Smoke is a story of a young woman’s strength in the face of misogyny and extensive corruption in her department in the LAPD. Returning to the small community of Jasper after becoming a whistle blower, Alex Markov takes a demotion to be able to remain a detective. False evidence and manipulated videotapes planted by the detectives in her former department ensure an internal investigation is hanging over head. So, although she has returned to the place in which she grew up, potentially a safe haven, the past is not behind her and as we see as the story cleverly unfolds, the future is tainted, still, with the insidious tentacles of the LAPD corruption syndicate.
I started to read this novel and was thrown slightly by the author’s style of writing. It seemed a bit unusual, a bit choppy and I felt a bit discomforted. However, I read on as the story itself was turning out to be, at first, quietly gripping then wildly gripping and the writing style contributed greatly to this!
Smoke is set against the backdrop of the California bush fires. This novel starts with a tragic, accidental death as a result of the wildfires sweeping through the town. However, further investigation reveals the death was murder. Alex pulls at this first thread that unravels a web of corruption entrenched in the town’s core. Things meant to stay hidden are revealed. As she gets closer to the truth more lives are taken to avoid the exposure of those responsible. Alex can turn a blind eye, which is tempting, or expose it all knowing it could crush her and those she loves.
An excellent read!
Reviewed by Alison Logie
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Brissenden is an author and journalist. His first book of fiction – The List was published in 2017. A second thriller – Dead Letters also features the Federal investigator Sidney Allen was published in March 2021.
Michael was a journalist with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation for 35 years. He was posted to Moscow, Brussels and Washington and worked in Canberra for many years in various roles – including as the Political Editor for the daily television current affairs program – The 7.30 Report, as the ABC’s defence and security correspondent and as the presenter of the ‘AM’ Current Affairs program on ABC radio. From 2017 to 2021 he was a reporter with the ABC’s investigative television documentary program – Four Corners.
Michael has also written non fiction. In 2012 American Stories: Tales of Hope and Anger. The book was a personal account of a country on edge that chronicled the undercurrents of division and anger that surfaced during the first term of the Obama presidency. Divisions that would later be exploited to such devastating effect by Donald Trump.
He has contributed to a number of essay collections over the years and written for The Bulletin, The Canberra Times and New Matilda.
Before he turned to journalism and writing Michael dabbled in art and music. He has a degree in Visual Art from the Sydney College of the Arts and continues to believe he might one day master the double bass.
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