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Title: Smoke Screen by Kyle Mills ISBN: 0-399-15098-6 Publisher: Putnam Pub Group Pub. Date: 11 September, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $24.95

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Average Customer Rating: 3.57 (14 reviews)

Rating: 4
Summary: Interesting
Comment: See book summary above.

I like Kyle Mill's thrillers. To see him come out with something different took me a little by surprise. I'm not disappointed, though. Smoke Screen is a tale of big business and the tobacco industry. There are arguments for both the anti-tobacco lobby and the Tobacco companys. The solution seems to me to be ideal, but not likely to come to fruition. So whether you're a smoker or not, you'll get plenty of ammo from this novel.
The protagonist, Trevor Barnett, did not strike me as a very likeable character. He seemed naive and wishy washy (not knowing which way to go on an issue).
This novel will have some naysayers, only because their used to the typical Mill's thrillers, but I enjoyed this foray into a different genre (probably because I used to smoke) and will continue looking for Kyle Mills on the book shelf.

Recommended.

Rating: 5
Summary: Change of perspective but truely fun and enjoyable
Comment: First of all, the people who have written poor reviews of this book are clearly demanding that authors stay within the cookie cutter format of novel writing. I was surprised and pleased to see that Mr. Mills has expanded his horizons.
The key to a Kyle Mills book is taking a scenario in the real world and focus in on 3-5 main points or hooks and ignore the rest. With a narrow perspective on the world we're able, with only a small stretch of the imagination, to sit back and go on a fun ride. I can see how this is disappointing or frustrating for some because you're screaming at the book, "what about second hand smoke?!?" By focusing on some key points the author expects the reader to suspend disbelief. This isn't for everyone but for those it works for it's an incredibly fun ride.
His characters are wonderful; although the main character's love interest is a little under-developed.
I highly recommend this book to anyone.

Rating: 5
Summary: Smokin'!
Comment: This book is a radical departure for Mills, and though I approached it tentatively my fears proved unfounded, as the book quickly grabbed my attention, and the narrative sped along.

This book is reminiscent of Christopher Lehman Haupt's book, Thank You for Smoking, but is told at a much more breakneck pace. It has the intelligence of some of Donald Westlake's more scathing books, and a healthy dose of humor and irony help propel it along.

I do admit that the characterizations are weak, but the characters are here as a deus ex machina, and aren't the important part of the story. The important part of the story is the examination of the conflict in our government between the desire to get tax-money from tobacco firms, and the government's desire to protect people from the dangers of smoking. Mills clearly thinks that anyone still smoking has brought upon their addiction to themselves, especially younger smokers who've been brought up in an enviroment where they're taught about the hazards of lighting up as soon as they enter school.

I recommend this book without hesitation, but only if you want to be entertained whlie being educated. If you want a 'critic'-acclaimed level book, this one does miss the mark.

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