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    Smoke
    Smoke
    Smoke
    Audiobook9 hours

    Smoke

    Written by Catherine McKenzie

    Narrated by Amy McFadden, Cassandra Campbell and Danny Campbell

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    An Amazon Best Book of the Year
    A 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 purpose: 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.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateOct 20, 2015
    ISBN9781501277986
    Smoke
    Author

    Catherine McKenzie

    Catherine McKenzie was born and raised in Montreal, where she now practises law. Her  bestselling novels include Spin, Arranged, Forgotten, Hidden, Smoke, The Good Liar  and I'll Never Tell, which was an instant bestseller. Visit Catherine online at www.catherinemckenzie.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/catherinemckenzieauthor, and on Twitter or Instagram at @catherinemckenzieauthor.

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    Reviews for Smoke

    4/5

    62 ratings13 reviews

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    • 5/5
      This is my 2nd book by the author and they were both so good I didn’t want to stop.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 3/5
      An okay story and charactes, but not on par with her other books in my opinion. It wasn't a struggle to finish and I did want to get to the reveal at the end, but it wasn't a "can't put it down" read like her other books.
    • 3/5
      Elizabeth and Ben’s marriage is strained. After years of marriage, they are planning to divorce. The morning after they decide, they wake up to a fire threatening their house and their community of Nelson.As the community is in danger, Elizabeth, as a private investigator, tries to investigate the cause of the fire. When the accusations point to the teenage son of her former friend, Elizabeth is torn. Couple that with all the emotions swirling between herself and Ben and the encroaching fire, tension is high.I liked this story, but there were some gaps that I don’t feel were adequately explained. The ending was an interesting twist.
    • 1/5
      When a wildfire threatens her home, Elizabeth, a former fire investigator, quickly jumps into the fray. She uses her expertise to uncover the origins of the fire, while dealing with marital problems at home.I really disliked this book. The characters seemed so flat and stereotypical. Mindy’s point of view was completely unnecessary, and took away from the excitement of the fire. This book was extremely slow moving. Instead of telling us what the past problems and conflicts were, the author just kept talking about them, without telling us anything. Very frustrating. Overall, a bust.
    • 4/5
      I've been a fan of Catherine McKenzie from her first book. She's just released her fifth novel - Smoke. Each of the previous four books have been completely different reads - I never know what to expect when I start one of her books. But what I do know is that I'm going to enjoy it.Elizabeth fought wildfires as a profession for over ten years, travelling to where she was needed. Its taken a toll on her personal life though. So, now she stays put, living with her husband in a quiet mountain town in the Rockies. Instead, she works as an investigator for the town's attorney. But when an out of control fire threatens the entire town, her skills as an arson investigator are called into play again.Elizabeth's ex-friend Mindy is also worried about the fire. She knows something is 'off' with her teenage son - and has been for quite a while. And whether or not she wants to admit it, she wonders if he might have had something to do with starting the fire.Smoke is told in alternating chapters from both women. I really enjoy dual narrative novels - a second look at a same event and/or two stories that will intersect farther down the road as more is revealed.Although the fire is the stage for the novel, there's much more to Smoke. The personal lives of Elizabeth and Mindy are explored - motherhood, friendship, love, marriage and secrets. While Elizabeth is the 'lead' character, I found myself more drawn to Mindy. I didn't like Elizabeth's secret keeping from her husband - and her justification for those choices. Mindy has made some questionable choices as well, but I was more inclined to forgive her. Her 'redemption', if you will, appealed to me more. McKenzie does a great job of creating a 'mean girls' group that Mindy hangs out with. (But I do want to know what happened to the siphoned library money?) The petulant and aggressive teens are also well drawn.The mystery of who started the fire runs through the entire book of course. I did have the 'whodunit' sussed out before the end, but quite enjoyed the journey to the final reveal. The fire, the methods used to fight it and the mindset of a firefighter were well researched and believable.I'm always intrigued by cover choices and titles. I'm not overwhelmed with this cover, but the title made me think of the old adage - "Where there's smoke, there's fire." And its applicable in so many ways to much of the plot line and many of the characters in Smoke.Smoke is another engaging, easy read from McKenzie. Those who enjoy contemporary women's fiction with a touch of mystery will enjoy Smoke.
    • 2/5
      Let me start by saying I had such a hard time getting into this book. Smoke was a slow read for me. I kept putting it down and had to force myself to pick it back up. The second half of the book was better than the first, but that still didn’t make me enjoy the book. Overall I was left with a feeling of meh.-Received an ARC in exchange for a review.
    • 5/5
      First, I received this book from NetGalley (Lake Union Publishing) for my enjoyment and review. This book by Catherine McKenzie was an absolute “cannot put down until the end” book for me – a real pager turner. The story of Elizabeth and Ben, her career in fire control, and their marriage – takes the reader through a disastrous fire in Nelson, Colorado, Elizabeth's involvement in the fires investigation, her long ago friendship with Mindy, and her troubled marriage.I will not tell the ending, but believe me – this is a well-written, very good book!!Thanks, Catherine McKenzie. I will definitely look for more from you.
    • 4/5
