally had enough. The widow who knows her own mind and enjoys her complete freedom. The deep, yet low-key friendship between Sam and Skeeter. Then there's Cedric. A decent man who fell into the trap of "why not me, someone else will take it".
The Characters
The mysterious Sam Larkin has slid on into Covington, South Carolina and, when his funds ran low building his house, he hired on to teach biology. Well, it makes perfect sense once you know what his previous job was. He's not interested in being anyone's friend, just to be left alone. He's been doing most of the work on his house since he ran low on money with some help from Skeeter. Mostly, though, he just wants to be with his books and painting.
Skeeter Crewes is Sam's only friend and it's a solid friendship, but nothing that requires closeness. He works when he can over at Harry Tom Cooper's Boat Dock. Ettie is his upstanding wife. Marvon Jeffries and Bitta Smalls are best friends, thirteen and eleven respectively. And very, very clever. Even if Smith did have my heart in my mouth at times.
Karen Chaney is an undercover DEA agent at Fish and Wildlife. Ray Breslin is a South Carolina Environmental Resources Officer and Karen's boss here in the area. Neil Dougherty is the supervisor and ex-husband who assigned her here. The Judge Thornton Hunnycuts of the world oughta be ashamed. Right along with the cops and lawyers involved!
Isabel Reichert is a very classy principal living precariously in her glass house. Bill is her philandering bank president husband. In name only. Cedrick Hamilton is a well-dressed, well-educated black man and superintendent of schools. His business as usual is gonna land him in some hot water. Morgan Hannah is a young widow happily living her life the way she wants its. No strings, no commitments.
Charlie Clay is a widower and a lawyer. Everything he built was to enjoy with his wife until she died. Now he spends most of his time with the Oyster Creek Inn, even tends bar upon occasion. Just lookin' for a bit of excitement. Brad Coleman is a middleman, a very successful one. Turner Lockett fishes, shrimps, and hunts for his living. For the good life, he's piloting smugglers through the bayou. Jared Barnes has worked with him shrimping, but now he's askin' too many questions.
The Cover
The cover is black and white, sorta. A little over one-third of the bottom is black and showcases the author's name while the less than two-thirds has the feel of one of those searingly hot days with its almost-white cloudless sky. That sky reflects in the low waters that form this landscape of bayou. Clumps of trees in the far distance, hummocks of grass up close, and more islands of grasses beyond the boats gathered in the waters. It's a lazy, hazy cover that just gets you in the mood.
The title makes you think of eatin' Cajun, boudin and shrimp, but I think this Lowcountry Boil refers to the cookin' that Sam and Karen are doin' on a suspicious group of the high and mighty of Covington.
February 11, 2023
I read several reviews criticizing this novel and almost chose not to read it. Nevertheless, I decided to try it and found myself liking it. Having lived in South Carolina most of my life and loving its Lowcountry as I do, I may have been a tad prejudiced to start with. I was also influenced to read the novel after reading a blurb that Pat Conroy, a favorite writer, wrote in favor of it. I liked watching the two main characters as they investigated the smuggling concern and tried to find out which people were involved in it. I didn't like the ending because it left unanswered questions, but that didn't detract from the story.
April 11, 2018
Occurs on Fripp Island. Covington = Hilton Head Islan
February 14, 2020
The South Carolina coastline plays a major part in this straightforward crime novel.
January 10, 2009
Okay-- I really liked this book. I like the way it captured my lowcountry (well, a little further south from me, but still mine). I liked the characters. I liked the story. I'm definitely going to look more for this author, even though I feel like an idiot. Why do I feel like an idiot? Because I met the man today, really enjoyed hearing him speak, dragged my copy of the book with me and forgot to have him sign the blasted thing. Ah well.
From The Critics
Library Journal
Covington, SC, is a small coastal community in which everyone knows his neighbor and an outsider is an outsider for life. That suits Sam Larkin perfectly, for he has a past that he is trying to escape. When Karen Chaney comes to town as an undercover agent for the Drug Enforcement Agency, she identifies Sam as a kindred spirit on more than one level and starts probing into his secret past. When Karen eventually levels with him concerning her assignment, Sam proves a valuable but reluctant asset to her investigation, as well as a viable love interest. However, Smith (Nothin' Left To Lose) has created more than a simple love story: Covington's premier attorney, local bank president, and superintendent of schools as well as other local dignitaries-along with a few local lowlifes-have been smuggling drugs into the country for several years and are planning the ultimate run before retiring forever from the drug scene. A captivating page-turner, with love and intrigue, good characterization, loads of local color, and a drug bust that will keep the reader spellbound to the end, this is recommended for most fiction collections.-Thomas L. Kilpatrick, formerly with Southern Illinois Univ. Lib., Carbondale Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
From The Critics
Library Journal
Covington, SC, is a small coastal community in which everyone knows his neighbor and an outsider is an outsider for life. That suits Sam Larkin perfectly, for he has a past that he is trying to escape. When Karen Chaney comes to town as an undercover agent for the Drug Enforcement Agency, she identifies Sam as a kindred spirit on more than one level and starts probing into his secret past. When Karen eventually levels with him concerning her assignment, Sam proves a valuable but reluctant asset to her investigation, as well as a viable love interest. However, Smith (Nothin' Left To Lose) has created more than a simple love story: Covington's premier attorney, local bank president, and superintendent of schools as well as other local dignitaries-along with a few local lowlifes-have been smuggling drugs into the country for several years and are planning the ultimate run before retiring forever from the drug scene. A captivating page-turner, with love and intrigue, good characterization, loads of local color, and a drug bust that will keep the reader spellbound to the end, this is recommended for most fiction collections.-Thomas L. Kilpatrick, formerly with Southern Illinois Univ. Lib., Carbondale Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Read
August 6, 2007A few weeks ago, a friend let me borrow a book she had read and recommended. It's called LowCountry Boil and is by Carl T. Smith. She was right - it was very good. It is set in South Carolina (though it's a fictional town, I believe). It has that lovely crime element that I can't help but love, but also some love stories to go along. Since I enjoyed the book, I checked out his website. It turns out he only has one other, older book (Nothing Left to Lose) but just released a new book (and I mean JUST...9/1 was the release date). I will definitely put these on my "to read" list. Oh, the new book is entitled Louisiana Burn. I also saw on his site that he'll be making some appearances in Charlotte next week. Hmmm...might have to think about that.
**I've had a horrible time locating his other books.
**I've had a horrible time locating his other books.
September 9, 2013
This book started out very slow. There were a lot of characters and getting them all introduced took time but when I was at almost 100 pages, I was ready to put it down. I kept reading because I believed that it would all come together shortly, and it finally did. The ending was very good and all loose ends wrapped up nicely. Several sub-plots that made things confusing and the story skipped around so it was equally difficult to follow. This is the first of a trilogy and I have to really think about reading the rest. I do love the setting of coastal South Carolina and that may be enough of a draw.
December 12, 2012
The author did a wonderful job of explaining the details focusing on the plot without giving away too much information or having it overwhelm the reader. There is enough mystery in the story to keep one interested and attuned to what was going on.
The story had way too may clichés in the book, it was like an onslaught. This strove to make the characters more one dimensional than they should have been and not having unique and individual personalities coming through.
Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The story had way too may clichés in the book, it was like an onslaught. This strove to make the characters more one dimensional than they should have been and not having unique and individual personalities coming through.
Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2011
Loosely based on real events in the 1970s in Beaufort County, SC, Lowcountry Boil, follows corruption and drug smuggling in the Lowcountry. Sam Larkin, known as an enigma around town, has taken a job teaching at the high school. In his spare time he is finishing his house on the water. That’s where he meets Karen Chaney, a DEA agent on an undercover operation. The DEA has reason to believe that Covington, SC has become a drop point for marijuana smugglers
May 30, 2012
I bought this book several years ago while in Charleston. It came recommended by Pat Conroy, my favorite author. It seemed like an appropriate read while vacationing in the Carolina Lowcountry on Folly Island. Smith is an actor. I recognized his picture on the dust cover. Conroy was right. The guy is an author, too. Nice suspense, a little steamy romance, and a great sense of place.
April 23, 2013
WOW! That was my reaction as I finished this book. What a great read. It should be made into a movie. I thought at first the jumping from character view point to character view point, it would be difficult to follow. But it only added to the intensity.
The characters, the use of local dialect, the setting in the SC Lowcountry all add to the greatest of the book.
The characters, the use of local dialect, the setting in the SC Lowcountry all add to the greatest of the book.
Read
March 16, 2016Nowadays, if I put a book down for a day or two, when I pick it back up I sometimes can't remember who's who. Not the case with these really well-drawn characters. Beautiful use of language in describing the SC coast. At the conclusion, the author also gives you something to ponder concerning the "war on drugs." Good read.
September 28, 2010
Liked it for a nice relaxing read and because I love the Lowcountry! Good characters and a great break from my normally dense reads.
April 14, 2013
Good action based novel with complex characters. I am glad it is first in a trilogy.
May 6, 2013
I read this because a student of the author recommended it. I enjoyed it very much. I'm going to start the second book of the trilogy next.
May 13, 2022
This book was awesome and I would read it again. Will tell my friends about this book and let them read it!!!😎😇
December 26, 2012
ADORED this book, the setting, the suspense and the characters are very compelling!
Read
January 3, 20181/3/18
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews