Smoke

By Jeremy Chester

Set in Miami and Central America during the 70s, Smoke is the story of a journey that begins when Jim Smyth, a young Marine returning from combat in Viet Nam, is brilliantly manipulated by an... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0982093853
• ISBN13: 9780982093856
• Release Date: October 2009
• Publisher: Bascom Hill Books
• Length: 452 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.1" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

It holds you until the last page

I've read so many novels that promise much, only to deliver weak and unsatisfying conclusions. "Smoke" grabs you quickly and doesn't let go until the novel's final words. Multiple sub-plots are described that come together in the clever, well thought out conclusion. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a fast paced, adventure mystery.

Hats off !

Smoke is a suspense novel unlike any other I recall. First, it is up there with Ken Follett, Robert Ludlum, and John Grisham, and that's no exaggeration. And second, Chester has set up a situation wherein the antagonist successfully hides `in plain sight' while running several peoples' lives, right up until the end. The protagonist, Smoke, is a decent guy coming out of Viet Nam messed up by his service there, plus a horrible experience just after discharge. But he's no sooner through this than he runs straight into a plot to use him, and some others, to carry out a kidnapping - or else. And then it gets really complicated by his encounters with two lovely, intelligent women, and the president of a large company specializing in security and counter terrorist training (this all takes place in the early `70s, but you can imagine Blackwater and the others in their infancy). It took me a few chapters to really get into it, since there are new characters and weird situations coming at you page by page, but very quickly, you won't want to put it down. I liked the characters, especially Smoke and his two love interests, and Miami comes across as it did in Miami Vice with all the color and drama. Mr. Chester does a great job depicting action, whether violent or sensual or political. The line where he defines the elements that make a woman extraordinary stayed with me: ...'a statement of character and a touch of mystery...'. And, just when you don't think it can get any better, it turns out the ending is the best. Get this book and be ready for a wild ride all the way to the amazing climax and a shocking, but satisfying, end. He says on his website that a sequel is in the works, and I am looking forward to it.

Page Turner

Smoke is a perfect book to get away from it all, like when on a beach or cruise, time taken to put the stresses of life aside but keep the brain going and intrigued. There is always something going on, seldom a slow patch!

Holy Smoke

I liked this novel. It's actually a three-for-one deal since there are three plots woven together so tightly that something is always happening and you keep turning the pages. Each of the three could be a suspense novel on its own. It gets harder and harder to put this book down. The three plots consist of a decent but tough ex Marine (Smoke) trying to salvage his life from a devious manipulation by a believable, anonymous evil power; a love triangle that Smoke gets caught in between two compelling lady loves; and a corporate power struggle influenced from overseas by a nasty Latin American paramilitary outfit. And they're all interrelated! The resolution comes as all three of the plots collide in the final pages, in a way that keeps you jumping as you try to guess what's about to happen. The author certainly knows his material as the characters, the venues (South Florida and Central America) and the action are all vivid. Let's hope there is a sequel, there's a lot more life left in these characters.

Ver interesting read !

An old friend recommended this book to me. I didn't want to hurt his feelings, so I agreed to borrow it. However,after a few pages, I really got in to it. The characters were interesting and unique. The story is a mixed bag of big business, international intrigue, espionage, not to mention love interests. It seems the author must have had first-hand knowledge of much of the story line (I'm guessing that a lot of the book is autobiographical). I really enjoyed SMOKE, and anxiously await the sequel. This will also make a great action-adventure movie. (Think Harrison Ford as SMOKE).