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lovegirl30's review against another edition
5.0
“Smoke. Everything about it had always meant being away to her, so now that she was safe at home, it was a smell that didn't track.”
Elizabeth is an arson investigator who's life is in chaos right now. She is debating leaving her husband Ben, and dealing with a massive wildfire that has recently grow out of control. She has been a career firefighter for almost a decade. She was once a forest firefighter. It is in her blood. This one lies in the heart of her town, right in their own backyard even.
When Elizabeth is forced to evacuate she is faced with going back to her in-law's house. They have just decided to divorce and now have to pretend to be happy and loving again. This is sort of an issue I have about this book. Elizabeth is the complete opposite of me. She is constantly nagging her husband, wanting to change him, argue with him. This she even admits, but yet dwells on it. Maybe I am being too simplistic when I think she could have solved things by just cooling off her jets.
The character of Elizabeth is one I had a love-hate relationship with. She was a down-home, small town girl. Desperate to be a mother, one who desired the love of her husband. Extremely independent and brutally honest to a fault. She was a mixed of emotions and a constant over analyzer.
At the same time, I didn't feel like the author explored Ben and Elizabeth's relationship enough. There wasn't enough backstory, and everything in the present felt tense. It caused me to think several times throughout the book, that maybe they should get a divorce. I mean if they are so unhappy, that would be the best thing to do? I do believe that you should want to fight
The story actually is told from two different perspectives, two different women, Elizabeth and Mindy. They couldn't be more different but at one point they were friends. Now, they just completely ignore each other. All those years disappearing into the abbess of anger.
Mindy is a perfect housewife, married to a man named Peter. She is the "Susie homemaker" of the book. She has two teenagers named Carrie and Angus. She loves her children. She is the typical worry wart and protector of them. She feels lost, though. She feels entirely disconnected from her children and life. Living life on auto-pilot is seems as if she could fade right into nothingness.
Unfortunately, I really feel like Mindy's character was extremely weak and failed to really be described. She was a worried housewife and thats about it. It just seemed very stereotypical in my opinion.
We aren't told right away why Mindy and Elizabeth went their separate ways. It is sort of left as a teaser of things to come. All we are told in the beginning is that she misses Elizabeth and struggles with the companionship of her new ones.
This type of story telling is new to me. I found it jumping from the present, where they are trying to solve the mystery of the fire, to the past where we are learning exactly who our characters are. The transitions are the various chapter titles.
This is the type of story that will captivate you. I found myself completely thrown into the story. I felt like Elizabeth and Mindy were my friends. I could imagine going through the fire, being evacuated. My heart ached when they were sad, I laughed when they laughed. Any book that makes you forget time, is a perfect book.
What would have made this better would have added more into the story other than the women? I know we get a special perspective in the end but I would have loved to hear the story from Ben, Angus, or even Tuckers side.
I also think many themes were introduced and then quickly dismissed. It seemed to sort of meander around topics and never really hit on anyone. This brings me to the ending. I really enjoyed the ending, I still have some issues with it.
The confession seemed rushed and tied up. I really think the story was way to descriptive in the middle and the author realized she had to finish the novel. It was a bit of a surprise ending but not really. I sort of had already figured it out.
Elizabeth is an arson investigator who's life is in chaos right now. She is debating leaving her husband Ben, and dealing with a massive wildfire that has recently grow out of control. She has been a career firefighter for almost a decade. She was once a forest firefighter. It is in her blood. This one lies in the heart of her town, right in their own backyard even.
When Elizabeth is forced to evacuate she is faced with going back to her in-law's house. They have just decided to divorce and now have to pretend to be happy and loving again. This is sort of an issue I have about this book. Elizabeth is the complete opposite of me. She is constantly nagging her husband, wanting to change him, argue with him. This she even admits, but yet dwells on it. Maybe I am being too simplistic when I think she could have solved things by just cooling off her jets.
The character of Elizabeth is one I had a love-hate relationship with. She was a down-home, small town girl. Desperate to be a mother, one who desired the love of her husband. Extremely independent and brutally honest to a fault. She was a mixed of emotions and a constant over analyzer.
At the same time, I didn't feel like the author explored Ben and Elizabeth's relationship enough. There wasn't enough backstory, and everything in the present felt tense. It caused me to think several times throughout the book, that maybe they should get a divorce. I mean if they are so unhappy, that would be the best thing to do? I do believe that you should want to fight
The story actually is told from two different perspectives, two different women, Elizabeth and Mindy. They couldn't be more different but at one point they were friends. Now, they just completely ignore each other. All those years disappearing into the abbess of anger.
Mindy is a perfect housewife, married to a man named Peter. She is the "Susie homemaker" of the book. She has two teenagers named Carrie and Angus. She loves her children. She is the typical worry wart and protector of them. She feels lost, though. She feels entirely disconnected from her children and life. Living life on auto-pilot is seems as if she could fade right into nothingness.
Unfortunately, I really feel like Mindy's character was extremely weak and failed to really be described. She was a worried housewife and thats about it. It just seemed very stereotypical in my opinion.
We aren't told right away why Mindy and Elizabeth went their separate ways. It is sort of left as a teaser of things to come. All we are told in the beginning is that she misses Elizabeth and struggles with the companionship of her new ones.
This type of story telling is new to me. I found it jumping from the present, where they are trying to solve the mystery of the fire, to the past where we are learning exactly who our characters are. The transitions are the various chapter titles.
This is the type of story that will captivate you. I found myself completely thrown into the story. I felt like Elizabeth and Mindy were my friends. I could imagine going through the fire, being evacuated. My heart ached when they were sad, I laughed when they laughed. Any book that makes you forget time, is a perfect book.
What would have made this better would have added more into the story other than the women? I know we get a special perspective in the end but I would have loved to hear the story from Ben, Angus, or even Tuckers side.
I also think many themes were introduced and then quickly dismissed. It seemed to sort of meander around topics and never really hit on anyone. This brings me to the ending. I really enjoyed the ending, I still have some issues with it.
The confession seemed rushed and tied up. I really think the story was way to descriptive in the middle and the author realized she had to finish the novel. It was a bit of a surprise ending but not really. I sort of had already figured it out.
booklvrkat's review against another edition
3.0
Living on the West Coast fire is ever present, especially in the dry areas. I thought this story would be more about the fire, and the ex-firefighter Elizabeth. It does go in that direction a few times, gives you a glimpse of her life before, but this story was more about the drama of who started the fire and the drama around this small town.
lynnedf's review against another edition
3.0
Let me begin by saying that I'm a huge fan of Catherine McKenzie's work.
I enjoy not only the stories, but the characters and the journey each character goes through. I like that they seem like authentic individuals - full of feelings, angst, flaws and the desire to be good. So I'm a fan.
This is the first time that I had a more difficult time with the story and the characters.
I think for the story I got caught up in details that I shouldn't have - but that still affected my enjoyment of the book. For example, I've been to Nelson, B.C. and so I spent the majority of the book assuming the characters lived in Nelson B.C. And couldn't understand why there were references to elected sheriffs, prosecutors, why Beth would be going out of "state" rather than "province" to fight fires.... Which sounds like a super silly thing to get stuck on - but I just kept going back to that.
Secondly, I usually really like Catherine's characters. I like the adventure they are about to go on and can follow them pretty believably. In this case, I didn't really like Elizabeth/Beth or Mindy. I know that they are meant to be at crossroads in their lives and are both trying to come out the other side.... But I just didn't buy it. I didn't learn enough early on about Beth and Ben's relationship to really care that they might or might not make it.... And I felt that Mindy's storyline was pretty weak. Perhaps it's because we really only had both of their perspectives, maybe adding in Angus' and Ben's narration from time to time -not regularly but a few times to add a different perspective to that of the ladies - would have made everything flow better for me.
By incorporating Angus' narration into the narration I think it would have better brought in the school bullying theme, and would have explained his role in the story a bit more believably. By the time we had gotten to Angus and Willow's confession it felt like it was just trying to wrap things up -it didn't felt 100% authentic to the story.
In the end, Smoke had me thinking but not so much about the plot, more about how I wish I'd enjoyed the book more.
That's not to say this isn't worth reading,I just didn't sit up all night reading it in one go like I did "Arranged", " Spin", and "Forgotten" - all of which were super entertaining, "chick-lit" reads that I eagerly recommended to friends as soon as I finished reading them.
This is really likely more of a 3.5 read - once the story starts moving in the right direction I enjoyed it. A good ending that ties things together without everything being too perfect. I still look forward to reading whatever Catherine publishes in the future.
I enjoy not only the stories, but the characters and the journey each character goes through. I like that they seem like authentic individuals - full of feelings, angst, flaws and the desire to be good. So I'm a fan.
This is the first time that I had a more difficult time with the story and the characters.
I think for the story I got caught up in details that I shouldn't have - but that still affected my enjoyment of the book. For example, I've been to Nelson, B.C. and so I spent the majority of the book assuming the characters lived in Nelson B.C. And couldn't understand why there were references to elected sheriffs, prosecutors, why Beth would be going out of "state" rather than "province" to fight fires.... Which sounds like a super silly thing to get stuck on - but I just kept going back to that.
