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Title/Author

Smoked

Patrick Quinlan

Average Review Rating Average Rating 8/10 (1 Review)
Book Details

Publisher : Headline Review

Published : 2006

Copyright : Patrick Quinlan 2006

ISBN-10 : HB 0-7553-2825-6
ISBN-13 : HB 978-0-7553-2825-3

Publisher's Write-Up

Smoke Dugan has made a living from handling explosives for a criminal organisation. But no one has ever been hurt by his actions, and when one of his bombs is used to take down a plane with innocent women and children on board, something snaps inside him. He takes his revenge by killing his criminal boss, taking his money and going on the run. Now, a year later, Smoke is hiding out in a picturesque seaside city in Maine. He knows that it is only a matter of time before the organisation catches up with him. When they do, he manages to escape - but then his girlfriend is captured. Now Smoke must try to save her and disappear for good. But it seems that someone else is after Smoke's girlfriend and it's not long before Smoke finds himself caught up in a dangerous chase game from which there might be no escape...

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Reader Reviews

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Review by Nigel (300906) Rating (8/10)

Review by Nigel
Rating 8/10
Smoke Dugan is the 'title' character of the piece, a one time explosives expert for a criminal gang, now on the run after killing his boss... The Boss in fact. He has created a very low key life for himself in Maine but has become a little too relaxed.

Enter the super cool Cruz, a rather likeable hit man who normally works alone but after a slightly messy job finds he is hitched with two not so cool thugs, Moss and Fingers, either of whom would dearly love to take over Cruz's place as the top man. Throw into the mix Smoke's girlfriend Lola, her roommate Pam, the psychopathic Sticks, two porn 'directors' out for revenge and sundry extras and all the ingredients are present for an exciting conclusion.

There is actually nothing new in the storyline to be honest, the main character having a somewhat dubious past that is about to catch up with him. Where this novel does differ from the run-of-the-mill, however, is the excellent story telling abilities of the author. He manages to pull together the standard ingredients, implements first-rate characterisation (you will even like the nasty ones) and blends them into a well written story that does the one thing a book should do... entertain.

Basically, Smoked is an extremely well written story with likeable characters and a flowing writing style that puts better known authors to shame. If you like your humour black you won't go far wrong with this excellent debut.
Nigel (30th September 2006)

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