The Smoking Room

by Julie Parsons

It all began one morning in the smoking room of the Department of Health and Welfare.

That was where happily married Jack met the lovely Grace. At first smoking was all they had in common. But soon they were sharing a lot more. Love, as well as cigarette smoke, was in the air.

But when Miriam, Jack’s wife, began to suspect that his feelings had changed everything became a lot more dangerous. Because Miriam was a woman w

80 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2004

About the author

Julie Parsons was born in New Zealand but grew up in Ireland from an early age. A former producer with RTÉ radio and television, she lives in Dublin.

Reviews

[Alahna O'Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thaitin an leabhar seo liom. Scéal simplí atá i gceist. Níor thuigeas go n-éireodh sé ina ‘Whodunit’, rud atá déanta go maith ag an údar caithfidh mé a rá. Tugaim 3.5 don leabhar seo. Scríofa go snasta agus níor cailleadh m’aird.

[Rachel Trench · Rating 2 out of 5]

In terms of Irish: some really beautiful phrases while also using really accessible Irish.
In terms of plot: poor, uncohesive/ unrealistic with some of the things that happened next.
Character development: Unsure if the revealing of personal aspects of characters' lives was cliche or actually good, I was more focused on the Irish language aspect.

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a little story to read, a very little book...a quick story and very orginal...i have enjoyed reading this book, it makes you create a big imagination from a little story!

[Book_Worm_Jim.83 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack and Grace re colleagues, they have worked together but never spoke, not until smoking in the office was banned. Jack has to go outside to smoke but when its raining, Jack is forced to use the smoking room that he's said he'll never use.

Jack then meets Grace and he experiences wonderful feelings, feelings he does not get from his overbearing and all powerful wife. Jacks wife, Miriam owns a perfume shop and has a nose like a bloodhound. Miriam offhandedly tells Jack if he ever has an affair that she'll smell another woman's perfume.

Jack is pulled between being faithful and falling head over heels in love with the lovely Grace. Grace and Miriam are two completely different woman. One power driven and one caring for a mother who's terminally ill.

What will Jack do, who will he chose? The chose is taken out of his hands before he can choose as tragedy strike as a terrible fire one of the women out of the equation but is it an accident?

[Plum-crazy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do enjoy this series of short, quick reads & this was a quick one, it only took about 10 mins from start to finish. It might have been only 70 pages long but it was still quite a good read. However being such short story, to say anything about it would give the ending away! 

[Richard Martinez · Rating 1 out of 5]

This just wasn’t good

[Elaine Kirwan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bhí an scéal seo go huafásach. Fuair gach duine bás, go tobann.

[Ian Laird · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cliched mediocrity
As Yul said: 'Don't smoke'
Otherwise burnt ends await

[Ally Atherton · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Jack didn't mean to fall in love with Grace Lynch that morning- or any other morning for that matter. He didn't mean to fall in love with anyone.'


This is a neat little book. My favourite so far of my 'quick reads' sprint. As a middle aged bald bloke I don't read many romance books at all. But this is great. It's like Mills & Boon with a dark twist! It's the perfect way to pass an hour. Enjoyed.

[Victoria Rice · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book I picked up for 99p in Waterstones and read on the journey home. It features a manipulative wife, trodden down husband and a smoking room. The plot seemed rather generic. It passed the time and was a quick read!

[Angel Serrano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Relato corto sobre la historia de una infidelidad y la venganza de la mujer abandonada que hará cualquier cosa por recuperar a su marido y por imponer su voluntad.

[Jodi Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

gripping short story :-)

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

It read just like a couple of months worth of serialisation in a women's lifestyle magazine.