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Noah Braddock #3
Liquid Smoke
The third novel in the Noah Braddock series!Private eye Noah Braddock has finally found peace in his once tumultuous relationship with Detective Liz Santangelo and has called a tentative truce with his alcoholic mother, Carolina. So when lawyer Darcy Gill demands that he look into a hopeless death row case, he's more interested in catching some waves before San Diego's rare winter weather takes hold. Then Darcy plays her trump the man scheduled to die-convicted of killing two men in cold blood-is the father Noah never knew.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2011
30 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Shelby
63 books173 followersJeff Shelby grew up around the beaches of Southern California and graduated from the University of California at Irvine. He is the author of the bestselling Noah Braddock series (Killer Swell, Wicked Break, Liquid Smoke), the stand alone thriller Thread of Hope, and the Deuce Winters series (Stay At Home Dead), written under the name Jeffrey Allen. He lives in Dallas, TX.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 17, 2011
Surfer dude/P.I. Noah Braddock of San Diego is approached by a defense attorney who represents his absentee father who is on death row, his execution imminent. This is the intriguing set up for a nifty hardboiled private detective yarn. Great snappy dialogue, wicked twists, and cinematic pacing also add to its considerable appeal. A new fan, I will be following the series.
August 29, 2011
Absolutely the best!!
January 27, 2012
OMG NO WAI! Did you read that ending? I was all O.O And then I was all ...but, but, but... whyyyyyyyyyy? How did this.... I just.... I... I... *catatonic silence* Seriously, guys, the entire last 3rd of the book was an emotional roller coaster ride. I was shocked, disgusted, shocked again, heart broken and otherwise thrown for a loop by the twists and turns. Well played, Jeff Shelby. Well played.
Coming into this book with no background on what had come before, I found Noah and his crew to be interesting and not at all difficult to follow. Although there were some mentions of happenings from previous books (some of which I gleaned were fairly BIG happenings), I was never left floundering or weeping in confusion. To be honest, I rarely weep in confusion. But that's neither here nor there. I didn't weep this time. Nope.
The biggest thing I noticed with this book is that so many of the characters tried their mightiest to manipulate Noah into doing things for them. For being someone who is trying like hell to do the right thing, Darcy was not my favorite person. She used Noah's emotions against him without caring about how it would impact him. Meanwhile, his father... well, let's just say that he impressed me with the lengths he was willing to go to. Not in a good way.
Now, I should back up here and say that both Carter and Liz are exceptions to this. Liz is quietly supportive and offers Noah advice when the topic of his father comes up. And she's spot on with many of the things she says. Carter doesn't have Liz's quiet grace. He's flashy and boisterous but he has Noah's back when the chips are down. This is even after being hurt by Noah keeping secrets from him. I love that whole bromance thing. It's makes me tingly.
The twists and turns are hard and brutal and the ending took my breath away. Did I enjoy this book? Based on the ending alone: Yeah, I did. Would I have been in an unstoppable emotional tailspin if I had read the first two books in the series first? I hesitate to think of my wide-eyed blubbering if I had. So, yeah. While I definitely liked diving into Noah's world, I wasn't nearly as invested in the characters as I would have been if I had started with book1.
However, this book was still a compelling read.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Coming into this book with no background on what had come before, I found Noah and his crew to be interesting and not at all difficult to follow. Although there were some mentions of happenings from previous books (some of which I gleaned were fairly BIG happenings), I was never left floundering or weeping in confusion. To be honest, I rarely weep in confusion. But that's neither here nor there. I didn't weep this time. Nope.
The biggest thing I noticed with this book is that so many of the characters tried their mightiest to manipulate Noah into doing things for them. For being someone who is trying like hell to do the right thing, Darcy was not my favorite person. She used Noah's emotions against him without caring about how it would impact him. Meanwhile, his father... well, let's just say that he impressed me with the lengths he was willing to go to. Not in a good way.
Now, I should back up here and say that both Carter and Liz are exceptions to this. Liz is quietly supportive and offers Noah advice when the topic of his father comes up. And she's spot on with many of the things she says. Carter doesn't have Liz's quiet grace. He's flashy and boisterous but he has Noah's back when the chips are down. This is even after being hurt by Noah keeping secrets from him. I love that whole bromance thing. It's makes me tingly.
The twists and turns are hard and brutal and the ending took my breath away. Did I enjoy this book? Based on the ending alone: Yeah, I did. Would I have been in an unstoppable emotional tailspin if I had read the first two books in the series first? I hesitate to think of my wide-eyed blubbering if I had. So, yeah. While I definitely liked diving into Noah's world, I wasn't nearly as invested in the characters as I would have been if I had started with book1.
However, this book was still a compelling read.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
September 1, 2011
"Liquid Smoke", by Jeff Shelby, is a suspenseful novel with a Private Investigator by the name of Noah Braddock, as it's main character. Braddock is approached by Darcy Gill an attorney representing a soon to be executed Death Row Inmate in San Quentin. She, Darcy, is attempting to recruit Braddock into assisting her, but Braddock is not overly committed to helping a man convicted of murdering two men.
What Braddock finally learns after turning down the case several times is that this convicted killer is his father. A man he never knew nor had any inclination of finding. Russell Simington, the convicted killer is scheduled to be executed within the month and Darcy Gill is trying to have his execution overturn and set to a life sentence.
Once Noah Braddock is convinced to at least meet with Simington, there are many turn of events, he then decides to meet with his alcoholic mother to get some long overdue answers to questions that Braddock didn't even know he had. Braddock must also try to find the answers to many questions in his own mind, as he tries to unravel the mysteries that have been placed before him.
"Liquid Smoke", also has many twists and turns. There is also Braddock's sidekick Carter who assists him along the way in this case, and there is also Braddock's love interest Liz Santagelo, a Police Detective. You will not be disappointed with this story. Once you open this novel, "Liquid Smoke", by Jeff Shelby will have you in it's grip and you will not want to put the book down until the last page has been read.
I'd like to take the opportunity to thank FSB Media for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful and suspenseful novel. "Liquid Smoke", is sure to be a Best Seller. Thank you to Jeff Shelby for writing such a compelling novel. You have definitely got a way with words.
What Braddock finally learns after turning down the case several times is that this convicted killer is his father. A man he never knew nor had any inclination of finding. Russell Simington, the convicted killer is scheduled to be executed within the month and Darcy Gill is trying to have his execution overturn and set to a life sentence.
Once Noah Braddock is convinced to at least meet with Simington, there are many turn of events, he then decides to meet with his alcoholic mother to get some long overdue answers to questions that Braddock didn't even know he had. Braddock must also try to find the answers to many questions in his own mind, as he tries to unravel the mysteries that have been placed before him.
"Liquid Smoke", also has many twists and turns. There is also Braddock's sidekick Carter who assists him along the way in this case, and there is also Braddock's love interest Liz Santagelo, a Police Detective. You will not be disappointed with this story. Once you open this novel, "Liquid Smoke", by Jeff Shelby will have you in it's grip and you will not want to put the book down until the last page has been read.
I'd like to take the opportunity to thank FSB Media for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful and suspenseful novel. "Liquid Smoke", is sure to be a Best Seller. Thank you to Jeff Shelby for writing such a compelling novel. You have definitely got a way with words.
August 2, 2011
Noah Braddock is a gritty private investigator located out of San Diego. He has a tenuous (and apparently new) relationship with his alcoholic mother and no relationship with his absentee father whom he’s never known. Liz, his girlfriend who is a detective with the police force, and he have recently overcome some of their differences and Noah has realized how important she is to him. They’re hanging out on his patio, stalling together, when a girl catches their eye. Darcy Gill, the girl, is a lawyer for an individual on death row who just happens to turn out to be someone very important to Noah. She wants Noah to confront this individual in the hopes that Darcy can get more information in order to get the man off the hook with his sentence.
Read the rest of this review at EmSun!
Read the rest of this review at EmSun!
