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| Plot Summary of The Smoke |
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"
Dunne, Sep 2002, 23.95, 320 pp.
ISBN: 0312290276
After serving in the Merchant Navy, former creeper (cat burglar) Jethro insists he has gone straight using the skills he learned during World War II to earn a living as a stagehand in London's West End theatres. No one who knows Jethro from before the war believes he can resist the lure of a caper. Several of his underground cronies have even tried to enlist Jethro's help on jobs.
Jethro serendipitously plies his real profession creeping quietly into places to rob jewels. He successfully enters the Russian Embassy and takes jewels belonging to the ambassador's wife. However, His Majesty's Secret Service observed his activity and recruits (perhaps blackmailed is more accurate) him to perform a special service for them. He must steal a code book from the Soviets but by accomplishing his assignment, not only will the espionage world from both camps seek him out but so will the police and the mob.
Though the theme has been used in numerous novels and movies, debut author Tony Broadbent refreshes the plot through a strong cast of characters including London. Jethro is a wonderful creeper and the secondary ensemble from seemingly every walk life in the SMOKE (slang for London) wanting to exploit his talents are fully developed making the novel worth reading. Also London circa 1947 is so vividly described, the audience will feel they are there. All this inside a cleverly drawn thriller that overcomes a slow meet the players beginning leave the reader demanding more novels from the obviously talented Mr. Broadbent.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of The Smoke |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
descript. of violence and chases - 10%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 60%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
Time/era of story:
- 1930's-1950's
Spying/Terrorism Thriller
Yes
Cloak & Dagger Plotlets:
- main char. spying/sabotage
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Search for technology?
- state secrets
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- accused criminal
Age:
- 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use?
- a little
Ethnicity/Race
- British
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- mastermind
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- power
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- England/UK
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths?
- 1
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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