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Darcy Lynch #2
Smoke Screen
There's always a reason why the world is a better place without somebody in it.
Knockout-gas attacks. Military-style kidnappings. Vanishing witnesses.
Detectives Darcy Lynch and Erik Sorensen are hot on the trail of a string of crimes that point to a national security threat—or are they just a smokescreen for the killer's true motive?
Desperate for redemption after a botched undercover case, Lynch is determined to prove himself by catching the mastermind behind the attacks. But when his girlfriend's sister goes missing, things get personal.
Set against the backdrop of Silicon Valley’s unrelenting startup culture, where fortunes can rise and fall in an instant, Smoke Screen is the sequel to Elin Barnes's debut novel, Justification for Murder.
Knockout-gas attacks. Military-style kidnappings. Vanishing witnesses.
Detectives Darcy Lynch and Erik Sorensen are hot on the trail of a string of crimes that point to a national security threat—or are they just a smokescreen for the killer's true motive?
Desperate for redemption after a botched undercover case, Lynch is determined to prove himself by catching the mastermind behind the attacks. But when his girlfriend's sister goes missing, things get personal.
Set against the backdrop of Silicon Valley’s unrelenting startup culture, where fortunes can rise and fall in an instant, Smoke Screen is the sequel to Elin Barnes's debut novel, Justification for Murder.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2014
About the author
Elin Barnes
6 books52 followersElin Barnes grew up in Spain. Her father is a film director and her mother a Swedish author (with a past life as an actress).
After graduating HS, Elin pursued her dream of becoming an airline pilot. When her eyesight impeded her to fly passenger aircrafts, she switched gears and obtained a BA in Philosophy. After a short stint working for a criminal appeals lawyer, Elin returned to Spain to get her MA in International Commerce.
For the last decade she’s worked in technology for companies like, AT&T, T-Mobile, Google, Microsoft, TiVo, and Samsung.
Her passions for law, technology, and thrillers inspired Elin to write a thriller set in Silicon Valley, where innovation is always brewing.
After graduating HS, Elin pursued her dream of becoming an airline pilot. When her eyesight impeded her to fly passenger aircrafts, she switched gears and obtained a BA in Philosophy. After a short stint working for a criminal appeals lawyer, Elin returned to Spain to get her MA in International Commerce.
For the last decade she’s worked in technology for companies like, AT&T, T-Mobile, Google, Microsoft, TiVo, and Samsung.
Her passions for law, technology, and thrillers inspired Elin to write a thriller set in Silicon Valley, where innovation is always brewing.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 29, 2014
I really enjoy murder/mystery/thrillers. Unfortunately none of them seem to be set in modern day Silicon Valley. Ms. Barnes takes a genre, and infuses it with the modern day excitement of today's tech industry. I live there, and Ms. Barnes paints a setting that is both real and vivid. The characters sound and behave like South Bay folks do. A broken protagonist, a gritty partner, and a twisted villain, what's not to love? The military and law enforcement characters feel real, and struggle with moral dilemmas. I know several of these folks, and their counterparts in this book have voices that feel genuine.
Lots of good reasons to pick up this one. I'm looking forward to reading Ms. Barnes' next book (I really enjoyed the first one, "Justification For Murder" as well!)
Lots of good reasons to pick up this one. I'm looking forward to reading Ms. Barnes' next book (I really enjoyed the first one, "Justification For Murder" as well!)
April 17, 2024
Detectives Darcy Lynch and Erik Sorensen are hot on the trail of a string of crimes that point to a national security threat”"or are they just a smoke screen for the killer's true motive?
Desperate for redemption after a botched undercover case, Lynch is determined to prove himself by catching the mastermind behind the attacks. But when his girlfriend's sister goes missing, things get personal.
Desperate for redemption after a botched undercover case, Lynch is determined to prove himself by catching the mastermind behind the attacks. But when his girlfriend's sister goes missing, things get personal.
September 16, 2015
I read this book for Reading Deals Review Club in exchange for an honest review. I had not read the first book in the series. Having read this book, I think I should remedy that so I understand the main character's background a little more. However, this does not mean this story can not stand by itself.
This is a mix of Police Procedural, Military, and Mystery/Thriller.
Darcy Lynch is a Homicide Detective who suffered a traumatic injury in Seattle before coming to the Bay area. The results gave him less than perfect vision in more than one way. While still trying to fit into the new department, he was assigned to a case where the victims succumbed to gas. As the clues unfold, the reader discovers that military members are involved. Now all Darcy and his partner need to figure out is who is pulling the strings on whom and keep more people from dying on their watch.