Secondly, I usually really like Catherine's characters. I like the adventure they are about to go on and can follow them pretty believably. In this case, I didn't really like Elizabeth/Beth or Mindy. I know that they are meant to be at crossroads in their lives and are both trying to come out the other side.... But I just didn't buy it. I didn't learn enough early on about Beth and Ben's relationship to really care that they might or might not make it.... And I felt that Mindy's storyline was pretty weak. Perhaps it's because we really only had both of their perspectives, maybe adding in Angus' and Ben's narration from time to time -not regularly but a few times to add a different perspective to that of the ladies - would have made everything flow better for me.
By incorporating Angus' narration into the narration I think it would have better brought in the school bullying theme, and would have explained his role in the story a bit more believably. By the time we had gotten to Angus and Willow's confession it felt like it was just trying to wrap things up -it didn't felt 100% authentic to the story.
In the end, Smoke had me thinking but not so much about the plot, more about how I wish I'd enjoyed the book more.
That's not to say this isn't worth reading,I just didn't sit up all night reading it in one go like I did "Arranged", " Spin", and "Forgotten" - all of which were super entertaining, "chick-lit" reads that I eagerly recommended to friends as soon as I finished reading them.
This is really likely more of a 3.5 read - once the story starts moving in the right direction I enjoyed it. A good ending that ties things together without everything being too perfect. I still look forward to reading whatever Catherine publishes in the future.
throwmeabook's review against another edition
4.0
Check out this and many more reviews on my blog https://throwmeabook.wordpress.com/2015/10/20/smoke-by-catherine-mckenzie/
As a forest fire threatens to destroy the small community of Nelson, former friends, Elizabeth and Mindy find themselves at a crossroads in their lives. Having spent ten years fighting fires, and frequent long periods of time apart from her husband Ben as a result of her job, Elizabeth has decided to settle down in an attempt to rebuild her faltering marriage. Now as the arson investigator in charge of determining the cause of the fire, she must face her transgressions and insecurities and clear the smoke from her mind to get to the truth in terms of the fire, but also uncover her true feelings and determine if in fact her marriage is worth saving.
Mindy, loving wife to Peter and doting mother to Angus and Carrie, feels disconnected from her family and the person she used to be before a family crisis, and the resulting stress and fear, left her emotionally debilitated. After reading about John Phillips, an elderly man who has lost his home because of the fire, Mindy wants to help him and sees this as her chance at redemption. As an opportunity to redefine herself once again and feel connected to her family and community. While she works to raise money for the victims, Mindy inadvertently stumbles into Elizabeth’s investigation and discovers a disturbing secret, that if uncovered could destroy her loving family.
On more than one occasion, while reading Smoke, I found myself remarking that Catherine McKenzie’s writing style was very reminiscent of the talented Jodi Picoult. The writing in Smoke is intelligent and thoughtful, yet equally simple and light, which lends remarkably well to an easy and enjoyable read. As with her previous novels, Catherine McKenzie has eloquently and realistically captured the complicated and messy human emotions that consume and guide our thoughts and actions. The characters are complex and authentic, good-intentioned yet flawed, as we all are, and I think that this is one of the reasons Catherine McKenzie’s novels keep readers coming back for more. I know that this is what brings me back each and every time.
Smoke was a thoroughly enjoyable read that I recommend to one and all.
I give Smoke 4/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Catherine McKenzie for providing me a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
As a forest fire threatens to destroy the small community of Nelson, former friends, Elizabeth and Mindy find themselves at a crossroads in their lives. Having spent ten years fighting fires, and frequent long periods of time apart from her husband Ben as a result of her job, Elizabeth has decided to settle down in an attempt to rebuild her faltering marriage. Now as the arson investigator in charge of determining the cause of the fire, she must face her transgressions and insecurities and clear the smoke from her mind to get to the truth in terms of the fire, but also uncover her true feelings and determine if in fact her marriage is worth saving.
Mindy, loving wife to Peter and doting mother to Angus and Carrie, feels disconnected from her family and the person she used to be before a family crisis, and the resulting stress and fear, left her emotionally debilitated. After reading about John Phillips, an elderly man who has lost his home because of the fire, Mindy wants to help him and sees this as her chance at redemption. As an opportunity to redefine herself once again and feel connected to her family and community. While she works to raise money for the victims, Mindy inadvertently stumbles into Elizabeth’s investigation and discovers a disturbing secret, that if uncovered could destroy her loving family.
