Smokescreen

By Nancy Hartry

Nothing in Kerry’s life prepares her for her first summer job. Stationed as far north from Toronto as Florida is south, unqualified and inexperienced, she perceives hazards around every tree. What does she know about fieldwork? Or black bears? Or men? Absolutely nothing—all she’s done with her life so far is competitive dance. If her mother only knew what this job required!
 
Kerry’s new partner, Yvette, is unlike anyone she’s ever met and something about her doesn’t add up. Her boss is a chauvinist pig and out to get them. When forest fires break out, Kerry and Yvette are drafted for fire duty and sent deeper into the bush—even closer to the fire. As all of northwestern Ontario goes up in flames, Kerry vows to find out what is really going on and uncovers a crime of international scope and scale that will threaten her life.
 
Smokescreen is an adrenalin pumping adventure, pitting two resourceful young women against nature and man at their most greedy.  Truth and lies.  Fire and darkness.  Who will triumph when nothing is what it seems?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Jul 9, 2013
• ISBN: 9781770494060

Reviews for Smokescreen

[stang50logan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Received Smokescreen through early reviewers. The book was one that was a very fast read, just over 200 pages. The book was a bit predictable but full of suspense throughout. The story could have been a bit better with deeper character development. Overall a good book worth the read.

[rashedchowdhury-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"Smokescreen" is a dramatic young adult novel, about growing up, about forging the bonds of friendship, about testing the waters of love, and, of course, all of this takes place against the backdrop of a large-scale forest fire. Questions arise as to who set off the fire and why, who can be trusted in the two protagonists' surroundings and who cannot. Are people really who they seem to be? Can the two main characters' friendship survive the strains their surroundings are putting on it? Eventually, after a series of adventures fraught with peril, all of these questions are satisfyingly resolved. Evidently, there's a lot of growing up that can happen in one summer.

[gma2lana · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I received this book from Early Reviewers. At first I thought I would really enjoy the book, but then as I delved further into it, I thought it was rushed, and lots of things I felt were skipped over. So, not my most favorite read as of late. I think it had potential for a bit longer book. It's a teen book, but I don't think my kids would pick it up.

[sierra1977 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I did like this very quick read. However, I felt that there was something missing at times. Almost as if the author just wanted to be finished. It was an engaging story though, not sure my kids would enjoy it like I did.

[terriko_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

From the setup of Kerry starting her first summer job in northern Ontario as a "cottage development tech" I was expecting this to be a coming of age story, but really it's more of a mystery, and a wild ride of one at that. If you're looking for a more character-driven teen coming-of-age for young women, you'll be disappointed. As long as you're willing to treat this as a thriller, with the lazily defined characters of pulp fiction but a fast-moving plot to keep you from needing to dwell on the shortfalls (think novella-sized Dan Brown) it's a fun piece. Short, sweet, full of mystery and mayhem!

[silentq_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I requested this book for early review since it was set in Northern Ontario and dealt with fire fighting. The protagonist was a fairly un-self-confident teenager dealing with a very self confident partner (from Quebec, she felt spot on). Add in some sketchy romance prospects, men you couldn't trust because they may or may not have been lighting the fires that were going wild and being fought by the men in camp, and an asshole boss, and it wasn't a very pleasant situation about which to read. There could have been more depth and a few more plot twists, but it was okay overall.

[ella6kennen · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Kerry is stuck spending the summer in the Canadian boonies, after a bad case of shin splints force her to take time off from Irish line dancing. Angry at her mother's obsession with her dance training, and feeling completely naive and out-of-sorts in her new environment, Kerry is off to a rocky start. Things get worse when she gets reassigned to be a cook to a group of forest firefighters at a faraway outpost... and even worse when two seemingly unrelated mysteries come to an ugly head.Smokescreen has the makings of a solid story, but it doesn't quite deliver. The author sped through character development, some of the dialog feels forced and stiff, subplots could benefit from more detail and clearer transitions, the climax stretches credulity, and the resolution is both eyebrow-raising and a bit too crammed. Not a bad read for teens, but not a must-read either.

[librarian1204 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Set in the Canadian forest, this is an exciting teen read. The two teens in the book come from different backgrounds but both of them want the income their summer job working for the Department of Forestry will give them. Their initial job soon changes as they become cook's helpers for a fire fighting crew. Packed with lots of action and multiple sub plots, the book chronicles the changes in the two girls over the summer as they struggle to become real friends and make 'boy friends' along the way. Some not very plausible events, but mostly a good read for the intended audience.

[jennifer35k · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Most teenagers in their junior or senior year in high school take on the task of finding a summer job. A position that will give them both money and experience for the impending future. Often times the job is recommended by a family friend or member in hopes that it will ease their transition into the working world. This story is about one such teenager named Kerry. A girl that has spent most of her life preparing to be a professional dancer. After succumbing to an injury that prevents her from dancing, her mother sends her off to a government summer position assisting fire fighters. Angry at her high strung mother and family friend that got her the job, she takes off with no intention of communicating with either one of them. Kerry wants to break ties and find out who she really is over the summer. During this summer job she is partnered with a model type French girl named Yvette. A girl who gives a first impression of being high maintenance and of low intelligence. However, Kerry learns that looks are not everything and one should never judge a person by their cover. The job proves to be very stressful and a mystery soon entails. One of bear killings and arson. The girls are forced to use their quick wits and survivor instincts to handle both job and personal danger. I first of all want to thank the author for letting me review her book. I was not sure if I would enjoy this story, but I really had a good time. I have never read anything about forest fires, but I have driven by them on several occasions due to my location. I really enjoyed how the author portrayed what she believes to take place during a forest fire. It was easy to get lost in the stress of fighting the fires and trying to manage strong emotions. I loved how both of the girls developed into mature characters and stayed true to themselves. I was taken aback by the conclusion of the story and I thought it was a great ending. This book is full of action, suspense, and just plain fun. I highly recommend it and have offered it to my husband to read. I am positive that he would like this book as much as I did.

[sheilacornelisse · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Teenagers Kerry and Yvette are hired through a student employment program to help locate suitable cottage lots in Northern Ontario. However, as a forest fire rapidly spreads, the girls are reassigned as cooks for the fire fighter camp. With suspense, mystery and drama, this is a recommended read especially for teenage girls who will be able to relate to the believable characters.

[hdzookeeper · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting story about two teenage girls who get jobs working for the Canadian Dept. of Forestry and Parks. They end up being cooks and kitchen helpers for the forest fire camp. There's a mystery as to who is setting the fires and what is happening to the bears. It has a good ending.Enjoyable afternoon read.