SMOKESHOW Smoke, Book 1

Narrator Ingrid Greene plunges listeners into a Southern world of wealth, horse racing, and power. Maddy is taken in by a woman claiming to be her late mother's best friend after her father and brother mysteriously die in a car crash. Through her relationship with her mother's friend, Maddy meets Blaise Hughes, whose family owns the largest racehorse establishment in the South. Secrets are revealed, and learning the difference between the truth and lies becomes dangerous. Greene's portrayal of Maddy is heartfelt and well conceived. However, when performing the various male characters, her tone lacks expressiveness. Nonetheless, listeners will be on the edge of their seats with the audiobook's cliff-hanger suspense. J.J.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2023]