Smoke by Catherine McKenzie

In the new novel, Smoke by Catherine McKenzie, Elizabeth is used to fighting fires.  She has been working with wildfire management teams for a long time.  What she is not used to fighting for is peace at home.  Her life as an arson investigator has caused major problems at home:  the long hours, the preoccupation with work, and the close relationships with coworkers have taken a toll on her marriage.  Elizabeth and her husband are on the verge of divorce.  Her once close relationship with her close friend, Mindy, is in tatters.

         Elizabeth’s former friend, Mindy, is not faring much better.  She is struggling to find her place in the community.  Though she values her husband and children, she is having trouble negotiating a relationship with them.  When a deadly, out of control wildfire threatens the town, Mindy finds new purpose in trying to raise money for the elderly displaced man whose property contained the fire origin.

         The fire investigation reveals that the beginning of the fire is more suspect than originally thought.  When the inquiry reveals that local teens may be involved, it leads to Elizabeth and Mindy questioning their families as well as their relationships within the town.

         Though there is a mystery in Smoke, I would place the novel more firmly in the category of women’s’ fiction.  The bulk of the novel is really spent upon the relationships of the women to each other and to the members of their families.  I found the book to be well written with fleshed-out, believable characters.

         The plot, while involving, did not build much of a sense of anticipation for me, and though I was interested to know what actually happened, I did not feel compelled to find out.  Instead, I was more interested to know if the relationships of the women improved.

         Another aspect of the novel that is well done is the description of fire and its toll on communities.  It is clear that Catherine McKenzie knows what she is talking about when it comes to managing fire danger and its impact upon those first responders who try to save lives and property.

         Overall, Smoke was an enjoyable read and I learned a bit about the world of fire management as well.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Regina

The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison

Jodi and Todd are at a bad place in their marriage. Much is at stake, including the affluent life they lead in their beautiful waterfront condo in Chicago, as she, the killer, and he, the victim, rush haplessly toward the main event. He is a committed cheater. She lives and breathes denial. He exists in dual worlds. She likes to settle scores. He decides to play for keeps. She has nothing left to lose. Told in alternating voices, The Silent Wife is about a marriage in the throes of dissolution, a couple headed for catastrophe, concessions that can’t be made, and promises that won’t be kept. Expertly plotted and reminiscent of Gone Girl and These Things Hidden, The Silent Wife ensnares the reader from page one and does not let go. 

The Silent Wife was not what I was expecting.  Compared to Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, I was expecting a marriage gone wrong but with some psychological and thrilling components - plot twists and turns that would make my head spin.  However, I was pretty wrong.

Pretty much Jodi and Todd have been together forever.  However, middle age has set in and Todd has taken up with a younger woman.   I didn't like Todd at all because he felt entitled, that he could have his cake and eat it too.  He didn't see anything wrong with spending the afternoon with his fling and then going home and sleeping in his own bed and spending time with Jodi.  He didn't want anything to change.  But it does when his younger woman gets pregnant.

Jodi is very hard to read.  She spends her afternoons as a therapist and her time keeping their apartment in pristine condition and cooking up splendid gourmet meals for Todd.  She is very happy with her life and doesn't like things to change her schedule.  So this young fling and her baby are just a blip on her radar.  She continues like nothing is wrong and since she knows Todd, she knows it's a passing fling and that he will come back to her.  But it doesn't work out that way.....as Todd begins to feel pressure from many sources.

I didn't like any characters in The Silent Wife.  The story takes the reader into the past of Jodi and Todd, how they met and how their life has evolved.  Love and revenge can do many things to a person and Harrison throws in a few twists and turns to keep the reader guessing.  I enjoyed the storyline immensely, I just thought the writing was very dry.  Recommended for readers who enjoy mystery thrillers but on the dry side.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  Wendy