Praise for Smoke and Embers : "Intricate . Short chapters and snappy dialogue help speed the kaleidoscopic narrative along, though not at the expense of character development or emotional power. Lawton remains a force to be reckoned with."-- Publishers Weekly "Another simply riveting novel by John Lawton. A deftly crafted story that references the Holocaust, and the reinvention of identities in the aftermath of World War II, Smoke and Embers exhibits a compelling complex storytelling style replete with compellingly original dialogue."-- Midwest Book Review "With a twisting plotline, crackling dialogue, convincing historical detail and characteristic humor, Smoke and Embers is a masterful addition to Lawton's impressive canon of books. It also has a fascinating Afterword that expounds on the book's themes and adds some more details. A must read for fans of the series, as well as aficionados of spy fiction and good writing.
"-- Deadly Pleasures Magazine "You will not be able to stop reading once you start . John Lawton's latest novel is deeply moving, an unforgettable story about our past and how it informs our present."-- Criminal Element "Fans of great espionage have long adored Lawton's excellent historical spy novels, but this one, the ninth in his Inspector Troy series, is one of his best. If you haven't already discovered Lawton, start here and I promise you'll go back and devour the entire series . Character drives the plot - the details really are the story, and I loved every one."-- The Globe and Mail Praise for John Lawton: "Lawton's ongoing recreation of Cold War chicanery is one of the great pleasures of modern spy fiction."-- Mick Herron "Meticulously researched, tautly plotted, historical thrillers in the mold of World War II and Cold War fiction by novelists like Alan Furst, Philip Kerr, Eric Ambler, David Downing and Joseph Kanon."-- Wall Street Journal "Wickedly seductive entertainment .
John Lawton is creating some of our finest, and some of our most enjoyably ambiguous historical fiction."-- Washington Post "Lawton's gift for memorable atmosphere and characters, intelligent plotting and wry prose put him solidly at the top of anyone's A-list of contemporary spy novelists."-- Seattle Times "Lawton is a master of the genre, and his writing is not only historically accurate, but also rich, ribald, cynical, informed, inventive, and hilarious."-- Christian Science Monitor "[Lawton] is a master of creating a feeling of time and place, of amalgamating true-life events into his imaginative plot, of bringing every character, real or fictitious, major or minor, vividly to life."-- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Intricate plotting, colorful characters, and a brilliant prose style put Lawton in the front rank of historical thriller writers."-- Publishers Weekly "Beautifully done."-- Booklist "Constantly entertaining . The spying is well mixed with humor.
"-- Times (UK) "Lawton's books contain such a wealth of period detail, character depiction, and background information that they are lifted out of any category. Every word is enriched by the author's sophistication and irreverent intelligence, by his meticulous research and his wit."-- Literary Review.