When the Smoke Clears: A Novel (Deadly Reunions) (Volume 1)

I have read other books by Lynette Eason. This is the first book in this series. I have to admit, it grew on me.I was very confused at the beginning (prologue) where we are at Alexia's graduation. At this point, we know little of her history, so it was hard for me to realize that there wasn't really a fire even though what sounds like a fire is described (apparently in Alexia's thoughts or memories).It seemed a little odd to me that with a fire memory like that, Alexia would pursue firefighting and smoke jumping as a career, but . . .After an incident at a fire that results in her temporary suspension, Alexia returns to her hometown for the first time since graduation. But trouble follows her. And only part of the trouble is resolved in this book (which is a little annoying, but . . . we'll see.)Quite a few people seem able to "disappear" in this book--something that seems a lot harder in this day and age where social security numbers are needed for so many things, and there's so many cameras, and so much social media presence.Dominic (Alexia's brother)--left home after being caught dealing drugs and doesn't contact Alexia (and doesn't appear to have contacted his mother either). We find out what he did in this book.Alexia's Father (Greg?)--leaves her mother at some point and no one hears from him again (until Hunter tracks down some history during this book--but we still don't know exactly where he is.)Jillian Carter--leaves town graduation night and vanishes for years--then contacts Serena out of the blue (apparently just prior to Alexia coming home). We get an idea of what she might be doing in this book but she's part of the section where the mystery isn't resolved too. Somehow, I suspect we won't know the full story until the last book of the series.I did like that so many people of faith are in this book: Alexia's mother; Michael Stewart, a pastor and man who's seeing Alexia's mother; Hunter; Dominic; Devin (though we don't get to know him well); Serena. I agree with another reviewer that there are good discussions about faith without it feeling too "preachy". (Though if you're a reader who dislikes any mention of Christian faith in fiction then this is not the book for you.)

4½ starsAlexia, Serena and Jillian were best friends in high school.At the day they graduated Jillian saw something she had better not seen. Her friends saw that she was afraid of something, but Jillian never told them what she saw. That day she ran away out of their lives and neither Alexia nor Serena would hear from her in the next 10 years.Also on that day Alexia started a new life. Her mother threw out of the house and she didn't know where to go.Ten years later Alexia is a firefighter and she is loving her job. When she is in a burning house trying to save a child she runs out of air due to equipment failure. It seems like her equipment is sabotaged. She is off duty while the case is investigated.Her friend Serena calls her to ask her to come home for a high school reunion. Serena also tries to talk Alexia in visiting her mother whom is in the hospital. Alexia hasn't seen her mom since she threw her out of the house. According to Serena her mother has changed, but Alexia finds it hard to believe.When she comes home, she first visits her mother's house. When she is inside she's hearing a noise from the basement. When she goes to investigate she finds a man bleeding to death.The police arrive and she's surprised to see Hunter as the detective. She knows him from high school. Hunter was a couple of years older than Alexia.Hunter was attracted to Alexia in high school, but she didn't seem to show any interest in him. Now 10 years later he finds himself still attracted to her. His partner doesn't like Alexia and thinks she's quilty. Soon more troubles start and Alexia is always in the center of it. Can Hunter keep her safe? Will he believe in her innocence? Does the equipment failure at work has anything to do with the troubles at home?Alexia has no idea who is after her. In between all the troubles she visits her mother and tries to remember things from her youth. She also seems to run into God everywhere. Will she surrender to Him?This was a fast paced action book. I had a hard time putting the book down. I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Alexia Allen has returned to her hometown after 10 years. She can never forget the day her mother told her to leave. Now her mother is in the hospital and it is time for Alexia to return home to confront her past. From the moment Alexia gets into town her life is in danger. Surprising a masked murderer in her childhood home begins Alexia's welcome to town.Hunter and his partner Katie are one of the first investigators on the scene. Hunter remembers Alexia from high school and knows that she would never be involved in murdering someone, but when evidence begins to pile up against her, Hunter's partner Katie can't help but believe that Alexia has something to do with the brutal murder.Coming from an abusive home Alexia struggles with the idea that God could care for her. It seems that everywhere she turns though God is there to meet her. Her mother, her friend Serena and even Hunter all express their faith in a God who loves her. Slowly Alexia begins to see that love for herself.Desperate to keep anyone else from being murdered because of her Alexia helps investigate who could be behind the killings. Could it be her abusive father who still blames her for his injuries sustained in a fire? Or does it have something to do with her old friend Jillian Carter who disappeared the night of their graduation?Having read the last book When A Secret Kills first I was anxious to go back and read the first book in the series. It definitely did not disappoint! Lynette Eason manages to write a fast-paced suspense that keeps the reader turning the pages to the very end. I have to admit that I did figure out "who-done-it" before the end of the book, but there were still a couple of times I questioned whether I had the right suspect or not. Now I need to go buy the next book in the series When A Heart Stops.

I liked this book, but some parts felt hard work reading. The story is a little too far fetched at times and not "believable." However, I really enjoyed the second book in this series and couldn't put it down. The story follows on, so it helps to read this book first. Although, you might get away with skipping this book and going straight to book number two.

An author I've not come across but will certainly read more of. A wonderful mix of who dunnit & romance. Very good, read it in one session

I have never read any of this authors books before. The premise sounded interesting, and, it was free!Kept me interested and guessing right the way through.Have to get the next book now to find out more about the baddie 😃

Excel book, gripping, reading that kept you on the edge of your seat. Def recommend it if you like to be kept in suspense.You wondered who, I had my suspicions and to a degree I got it right. Read it to find out what I mean.

The storyline was fine though it could have gone deeper. There was too much action in such a short period of time, made it become very unrealistic to believe that allll of that could happen to one person in such a short period of time. What would have made this book good: less action and more building of the storyline.