On more than one occasion, while reading Smoke, I found myself remarking that Catherine McKenzie’s writing style was very reminiscent of the talented Jodi Picoult. The writing in Smoke is intelligent and thoughtful, yet equally simple and light, which lends remarkably well to an easy and enjoyable read. As with her previous novels, Catherine McKenzie has eloquently and realistically captured the complicated and messy human emotions that consume and guide our thoughts and actions. The characters are complex and authentic, good-intentioned yet flawed, as we all are, and I think that this is one of the reasons Catherine McKenzie’s novels keep readers coming back for more. I know that this is what brings me back each and every time.
Smoke was a thoroughly enjoyable read that I recommend to one and all.
I give Smoke 4/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Catherine McKenzie for providing me a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
mmmbakes's review against another edition
3.0
The beginning of the book was confusing because it is set in Nelson - so one would reasonably assume that meant Nelson BC. But this Nelson was in some unnamed state. Or maybe this is a post-apocalyptic novel when the United States has annexed all of Western Canada.
Everyone in this book had green eyes except for one person. You can tell Beth is the main character because she has red hair and green eyes, the phenotype of all paperback heroines.
Good for reading on a summer afternoon.
Everyone in this book had green eyes except for one person. You can tell Beth is the main character because she has red hair and green eyes, the phenotype of all paperback heroines.
Good for reading on a summer afternoon.
crolovr's review against another edition
5.0
I want to thank Catherine McKenzie and Netgalley for an advanced copy Smoke. The story is a week in the lives of Elizabeth and her ex-friend Mindy in their mountain town of Nelson.. Elizabeth left her job as a firefighter to be a local arson investigator and to try and save her marriage. Mindy is a housewife who feels disconnected from her family and is trying to fit in with a new group of friends. A mysteriously lit forest fire threatens the homes of Nelson. When Mindy's son is accused of starting the fire, Mindy and Elizabeth work to find the truth. The book has several unexpected plot twists. It is the story of trust, forgiveness, friendship and the love of family. A must read!
scorpstar77's review against another edition
4.0
Elizabeth's marriage is falling apart. She confirms this fact the same night that the fire comes to her town, threatening (literally) the home she established with her husband. As a former wildfire fighter and arson investigator, she knows far too much about fire to be left out of the investigation of how this fire started. Her investigation forces her to interact with a former close friend, Mindy, whose family is going through trials of its own. The two may have to work together in order to save their towns - and their respective families.
It sounds kind of corny now that I am reading my summary of events, but I was pretty riveted by this story, especially the second half. There is a central mystery - who started the fire? - but there are also family secrets to unravel along the way. Perhaps best of all to me, the two main female characters felt like normal women to me, and their problems weren't all about men. It's weird to say this, but I found it completely refreshing that both women were struggling in their marriages - and there was no adultery in sight. I feel like in most books, when marriages are ending or have ended, there is almost always an infidelity involved - either a reaction to a difficult time or the reason for the problems - and I really enjoyed that these marital issues were so much more pedestrian and normal. The story definitely had me interested, but the characters and relationships in this book were what made me like it so much.
It sounds kind of corny now that I am reading my summary of events, but I was pretty riveted by this story, especially the second half. There is a central mystery - who started the fire? - but there are also family secrets to unravel along the way. Perhaps best of all to me, the two main female characters felt like normal women to me, and their problems weren't all about men. It's weird to say this, but I found it completely refreshing that both women were struggling in their marriages - and there was no adultery in sight. I feel like in most books, when marriages are ending or have ended, there is almost always an infidelity involved - either a reaction to a difficult time or the reason for the problems - and I really enjoyed that these marital issues were so much more pedestrian and normal. The story definitely had me interested, but the characters and relationships in this book were what made me like it so much.
mountie9's review against another edition
4.0
Lifelike characters, and a realistic storyline. At times I won't lie I felt a little like I was getting a lesson in the life of those who fight fires for a living, but it wasn't over the top and lets face it I actually learned something. I always enjoy Catherine's writing as her character development is always spot on, feels realistic and never forced. I miss some of the lightness of her earlier novels, but you can definitely see her growth as a writer (But Catherine if you wouldn't mind, can you write something a little fluffier for me, I need a little less realism right now) Ok and who cannot love a writer who mention Remington Steele.
Favourite Quote
"It's black and angry, and I feel like I'm watching a swarm of Dementors advance on a fresh crop of wizards,"
Favourite Quote
"It's black and angry, and I feel like I'm watching a swarm of Dementors advance on a fresh crop of wizards,"
knitter22's review against another edition
2.0
A dear friend who was a fire tower lookout for the U.S. Forest Service passed away recently. He was instrumental in protecting the Lincoln Montana Valley, as he was first to spot and report fires. There was nothing more important to Dan than the safety of the firefighters and his community. I started this book hoping it would help me to remember Dan and his world, but it read like chick-lit. There is some fire information and firefighting, but it was overwhelmed by far too much overwritten drama in my opinion.