      Elizabeth Martin thought her life would get better when she became an investigator with the local prosecuting attorney's office. The slower pace, she presumed, would reduce stress and be more conducive to finally starting a family with her husband. Mindy Mitchell's family has already been through the ringer when her infant daughter had a brush with death due to an undiagnosed hole in her heart. Now both Elizabeth and Mindy must deal with unforeseen life changes and major complications after a local fire wreaks havoc in their small town in the latest Catherine McKenzie novel, Smoke.Elizabeth and Ben have been married for ten years but together a total of sixteen years. Elizabeth has worked as a fire spotter, fighting wildfires, and an arson investigator; Ben works as a teacher at the local private school. For the past few years, she and Ben have been trying to start a family. Elizabeth presumed it was the stress of her job that was a contributing factor to their inability to get pregnant, so she took the job at the local prosecuting attorney's office. Regrettably, things haven't worked out the way she expected and she's asked Ben for a divorce. Then a local house burns down and a wildfire threatens their neighborhood and town. Will this investigation and fire be the final blow to their marriage or can it bring them closer together?Mindy Mitchell's family relocated to the Rockies after her daughter's brush with death. Her daughter Carrie is now a healthy thirteen-year-old focused on ballet. Mindy's son, Angus, is no longer the talkative and energetic boy she once knew. He's quiet and secretive and Mindy fears the worse. After a local house fire, she's sure her son is hiding something from her but isn't sure she really wants to know the truth.Smoke is another amazing story by Ms. McKenzie. Both Elizabeth and Mindy, along with their families, are at crossroads in their lives. Elizabeth is investigating the fire and wants nothing more than to save her home and possibly her marriage. Mindy is dealing with bullying. She knows firsthand the harmful effects of bullying in her own dealings with the town's affluent popular mothers. Now, she realizes that her son is dealing with bullying at the hands of the children of those bullying mothers. Elizabeth and Mindy are forced to face the real problems in their lives rather than running away from them. Ms. McKenzie provides characters that are realistic and action that is wholly plausible. Needless to say, there's a lot more going on in this story than I've mentioned (read it to find out for yourself). I found Smoke to be a fast-paced and engrossing read about friendship, love, loss, second chances, secrets, privilege, and bullying (without being preachy in tone). If you've read books by Ms. McKenzie in the past you'll want to add Smoke to your TBR list. If you've never read anything by Ms. McKenzie and enjoy fiction about friends and family, then Smoke may be the perfect place to start (trust me, after reading it you'll want to go back and read her other books).
    • 5/5
      McKenzie has another hit on her hands. In SMOKE you meet two very intriguing characters; Elizabeth and Mindy, who were once friends but an incident broke up their friendship. McKenzie does a great job of slowly releasing details how how these two woman were once connected, which kept me completely enthralled. In addition to that, there is a looming fire (which is a mystery to how it was started) that could take everything away from them. This book is perfectly titled as my fingers were smoking because I was burning through the pages! Another wonderful novel from a master storyteller. 5 stars
    • 5/5
      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 which combusts, 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!
    • 4/5
      Elizabeth and Ben, after 10 years of marriage, were getting divorced. Elizabeth had worked woodland fires for 10 years, since she was 26 years old, and then became the arson investigator for the regional district. She’d taken an investigator course as part of her arson training and was now working as a private investigator for the prosecuting attorney. Ben came from money and works at a private high school, one that costs forty thousand dollars a year to attend. It is where Ben attended. I found Ben to be rather laid-back about the divorce and the fire, which threatened the home that he and Elizabeth lived in.44-year-old Mindy is married to Peter, a manager at the bank, and they have two teenage children. They are part of the middle class. Mindy had worked at the high school science lab, but lost her job when the budget was slashed. Now her domain was entirely domestic. Her constant attention was on her kids, and Mindy was finding it hard to keep up with the world outside her family. Her kids’ lives seemed to take up most of her time.Nelson residents were told to remain on high alert. The town could be in real danger because of a fire spreading up the north side of the Peak eating through timber. Now there is evidence of arson and a local teen could be involved. And the story unfolds ---Both Mindy and Elizabeth are complex characters, and the lives of these two do intertwine throughout. I never became fully engaged in the character of Mindy, even though she was an intricate part of the story. I found that part of the storyline to be just lukewarm. However, I immediately connected to Elizabeth, finding her to be the best part of the storyline.There are complex relationships, a mystery that slowly unravels, some romance, and a satisfying conclusion. This finely layered novel, with and interesting premise, certainly evokes vivid realism through both the well-described scenes and the vibrant presentation of characters. My rating is 4 stars.I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
    • 4/5
      I was lucky enough to get an advance reading copy of Catherine McKenzie's Smoke and I loved it. It was fast paced and hard to put down. Highly recommend!!
    • 5/5
      This is the first book that I've read by Catherine McKenzie but it definitely won't be the last. I have already ordered several of her earlier books. I really enjoyed this book. The characters and their problems were so real that I felt like I knew them. The author evidently did a lot of research and I learned a lot about fires and what firefighters go through. So not only was there the smoke from the fire but there was figurative smoke obscuring the relationships in the book - between Elizabeth and her husband, Elizabeth and her best friend Mindy and most importantly it obscured both women's personal views of who they really were. This was a fantastic book!