"Tarantino-esque 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
"Graphic action and exhilarating chases ensue as Quinlan's characters
play cat-and-mouse through Portland ,...makes
one hope that Smoke hasn't quit the life entirely. Lola is a fierce
delight." -- Publishers Weekly
"A fast and furious thriller notable for a vintage collection of
really rotten bad guys. Characters to care about, even the no-goods. Readers may be bearing early witness to the
arrival of a major talent." -- Kirkus Reviews
"SMOKED should absorb any fan of Bruckheimer blockbusters and
everything else that goes boom."
-- Entertainment Weekly
"A fast-paced thriller...the story moves at warp speed, capped by a
cinematic chase...before ending in spectacular fashion."
-- Los Angeles
"Watch out for [SMOKED]. A superb debut. A great crime novel. Brilliant
is the word."
-- The Independent
on Sunday (UK
"This first novel is wonderful! What makes it so wonderful is an
author who can write great prose, great set-ups, great dialogue, and create
characters that jump off the page. Can’t recommend this enough for those of you
who like your thrillers on the very dark side." -- Bookaholic
"[A] breathless sequence of abduction, car chases and con jobs. Just
what the doctor ordered for a Hollywood
flick."
-- The Calcutta Telegraph (India
"[A] strong cross between Elmore Leonard and Quentin Tarantino doing
Elmore Leonard. The result is tightly plotted, confidently written and very
hip." -- The
Sunday Observer (UK
"Quinlan's prose is as smooth as his character's dialogue and when the
action hots up, its hard not to find yourself grinning with pure joy. Quinlan…
does it with an infectious enthusiasm and a confidence that makes this a
pleasure to read."
-- Crime Scene Scotland
"One hell of an exhilarating ride. Certainly one of the better
thrillers I’ve read this year." -- Shotsmag (UK
"Cue kidnappings, explosions, beatings, murders and car chases aplenty.
Pacey, punchy and raw, this is one self-assured debut." - In the Air – inflight magazine of Qantas
Airlines (Australia
"[A] thrilling ride that will keep you hanging on the edge of your
seat. It will make you curse the fact that you need sleep."
-- Bullz-Eye.com
"The story combines vicious villainy with threadbare morality to
produce a bang that movie producers and script-writers would be sorry to miss.
Once you've picked it up, it's hard to put it down." -- Channel NewsAsia (Singapore
“THIS is the stuff – violent, pacy, stylish and funny.”
-- The Daily Mirror