Ms. Barnes does a great job of showing the good, the evil, and the varying shades in between of humankind. I enjoyed the story and kept reading it to find out what was going to happen next. There were plenty of twists and turns right up to the end.
Warning: This book is for Mature Audiences due to graphic violence, mild to moderate sexual situations, and adult language.
This is a mix of Police Procedural, Military, and Mystery/Thriller.
Darcy Lynch is a Homicide Detective who suffered a traumatic injury in Seattle before coming to the Bay area. The results gave him less than perfect vision in more than one way. While still trying to fit into the new department, he was assigned to a case where the victims succumbed to gas. As the clues unfold, the reader discovers that military members are involved. Now all Darcy and his partner need to figure out is who is pulling the strings on whom and keep more people from dying on their watch.
Ms. Barnes does a great job of showing the good, the evil, and the varying shades in between of humankind. I enjoyed the story and kept reading it to find out what was going to happen next. There were plenty of twists and turns right up to the end.
Warning: This book is for Mature Audiences due to graphic violence, mild to moderate sexual situations, and adult language.
August 11, 2016
WOW ! This was a thrill ride from start to finish ! Two detectives battling a marine in his quest to complete a job turns out to be a great page turner. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. If you like lots of action in a modern day conspiracy thriller this is the book for you ! Highly recommended !
October 14, 2014
Fantastic book! This is a great sequel to The first Darcy book and well worth reading.
October 8, 2018
I received a copy of this book from Goodreads at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Meh.
I'm giving this one a 3-star rating but I'm having trouble coming up with the ways in which it fell flat for me. I love this genre and this particular storyline was different than anything else I've read so I feel it had potential.
Part of the issue with it was character development. Bear in mind, I have not read the first book in the series so some backstory may have helped. Even so, the relationships and interactions just didn't amount to much.
I feel it was a lot longer than it needed to be and could have used some stronger editing. There were tons of extraneous details (I really don't need to know every time someone drinks a Red Bull or coffee, or the vending machine is out of something). On the other hand, there were certain details that were mentioned in passing - that could have been important - and not followed up ().
I feel like it kind of dragged on forever, and I couldn't interest myself in more than about 50 pages a day. That said, it wasn't terrible, just kind of middle-of-the-road for me, hence the 3-star rating.
The cover is gorgeous and the photo doesn't do it justice. The flames look so realistic in person!
Meh.
I'm giving this one a 3-star rating but I'm having trouble coming up with the ways in which it fell flat for me. I love this genre and this particular storyline was different than anything else I've read so I feel it had potential.
Part of the issue with it was character development. Bear in mind, I have not read the first book in the series so some backstory may have helped. Even so, the relationships and interactions just didn't amount to much.
I feel it was a lot longer than it needed to be and could have used some stronger editing. There were tons of extraneous details (I really don't need to know every time someone drinks a Red Bull or coffee, or the vending machine is out of something). On the other hand, there were certain details that were mentioned in passing - that could have been important - and not followed up ().
I feel like it kind of dragged on forever, and I couldn't interest myself in more than about 50 pages a day. That said, it wasn't terrible, just kind of middle-of-the-road for me, hence the 3-star rating.
The cover is gorgeous and the photo doesn't do it justice. The flames look so realistic in person!
April 6, 2019
This is Ms. Barnes second novel and, like ‘Justification for Murder’ it is excellent.
The characters are well-written, and the action is believable and intense. The interaction between the characters runs the gamut of emotions and doesn’t just portray good and evil, but the shades of gray in-between. However, how stupid can you be? I thought Saffron was halfway smart, but after being attacked she called the guy and threatens him with the police? She doesn’t think he can figure out where she lives, what she drives, and have her taken care of? I guess you need one dumb thing to keep the action going.
The characters are well-written, and the action is believable and intense. The interaction between the characters runs the gamut of emotions and doesn’t just portray good and evil, but the shades of gray in-between. However, how stupid can you be? I thought Saffron was halfway smart, but after being attacked she called the guy and threatens him with the police? She doesn’t think he can figure out where she lives, what she drives, and have her taken care of? I guess you need one dumb thing to keep the action going.
June 4, 2017
Pretty good. The pace was good and the characters fairly believable. There wasn't much character development but it didn't take away from the story other than when the girlfriend was injured, Darcy didn't seem too broken up over it.
March 1, 2018
Rousing adventure
Second go around in the Darcy Lynch series and I think the author really out did herself.
