What do you think?
Smoke and Mettle
Murder. Retribution. Vengeance.
Return to the Art Deco metropolis of Smoke City in this twisting, stand-alone dieselpunk thriller sequel. The shadows of the great skyscrapers have never seemed dark in this exciting tale of justice, revenge, love and redemption.
When a street prostitute is brutally murdered and strung up in the undercity, Detective Harry Quinn is assigned the case.
To make matters worse, he's been gifted a rookie partner to mentor. Their investigation takes them into a world of sadistic violence and brutality as the body count increases. The victims are soldiers from a disgraced military unit, and their killer won't stop until they've settled old scores and quenched a vicious bloodlust...
The action comes thick and fast in the second novel set in the richly imagined world of smoke and noir.
Return to the Art Deco metropolis of Smoke City in this twisting, stand-alone dieselpunk thriller sequel. The shadows of the great skyscrapers have never seemed dark in this exciting tale of justice, revenge, love and redemption.
When a street prostitute is brutally murdered and strung up in the undercity, Detective Harry Quinn is assigned the case.
To make matters worse, he's been gifted a rookie partner to mentor. Their investigation takes them into a world of sadistic violence and brutality as the body count increases. The victims are soldiers from a disgraced military unit, and their killer won't stop until they've settled old scores and quenched a vicious bloodlust...
The action comes thick and fast in the second novel set in the richly imagined world of smoke and noir.
292 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2026
About the author
C.C. Ford
3 books9 followersFord published his debut novel, What Lies Through the Smoke, in 2025. It was a silver finalist in the inaugural Crime Fiction Indie Gold Awards and a finalist in the 2026 Indiebook Awards for best action/adventure. It is available in both paperback and e-book formats. His sequel arrived in September 2026, with a third part planned next year.
He also published a short E-book titled: Double Deadly. A darkly humorous Victorian thriller set in Lynmouth.
Adventure, excitement, and the desire to keep turning the pages are what he aims to deliver in his writing.
Hailing from the South West of England, Ford is an avid supporter of Somerset Cricket Club.
Also, now an excited first-time father who can't wait to read great stories to his son.
He also published a short E-book titled: Double Deadly. A darkly humorous Victorian thriller set in Lynmouth.
Adventure, excitement, and the desire to keep turning the pages are what he aims to deliver in his writing.
Hailing from the South West of England, Ford is an avid supporter of Somerset Cricket Club.
Also, now an excited first-time father who can't wait to read great stories to his son.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 29, 2026
Review of ARC copy sent by author.
I really enjoyed this story. It has a unique premise which kept me interested, and it’s the kind of book I’d happily pick up before bed for a few chapters. There are plenty of moments where the pace really picks up, making it an engaging and gripping read.
That said, I struggled to connect with the characters. They felt a little two-dimensional, so I never became emotionally invested in them. Because of that, some of the bigger moments - such as a characters death or developing romance - didn’t have the emotional impact they probably should have. I found myself reading on more to see what happened rather than who it was happening to.
Overall though, I enjoyed the book. The original story and fast-paced plot kept me turning pages and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a light, enjoyable read with an interesting concept.
I really enjoyed this story. It has a unique premise which kept me interested, and it’s the kind of book I’d happily pick up before bed for a few chapters. There are plenty of moments where the pace really picks up, making it an engaging and gripping read.
That said, I struggled to connect with the characters. They felt a little two-dimensional, so I never became emotionally invested in them. Because of that, some of the bigger moments - such as a characters death or developing romance - didn’t have the emotional impact they probably should have. I found myself reading on more to see what happened rather than who it was happening to.
Overall though, I enjoyed the book. The original story and fast-paced plot kept me turning pages and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a light, enjoyable read with an interesting concept.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
As my first ARC review, I was excited for this one!
I love detective crime thrillers, so this was right up my street genre-wise. I had been searching for a crime thriller that would not be made out of the same mould as most crime novels use. When I read the summary, it promised me exactly that with a world powered by 1930s-style “advanced” technology with dieselpunk noir vibes and the potential inclusion of past events or a side story. Bonus point: I love the 1930’s art deco / art nouveau style.
What has worked for me?
I received the paperback version to review, and the first thing I liked about this book was the physical book itself! The general design and layout with the art deco style cover and chapter headers already set it apart for me. Everything I have read so far has been rather plain in comparison. The font used for the page numbers made it a little difficult to read some of them, but it was no big deal, maybe it only needed to be one pt larger. I also liked the structure of the book with a prologue, the story and then an epilogue at the end.
I was a little worried that I might not understand the world the book is set in, the context, the main characters because I had not read the first one (What Lies Through the Smoke), where Detective Harry Quinn was introduced. I needn’t have worried. It is a standalone story and while it does refer to events that occurred in the first book, Ford does give us enough context and details for us not to get lost or confused. If anything, I am looking forward to receiving my copy of book n°1 as I feel I have missed out on a great read!
As I mentioned I have never read books set in an alternate history or speculative world, a little sci-fi ish if you like, but with all the detailed descriptions of the places, the people, the crime scenes, the technology, I had very little trouble with “seeing” it all in my mind as I was reading. At the start of most chapters, there is a radio (or TV) ad-like short paragraph. It may not seem like much, but this also contributed to my understanding of the world the book is set in.
Within a few days of me starting to read the book, I developed a problem with my eyesight, and I had to pause reading for a few days. However, it still only took me 18 days to finish it (pause included), which is quite fast for me. I was even fighting sleep some nights when I was too tired to read, just so I could finish another chapter, because both the plot and the rhythm had me hooked! The length of each chapter (some shorter, some longer) made for a quick comfortable read at just the right pace. The plot with its twists and turns and the way the timeline was laid was the page turner for me. However, I would say that, although it did not really take much away from my enjoyment, a couple of the last chapters didn’t seem quite as well timed or paced, and I felt like my reading became a little jerky. I just felt like the pattern was a little broken and the storytelling was a little rushed at the end.
What hasn’t worked as well for me?
Although I liked the highly descriptive writing style because it helped me with visualising the surroundings and how everyone and everything looked, I sometimes thought that I could have done with a few less direct descriptions and more subtle ones, so that my imagination could have the opportunity to fill the gaps in. Sometimes the descriptions left little room for the emotions to be felt. I think I have understood that Detective Harry Quinn was a complex character, pulled in every direction, but I couldn’t quite work out how he felt. I could see the connections between him and the other main characters, but I couldn’t really feel it. So as much as I really enjoyed the story, I wasn’t really moved by it, which in my opinion was a shame.
The only other thing that hasn’t worked as well for me, but which I am very sure can only get better, was the way in which the story was told. Some of the word choices and turn of phrases seemed a little clumsy and awkward at times and I found that I had to read some sentences (not many though) a couple times as I wasn’t sure I had read them right or if a word was missing. Again, it didn’t stop me enjoying the book and in a way it contributed to a more attentive reading on my part. After all, it is a rather subjective thing. An author’s writing style and phrasing will naturally not appeal to everyone. On this occasion, for me, the plot and the dynamics of the storytelling more than made up for it.
Conclusion
Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed Smoke and Mettle and I am looking forward to reading What Lies Through the Smoke. The last thing I would say is that I really hope that the promise of a third book at the end will be kept!
I love detective crime thrillers, so this was right up my street genre-wise. I had been searching for a crime thriller that would not be made out of the same mould as most crime novels use. When I read the summary, it promised me exactly that with a world powered by 1930s-style “advanced” technology with dieselpunk noir vibes and the potential inclusion of past events or a side story. Bonus point: I love the 1930’s art deco / art nouveau style.
What has worked for me?
I received the paperback version to review, and the first thing I liked about this book was the physical book itself! The general design and layout with the art deco style cover and chapter headers already set it apart for me. Everything I have read so far has been rather plain in comparison. The font used for the page numbers made it a little difficult to read some of them, but it was no big deal, maybe it only needed to be one pt larger. I also liked the structure of the book with a prologue, the story and then an epilogue at the end.
I was a little worried that I might not understand the world the book is set in, the context, the main characters because I had not read the first one (What Lies Through the Smoke), where Detective Harry Quinn was introduced. I needn’t have worried. It is a standalone story and while it does refer to events that occurred in the first book, Ford does give us enough context and details for us not to get lost or confused. If anything, I am looking forward to receiving my copy of book n°1 as I feel I have missed out on a great read!
As I mentioned I have never read books set in an alternate history or speculative world, a little sci-fi ish if you like, but with all the detailed descriptions of the places, the people, the crime scenes, the technology, I had very little trouble with “seeing” it all in my mind as I was reading. At the start of most chapters, there is a radio (or TV) ad-like short paragraph. It may not seem like much, but this also contributed to my understanding of the world the book is set in.
Within a few days of me starting to read the book, I developed a problem with my eyesight, and I had to pause reading for a few days. However, it still only took me 18 days to finish it (pause included), which is quite fast for me. I was even fighting sleep some nights when I was too tired to read, just so I could finish another chapter, because both the plot and the rhythm had me hooked! The length of each chapter (some shorter, some longer) made for a quick comfortable read at just the right pace. The plot with its twists and turns and the way the timeline was laid was the page turner for me. However, I would say that, although it did not really take much away from my enjoyment, a couple of the last chapters didn’t seem quite as well timed or paced, and I felt like my reading became a little jerky. I just felt like the pattern was a little broken and the storytelling was a little rushed at the end.
What hasn’t worked as well for me?
Although I liked the highly descriptive writing style because it helped me with visualising the surroundings and how everyone and everything looked, I sometimes thought that I could have done with a few less direct descriptions and more subtle ones, so that my imagination could have the opportunity to fill the gaps in. Sometimes the descriptions left little room for the emotions to be felt. I think I have understood that Detective Harry Quinn was a complex character, pulled in every direction, but I couldn’t quite work out how he felt. I could see the connections between him and the other main characters, but I couldn’t really feel it. So as much as I really enjoyed the story, I wasn’t really moved by it, which in my opinion was a shame.
The only other thing that hasn’t worked as well for me, but which I am very sure can only get better, was the way in which the story was told. Some of the word choices and turn of phrases seemed a little clumsy and awkward at times and I found that I had to read some sentences (not many though) a couple times as I wasn’t sure I had read them right or if a word was missing. Again, it didn’t stop me enjoying the book and in a way it contributed to a more attentive reading on my part. After all, it is a rather subjective thing. An author’s writing style and phrasing will naturally not appeal to everyone. On this occasion, for me, the plot and the dynamics of the storytelling more than made up for it.
Conclusion
Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed Smoke and Mettle and I am looking forward to reading What Lies Through the Smoke. The last thing I would say is that I really hope that the promise of a third book at the end will be kept!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
✨ARC Review✨
I really enjoyed this book, I read it back to back with the first one and honestly it did not disappoint.
This book kept me gripped from the start and that shows especially as I got through it in 2 days. I liked the fast pace and all of the action that was included. I would highly recommended this book
Detective Quinn’s experiences that he faces are so well written and descriptive you can literally visualise what is going on in each chapter. The challenges he faces with capturing the killers and fuming?! I was not expecting that at all
The relationship between Detective Quinn and his new partner was brilliantly introduced even though he didn’t want a partner, the bond between them was effortlessly written
I really enjoyed this book, I read it back to back with the first one and honestly it did not disappoint.
This book kept me gripped from the start and that shows especially as I got through it in 2 days. I liked the fast pace and all of the action that was included. I would highly recommended this book
Detective Quinn’s experiences that he faces are so well written and descriptive you can literally visualise what is going on in each chapter. The challenges he faces with capturing the killers and fuming?! I was not expecting that at all
The relationship between Detective Quinn and his new partner was brilliantly introduced even though he didn’t want a partner, the bond between them was effortlessly written
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
I was lucky enough to be a part of the ARC group to read Smoke and Metal by C.C. Ford.
This story starts meeting up with Harry Quinn, thats detective Quinn. He's been sent down to the under city where life is very different to the world above to investigate a murder of woman who they decide was prostitute but she's been mutilated..... why?
The story moves quick and fast and her death is linked to the previous war and wrong doings. Lots of twist and turns of this fast action paced book. I dont want to give away any spoilers but its really good!
I thoughly enjoyed this book and really recommend it.
This story starts meeting up with Harry Quinn, thats detective Quinn. He's been sent down to the under city where life is very different to the world above to investigate a murder of woman who they decide was prostitute but she's been mutilated..... why?
The story moves quick and fast and her death is linked to the previous war and wrong doings. Lots of twist and turns of this fast action paced book. I dont want to give away any spoilers but its really good!
I thoughly enjoyed this book and really recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The intriguing time period and richly imagined, noir-inspired setting immediately pulled me into Smoke and Mettle. Detective stories are one of my favorite mystery subgenres, and I enjoyed following the investigation as it grew darker, more dangerous, and increasingly complicated.
The pacing was strong throughout much of the story, although a few chapters moved more slowly than others. Even so, the compelling premise, immersive atmosphere, and well placed plot twists kept me invested.
Overall, this was an easy, entertaining read with a gritty mystery at its center and enough unexpected turns to hold my attention until the end.
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
The pacing was strong throughout much of the story, although a few chapters moved more slowly than others. Even so, the compelling premise, immersive atmosphere, and well placed plot twists kept me invested.
Overall, this was an easy, entertaining read with a gritty mystery at its center and enough unexpected turns to hold my attention until the end.
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
September 18, 2026
✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
Thank you for the opportunity to arc read for you C. C. Ford 💖
In Smoke and Mettle, we meet detective Harry Quinn again. Following his journey to fight the good fight to keep Smoke City safe!
I loved diving back into Smoke city and the life of Harry! With a new threat looming over Smoke City, I was eager to finish the book and gripped the edge of my seat as Harry put himself in harms way to keep others safe! C. C. Ford’s writing is engaging and not once did I feel like reading his writing was a slog. I constantly felt like I was being kept on my toes, trying to guess what would happen next! The epilogue has me excited for what may happen next!
Thank you for the opportunity to arc read for you C. C. Ford 💖
In Smoke and Mettle, we meet detective Harry Quinn again. Following his journey to fight the good fight to keep Smoke City safe!
I loved diving back into Smoke city and the life of Harry! With a new threat looming over Smoke City, I was eager to finish the book and gripped the edge of my seat as Harry put himself in harms way to keep others safe! C. C. Ford’s writing is engaging and not once did I feel like reading his writing was a slog. I constantly felt like I was being kept on my toes, trying to guess what would happen next! The epilogue has me excited for what may happen next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed this neo-noir adventure into Smoke City. The grizzled detective, the bleak outlook, the love interest with her own past. I had not read the first novel whose world this one continues, but the world-building was clear enough that I got up to speed on the socio-political landscape without much difficulty. I was enjoying it so much that I looked up a "noir jazz" playlist to have on in the background while I was reading. There were a few developments in the plot that I definitely saw coming, but on the whole it kept me interested the entire time.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews