Up in Smoke

Susan Wren #6

by Charlene Weir

Grieving Police Chief Susan Wren’s never been so pleased to see her cousin, footloose reporter Sean Donovan.

He turns up out of the blue, reeking of whiskey and Irish charm, to tell Susan he’s on to something big — a dark secret in Governor Jack Garrett’s murky past!

But smooth-talking Sean might be hiding a secret of his own.

A woman’s battered body is found, locked in the trunk of an abandoned Mustang. And Susan’s pulled away from her cozy family reunion.

She scours the trunk for evidence — to find Sean’s business card. Stained with blood.

Susan doesn’t want to believe her cousin could be guilty of something so terrible. But this crime has his byline written all over it.

And if Sean didn’t kill the woman, then who?

As squeaky clean Governor Garrett races for the US presidency, someone out there will do anything to keep the truth hidden . . .

Genres: Mystery

379 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 14, 2003

About the author

Charlene Weir was born in Nortonville, Kansas. She grew up in Hutchinson, Kansas. After graduating from nurses' training she attended the University of Oklahoma and worked as a public health nurse. She is the creator of "Susan Wren", police chief in Hampstead, Kansas.

Reviews

[Catsalive · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was such a blast from the past. I remember reading The Winter Widow back in the early 90s & enjoying it. This one was OK but there were so many people introduced in the first few chapters, all of them with some sort of crisis going on, that I found it hard to remember who was who. I wasn't much interested in the politics, & found it all a bit dull in the end. I like Rosie & Monty.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent mystery. This is a new to me author. I have the set and am thoroughly enjoying it. It was written at the start of cell phones and before the internet. Procedures were different. Very exciting. Susan is a compelling character. I’m very sad that I finished the series. It was well written and very entertaining and enjoyable. A five star series.

[Suzette Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up in Smoke

Wow this book had so many twist and turns, that I couldn't stop reading it. I was thinking Sean was the killer, but that wasn't it. Demarco has some demons he need to address.!

[James Geller · Rating 5 out of 5]

you’ll really enjoy this one

I have really enjoyed all these books. The characters are developed very well, you really like or dislike them. The plots are believable and the ending a surprise.

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off thinking I would love it. Too convoluted and just not too interesting a plot.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual I really liked this book, the characters are growing and changing, the depiction of small town Kansas rings very true to what I know of small town mid-west and the mystery was pretty good (although I caught the big clue and so actually guessed right, for once!)

So, why did it take me several days to read this one? Well, the subject matter revolves around the Governor's run for President, and the plot line about the backstabbing and infighting involved in the campaign just really bothered me, mostly because I'm so sick of politicians and the way they distort things to fit their agenda rather than doing anything for the people they supposedly represent.

So, I love the mystery, I love the regular characters and I had some serious problems with the actual characters involved in the murders.

I'll keep reading the series because of the regular characters and hope that from now on she avoid politics.

[LJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

UP IN SMOKE – Ex
Charlene Weir – 6th in series
When Sean Donovan, cousin to Sheriff Susan Wren, goes to interview Wakely Fromm, who's been in a wheelchair since fighting a forest fire 20 years earlier with his best friend Jack Garrett, governor of Kansas who wants to be President; he finds Fromm dead in his bathroom, shot in the head, apparently by his own hand.
***Normally I find a plot with so many characters muddled and confusing. No so here! The characters are so well drawn and interesting, each stands clearly on it’s own, yet they weave together to form a very good story. It also provides and interesting, and timely, backstage look at the running of a presidential campaign. I’ve always felt Weir is a much-overlooked writer who deserves more notice. I highly recommend this series.

[Janell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Having read and enjoyed earlier books in this series, I expected the same this time around. The mystery itself was actually pretty intriguing, but the story only involved Police Chief Wren in a minor capacity which was disappointing. My main complaint, however, was the language. Terrible!!! Since this had not been present in earlier books, I kept thinking it would let up but it never did. Definiately sorry I didn't add this one to my "didn't finish" list.

[William · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the ending was very week. Captured female in distress, race against time, overdone thriller type ending. The books hows the dismal aspects of presidential campaigns. True, I'm sure. but kind of boring. I picked up the book at the recycle center and will return it forthwith.

[Karen Cowgill · Rating 2 out of 5]

good, but a little too confusing. Her other books are better. (especially her first, The Winter Widow)

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so exciting I just could not put it down. I've read the Susan Wren stories from #1 in order to this one and they just keep getting better.