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Smoke
An Amazon Best Book of the YearA Goodreads Best Book of the Month
From the internationally bestselling author Catherine McKenzie comes an evocative tale of two women navigating the secrets and lies at the heart of a wildfire threatening their town.
After a decadelong career combating wildfires, Elizabeth has traded in her former life for a quieter one with her husband. Now she works as the local arson investigator in a beautiful, quaint town in the Rockies. But that tranquil life vanishes when she and her husband agree to divorce and a fire in nearby Cooper Basin begins to spread rapidly. For Elizabeth, containing a raging wildfire is easier than accepting that her marriage has failed.
For Elizabeth’s ex-friend Mindy, who feels disconnected from her husband and teenage children, the fire represents a chance to find a new helping a man who has lost his home to the blaze. But her faith is shattered by a shocking accusation.
As the encroaching inferno threatens the town’s residents, Elizabeth and Mindy must discover what will be lost in the fire, and what will be saved.
From the internationally bestselling author Catherine McKenzie comes an evocative tale of two women navigating the secrets and lies at the heart of a wildfire threatening their town.
After a decadelong career combating wildfires, Elizabeth has traded in her former life for a quieter one with her husband. Now she works as the local arson investigator in a beautiful, quaint town in the Rockies. But that tranquil life vanishes when she and her husband agree to divorce and a fire in nearby Cooper Basin begins to spread rapidly. For Elizabeth, containing a raging wildfire is easier than accepting that her marriage has failed.
For Elizabeth’s ex-friend Mindy, who feels disconnected from her husband and teenage children, the fire represents a chance to find a new helping a man who has lost his home to the blaze. But her faith is shattered by a shocking accusation.
As the encroaching inferno threatens the town’s residents, Elizabeth and Mindy must discover what will be lost in the fire, and what will be saved.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2015
1240 people are currently reading
10687 people want to read
About the author
Catherine McKenzie
33 books4,857 followersCatherine McKenzie was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. A graduate of McGill in History and Law, Catherine practiced law in Montreal for twenty years before retiring to write full time. An avid runner and skier, she's the author of numerous bestsellers including HIDDEN, FRACTURED, THE and the GOOD LIAR. I'LL NEVER TELL was a #1 Amazon Bestseller, a Globe & Mail and Toronto Star Bestseller, shortlisted for the Hugh McLennan Prize for Fiction.
On April 30, 2024 Catherine will publish the first in a new funny mystery series named EVERY TIME I GO ON VACATION, SOMEONE DIES as Catherine Mack.
On April 30, 2024 Catherine will publish the first in a new funny mystery series named EVERY TIME I GO ON VACATION, SOMEONE DIES as Catherine Mack.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 542 reviews
March 13, 2016
My new title ... coming October 20th! Hope you like it.
October 12, 2015
I * inhaled* "SMOKE", by Catherine McKenzie. She seems quite popular.
There are 2,699 reviews for her book called "Hidden", on Amazon with almost a 4 star average rating!
So, I was curious to find out what all the 'smoke' was about with Catherine McKenzie's books.
There is a strong positive about her writing... ( also a 'minor' negative).
The minor negative: ( funny coming from me), a person who claims time and time again
to be a reader....'not' a writer. I, myself, pretty much write like shit.....
but ...in all honesty, I don't see anything exceptional about Catherine McKenzie's writing.
HOWEVER....
The strong positives: It's an engaging readable novel that flows with ease.
Have you ever heard a song, with terrible lyrics, not particularly well written, yet you
absolutely love it?
"Who put the bomp-in-the-bop-she-bop-rama-lama-ding-dong" This book is like that!!!
Much to enjoy! Not a literary masterpiece, but a readers page-turner- masterpiece.
While the backdrop in "Smoke" is a raging wildfire in a small town, with mystery & uncertainty,
the heat is revealing trouble with the towns people.
I almost can't believe this book 'fell-into-my-lap', so to speak. I live in Northern California, where we have been experiencing horrific forest fires.
Just recently in the small town of Middleton...the so-called Valley Fire, the entire place was ablaze. It was like Armageddon. I have 'several' friends who have lost homes - lost jobs-
have fallen into depression ...( we lost our favorite organic retreat: Harbin Hot Springs),
Two friends have since been diagnosed with cancer, one couple has separated after 30 years of marriage, and one friend in the community was killed this week, (and his dog), while taking a walk on the trail. - ( the 3 crazy men have been caught) ..
This story was a wildfire-human-relationships -parallel. What comes first - fact or fiction?
The temptation when there is community tragedy is to focus on helping others....( which is noble and needed), , yet often it's all the hidden fires going up in flames that are equally as threatening.
Suspenseful...authentic characters ... and complexities ---literally & metaphorically!
Thank You Lake Union Publishing, Netgalley, and Catherine McKenzie.
There are 2,699 reviews for her book called "Hidden", on Amazon with almost a 4 star average rating!
So, I was curious to find out what all the 'smoke' was about with Catherine McKenzie's books.
There is a strong positive about her writing... ( also a 'minor' negative).
The minor negative: ( funny coming from me), a person who claims time and time again
to be a reader....'not' a writer. I, myself, pretty much write like shit.....
but ...in all honesty, I don't see anything exceptional about Catherine McKenzie's writing.
HOWEVER....
The strong positives: It's an engaging readable novel that flows with ease.
Have you ever heard a song, with terrible lyrics, not particularly well written, yet you
absolutely love it?
"Who put the bomp-in-the-bop-she-bop-rama-lama-ding-dong" This book is like that!!!
Much to enjoy! Not a literary masterpiece, but a readers page-turner- masterpiece.
While the backdrop in "Smoke" is a raging wildfire in a small town, with mystery & uncertainty,
the heat is revealing trouble with the towns people.
I almost can't believe this book 'fell-into-my-lap', so to speak. I live in Northern California, where we have been experiencing horrific forest fires.
Just recently in the small town of Middleton...the so-called Valley Fire, the entire place was ablaze. It was like Armageddon. I have 'several' friends who have lost homes - lost jobs-
have fallen into depression ...( we lost our favorite organic retreat: Harbin Hot Springs),
Two friends have since been diagnosed with cancer, one couple has separated after 30 years of marriage, and one friend in the community was killed this week, (and his dog), while taking a walk on the trail. - ( the 3 crazy men have been caught) ..
This story was a wildfire-human-relationships -parallel. What comes first - fact or fiction?
The temptation when there is community tragedy is to focus on helping others....( which is noble and needed), , yet often it's all the hidden fires going up in flames that are equally as threatening.
Suspenseful...authentic characters ... and complexities ---literally & metaphorically!
Thank You Lake Union Publishing, Netgalley, and Catherine McKenzie.
March 13, 2016
2★
A Goodreads Best Book of October, 2015
One of the Top 100 books of 2015 (Amazon)
Hmm, really?
I wasn’t expecting much, just some enjoyable light reading, which for the most part was not the case. I suppose this could be due to my age. As chick-lit goes I would think this would be more appreciated by a 20’s—30’s female audience. I disliked both the main characters and was not interested in the subject matter/drama focusing on petty, superficial people as well as the woes of marriages/teens in crisis mode. While it did pick up at the end, overall a slow burn for me.
A Goodreads Best Book of October, 2015
One of the Top 100 books of 2015 (Amazon)
Hmm, really?
I wasn’t expecting much, just some enjoyable light reading, which for the most part was not the case. I suppose this could be due to my age. As chick-lit goes I would think this would be more appreciated by a 20’s—30’s female audience. I disliked both the main characters and was not interested in the subject matter/drama focusing on petty, superficial people as well as the woes of marriages/teens in crisis mode. While it did pick up at the end, overall a slow burn for me.
December 19, 2016
ARC requested through Netgalley, and kindly provided by Lake Union Publishing in exchange for a honest review.
I am a huge fan of Catherine McKenzie and was so excited when the publisher gifted me this book on Netgalley.
This was the opening sentence to Catherine McKenzie’s latest book, Smoke, and it completely hooked me. I wholeheartedly loved this story and the way it unfolded. Told from two points of view, Elizabeth and Mindy, with the danger of a wildfire destroying their small community ever present as a backdrop to the story.
This story was captivating and I found myself completely invested, not only Elizabeth and Mindy, but in many of the characters in the book. (It is my favourite kind of storytelling - set in the present with some mystery to unfold, while the characters pasts and interactions are revealed as the story progresses.) I didn’t want to put it down. I felt real anxiety for the characters, both for what was going on in their lives as well as the threat of the wildfire breaking loose into their town. I was very satisfied with the ending.
Definitely one of my top reads for 2015. If you have an opportunity to read this story, don’t hesitate! Great read!
I am a huge fan of Catherine McKenzie and was so excited when the publisher gifted me this book on Netgalley.
“Smoke. Everything about it had always meant being away to her, so now that she was safe at home, it was a smell that didn't track.”
This was the opening sentence to Catherine McKenzie’s latest book, Smoke, and it completely hooked me. I wholeheartedly loved this story and the way it unfolded. Told from two points of view, Elizabeth and Mindy, with the danger of a wildfire destroying their small community ever present as a backdrop to the story.
This story was captivating and I found myself completely invested, not only Elizabeth and Mindy, but in many of the characters in the book. (It is my favourite kind of storytelling - set in the present with some mystery to unfold, while the characters pasts and interactions are revealed as the story progresses.) I didn’t want to put it down. I felt real anxiety for the characters, both for what was going on in their lives as well as the threat of the wildfire breaking loose into their town. I was very satisfied with the ending.
Definitely one of my top reads for 2015. If you have an opportunity to read this story, don’t hesitate! Great read!
May 30, 2017
★★★½
Smoke is a standalone, women's fiction novel written by Catherine McKenzie. It follows the individual struggles of two women at a time when a wildfire is threatening their small town. For Elizabeth, it's her marriage. For Mindy, it's her family and community. But the approaching fire is not just thrown in for a bit of suspense. It sets the tone, develops the characters, and draws parallels like nobody's business. Passion, teamwork, support, respect, hard work, dedication, integrity, sacrifice... all qualities necessary for fighting fires. No coincidence they are also all the qualities needed for relationships.
In addition to the family drama aspects of this novel, Ms. McKenzie integrated elements of detective fiction and mystery as Elizabeth, an arson investigator, is narrowing down the possibilities of how the current blaze began. Personally, I enjoyed the various relationship/social drama components more than the actual investigation (which was probably intentional), but I think they all married together well in this story and created a well-rounded reading experience. In my opinion, there were equal amounts of surprises and predictability (and a few unanswered questions), but overall I enjoyed Smoke and would recommend it. Check it out.
My favorite quote:
"Life works on easy, smooths it down and wears it away until there’s only the grit left between you."
5/1/2017:
On sale for the month of May 2017: $1.50! Upgrade to the Audible version for $1.99 more.
Link here: Amazon USA/Kindle
Smoke is a standalone, women's fiction novel written by Catherine McKenzie. It follows the individual struggles of two women at a time when a wildfire is threatening their small town. For Elizabeth, it's her marriage. For Mindy, it's her family and community. But the approaching fire is not just thrown in for a bit of suspense. It sets the tone, develops the characters, and draws parallels like nobody's business. Passion, teamwork, support, respect, hard work, dedication, integrity, sacrifice... all qualities necessary for fighting fires. No coincidence they are also all the qualities needed for relationships.
In addition to the family drama aspects of this novel, Ms. McKenzie integrated elements of detective fiction and mystery as Elizabeth, an arson investigator, is narrowing down the possibilities of how the current blaze began. Personally, I enjoyed the various relationship/social drama components more than the actual investigation (which was probably intentional), but I think they all married together well in this story and created a well-rounded reading experience. In my opinion, there were equal amounts of surprises and predictability (and a few unanswered questions), but overall I enjoyed Smoke and would recommend it. Check it out.
My favorite quote:
"Life works on easy, smooths it down and wears it away until there’s only the grit left between you."
5/1/2017:
On sale for the month of May 2017: $1.50! Upgrade to the Audible version for $1.99 more.
Link here: Amazon USA/Kindle
April 8, 2015
Thrilled to say I had an advance look at Smoke before publication. It works as both story and brilliant metaphor: A wildfire threatening to consume homes both reveals and represents the troubled relationships that threaten her characters' families. Heat can have the same blistering result whether caused by passion or friction. Its associated smoke pervades the entire community and obscures truth. Another page-turner from Catherine McKenzie that will have you holding your breath and hoping these characters find their way to fresh air right up until the novel's final pages.
April 4, 2016
With an epilogue that changed absolutely everything, Hidden is a book that I still haven’t let go of, even a year later. It was reminding myself of that unforgettable ending that got me through Smoke. I had this nagging thought in the back of my mind that even though the first 100 pages of this book were agonizingly slow that maybe it would all come together in the end and blow me away. Unfortunately, that's not what happened. I considered setting it aside a few times and now I'm wishing I would have. The storyline was bland and I didn't care for most of the characters.
We’re thrust into Elizabeth’s life and it’s pretty chaotic. She’s just told her husband of ten years she wants a divorce and she hasn’t spoken to her best friend Mindy, in a year. And to make things worse, a wildfire is heading straight for her house and the picturesque town that she calls home. As the arson investigator she’s tasked with tracking down the culprit of the blaze and it leads her in a direction she doesn't expect. She walked away from combating fires a few years ago, but she still feels the pull to be out there with the smoke and the grit, trying to make a difference, even at the detriment of her and Ben's relationship.
We aren’t told straight-out the reason for the divorce or what happened between Elizabeth and Mindy. The author sort of strings us along and it felt like maybe there would be a big payoff. Something that would breath some life into this story, but it wasn’t anything like that. The slow burn of the first part of the story, never became a full blaze. The ending and the results of the investigation felt really anticlimactic. I just wasn’t impressed.
I didn’t help matters that I never really connected or understood Elizabeth. She wasn’t an easy character to like and as the story progressed, I found that I liked her less and less. Selfish, manipulative and undeserving of Ben, pretty much sums it up.
I’ve heard nothing but great things about some of her other books, so this definitely won’t be the last Catherine McKenzie book I pick up. It just so happens, this one wasn’t for me.
*A big thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
We’re thrust into Elizabeth’s life and it’s pretty chaotic. She’s just told her husband of ten years she wants a divorce and she hasn’t spoken to her best friend Mindy, in a year. And to make things worse, a wildfire is heading straight for her house and the picturesque town that she calls home. As the arson investigator she’s tasked with tracking down the culprit of the blaze and it leads her in a direction she doesn't expect. She walked away from combating fires a few years ago, but she still feels the pull to be out there with the smoke and the grit, trying to make a difference, even at the detriment of her and Ben's relationship.
We aren’t told straight-out the reason for the divorce or what happened between Elizabeth and Mindy. The author sort of strings us along and it felt like maybe there would be a big payoff. Something that would breath some life into this story, but it wasn’t anything like that. The slow burn of the first part of the story, never became a full blaze. The ending and the results of the investigation felt really anticlimactic. I just wasn’t impressed.
I didn’t help matters that I never really connected or understood Elizabeth. She wasn’t an easy character to like and as the story progressed, I found that I liked her less and less. Selfish, manipulative and undeserving of Ben, pretty much sums it up.
I’ve heard nothing but great things about some of her other books, so this definitely won’t be the last Catherine McKenzie book I pick up. It just so happens, this one wasn’t for me.
*A big thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
September 22, 2018
Smoke was a solid 4 stars for me. An enjoyable, well-written book that centers around Elizabeth and her life. Elizabeth, an arson investigator, doesn’t have it easy- she’s dealing with a difficult marriage, a wildfire threatening to destroy her home, and an estranged relationship with her friend Mindy. It doesn’t make her life any easier that she’s now been tasked with finding out exactly how the fire started-the one that threatening to destroy her home. No spoilers here but highly recommended to fans of mystery/fiction books.
April 13, 2015
I was absolutely thrilled to get my hands on an advanced copy of Catherine McKenzie's SMOKE, a truly unique mystery with overlapping storylines whose characters I found myself deeply invested in. Catherine's writing is free-flowing and easy to read, while the characters and their stories will be hard to forget. I'm eager to read Catherine's five previous novels. A must read from Catherine McKenzie!
January 15, 2016
Elizabeth is an arson investigator who was once a forest firefighter and she is investigating the fire that has started very near her home and her town. Elizabeth is also in the very beginning of agreeing with her husband that they will get divorced as they are being required to leave their house and stay with her in-laws until the fire gets under control.
Mindy is married to Peter and she is Elizabeth's ex-friend for reasons we do not initially know. They have two teenage children Angus & Carrie. Mindy feels a bit disconnected from her children's lives and from life in general, as she doesn't really fit in with her so called friends and she misses Elizabeth.
As the story goes along we find out a bit about why Elizabeth and Ben are planning a divorce, who started the fire, the event that ended the friendship between Elizabeth and Mindy, teenager problems, how forest fires are fought, how to investigate a forest fire, and what goes on in a community when everyone wants someone to blame for the fire.
I found the start of this book to be slow and it was a bit difficult for me to feel anything for the characters or the story until I was about 40% into the story. The author does a good job of building the personalities of the characters involved in the story. I particularly liked the story line of the one man who lost his home and how the fire started at his home or around his home and just how the fire did get started.
I was given this book by Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Mindy is married to Peter and she is Elizabeth's ex-friend for reasons we do not initially know. They have two teenage children Angus & Carrie. Mindy feels a bit disconnected from her children's lives and from life in general, as she doesn't really fit in with her so called friends and she misses Elizabeth.
As the story goes along we find out a bit about why Elizabeth and Ben are planning a divorce, who started the fire, the event that ended the friendship between Elizabeth and Mindy, teenager problems, how forest fires are fought, how to investigate a forest fire, and what goes on in a community when everyone wants someone to blame for the fire.
I found the start of this book to be slow and it was a bit difficult for me to feel anything for the characters or the story until I was about 40% into the story. The author does a good job of building the personalities of the characters involved in the story. I particularly liked the story line of the one man who lost his home and how the fire started at his home or around his home and just how the fire did get started.
I was given this book by Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2017
3.5 stars. Not as gripping as Fractured, but - after a slow start - quite enjoyable. Good audiobook narration.
February 10, 2017
Let me begin by saying that I'm a huge fan of Catherine McKenzie's work.
I enjoy not only the stories, but the characters and the journey each character goes through. I like that they seem like authentic individuals - full of feelings, angst, flaws and the desire to be good. So I'm a fan.
This is the first time that I had a more difficult time with the story and the characters.
I think for the story I got caught up in details that I shouldn't have - but that still affected my enjoyment of the book. For example, I've been to Nelson, B.C. and so I spent the majority of the book assuming the characters lived in Nelson B.C. And couldn't understand why there were references to elected sheriffs, prosecutors, why Beth would be going out of "state" rather than "province" to fight fires.... Which sounds like a super silly thing to get stuck on - but I just kept going back to that.