Action packed from the beginning the story pulls you in quickly. Its a quick and fun read. Really starting to warm up and enjoy the lead characters Lynch and Sorenson.
Second go around in the Darcy Lynch series and I think the author really out did herself.
Action packed from the beginning the story pulls you in quickly. Its a quick and fun read. Really starting to warm up and enjoy the lead characters Lynch and Sorenson.
November 18, 2023
Great police thriller
This story kept you on your toes until the end. So many twist and turns. The bad buy in this story really was beyond reproach. Can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
This story kept you on your toes until the end. So many twist and turns. The bad buy in this story really was beyond reproach. Can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
December 22, 2025
Some individuals are just bad
When an individual gets greedy, trouble follows. What starts out as a prank is really a coverup to coerce a firm to not challenge patents so the business sale will proceed. By the time you finish the book the body count has surpassed 16 deaths .
When an individual gets greedy, trouble follows. What starts out as a prank is really a coverup to coerce a firm to not challenge patents so the business sale will proceed. By the time you finish the book the body count has surpassed 16 deaths .
June 2, 2017
Good Read
Interesting fast paced, plot and characters.. A bit gruesome at times but quite an engrossing story without graphic sexual content..
Interesting fast paced, plot and characters.. A bit gruesome at times but quite an engrossing story without graphic sexual content..
March 16, 2018
very good
June 16, 2018
Great read.
Filled with drama..easy reader. Like the actors one strong physically..the s other..little more brain. Looking forward to more "Darcy books.
Filled with drama..easy reader. Like the actors one strong physically..the s other..little more brain. Looking forward to more "Darcy books.
June 19, 2018
Enjoyed it good unusual plot.
September 18, 2018
Quick and faced-passed read. Interest if somewhat over the top on the amount of killing. Don't like books that don't finish and expect you to read the next one.
March 22, 2019
No ending
I liked this book ok right up to the ending. Terrible way to end a book. No resolution. Hate when that happens.
I liked this book ok right up to the ending. Terrible way to end a book. No resolution. Hate when that happens.
July 3, 2020
A gripping story, at times it was brutal. But I hate cliffhangers, so only three stars.
May 11, 2021
What a great ride! This is the second book in The Darcy Lynch Series, and, despite not reading the first book, I was able to follow along with no problem. I wasn't sure if I'd like the book initially, since I'm not into tech start-ups, but this is a straight-up thriller, full of non-stop action and suspense, which I love. The main focus of the plot is on a small group of dirty Marines, gassing what seem to be random locations & kidnapping a single person from those locations. Detective Darcy Lynch and his partner Sorenson, of the San Jose Sheriff's Dept, have to figure out what these Marines are really up to. What I find really interesting, is that the reader knows more than the characters, but only slightly more. The reader's not even a step ahead of Lynch & Sorenson, but enough to make you want to yell at them, "They're connected! Figure out how! Hurry up!" It was hard to put down (but, unfortunately, life happens, & you have to put books down for minor annoyances such as work & sleep) & I couldn't wait to pick it up again!
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway. It arrived with a lovely thank-you note from the author, which I taped to the inside front cover, and she had also autographed the title page - so sweet! Now, my only question is whether I should read the next book in the series, or the first one...maybe read both at the same time?
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway. It arrived with a lovely thank-you note from the author, which I taped to the inside front cover, and she had also autographed the title page - so sweet! Now, my only question is whether I should read the next book in the series, or the first one...maybe read both at the same time?
November 30, 2014
I had not read the first book of the series and I will remedy that as soon as I finish this review. I will preface by saying that I was provided a copy of this book in return for an honest, unbiased review. The fact that I just purchased the first book of the series should answer any questions in that department. Although there are references to the earlier story, this book reads very well as a stand-alone novel. It was very well researched and handles most of the procedural issues quite well. A large part of a successful novel is the interplay between the characters, along with the author's ability to get the reader to care what happens to each of the important characters. Ms. Barnes pulls this off quite well as you find yourself wanting to point out things at several key points. The depravity of the antagonist in carrying out his "mission" is portrayed through the eyes of a sociopath and does come across in a very chilling manner. I do not believe in "spoilers" during a review, but I will say you will feel relief about the resolution and anticipation for a yet untold story to come.
September 9, 2016
Smoke Screen
The second book in the Darcy Lynch series is another action packed puzzler. Darcy and Saffron (book one) are dating, but she's still not fully trusting him with her secrets, which ends up putting her again in grave danger. But that's almost a side story because of the rapid fire events taking place in the main storyline. Darcy is also still trying to prove his worthiness to be in the field on the homicide squad, and again goes cowboy, acting without backup, placing not only himself but others in danger. And as the net closes on the leaders of the crime spree, a dangerous trained killer begins to target anyone who might stop his escape.
This book can standalone, but leaves a few threads hanging, to be picked up again in the next book. I'll be watching for it.
The second book in the Darcy Lynch series is another action packed puzzler. Darcy and Saffron (book one) are dating, but she's still not fully trusting him with her secrets, which ends up putting her again in grave danger. But that's almost a side story because of the rapid fire events taking place in the main storyline. Darcy is also still trying to prove his worthiness to be in the field on the homicide squad, and again goes cowboy, acting without backup, placing not only himself but others in danger. And as the net closes on the leaders of the crime spree, a dangerous trained killer begins to target anyone who might stop his escape.
This book can standalone, but leaves a few threads hanging, to be picked up again in the next book. I'll be watching for it.
July 17, 2016
Nice Mystery With a Different Type of Hero
I mostly enjoyed this book because it was so different from most of the other "boilerplate" style mysteries. The central character is badly flawed and just wants to push paper at the precinct until he retires. Of course this does not happen when he and his partner (that he does not like much) get involved in a bizarre case that keeps getting more and more confusing. A good read!
I mostly enjoyed this book because it was so different from most of the other "boilerplate" style mysteries. The central character is badly flawed and just wants to push paper at the precinct until he retires. Of course this does not happen when he and his partner (that he does not like much) get involved in a bizarre case that keeps getting more and more confusing. A good read!
February 18, 2015
Heart racing drama from start to finish!
Barnes has opened a whole new door to the meaning of bad guys, taking the reader along with the police through dramatic confusion, to clarification, onto mass murder, torture and revealing a criminal element with a shock of brilliance along with a tad of insanity. The action never stops, and nor does the reader, until the very end.
Barnes has opened a whole new door to the meaning of bad guys, taking the reader along with the police through dramatic confusion, to clarification, onto mass murder, torture and revealing a criminal element with a shock of brilliance along with a tad of insanity. The action never stops, and nor does the reader, until the very end.
July 21, 2016
Fast paced crime story with great characterization
I was pleasantly surprised to find this detective crime story kept me interested and involved without skipping pages with tmi like I usually do! A bit of a cliffhanger at end which didn't thrill me, but I guess if you don't want to follow the series, the ending will suffice.
I was pleasantly surprised to find this detective crime story kept me interested and involved without skipping pages with tmi like I usually do! A bit of a cliffhanger at end which didn't thrill me, but I guess if you don't want to follow the series, the ending will suffice.
January 31, 2015
so much better than the first in this series. I love the developing love story. the plotting was intricate. can't wait for the sequel. the characters are very well drawn in this story. much more depth and a lot less cardboard.
September 2, 2015
Difficulty putting the book down
Seldom do I find a story that is so compelling that I can't stop reading. So far, Elin Barnes has written two Darcy Lynch books that have kept me on the edge of my seat. I sincerely hope that she writes more.
Seldom do I find a story that is so compelling that I can't stop reading. So far, Elin Barnes has written two Darcy Lynch books that have kept me on the edge of my seat. I sincerely hope that she writes more.
July 31, 2016
Great read
Spent the day reading while sick like watching a great movie . Would recommend The Darcy Lynch series to anyone that loves mystery, action, suspense and humour, surprise and of course some romance.
Spent the day reading while sick like watching a great movie . Would recommend The Darcy Lynch series to anyone that loves mystery, action, suspense and humour, surprise and of course some romance.
August 9, 2016
Disappointing
I found this book difficult ultimately to follow. The plot never seemed coherent to me, and the characters did not take clear form. It is the kind of novel I prefer, but somehow it never quite clicked in my mind. Wish it had.
I found this book difficult ultimately to follow. The plot never seemed coherent to me, and the characters did not take clear form. It is the kind of novel I prefer, but somehow it never quite clicked in my mind. Wish it had.
August 15, 2016
Good story but I'm not sure I like the writing style.
As above. Storyline quite simple so good for put down and pick up later reading as unlikely to lose the thread but definitely a book I wanted to finish rather than ditch.
As above. Storyline quite simple so good for put down and pick up later reading as unlikely to lose the thread but definitely a book I wanted to finish rather than ditch.
July 12, 2015
Great read
Can't wait until the next one. Did not like that he used US military as the bad guys, however, was a good read.
Can't wait until the next one. Did not like that he used US military as the bad guys, however, was a good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews