The Smoke Room

by Earl Emerson

From the terror of a lightless, smoke-clogged building to the secrets kept by the men and women who trust their partners with their lives, Earl Emerson knows the world of firefighting like no other author–and writes about it with passion and piercing honesty. In his remarkable new thriller, Emerson fuses together a gripping drama with unforgettable scenes of peril that, in this realm, can explode at any second.

Jason Gun, a risk-taking rookie firefighter who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, has found in his firehouse the family he never had as a child. Then, in one ill-fated turn of events, it all begins to go wrong.

A bizarre accident brings a thrill-seeking woman into Engine Company 29–and into Jason’s life. Suddenly, his future on the job is at risk. Two fellow firefighters know that he missed a call because of some sexual heroics at the wrong time and place. Now, deeply in their debt, he will find out what kind of men his partners really are.

When these two firefighters come upon a fortune in missing bearer bonds–money found in a dead man’s house–Jason is forced to become an accessory to their crime. And when evidence of their greed, foolishness, and thievery begins to emerge, Jason is witness to an even darker deed.

Suddenly, the twenty-four-year-old, who only wanted to do the right thing, is trapped behind a wall of silence. Trying to undo his mistake, Jason moves further into the darkness, where a beautiful young woman might just be his emotional rescue–or yet one more very wrong move. Unfortunately for Jason, the worst isn’t behind him. Like a fire hit by wind, the killing has raged out of control.

Capturing the thin line that separates a hero from a criminal, and an enemy from a friend, Earl Emerson’s new novel is a gripping tale of a man’s dangerous fall from grace–and of his fierce battle for redemption.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Ebooks, Thriller Suspense, Espionage

308 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Earl Emerson is a lieutenant in the Seattle Fire Department. He is the Shamus Award-winning author of Vertical Burn, as well as the Thomas Black detective series. He lives in North Bend, Washington.

Reviews

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a different type of book for Emerson. Young firefighter gets involved with an older, promiscuous woman and with twelve millions dollars of stolen bearer bonds. And then his troubles really begin.... If you are looking for something different this will fill the bill. Recommended.

[Alex Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good fun. Quite lightweight, and lost its way at the end in a series of increasingly unlikely events, but very enjoyable reading along the way. I have a soft spot for books written with an in-depth technical knowledge of almost any subject, really, and as a professional firefighter, the fire scenes are written with authority and drama. The story is fun too, and overall a worthwhile if not deeply satisfying read.

[Jean Randles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Earl Emerson - always good, especially fun to read about Seattle locations

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Smoke Room
By Earl Emerson

Reviewed by Jay Gilbertson

Being a survivor of a house fire, I have to admit, I was a tad anxious to read this. After all, the star of this suspense novel is a firefighter and fire is his life. Boy is it. Here’s the jolt-of-an-opening line:
“Experts estimated the pig fell just over 11,000 feet before it plunged through Iola Pederson’s roof.”
I know, I know, put it back on the shelf and RUN! Right? Not so fast. And this book is a major page turner and has the attractive sizzle of a new series. Unfortunately, I think author Emerson doesn’t pursue this storyline any further. Which is really too bad. But, that’s just how much you, as a page-flipper, will come to care for the haphazard knucklehead protagonist, Jason Gum.
“…Just call me Gum.”
A 24-year-old, brand new firefighter living in West Seattle, and dreaming of becoming the chief one day. Early on, after hit after hit after hit, you wonder if the guy is going to even make it out of bed and to the fire on time, let alone live through all the incredible road-blocks he puts in his own way. Over and over this guy slams into a wall. Only to bounce right on back and hit the ground slugging.
And there is a romance too and some pretty awesome roller blading which could have been drawn out some more. After blasting through this tale and finally reaching the nearly overwhelming end, you are beyond satisfied. You not only just read a really well-constructed thriller, but you met someone you would be beyond the moon grateful to rescue you from life.
Let alone a fire…

[Mike Kroeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a retired FF I enjoy Emerson's writing especially his descriptions of firefighting. It rings true and he is able to capture the intensity of the fire fight I have experienced in words that really put you there. Amazing to me that his use of words describing events that take milliseconds in reality is exceptional. I also like his FF character development that also rings true and fits into an almost believable tale. A fun read and plan to read more of his work.

[Cherie Waggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Earl Emerson's books, however, this one isn't, to me, one of his best. I did like the description of the firefighters. Earl Emerson has been a firefighter for a long time, and those descriptions put the readers in with the firefighters during the fires they fight. The main character was a bit weak. But if you like drama, this is a good book to read. I still prefer Thomas Black series.

[Paschalis]

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[Nancy Mathews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow to start..but was a good read.. kept you on your toes

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE SMOKE ROOM (Suspense-Seattle-Cont) - VG
Emerson, Earl – Standalone
Ballantine, 2005-Hardcover
Jason Gun is a young firefighter who makes dumb mistakes. Missing a call because he's having sex in the basement of the firehouse proves to be more than dumb; it's disastrous as it places his career, and other people's lives, in the hands of his fellow firefighters.
*** With a smashing beginning, literally, Emerson has written a very effective tale of a young man whose passivity costs others their lives and nearly destroys his own. At the same time, he is caring and heroic and what he lacks in decisiveness, he makes up for in convection. Jason is a fully drawn, very human character, and it's interesting watching his growth. A diverse supporting cast, and good dialogue and suspense enhance the story, which is also a study of the power of greed. I stopped reading Emerson for a while, as I wanted him to give me more from his writing. This definitively puts him back on my author list.

[Deann Doolittle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not like this book. I thought it would be neat to read a mystery through the eyes of a firefighter but it just didn't work out. Too much bad language for my taste. Didn't like the way the plot played out. Already crossed off his second book I was interested in. Sorry.

[Joe Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was frustrating because it is well written and the main character is like able, but he just falls into a ridiculous series of events that are improbable at best yet also predictable.

A satisfying ending, but the rest of the book just... Wasn't.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Black mystery - just catching up on my reading list.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great cop drama encompassing greed, conspiracy and murder. One small lie snowballs and takes on a life of it's own. Lots of surprises. Very well written and thoroughly enjoyable.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

As authors we're told to keep piling the challenges on for your characters. Emerson certainly did & I kept turning the pages to find out what would happen next.

[Sotteria Wetsch · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was kind of slow at the beginning. Also, the main characters were disturbing and I didn't realize how much it was affecting my mood until I started a different book.