Reviews

Smoke and Whispers by Mick Herron

ashleywatt's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated

3.5

vvonbiel's review against another edition

3.0

I'll read anything Mick Herron writes, but this definitely was not one of his best. It had the feel of "I have to fulfill my 3 book deal, but my heart's not in it".

twoblues's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

3.75

bexlrose's review

2.0

You can tell this is one of his early books because it is dreadful when compared to his later work! I love Mick Herron, I think he is a brilliant writer and the natural successor to John Le Carrè, but boy oh boy this book is not one to count for that accolade.

Clunky, loose-endy, overly simplified at times, with a female protagonist i don't believe women can relate to. Good plot.

2 stars, a distinctly average book.

adrianjd's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Really getting to like Mick Herron.  Sharp and witty writing and keeps things tense.  Always managing a few twists along the way and this is no exception. 

coneyboro's review

4.0

A tangled trip around Newcastle while Sarah tries to unravel what happened to her friend, private investigator Zoë. This is the first book in the Zoë Boehm series that I've read and will read more. Has some of the trademark Mick Herron details - smart dialogue, evocative descriptions and plot twists. Bit slow to get going so perhaps 3.5 rounded up.

techxplorer's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

sandin954's review against another edition

3.0

While the writing and characters were as well done as in the previous entries in this series, the plotting was not quite as pulled together. Still, an enjoyable and suspenseful read.

cybergoths's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

didactylos's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

The location (I live there) is actually the main character, the plot is more than a little far fetched, and the main characyter in what she does is hardly credible.  Not sure how many readrs would like it if they could not actually know the locations and have walked the streets regularly.