Synopses & Reviews
Smoke Dugan is on the run.
A bomb-maker by profession, he dropped out of sight because of a misunderstanding with his employers about an airplane crash and $2.5 million in cash. Unfortunately, they've found out where Smoke's living--a picturesque seaside city in Maine. And Denny Cruz, a highly paid assassin, is on his way from New York to collect him.
Smoke's girlfriend, Lola Bell, is unaware of his past. Sexy, smart, and tough, Lola's a weed that grew up through the cracks in an inner-city housing project. Her big eyes belie her secret weapon: she's spent a decade studying the martial arts. The tattoo on her shoulder reads girls kick ass. When Cruz decides to use Lola to get to Smoke, he has no idea what he's taking on.
A time bomb is ticking as Smoke, Lola, Cruz, and anyone unlucky enough to come into their orbit are caught up in a drama of abduction, car chases, and triple bluff, where escape or violent death look like the only options. But nothing turns out quite as anyone might expect . . .
Patrick Quinlan's fast-paced, edgy, and brilliantly original first novel introduces a cast of characters worthy of Tarantino in their sophistication and resourcefulness, in a stylish thriller that marks the debut of a stunning new talent.
Review
"An engrossing thriller that takes an aging bomb-maker on the lam, a couple of very dangerous hit men, some small-time crooks, and a girl who was paying attention in self-defense class, and weaves a can't miss sizzler of a story. Patrick Quinlan creates a memorable character in Smoke Dugan and a story that keeps you guessing."
--James Siegel, New York Times bestselling author of Derailed and Detour
"A tight and compelling novel. You will not be able to put Smoked down. My shaking
hand was turning pages. What a debut. Patrick Quinlan is a wonderful new writer."
--Carolyn Chute, New York Times bestselling author of The Beans of Egypt, Maine
"Smoked is one cool read. Tough, suspenseful, grittyn and raw. I enjoyed the hell of it."
--Victor Gischler, Edgar-nominated author of Gun Monkeys and Suicide Squeeze
Review
"Smoked should absorb any fan of Bruckheimer blockbusters and everything else that goes boom."
--Entertainment Weekly"Graphic action and exhilarating chases ensue as Quinlan's characters play cat-and-mouse through Portland. Denny and Smoke share an unlikely, endearing sensitivity and intelligence, and Smoke's girlfriemd, Lola, is a fierce delight. It makes one hope that Smoke hasn't quit the life entirely."
--Publishers Weekly"A sizzling crime caper paced at NASCAR-style velocity,
Smoked features a shillelagh-toting bomb maker on the run, an alluring martial arts vixen and a setting as exotic and unexpected as Portland, Maine. Quinlan's taut thriller is already garnering the kind of electrifying buzz that reminds Hollywood that there are engrossing stories to be discovered beyond the Universal Studios backlot...A turbo-charged tour de force."
--Mark Griffin, Port City Life"
Smoked is a first novel rich in characters lovingly drawn and mercilessly executed. Often literally. Gives the whole expression 'character assassination' a brand new meaning."
--London Times"Tarantino-esque first novel about the past catching up with an ex-criminal turned children's toymaker, and by extension with his young girlfriend Lola. Lots of villains and violent deaths plus likeable characters and some quirky humour. The first chapter - in which Lola busts her way out of a thoroughly nasty rape scenario with karate-kicking panache - would hook anyone."
--The Bookseller (UK)"A tight and compelling novel. You will not be able to put
Smoked down. My shaking hand was turning pages. What a debut. Patrick Quinlan is a wonderful new writer."
--Carolyn Chute, New York Times bestselling author of The Beans of Egypt, Maine "Smoked is one cool read. Tough, suspenseful, gritty and raw. I enjoyed the hell out of it."--Victor Gischler, Edgar-nominated author of Gun Monkeys and Suicide Squeeze
About the Author
This is PATRICK QUINLAN's first novel. He lives on the coast of Maine.