Secondly, I usually really like Catherine's characters. I like the adventure they are about to go on and can follow them pretty believably. In this case, I didn't really like Elizabeth/Beth or Mindy. I know that they are meant to be at crossroads in their lives and are both trying to come out the other side.... But I just didn't buy it. I didn't learn enough early on about Beth and Ben's relationship to really care that they might or might not make it.... And I felt that Mindy's storyline was pretty weak. Perhaps it's because we really only had both of their perspectives, maybe adding in Angus' and Ben's narration from time to time -not regularly but a few times to add a different perspective to that of the ladies - would have made everything flow better for me.
By incorporating Angus' narration into the narration I think it would have better brought in the school bullying theme, and would have explained his role in the story a bit more believably. By the time we had gotten to Angus and Willow's confession it felt like it was just trying to wrap things up -it didn't felt 100% authentic to the story.
In the end, Smoke had me thinking but not so much about the plot, more about how I wish I'd enjoyed the book more.
That's not to say this isn't worth reading,I just didn't sit up all night reading it in one go like I did "Arranged", " Spin", and "Forgotten" - all of which were super entertaining, "chick-lit" reads that I eagerly recommended to friends as soon as I finished reading them.
This is really likely more of a 3.5 read - once the story starts moving in the right direction I enjoyed it. A good ending that ties things together without everything being too perfect. I still look forward to reading whatever Catherine publishes in the future.
I enjoy not only the stories, but the characters and the journey each character goes through. I like that they seem like authentic individuals - full of feelings, angst, flaws and the desire to be good. So I'm a fan.
This is the first time that I had a more difficult time with the story and the characters.
I think for the story I got caught up in details that I shouldn't have - but that still affected my enjoyment of the book. For example, I've been to Nelson, B.C. and so I spent the majority of the book assuming the characters lived in Nelson B.C. And couldn't understand why there were references to elected sheriffs, prosecutors, why Beth would be going out of "state" rather than "province" to fight fires.... Which sounds like a super silly thing to get stuck on - but I just kept going back to that.
Secondly, I usually really like Catherine's characters. I like the adventure they are about to go on and can follow them pretty believably. In this case, I didn't really like Elizabeth/Beth or Mindy. I know that they are meant to be at crossroads in their lives and are both trying to come out the other side.... But I just didn't buy it. I didn't learn enough early on about Beth and Ben's relationship to really care that they might or might not make it.... And I felt that Mindy's storyline was pretty weak. Perhaps it's because we really only had both of their perspectives, maybe adding in Angus' and Ben's narration from time to time -not regularly but a few times to add a different perspective to that of the ladies - would have made everything flow better for me.
By incorporating Angus' narration into the narration I think it would have better brought in the school bullying theme, and would have explained his role in the story a bit more believably. By the time we had gotten to Angus and Willow's confession it felt like it was just trying to wrap things up -it didn't felt 100% authentic to the story.
In the end, Smoke had me thinking but not so much about the plot, more about how I wish I'd enjoyed the book more.
That's not to say this isn't worth reading,I just didn't sit up all night reading it in one go like I did "Arranged", " Spin", and "Forgotten" - all of which were super entertaining, "chick-lit" reads that I eagerly recommended to friends as soon as I finished reading them.
This is really likely more of a 3.5 read - once the story starts moving in the right direction I enjoyed it. A good ending that ties things together without everything being too perfect. I still look forward to reading whatever Catherine publishes in the future.
January 16, 2016
Solid storytelling.
You can probably gather by the cover and title that this book is about forest fires. If not, you know now.
Fires, natural fires, are a very real and very scary thing. There are even fires raging out west as I read this book. I can't imagine how scary it must actually be to be in that situation, but this story puts you there in the thick of it. It feels real. You can almost smell the smoke as you turn the pages.
That's good storytelling, and honestly, I expected nothing less from this author.
This story is going to be a best seller, I just know it.
Solid with a twist, that's my final answer.
You can probably gather by the cover and title that this book is about forest fires. If not, you know now.
Fires, natural fires, are a very real and very scary thing. There are even fires raging out west as I read this book. I can't imagine how scary it must actually be to be in that situation, but this story puts you there in the thick of it. It feels real. You can almost smell the smoke as you turn the pages.
That's good storytelling, and honestly, I expected nothing less from this author.
This story is going to be a best seller, I just know it.
Solid with a twist, that's my final answer.
July 2, 2015
I read this book in one gulp - SMOKE inhalation!
This is the "blurb" I wrote and I would underline it if I could! “Catherine McKenzie’s Smoke is a marvel, a mystery that portrays relationships with subtlety, small-town life with precision, and reveals the world of the fire obsessed—for evil and for good. Smoke smolders with tension, sizzles with intelligence, and you won’t put it down until the air has been cleared and the last page turned.”
This is the "blurb" I wrote and I would underline it if I could! “Catherine McKenzie’s Smoke is a marvel, a mystery that portrays relationships with subtlety, small-town life with precision, and reveals the world of the fire obsessed—for evil and for good. Smoke smolders with tension, sizzles with intelligence, and you won’t put it down until the air has been cleared and the last page turned.”
February 26, 2020
In the mountains of Colorado in one of those small rich towns you visit but never live in, two friends are fighting individual battles. And at the heart of both of their troubles is a forest fire that creeps ever closer to their homes and families.
The author evokes vivid imagery in this story, enough so that I viewed the fire as a separate and intriguing character. Friendship, family, marriage and all the messiness that goes with it plays out as the fire encroaches on the town. I liked the ending. Some might find it predictable but I found it fairly realistic. I like this author and her work.
The author evokes vivid imagery in this story, enough so that I viewed the fire as a separate and intriguing character. Friendship, family, marriage and all the messiness that goes with it plays out as the fire encroaches on the town. I liked the ending. Some might find it predictable but I found it fairly realistic. I like this author and her work.
October 4, 2015
I always love Catherine's stories because she writes about human relationships. She shows us the good as well as the bad. Smoke starts off pretty intense, with a fire that could quickly become out of control. We also see Elizabeth's relationship with her soon-to-be ex-husband starting to spiral out of control as well.
'We've had this kind of standoff about a lot of things lately, communicating through the things not done, the words not said, our inaction as loud and grating as un unfixed faucet's slow drip'
Smoke takes us into the lives of those who live near Copper Basin, where a fire has started. Was it intentionally set? Or was it merely an accident? As the firefighters try to contain the fire and as the members of the community form their opinions of the cause, people start to question how well they know their neighbors and friends. And they start to discover what really is important.
'"You always do what's right. That's who you are." "What if I don't want to be that person anymore?"'
The story is full of wonderful people and, as I mentioned before, relationships. Husband and wife, friends and former friends, nice people trying to do for those who are struggling, some not so nice people trying to make themselves appear to be nice.
'Mindy and I wouldn't have been friends in other circumstances.'
But most of all, there is the fire and the impact that it will have on this community. It will either bring them together or drive them apart.
'The fire goes as quickly as it came leaving nothing behind but ash and wisps of smoke.'
Catherine is one of my must read author and I love it when she has a new book out. Smoke is another wonderful story that captured my attention and my heart.
'We've had this kind of standoff about a lot of things lately, communicating through the things not done, the words not said, our inaction as loud and grating as un unfixed faucet's slow drip'
Smoke takes us into the lives of those who live near Copper Basin, where a fire has started. Was it intentionally set? Or was it merely an accident? As the firefighters try to contain the fire and as the members of the community form their opinions of the cause, people start to question how well they know their neighbors and friends. And they start to discover what really is important.
'"You always do what's right. That's who you are." "What if I don't want to be that person anymore?"'
The story is full of wonderful people and, as I mentioned before, relationships. Husband and wife, friends and former friends, nice people trying to do for those who are struggling, some not so nice people trying to make themselves appear to be nice.
'Mindy and I wouldn't have been friends in other circumstances.'
But most of all, there is the fire and the impact that it will have on this community. It will either bring them together or drive them apart.
'The fire goes as quickly as it came leaving nothing behind but ash and wisps of smoke.'
Catherine is one of my must read author and I love it when she has a new book out. Smoke is another wonderful story that captured my attention and my heart.
January 17, 2016
Smoke was an easy, entertaining story to read. As you know from the title and blub it’s about the time before and during a major wild fire raging in Cooper Basin. The characters are well defined. The major players are Elizabeth/Beth who has worked with fire is going through a difficult time with her husband, Ben. There are overlapping story lines while the fire rages on. There is Mindy, who is not really happy with her life, after losing her job she spends all of her time worrying about their two children, Angus & Carrie. There are minor characters as well which flesh out the story of the many personnel that are fighting the fire.
I found this part of the book the most interesting, the story line of the fire itself, how or who started it and how a fire is contained. I found out things I didn’t know about such things as cutting down trees, etc in the path of the fire so that it doesn’t have “fuel” to go a certain way. Because of the very descriptive writing in this book I really felt as though I could “picture” this small town and watch as the fire “ignites” each person in town and how the mystery of who started the fire evolves.
I felt that this book was definitely worth recommending. I think the relationships between the different townspeople could have been a little better developed, as I read it I felt that their stories were a little disjointed and hard to believe. The argument that drove Elizabeth and Mindy apart for so many years was built up to be something “huge” but when It was revealed it was just something said as a mistake.
This made it to 4 stars for me because of the setting and the attention to detail. The town and how the fire started raging towards it made me feel some very tense moments which is a sign of really very good writing.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
I found this part of the book the most interesting, the story line of the fire itself, how or who started it and how a fire is contained. I found out things I didn’t know about such things as cutting down trees, etc in the path of the fire so that it doesn’t have “fuel” to go a certain way. Because of the very descriptive writing in this book I really felt as though I could “picture” this small town and watch as the fire “ignites” each person in town and how the mystery of who started the fire evolves.
I felt that this book was definitely worth recommending. I think the relationships between the different townspeople could have been a little better developed, as I read it I felt that their stories were a little disjointed and hard to believe. The argument that drove Elizabeth and Mindy apart for so many years was built up to be something “huge” but when It was revealed it was just something said as a mistake.
This made it to 4 stars for me because of the setting and the attention to detail. The town and how the fire started raging towards it made me feel some very tense moments which is a sign of really very good writing.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
November 5, 2016
Elizabeth Martin is a firefighter who has retired and is trying to be happy doing something else but seems to be having problems putting it behind her. Her husband, Ben, wanted her to quit and so she did. Because of her job, their marriage has been filled with months apart from each other. One disappointment is that they haven't been successful at getting pregnant, probably because of the stress of her job. Their marriage is filled with tension and as the story begins, Elizabeth and Ben have decided to get a divorce. But a forest fire is threatening their town and their home is in the path of the fire. Ben and Elizabeth evacuate to his parents' home that is in the town but not in the path of the fire. Elizabeth asked Ben to keep the divorce a secret from Ben's parents for the time being. In the meantime, a home is destroyed by the fire at the location where the fire began. Because of her background in firefighting, Elizabeth is assigned the job of investigating the fire that appears to be caused by arson. The owner of the home, John Phillips, has been accused of starting the fire. He has pointed the finger at some high school kids who hang out behind his home at a fire pit and drink beer late at night. He has complained to the police about the kids in the past but nothing has ever been done. Ben is a teacher at a local private high school where it appears that the students attend. Elizabeth's investigation leads her to question John as well as students to try to figure out who caused the fire. There is added friction between Elizabeth and Ben, who teaches some of the kids being accused, on top of their current tension. Mindy, an estranged friend of Elizabeth, is the mother of one of the kids accused. Elizabeth's boss is uncle to one of the accused kids. These people and others want John Phillips to be the arsonist but it doesn't appear to Elizabeth that he did it. There are twists and turns and we don't really know for sure who did it until the end.
There are lots of characters in the book and most come across as wealthy shallow people. Elizabeth and Ben are likable characters and I wanted things to work out for them but I couldn't really get into most of the characters. I think one of the reasons that I had problems with the characters is that no one seems happy irregardless of the impending fire. The fire aspect of the book kept things interesting as it gets closer and closer to the town. There are unanswered questions for me as to a relationship between Elizabeth and a former co-worker, Andy Thomas. Their friendship was a bone of contention between Ben and Elizabeth. There is a young teacher, Stephanie, who Ben works with that Elizabeth met when at the school interviewing kids but for some reason that seems to confuse Elizabeth, Ben has never mentioned Stephanie. I kept wondering if there was more going on there. I thought that the book was okay but not great.
There are lots of characters in the book and most come across as wealthy shallow people. Elizabeth and Ben are likable characters and I wanted things to work out for them but I couldn't really get into most of the characters. I think one of the reasons that I had problems with the characters is that no one seems happy irregardless of the impending fire. The fire aspect of the book kept things interesting as it gets closer and closer to the town. There are unanswered questions for me as to a relationship between Elizabeth and a former co-worker, Andy Thomas. Their friendship was a bone of contention between Ben and Elizabeth. There is a young teacher, Stephanie, who Ben works with that Elizabeth met when at the school interviewing kids but for some reason that seems to confuse Elizabeth, Ben has never mentioned Stephanie. I kept wondering if there was more going on there. I thought that the book was okay but not great.
October 21, 2015
I'm sad to say I did not enjoy this book quite as much as I thought I would. I absolutely loved Forgotten, Arranged, and Spin. While not as enthusiastic about Hidden, I still thought it was a good book.
Don't get me wrong, Smoke was also a good book, but it just didn't resonate with me. I think my biggest issue was I just didn't like Elizabeth. The parts of the book told through her first-person perspective just made her come across as selfish and careless to me. So in not liking her, I didn't feel invested in the outcome of her and Ben's troubled marriage.
The fire itself and the will it or won't it consume the town was what kept me reading, as well as "mystery" behind the origin of the fire.
Bottom line: I thought Smoke was a decent book, but it is definitely my least favorite of this author's work.
Don't get me wrong, Smoke was also a good book, but it just didn't resonate with me. I think my biggest issue was I just didn't like Elizabeth. The parts of the book told through her first-person perspective just made her come across as selfish and careless to me. So in not liking her, I didn't feel invested in the outcome of her and Ben's troubled marriage.
The fire itself and the will it or won't it consume the town was what kept me reading, as well as "mystery" behind the origin of the fire.
Bottom line: I thought Smoke was a decent book, but it is definitely my least favorite of this author's work.
August 18, 2015
I've been a fan of Catherine McKenzie's writing for a number of years, but Smoke is (in my humble opinion) her strongest book yet. It is both a complex portrait of a marriage in crisis, and a taut, well-plotted mystery. McKenzie's characters are well-intentioned but flawed, blinded (as we all are) by the stories they've told themselves about their relationships with partners, friends and children - and how, in particular, they've assigned blame for failures in those relationships. Written from the alternating perspectives of two women, Smoke offers devastating insights into how human relationships (like forest fires) both ignite and burn out of control.
October 10, 2015
** thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
Very well-written. Interesting storyline. Spin is still my fave though!
Very well-written. Interesting storyline. Spin is still my fave though!
January 4, 2016
Smoke had an interesting premise and felt like a Jodi Picoult novel at times. There was a lot of strong character development and dialogue and I felt sympathetic toward both Elizabeth and Mindy.
If you're interested in the dynamics of a large fire, this is definitely the book for you. If you're not, those parts might feel slow to you, like they did for me, but it's still worth reading for the other 90%. The ending felt a bit anti-climactic after all that had happened, but it was nice to get some answers.
Catherine McKenzie once again proves to be a writer to watch. She definitely did her research around the subjects of forest fires and arson investigation/detective work.
My dream movie cast...
Elizabeth: Jessica Chastain (http://imdb.to/1N2HwYx)
Mindy: Monica Potter (http://imdb.to/1O54zzq)
Ben: Ben Feldman (http://imdb.to/1R9N5bp)
Kate: Kimberly Williams-Paisley (http://imdb.to/1JSlaoA)
Angus: Nat Wolff (http://imdb.to/1ZJr4Bt)
John: William H. Macy (http://imdb.to/1VAa6Dh)
If you're interested in the dynamics of a large fire, this is definitely the book for you. If you're not, those parts might feel slow to you, like they did for me, but it's still worth reading for the other 90%. The ending felt a bit anti-climactic after all that had happened, but it was nice to get some answers.
Catherine McKenzie once again proves to be a writer to watch. She definitely did her research around the subjects of forest fires and arson investigation/detective work.
My dream movie cast...
Elizabeth: Jessica Chastain (http://imdb.to/1N2HwYx)
Mindy: Monica Potter (http://imdb.to/1O54zzq)
Ben: Ben Feldman (http://imdb.to/1R9N5bp)
Kate: Kimberly Williams-Paisley (http://imdb.to/1JSlaoA)
Angus: Nat Wolff (http://imdb.to/1ZJr4Bt)
John: William H. Macy (http://imdb.to/1VAa6Dh)
October 22, 2015
Smoke is set in the town of Nelson which is nestled in the northern part of the Rockies.
Ben and Elizabeth have decided to divorce after 16 years together (10 of them married). On the night of this decision a fire is started on the edge of town. The ignition point is isolated to a fire pit on someone's property. Was it the home owner or a group of teenagers who have been harassing him? Soon accusations are flying around the town.
This was an enjoyable novel with many layers and one I enjoyed with each uncovering of them. With the town threatened, Ben a teacher at the school where the accused teenagers go and Elizabeth an ex wildfire fire fighter and now fire investigator, come to terms with their decision. Old fractured friendships also come to the fore as does a mother who has to decide to trust her son.
All interwoven beautifully, this seemed to read so gently yet, I could feel the fire around the town and before I'd knew it, I'd finished it in two sittings. This is about relationships and finding out what is really important.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read and review.
Ben and Elizabeth have decided to divorce after 16 years together (10 of them married). On the night of this decision a fire is started on the edge of town. The ignition point is isolated to a fire pit on someone's property. Was it the home owner or a group of teenagers who have been harassing him? Soon accusations are flying around the town.
This was an enjoyable novel with many layers and one I enjoyed with each uncovering of them. With the town threatened, Ben a teacher at the school where the accused teenagers go and Elizabeth an ex wildfire fire fighter and now fire investigator, come to terms with their decision. Old fractured friendships also come to the fore as does a mother who has to decide to trust her son.
All interwoven beautifully, this seemed to read so gently yet, I could feel the fire around the town and before I'd knew it, I'd finished it in two sittings. This is about relationships and finding out what is really important.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read and review.
January 23, 2016
This was a good read. I did find myself heavily wrapped up in the characterizations portrayed in this book. Not that that is a bad thing. There's a lot of backstory involvement here in order to showcase each person and their relevancy to the storyline. That, obviously, was the intention of this author. There's a lot of back and forth between the two main characters, Elizabeth and Mindy, and how their personal lives eventually intertwined.
There are plenty of secrets abrew with the intentional and unintentional element of deception. Keeping what we know under wraps is never a good thing. It destroys friendships, marriages, and community connections. I really bought into this novel originally for more of the impact of the fire in terms of Nature and the small town in the Rockies. This came with the complications of the heavy-duty baggage that bogged down some of the characters.
POSSIBLE SPOILER: The ending shouldn't shock anyone. What one deduced in the beginning is what played out in the end. Still enjoyable and will check out more of Catherine McKenzie.
There are plenty of secrets abrew with the intentional and unintentional element of deception. Keeping what we know under wraps is never a good thing. It destroys friendships, marriages, and community connections. I really bought into this novel originally for more of the impact of the fire in terms of Nature and the small town in the Rockies. This came with the complications of the heavy-duty baggage that bogged down some of the characters.
POSSIBLE SPOILER: The ending shouldn't shock anyone. What one deduced in the beginning is what played out in the end. Still enjoyable and will check out more of Catherine McKenzie.
November 18, 2015
Catherine McKenzie has a gift for writing about the most complicated emotional situations and creating three-dimensional characters (Elizabeth's development is especially impressive). Her style is exquisite, but it doesn't come at the expense of a page-turning narrative. It's rare to rind a book with such a compelling plot and deep themes, but McKenzie has given us just that. A great, great read.
October 29, 2015
Great read, here's my review for New York Journal of Books http://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/book-...
October 20, 2015
A special thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Catherine McKenzie returns following Hidden with SMOKE — a town in the Rockies, raged by fire and destruction; and the burning secrets and lies, of its characters’ personal lives igniting; losing control at the same time.
A fast-spreading ground fire has ignited at the edge of the Cooper Basin in Nelson County. Housing structures and lives are threatened. Temporary shelters, school suspensions, warnings, and evacuations.
No stranger to fires, Elizabeth Martin (Beth), has worked with wild land fires for ten years, since she was twenty-six years old. She worked her way up to arson investigator for the regional fire district. She had to go where she was needed. As her husband, Ben would say, “anywhere, but here, with him”.
She had trained, studied and gotten strong, and was ready to go where the fires were. She had spent a great deal of time away from Ben. After ten years, she felt as if she had spent most of her life waiting. Waiting to get back to him. Waiting to start a family they had always wanted. A job she loved and a marriage. Her life was about waiting for something.
Just as waiting for a fire to spark. From the first bolt of lightning or careless cigarette to set off a telltale white plume above the horizon. She traded it, for a quieter life with her husband Ben, and now they were getting a divorce- after ten years of marriage and six years of dating. What did they have left?
She has to go back to Nelson where she has a feeling things will get worse before they get better. She has to help, since she cannot seem to control her own personal life.
There is Mindy, another family. The two women met years ago in a Welcome to the Nelson Group, at 26 and 32. However, both different personalities-- Mindy was afraid of her own shadow; whereas Beth got a thrill from running into deadly situations. They were both new, yet felt like outsiders in the town. Their husbands fit perfectly into the town as a pair of comfortable slippers. Whereas the two of them, had trouble making new friends.
They had something to learn from one another at the time, and despite their differences, they had gotten pretty close. However life moved on and Mindy had her family to care for, and her desperate attempts at having a family. She had loved Ben, wanted to be a mom, but loved what she did. When Beth could not seem to get pregnant, but having her best friend around with the perfect family, was torture. Ugly things were said and disagreements--they went their separate ways. Beth feels her old life has followed her.
44 yr. old Mindy is married to Peter with, two children; 16-yr old son, Angus, and 14 yr. old daughter, Carrie. Busy with things of life and kids, and not a lot of time for herself. She puts her efforts into trying help out in the community with the devastation. Attempting to be the perfect wife on the exterior. She had never thought of herself as one of those stay at home moms. After layouts and budget cuts, she found herself helicoptering over her kids, as if her constant attention could keep them safe.
As the fires rage out of control, there is suspicion as to arson. Fingers are pointed. Accidents. Juvenile Offenders. Cover ups. Secrets. Lies. Consequences. Reactions. Simmering. Who is the source? Then comes more secrets. Pictures. Blackmail. A Girlfriend, and a parent’s worst nightmare, suspicions, guilt or innocence? Everything has consequences.
While people are losing their homes and lives, their personal lives are like a raging fire destroying relationships, families, friendships, and marriages. Over the course of six days, Elizabeth is there to help protect the town, while helping with the investigation. Plus attempting to re-kindle her relationship with her husband. and her former best friend.
There are many suspects, from John Phillips, a widow who has lost his foreclosed home to the blaze, Tucker a high school student, Angus, Mindy’s teenage son, and Tucker’s classmate, and a girlfriend.
Catherine delivers a creative, yet complex suspenseful tale of relationships and friendships filled with stunning metaphors, with both positive and negative connotations. From the "burning" strong desire for motherhood, careers, and family; as well as the "ignited" enthusiasm for a successful marriage. On the other hand; there is the destruction and devastation. The igniting of fire to destroy, the entrapment, and the spark combustion, left smoldering ---ruining lives, homes, and communities. Will this town and the lives find hope after the devastation?
SMOKE explores tragedy and conflict, extreme situations, with strong emotional dynamics, trust, and bonds which tie…. With smoldering tension, and rising temperatures—suspense from the first page to the last, with characters you will come to care for— her best book, yet!
JDCMustReadBooks
Catherine McKenzie returns following Hidden with SMOKE — a town in the Rockies, raged by fire and destruction; and the burning secrets and lies, of its characters’ personal lives igniting; losing control at the same time.
A fast-spreading ground fire has ignited at the edge of the Cooper Basin in Nelson County. Housing structures and lives are threatened. Temporary shelters, school suspensions, warnings, and evacuations.
No stranger to fires, Elizabeth Martin (Beth), has worked with wild land fires for ten years, since she was twenty-six years old. She worked her way up to arson investigator for the regional fire district. She had to go where she was needed. As her husband, Ben would say, “anywhere, but here, with him”.
She had trained, studied and gotten strong, and was ready to go where the fires were. She had spent a great deal of time away from Ben. After ten years, she felt as if she had spent most of her life waiting. Waiting to get back to him. Waiting to start a family they had always wanted. A job she loved and a marriage. Her life was about waiting for something.
Just as waiting for a fire to spark. From the first bolt of lightning or careless cigarette to set off a telltale white plume above the horizon. She traded it, for a quieter life with her husband Ben, and now they were getting a divorce- after ten years of marriage and six years of dating. What did they have left?
She has to go back to Nelson where she has a feeling things will get worse before they get better. She has to help, since she cannot seem to control her own personal life.
There is Mindy, another family. The two women met years ago in a Welcome to the Nelson Group, at 26 and 32. However, both different personalities-- Mindy was afraid of her own shadow; whereas Beth got a thrill from running into deadly situations. They were both new, yet felt like outsiders in the town. Their husbands fit perfectly into the town as a pair of comfortable slippers. Whereas the two of them, had trouble making new friends.
They had something to learn from one another at the time, and despite their differences, they had gotten pretty close. However life moved on and Mindy had her family to care for, and her desperate attempts at having a family. She had loved Ben, wanted to be a mom, but loved what she did. When Beth could not seem to get pregnant, but having her best friend around with the perfect family, was torture. Ugly things were said and disagreements--they went their separate ways. Beth feels her old life has followed her.
44 yr. old Mindy is married to Peter with, two children; 16-yr old son, Angus, and 14 yr. old daughter, Carrie. Busy with things of life and kids, and not a lot of time for herself. She puts her efforts into trying help out in the community with the devastation. Attempting to be the perfect wife on the exterior. She had never thought of herself as one of those stay at home moms. After layouts and budget cuts, she found herself helicoptering over her kids, as if her constant attention could keep them safe.
As the fires rage out of control, there is suspicion as to arson. Fingers are pointed. Accidents. Juvenile Offenders. Cover ups. Secrets. Lies. Consequences. Reactions. Simmering. Who is the source? Then comes more secrets. Pictures. Blackmail. A Girlfriend, and a parent’s worst nightmare, suspicions, guilt or innocence? Everything has consequences.
While people are losing their homes and lives, their personal lives are like a raging fire destroying relationships, families, friendships, and marriages. Over the course of six days, Elizabeth is there to help protect the town, while helping with the investigation. Plus attempting to re-kindle her relationship with her husband. and her former best friend.
There are many suspects, from John Phillips, a widow who has lost his foreclosed home to the blaze, Tucker a high school student, Angus, Mindy’s teenage son, and Tucker’s classmate, and a girlfriend.
Catherine delivers a creative, yet complex suspenseful tale of relationships and friendships filled with stunning metaphors, with both positive and negative connotations. From the "burning" strong desire for motherhood, careers, and family; as well as the "ignited" enthusiasm for a successful marriage. On the other hand; there is the destruction and devastation. The igniting of fire to destroy, the entrapment, and the spark combustion, left smoldering ---ruining lives, homes, and communities. Will this town and the lives find hope after the devastation?
SMOKE explores tragedy and conflict, extreme situations, with strong emotional dynamics, trust, and bonds which tie…. With smoldering tension, and rising temperatures—suspense from the first page to the last, with characters you will come to care for— her best book, yet!
JDCMustReadBooks
December 12, 2017
I love adventure stories that keep me guessing, and “Smoke” succeeds beautifully. Vivid details and a solid cast of characters make this an engaging read. Highly recommended.
December 21, 2015
4.5 stars.
Smoke by Catherine McKenzie was a riveting read, that contained mystery, family and friendship drama and the terrifying experience of an out of control fire surrounding a town.
When we meet Elizabeth she is at odds with her husband Ben. They are about to begin pursuing a divorce, although what has caused the rift is not revealed at the beginning. It takes time to gather up all the facts and miscommunications and break down in trust. One of the heartbreaks that they have had is up until now their inability to have children.
Mindy was Elizabeth's very good friend up until about a year ago when there was a distinct break to their friendship. The hurt thrust them apart and has never mended. Mindy is the mother of two, Carrie and Angus. In the last year Angus has been more distant in his relationships with his family and Mindy worries about him.
A fire has burned down John Phillip's house, it has grown and swept into the surrounding hills and bush. Who started the fire? About half way through I'd picked my person - but I was wrong!
Tension in the relationships, along with the mystery of the fire and the emotions of the characters kept me reading on. Can there be any hope for these people or will distrust and hurt and being unable to forgive win?
This was my first book by Catherine McKenzie but it won't be my last!
Smoke by Catherine McKenzie was a riveting read, that contained mystery, family and friendship drama and the terrifying experience of an out of control fire surrounding a town.
When we meet Elizabeth she is at odds with her husband Ben. They are about to begin pursuing a divorce, although what has caused the rift is not revealed at the beginning. It takes time to gather up all the facts and miscommunications and break down in trust. One of the heartbreaks that they have had is up until now their inability to have children.
Mindy was Elizabeth's very good friend up until about a year ago when there was a distinct break to their friendship. The hurt thrust them apart and has never mended. Mindy is the mother of two, Carrie and Angus. In the last year Angus has been more distant in his relationships with his family and Mindy worries about him.
A fire has burned down John Phillip's house, it has grown and swept into the surrounding hills and bush. Who started the fire? About half way through I'd picked my person - but I was wrong!
Tension in the relationships, along with the mystery of the fire and the emotions of the characters kept me reading on. Can there be any hope for these people or will distrust and hurt and being unable to forgive win?
This was my first book by Catherine McKenzie but it won't be my last!
May 6, 2019
Where there is smoke there is fire and you will definitely smell it before it engulfs you…isn’t an unnerving and dangerous feeling to realize you may be in the wrath of nature and possibly you will lose everything….including your life. This somber topic is a portrait of people in an extreme situation. This mystery also focuses on a marriage in crisis and the people of a small community threaten by wildfire.
We find in “Smoke” a domestic drama that flows with ease and captivates us with vivid imagery. The narrative alternates from the perspective of two women: Elizabeth, an arson investigator and Mindy, whose son is suspected of setting the fire. The plot showcases the attraction of playing with fire and is the backdrop that runs throughout the pages. The characters are ordinary people thrust into extra-ordinary situations and Ms. Mckenzie knows how to makes every one of their move captivating in order to lure us till the very end. A good part of the book is setting the stage and introducing the main players but once into the beat the pacing picks up and the experience becomes a page-turner. This story is also a mystery with suspense and some unforeseen events to keep our attention on track.
Good story and an enjoyable read.
We find in “Smoke” a domestic drama that flows with ease and captivates us with vivid imagery. The narrative alternates from the perspective of two women: Elizabeth, an arson investigator and Mindy, whose son is suspected of setting the fire. The plot showcases the attraction of playing with fire and is the backdrop that runs throughout the pages. The characters are ordinary people thrust into extra-ordinary situations and Ms. Mckenzie knows how to makes every one of their move captivating in order to lure us till the very end. A good part of the book is setting the stage and introducing the main players but once into the beat the pacing picks up and the experience becomes a page-turner. This story is also a mystery with suspense and some unforeseen events to keep our attention on track.
Good story and an enjoyable read.
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