Mr. Smoke


Fiction - Thriller - General
436 Pages
Reviewed on 11/17/2009
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

There is much more to Damon Gray than meets the eye. He is a gifted pianist. He has an enhanced bond with his parents. He was only fourteen when they were murdered by a Terrorist Bomb. At that moment, Damon visited the Elsewhere for the first time. When he returned he was colorblind and had lost all of his “special gifts.” Fourteen years later his grandparents died in a plane crash. Once again, he visited the Elsewhere. He continued playing concert piano but was an empty man. Photographers referred to him as the Gray Ghost because he refused to allow himself to be photographed. The name was fitting, for inside he was dead.

He was sitting in his hotel room, listening to the news report of another terrorist bombing, when he once again visited the Elsewhere. He returned this time with all of his special gifts, and more.

Damon Gray became a Terrorist Bomber's worst nightmare. Damon had all his special abilities back and he hated terrorist bombers with an insane passion. He could easily slip in and out of a terrorist camp without being detected. He immobilized his target and issued a warning. There was only one warning per Terrorist Bomber. His next visit was to exterminate the murderer. It was Payback time.

I am amazed that Mr. Smoke is Robert Preston Walker’s first novel. He writes like a seasoned author. The plot is crisp, exciting and entertaining. The twists and turns will keep the reader eagerly turning the pages. This science fiction thriller has great depth. The characters are multidimensional and come to life on the pages of this book. I am sure this will become a series; Mr. Walker, PLEASE, this has to be a series. I want to read more about Mr. Smoke. I will be very surprised if Mr. Smoke doesn’t show up in theaters.

Daltan Ray

I agree. A great fun read. Looking forward to reading many more from this author!

Rev. Rob Warren

In a weekend where I was entrusted with the care of a wife recovering from major surgery, my newly adopted 13 mo. old son, replacing a stove and washing machine that picked extremely inopportune times to break beyond simple repair... I was still drawn to Mr. Smoke in the rare moments of calm and compelled to finish it quickly.

In reading it, I kept seeing the potential for Mr. Smoke (and the supporting characters) to form a wonderful series of graphic novels. The Scene layout of the book, the quick-hit structure used and the way the formation of one of the most potentially iconic characters to come out in quite some time.

I hope there is a consideration to retelling this arc in that format.

Thank you for a wonderfully distracting and enjoyable read.

Rev. Rob Warren - Meadowview Presbyterian Church

Natalie Beumer

Sir Robert Preston Walker...

Your book was fabulous! So fabulous in fact.. I have yet to come up with words worthy of describing it.

I am sending this to let you know I have not forgotten about the review I promised.

Fan & Friend,
Natalie Beumer

Lisa @ Ssarasota Rare Coi

Robert, Mr. Smoke was an excellent book. I read it in two sittings. I also can't wait for it to become a movie. I too would like to have front row seats to your opening premiere just like Slyvia and Michael.
Lisa

Alice Kay Watson

I just finished reading Mr. Smoke. I enjoyed it very much and look forward to Gotcha, Robert Walkers next book! I finished reading Mr. Smoke over Christmas vacation. When I got to work today, I couldn’t wait to tell my friends how much I enjoyed reading it. While this isn’t typical of the type of book I enjoy reading, Mr. Smoke captured my attention immediately and kept me engrossed to the very end!
Alice Kay Watson

Gabby Templeton

When I read Mr. Smoke, after a few chapters I was addicted and I wanted to figure out what happend in the end. Damon Gray in the end was not only a hero to the world, but to himself, Natasha, and Cat, without ever knowing it. He saved homself by crawling and clawing his way out of the black hole that had become his life and he saved Natasha and Cat from the darkness that they had lived in for so long.
I look forward to reading Gotcha.

Peggy Harper

Mr. Walker, I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your book, Mr. Smoke! I used to read books to my children so they now enjoy reading, but I have let that part of me be distracted by other "stresses." This book was so interesting and took me away from this life to Damon Gray's world. The language, while being a little raw, was just what you would expect from the assassin world. I found myself cheering for the murdering of assassins. Of course, with all of the bombing around the world and 9/11, my feelings have changed somewhat. The terrorists in the world NEED to be stopped, and I truly want to believe that there may be a "Mr. Smoke" organization somewhere that could assist the world governments. As a Christian, I know God can do anything to help us as long as we do what we should. In anticipation of the new book, I am ready for you to finish it. I am glad that you enjoy writing because I will enjoy reading your next book. The brief snapshot of "Gotcha" in the back of the book just "wet my whistle" for more reading. Meeting you was a joy for me and I thank you for autographing my copy of the book. Ready for the next adventure, Peggy Harper

Chris Lee

Mr. Walke,

Thanks for a very entertaining story.. I truley enjoyed the characters in Mr. Smoke.
This was a truley different story line, and I have read hundreds of books.

Just wanted to let you know that your Mr Smoke was a great book.

I so hope you will write a sequal....I just have to wonder about what is on the other side for Mr Smoke and Misty.....

I am also looking forward to your next book "GOTCHA"......
Chris Lee

Danielle Postec

When I started to read Mr. Smoke, the story took control of me and I found it really hard to put down. Loved the Sneak of "Gotcha" can't wait to read this one.
A huge fan of your books -- Danielle

Rob Warren

I feel Mr. Smoke needs a more formal review.
Robert Preston Walker has created, in his novel Mr. Smoke, a book that you're compelled to finish quickly. The scene layout, the structure, and one of the most potentially iconic characters in recent memory draw you in, and before you know it, you find your left hand holding more pages than your right. Mr. Smoke is complex, but not difficult to follow, and crosses typical genres smoothly. Mr. Smoke is quite simply, a wonderfully distracting and thoroughly enjoyable read. Rev. Rob Warren - Louisville Kentucky

Iola Belt

My name is Iola Belt. My girlfriend and I met you and your wife at your Book Signing Booth at the Louisville Street and Rod Show. We both purchased your book, Mr Smoke. It was great, can't wait to read your next book Gotcha. Where can I find it. If it is anything like this one I know I won't be able to put it down. Keep writing the great books.

Iola Belt

Lynn Owens Lee

Bravo Robert Walker!
Mr. Smoke was beautifully dark and beautifully written; suspenseful and jam packed with delicious turns from beginning to end.
Each character was interesting and suspenseful. It looks like we could have a new hero, who is one minute mysterious and the next, very tantalizing. This book left me wanting more. I hope we will see Mr Smoke and Cat again in the "other world".
Mr Smoke is a tribute to Robert Walker's craftsmanship, both satisfying and surprising.
Robert, I look forward to your next novel "Gotcha" and hope the plot and characters are as brilliant as in Mr. Smoke.


Lynn Owens Lee
Louisville, Kentucky