December 30, 2011
I needed to think about this one for a bit before I did any kind of review. I've really missed Noah & Carter and was glad to get another chance to read about them. But this book is very dark. Noah finds out who is father is in a way he didn't want to find out. Very bad things happen in this book and not much good happens, but this was a truly engrossing read. It's a fast read, less than 280 pages, and it feels shorter than that because it moves so fast. The other Noah Braddock books had a darkness to them, but not like this. Really an excellent book. I hope there might be another one some time.
January 25, 2012
How would you feel if you were told that your father, who you've never met, was about to be executed for murder? That's the dilemma facing Noah Braddock, a private investigator in San Diego. I didn't get into the book when I first picked it up. Read a couple of chapters and put it aside. When I picked it up again, being bored out of my mind, the book grabbed me. I'm not going to get into a review that might reveal spoilers so I'll just say I enjoyed the main character and his sidekick. The bad guys are nasty and unlikeable. There were enough dead bodies to satisfy the hard core mystery lover.
September 9, 2011
This book was definitely addicting following Noah Braddock as he goes to meet a father he never knew and end up a pawn in a deadly game of bad guys doing very bad things. Noah wants little to do with his father, but he’s been dragged in so deep because of Lawyer Darcy Gill he has no choice but continue through to the end. And it left with a questionable ending of what happened next, and where did Noah go to? What a thrilling ride of a book. Definitely enjoyed it!
August 11, 2016
I finished reading this book in San Diego, the setting of the story. I sat on the beach with my Ipad and occasionally looked out at the surfers while reading about surfers and San Diego and private eyes and investigations. I thought the story rocked. Loved the characters, the pacing, the nitty-gritty world of private eyes and murder. The ending wasn't a total surprise, but that doesn't stop me from giving this 5 stars. Can't wait for the next Noah Braddock book.
October 15, 2011
Really enjoyed it. Found another author who I'll continue to read. Without giving anything away, not your typical no harm to the good guys story.
October 20, 2011
Relationships and how they change as we become aware of circumstances.
A book about love,murder and hidden emotions
A book about love,murder and hidden emotions
January 13, 2012
A fittingly bleak third piece to the Noah Braddock story. Really, really hoping there's going to be another in this series.
January 27, 2012
My favorite Noah Braddock story yet!
August 22, 2017
Kindle Unlimited {lot of this writer's is no longer ku} AND this one came with audio as well. Overall liked the story telling and so on, did see some reviews {after read it} saying they didn't like the ending etc, well I don't like what happens/ending of a lot of stories even fairy tales but that is neither here nor there on whether it was a decent enough story. Felt it dragged in spots while sped up past others with not much detail, but maybe that was just me. Oh, as far as 'language' I don't' care, not when it's not obvious {out of place} so since didn't particularly notice any, it wasn't.
The third novel in the Noah Braddock series!
Private eye Noah Braddock has finally found peace in his once tumultuous relationship with Detective Liz Santangelo and has called a tentative truce with his alcoholic mother, Carolina. So when lawyer Darcy Gill demands that he look into a hopeless death row case, he's more interested in catching some waves before San Diego's rare winter weather takes hold. Then Darcy plays her trump card: the man scheduled to die—convicted of killing two men in cold blood—is the father Noah never knew.
The third novel in the Noah Braddock series!
Private eye Noah Braddock has finally found peace in his once tumultuous relationship with Detective Liz Santangelo and has called a tentative truce with his alcoholic mother, Carolina. So when lawyer Darcy Gill demands that he look into a hopeless death row case, he's more interested in catching some waves before San Diego's rare winter weather takes hold. Then Darcy plays her trump card: the man scheduled to die—convicted of killing two men in cold blood—is the father Noah never knew.
July 27, 2022
Wow
I really enjoyed this book.
I only have one suggestion, read it slowly. The speaking of the characters sort of run together. If you read it slowly you will figure it out.
Still a great book and I will read the next one!
I really enjoyed this book.
I only have one suggestion, read it slowly. The speaking of the characters sort of run together. If you read it slowly you will figure it out.
Still a great book and I will read the next one!
June 24, 2019
Good book but disappointed with Shelby's choice of a specific character's development.
February 1, 2013
I'm going to really try hard not to let a spoiler slip into this review, but the events in the book are still gripping my mind, so I bet it takes a few rewrites to make sure.
This is the 3rd book by Jeff Shelby that I've read, and I continue to be impressed. This book is really powerful and takes the reader through very intense emotions. I am actually glad I read Drifting Away before I read this book because that little bit of fore-knowledge blunted the edges of the emotions that I'm not perfectly comfortable with feeling. I read the first few chapters the night I got the book, then the next evening I couldn't put it down until I finished it. It's that good.
Shelby took chances on this one, and I believe it worked. I know some of his fans will not like the ending, but I can't imagine it happening any other way given the cast of characters. Noah does the best he can in each step of the story, but he finds out what it's like not to be able to control everything. That's a lesson that is hard for most people, and the author writes it beautifully. And Noah also has to wrestle with balancing his feelings with his rationality as he is confronted with each new revelation. Let's face it, some feelings cannot be fixed with "testosterone," and lots of guys are uncomfortable with that truth.
It's darker than I usually like, but the writing pulled me in and kept me reading. If you like action, mystery, and wrestling with some of the darker things in life, you'll love this book.
This is the 3rd book by Jeff Shelby that I've read, and I continue to be impressed. This book is really powerful and takes the reader through very intense emotions. I am actually glad I read Drifting Away before I read this book because that little bit of fore-knowledge blunted the edges of the emotions that I'm not perfectly comfortable with feeling. I read the first few chapters the night I got the book, then the next evening I couldn't put it down until I finished it. It's that good.
Shelby took chances on this one, and I believe it worked. I know some of his fans will not like the ending, but I can't imagine it happening any other way given the cast of characters. Noah does the best he can in each step of the story, but he finds out what it's like not to be able to control everything. That's a lesson that is hard for most people, and the author writes it beautifully. And Noah also has to wrestle with balancing his feelings with his rationality as he is confronted with each new revelation. Let's face it, some feelings cannot be fixed with "testosterone," and lots of guys are uncomfortable with that truth.
It's darker than I usually like, but the writing pulled me in and kept me reading. If you like action, mystery, and wrestling with some of the darker things in life, you'll love this book.
August 24, 2012
Noah Braddock is a surfer living in San Diego. He is also a PI with a homicide detective girlfriend. He is drawn into a case involving a death row inmate, who happens to be his father. Searching for background on the crime his father committed brings him into danger. This is an entertaining, fast moving mystery.
May 13, 2012
A book with some shocking twists & turns I did not expect. Noah, the P.I. protagonist, makes some tough calls & tough choices. He is trying to remain a hardened surfer dude; however his life & events rip through Noah like a tornado. Exciting, angry, sad and challenging. 4 stars.
December 7, 2016
Wow, this series just keeps getting better. Character development is great, story is intense, and Shelby's development with this book is wonderful. Cant wait to read the next one. One of those books you slow down reading just so it wont end so soon!
Want to read
October 10, 2011Also in Nook Archive.
November 8, 2011
I did not like this book. I didn't like the language or the ending.
December 1, 2011
Disappointing.
February 18, 2012
Excellent series, loved the characters and am very sad to seem them go. Is this the actual end of the series, or will there more??
February 27, 2012
No real complaints, just lots and lots of other writers doing the same thing much better.
February 27, 2012
goo fun! Great read on the bus!
July 8, 2012
It's good but not great: a west coast mystery, my third in a row. The ending is quite weird in that the min character is forced to flee his home turf for a while. I wonder if there will be any more.
July 9, 2012
Summer read...
Read
August 26, 2012like that he keeps plot and characters fairly simple - not quite one-dimensional but close - easy to read fun - hard not to like Noah and Carter
September 1, 2012
For my review please visit my blog: Martin's View: Liquid Smoke.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews