Book Review: Smoke-Filled Rooms

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Smoke-Filled Rooms     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Kris Nelscott
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Historical   Ethnic
St. Martin’s, Aug 2001, $24.95

In 1968, ten-year-old Jimmy saw first hand who assassinated Martin Luther King and it is not the guy languishing in jail. The child’s older friend, Bill "Smokey" Dalton knows how dangerous that knowledge is to Jimmy as the King scenario smells to much like a conspiracy between Memphis cops, local government officials, and the Feds. Smokey and Jimmy leave home in an effort to keep Jimmy safe.

Smokey’s choice of Chicago does not look prudent with police activity swarming all over the city to keep riotsers away from the upcoming Democratic Party Convention. Especially tagged by Dailey’s troops are the blacks. I t is even worse for Smokey and Jimmy bcause they have apparently been spotted by those who want no witnesses to the King assassination left alive. Smokey calls on a friend to keep Jimmy safe while he goes aground to try to eliminate the threat.

The latest Dalton historical mystery (1968 as historical just does not seem right) is an exciting tale that brings alive a period of major unrest. The story line is great as the summer of love is ancient history and the summer of boiling discontent has replaced it. The characters, especially Smokey and Jimmy are real people. Not only conspiracy buffs will realize that Kris Nelscott is doing more than just blowing smoke with this tale and the delightful A DANGEROUS ROAD.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner