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Smoke: A Barrister Perris Novel
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 27, 2026
I read the first book in the series as an arc and gave it 5*. I have been looking forward to the second book, and I bought it the week it was published. I enjoyed it but not as much as the first. I thought the first half of the book was overlong laying out the murder (or was it suicide). I enjoy action in my mysteries so it maybe a case of me not the book. The second half the action picks up and I really became invested in the characters. San Francisco after the earthquake and fire has captured my attention in the last few years as it was a chaotic and crime ridden time with fast growth and mixed cultures all coming together for good and evil. There is a bit of mystical feelings of what the future holds that is a power the Barrister Perris has. A couple of side plots that were woven throughout the book that I thought were resolved by telling and not really part of the storyline. Will I read the next book? YES!
September 25, 2026
Multi layered and an interesting plot.
Jonathan Perris has a strange background with a bit of premonitory ability. An unrelated murder and a fire find Jonathan and his law firm crew engaged in representing clients, helping friends and ferreting out the truth.
I loved the setting in this interesting historical time frame of the early 1907 era history in San Francisco and the bits about chinatown and the cigar industry. This story showed the corruption of the area as well as the going ons after a major catastrophe and with plenty of twists and turns I was fully engaged from beginning to end.
Also there is bit of a women’s perspective living in a mans world, feeling demoralized by being forced to choose between relying on someone stronger or being afraid. Of the woman’s place when outside circumstance occur that are out of their control. The character Cordelia, one of the lawyers in the firm is an intelligent, talented and kind woman who does a great job of walking the fine line of stepping up, into the fold of a mans world. There are some hints of romance but not a romance story.
There is a nice flow to the writing along with good dialogue. The characters are varied and are a good addition to the story and plot. I look forward to reading more about Perris, his law firm and his loyal crew. I received this book for free and voluntarily reviewed.
Jonathan Perris has a strange background with a bit of premonitory ability. An unrelated murder and a fire find Jonathan and his law firm crew engaged in representing clients, helping friends and ferreting out the truth.
I loved the setting in this interesting historical time frame of the early 1907 era history in San Francisco and the bits about chinatown and the cigar industry. This story showed the corruption of the area as well as the going ons after a major catastrophe and with plenty of twists and turns I was fully engaged from beginning to end.
Also there is bit of a women’s perspective living in a mans world, feeling demoralized by being forced to choose between relying on someone stronger or being afraid. Of the woman’s place when outside circumstance occur that are out of their control. The character Cordelia, one of the lawyers in the firm is an intelligent, talented and kind woman who does a great job of walking the fine line of stepping up, into the fold of a mans world. There are some hints of romance but not a romance story.
There is a nice flow to the writing along with good dialogue. The characters are varied and are a good addition to the story and plot. I look forward to reading more about Perris, his law firm and his loyal crew. I received this book for free and voluntarily reviewed.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews