Devil Smoke

Beacon Falls #2

by C.J. Lyons

When you can’t even remember who you are, how do you know who to trust? Or who to run from?

"Everything a great thriller should be—action packed, authentic, and intense." ~#1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child

After leaving the FBI, Lucy Guardino still feels like the new kid on the block with her team at Beacon Falls. But then a new case involving a young woman with amnesia searching for her lost memories shines a spotlight on a past case involving one of Lucy's team members.

Dr. Tommy Worth left his job as a pediatrician ER physician to join the Beacon Group after his wife went missing, leaving him to raise their five-year-old daughter alone. Now the press is hounding him on the anniversary of his wife’s disappearance. Distracting himself with the newest case at Beacon Falls fails miserably after the woman he is trying to help becomes the target of an anonymous stalker. 

DEVIL SMOKE is the eighth Lucy Guardino novel, but they can be read out of order. If you enjoy captivating suspense, intelligent storytelling, strong and vulnerable characters, and a freight-train pace, then you'll love this adrenaline rush of a heart-pounding thriller from "a master of the genre."

Join the millions of readers who've fallen for CJ’s Thrillers with Heart and grab your copy of DEVIL SMOKE today! 

Lucy Guardino FBI Thrillers in
SNAKE SKIN
BLOOD STAINED
KILL ZONE (a Suspense Magazine Best Novel of the Year)
AFTER SHOCK
HARD FALL (Thriller Award Winner)
BAD a Lucy Guardino novella

Beacon Falls Mysteries featuring Lucy
LAST LIGHT
DEVIL SMOKE
OPEN GRAVE
GONE DARK
BITTER TRUTH

Praise for CJ Lyons’ FBI
"A high stakes adventure with dire consequences." ~New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry

"A compelling new voice in thriller writing…I love how the characters come alive on every page." ~New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver
 
"Everything a great thriller should be—action packed, authentic, and intense." ~#1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child

"Highly engaging characters, heart-stopping scenes…one great rollercoaster ride that will not be stopping anytime soon." ~Bookreporter.com
 
"Storylines as hypnotic as the characters are magnetic...(Lyons) delights and satisfies." ~National Examiner

5 out of 5 “CJ Lyons imparts such realism, it is hard not to become emotionally invested. Intense. Edgy. Believable. Highly recommend!” ~Best Fiction Books on SNAKE SKIN
 
TOP PICK! 4 1/2 Combine Dirty Harry with a loving wife and mother and you might end up with Lucy Guardino. You won’t be able to put this one down. ~RT Book Reviews on SNAKE SKIN
 
“An action packed thriller from page one! An amazing fast paced story with characters that jump off the page and capture your heart. A must read!” ~My Book Addiction on BLOOD STAINED
 
“In true CJ Lyons fashion, this book pulls no punches.  It’s an in-your-face, no-holds-barred story depicting the cruel world of murder and drugs. As with all of her other books, CJ Lyons never disappoints.  This book was a true page turner and I didn’t want to put it down.  She is a brilliant writer and storyteller both, which is not often found in an author.  I am already looking forward to her next novel!” BookingIt.net on KILL ZONE
 
“This tale is not for the faint of heart, for this is a tale of dark human emotions. A must read for anyone who enjoys high-octane emotions with realistic characters and an intriguing sto

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller

524 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 25, 2016

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over forty novels, former pediatric ER doctor CJ Lyons has lived the life she writes about in her cutting edge Thrillers with Heart.

Two times winner of the International Thriller Writers coveted Thriller Award, CJ has been called a "master within the genre" (Pittsburgh Magazine) and her work has been praised as "breathtakingly fast-paced" and "riveting" (Publishers Weekly) with "characters with beating hearts and three dimensions" (Newsday).

Learn more about CJ's Thrillers with Heart at www.CJLyons.net

Reviews

[Vfields Don't touch my happy! · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t normally like kids in my stories and I particularly did not enjoy this child. So closing my eyes anytime this kid had a scene I enjoyed the rest of the book. The mystery and the solution were fun and predictable but well laid out. I personally wanted to spend way more time in Lucy’s head but that’s me.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devil Smoke is the second novel in the Beacon Falls series. Though not essential, I think it would be beneficial to have read the first one so that you have a bit of background for the cold case unit and how the team came about.

It was good to catch up with the cold case team again and I loved how this novel focuses more on a different member of the team so that no doubt as the series goes along we can get to know the team members better.

I loved everything about this novel. From the way it starts to how I was gripped through out. It is certainly full of mystery and suspense and kept me on my toes. At times it is quite emotionally charged which I think made the story even better as I truly cared about Tommy and his daughter Nellie and I had every empathy to what they were going through.

Devil Smoke is more tamer than Last Light which is the first in the series but I actually think it works in it's favour more as I found it more enthralling. Where as Last Light was quite action packed, Devil Smoke plays with your mind more and has you over thinking, trying to work out what's actually going on. Of course, as usual, I had no clue until it was there in front of me.

A definite must read for any crime fans.

My thanks to Maisie at Canelo for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Theresa Steinmetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Book overall, wish the ending wasn't rushed!!

I have to say Burroughs was a different kind of detective in this book. I've read this entire series, even the books about 'The Little Monster,' Morgan Ames (I know I'm nuts but I LOVE Morgan, Jenna, Andre, Lucy, Nick & Meghan - oh the potential bookS, LOTS & LOTS of BOOK$ - CJ could write w/ Meghan finally meeting the infamous Morgan)..To me, it felt as if Burroughs only knew Lucy as a plain clothes acquaintance, not a former SSA of the FBI, only 1 month prior.
I do not want to give away any spoilers but I will say I knew who the unsub was very early in the book. The mystery for me was WHY & HOW?? I
The last altercation in the book was a little weird and seemed rushed. I don't understand why 1 person left and another stayed at the house. I felt this part of the book was rushed; quickly, tied up loose ends, told the who & why -BOOM- flashed ahead a few weeks out, added in a few pages about what to do next and The End..
CJ is a BRILLIANT, educated and imaginative author! I REALLY hope these characters continue on and on. There are so many book and series possibilities!!!!!

[Judi Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd in the series about Lucy Guardino. She has left the FBI and she is presently in charge of a team for the Beacon Group. They investigate cold cases. This one, fellow FBI agents, come to Lucy to see if she can find out about a woman that they have who has amnesia, doesn't know how she is, where she came from. This case will hit hard to one of her members, Tommy, has almost to the day a year ago, his wife, Charlotte, has been missing.

The police think that Tommy killed his wife and all this time is still investigating. But this woman, Sarah, was at the same place Tommy's wife was when she went missing. Can this woman know anything about Charlotte and help Tommy figure out where Charlotte is.

Now, with Lucy, investigating the case of both Sarah and Charlotte, she is tying clues together. But, when Tommy's daughter, Nellie, is missing, could this be tied to the case. A great suspense novel.

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really loving this series. Interesting characters and story line. Poor Tommy - he's been through hell for a year not knowing if his wife Charlotte is dead or alive and this strange woman comes into the picture who has amnesia....or does she?? Loved Nellie his daughter - what a sassy, funny little girl - my heart went out to both of them. Thank God for Lucy's tenacity and her team's as well - so far they are proving to be a very capable, dynamic group. It was great to have familiar characters from Lucy's original series - Burroughs and Oshiro, although Burroughs pissed me off something fierce with his insistence that Tommy was guilty - but that's his role I guess. Looking forward to solving the next mystery along with the characters!!!

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

There Are Better CJ Lyons Books

SPOILERS

This was an unsatisfactory read because the major plot line was improbable. The police and FBI should have found/followed the glaringly obvious clues laid down by the author. The detective’s so-called only suspect was seen by many people at the time of the murder. Furthermore, I picked out the culprit soon after he/she/they appeared. This author has written many excellent books, but I finished this one by riffling through to the end.

[James Yockey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced can’t put down.

Incredible word choice makes one feel the scene and sharp narratives keep characters in focus. Very clever way of peeling away layers of truth but leaving a character still unaware of the impact the reader already senses. Certainly served to keep me anxiously reading!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tommy’s wife disappeared one year ago. He is still the main suspect. A woman suffering amnesia is brought to Beacon Hills and there are starting similarities between this woman and Tommy’s wife, Charlotte. Lucy and her team rush to solve Charlotte”s disappearance and find out how this is entwined Sarah.

[Bernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devil Smoke review

Devil Smoke is the second exciting thriller in the Lucy Guardino Beacon Falls mystery series written by author C. J. Lyons.

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced thriller. Unexpected plot twists. Great read.

[E Sano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this continuation of the now-retired from the FBI Lucy Guardino series. Well written, good plot, excellent supporting characters, fine twist in the middle. Recommended.

[Patricia Hankins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Real Shock

Wife missing for a year. Then a woman turns up with amnesia that sends to need so much help,but is she really missing, does she really have amnesia? Great story

[Karla Lokker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good movie this book would make! A real thriller. If you love thrillers, then you need to read this book.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[Regi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have no idea how this book received the high reviews it has.

[Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It keeps you guessing. Plus, it is set in Pittsburgh which I didn’t know.

[Margie Mullins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe the absolute best ......

Non stop real mystery and confusion ... Not Tommy, right? No way.
Who?
Who did it?
The best writing, too!

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book. Good story.

[Tita · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not much fun figuring out who and why after reading less than 1/3 of the book.

[Monica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mediocre cops being bad investigators. A boring, predictable, disjointed "mystery" x2. Based on this series, CJ Lyons has never met an actual child in their life.

I am so done with this series.

[Laurie Dohmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was kind of obvious, not my favorite in the series. The team has berry portrayed as too smart to fall for this plot.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

lucy is back with her team

first couple of chapters are setting the scene introducing the characters and then boom suddenly the main story grabs you and you cant put your book down...

tommy who works for lucy and her group has a daughter and a missing wife...he is also suspect in her disappearance

sarah has amnesia and needs help putting her life back together...was she married? did she have a stalker? what was her story?

can tommy stay one step ahead of the police and keep his daughter safe...can lucy sort the puzzle out in time before things escalate

[John W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second adventure of CJ Lyons’ Beacon Falls series features former FBI Special Agent Lucy Guardino, as a Beacon Falls consultant heading a young team of specialists. DEVIL SMOKE is a fast moving story where Lyons brings everything to life as if her readers are watching a movie in technicolor. Lyons’ characters jump off the page as she details the backstory of the actions of Lucy and members of her Beacon Hill Consulting team. She explains the history of each character and their role in her story of mystery, betrayal, manipulation, hope, and emotions. Lyons grabs hold of her reader’s emotions at the story’s beginning, and she doesn’t let go until the last page.

Fans feel Lucy’s passion as she leads her team’s investigation of a young woman with amnesia. The author places her readers next to each team member as they come to know Lucy as their leader. She guides her readers through their investigation and their reaction to learning details of the death of the wife of fellow team member Dr. Tommy Worth. Lyons creates twists and turns adding subplots that increase the intensity of her mystery thriller, skillfully moving the story forward while keeping readers in the dark as to what will happen next. In DEVIL SMOKE, Lyons keeps readers on the edge of their seats and holding their breath, forcing them to keep reading. Readers will find an emotionally charged ending they will not expect. DEVIL SMOKE by CJ Lyons is a must read for lovers of mystery and intrigue.

[Titplum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had found the last two books of the series slightly disappointing. But that's not the case with Devil Smoke. This story is much more compelling.
We delve more deeply into the tragic background of a member of Lucy's new team.
The story is well thought. It's definitively a page turner.
I sensed quite early on that a character was a bit off and it proved right. But the explanation in the end was satisfactory. So despite that, the suspense was not lacking.
It's a good read and I recommend this book. I can't wait for the sequel.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best CJ Lyons book I have read yet. I highly recommend it to anyone.

[Jo Ann Reinhold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really what a thriller should be! The emotions C.J. wrings out of her characters (and the reader) as we are lead through the web of lies, deception, and the dark despair of the unknown will make your heart pound! There are twists to this story that you will not see coming! I love C.J.'s character Lucy Guardino and am glad to see her back in this new series! She is smart, determined and she cares...and you know Lucy will dig out the truth!

[Roxanne Loveday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy gets better and better

This time Lucy and her team are asked to help a young woman with amnesia figure out who she is and at the same time help team member Tommy discover what happened to his wife the year before.

Lots of suspense and twists in this edge of you seat story. You never know how small this world is....

[Veronica Lamb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not at all like her previous books.

Utterly disappointing. The warning in this CJ Lyons book was a waste of space. Not at all like r all of her previous books. I kept reading waiting for this book to shock, enthralled and rivet me. Nope, turned out to be a average mystery. I can read this anywhere. Won't be signing up for future early releases.

[Sandy Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner

I love the Lucy novels. I read this in an evening because I could not put it down. Lucy's team is hired to help Sarah figure out her past. She has amnesia. Tommy,the team doctor, is too close to the case because of his wife's disappearance a year before. Coincidence that Sarah's story is similar.Read and find out. Highly recommend

[Geneva · Rating 5 out of 5]

CJ Lyons has introduced us to a new series. Beacon Falls is going to be a winner, .I could not put this book down, up late finishing, of course when you get close to the end, YOU CAN NOT PUT IT DOWN. . . . . . ..It will be interesting to read the past history of the new characters. CJ has done it again.