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hashtag_alison's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
Honestly most of this one kind of dragged but the end got me. Lost another quarter star for the cliff hanger though.
katel1970's review against another edition
4.0
The gang were all in different places, so lots of moving parts, but Ide made it work. I found myself most drawn to the Dodson storyline.
ibnjah's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
emckeon1002's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this installment of the Isaiah Quintabe saga (in which he flirts with retirement), wherein the brainy detective heads to the country to clear his head, and keep his past off his trail. Of course, even the country is full of threats. I'm not thrilled with the cliffhanger finish (though it's the guarantee of another in the series), nor the dark comedic touches administered to the bloodlusting killers. Otherwise enthralling.
bookguyinva2022's review against another edition
5.0
First things first. I was reluctant to grab this book, the 4th installment had left me pissed off at its ending. That being said I'm happy to report that that glitch has been addressed and this book has brought me back to the fold. IQ is back in all his glory and the romance with Grace regained, although still awkward as it should be with these 2 strong personalities. Along with this came 2 very engaging side stories that will keep you glued to the pages. Joe Ide can certainly tell a tale worth experiencing and his writing moves things along without getting bogged down. You won't want to put this one down and your pom poms out to cheer everyone along.
nixieknox's review against another edition
3.0
I officially like all the supporting characters more than IQ. The mystery here was SO coincidental and convoluted that it was hard to even follow or care about. But I loved Dodson's story, and Deronda. I wish IQ and Grace could get it together already.
inw76's review against another edition
ALL of the books in this series were horribly written! Each book/story jumped all over the place, the long explanatory intro of each character, the ridiculousness of the "serial killers" and their weird antics...it was so over the top! I read them because I bought them. Now that I'm done....every single book is being sold! This series of books are the absolute worse I've EVER read. Also, the author's candid and over the top use of black stereotypes, unsavory usage of the "n" word when he himself isn't black...too much.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
The fifth installment in the IQ series, Smoke by Joe Ide is a suspenseful yet busy mystery.
Isaiah “IQ” Quintabe has a target on his back so he hits the road in hopes of escaping just about everything in his life. He is an unlicensed private investigator who has been involved in more than his fair share of violence in recent years. He is suffering from PTSD and Isaiah is looking for peace and quiet. But Isaiah discovers that even in a quiet small town where he does not know anyone, he still manages to get mixed up in a dangerous situation. He has also managed to irritate Sheriff Cannon which makes him less credible when he tries to warn the sheriff trouble has arrived in town. Will IQ be able to prevent himself from helping Billy Sorensen, who has recently escaped from a psychiatric facility? And can they convince Billy’s friend Ava Bouchard to back off when they end up in a dangerous situation?
Meanwhile, back home, his friends are dealing with unexpected situations. Food truck owner Deronda is dealing with someone from her past who wants something from her that she holds dear. With Grace’s help, they brainstorm ideas to try to get this person out of her life once and for all. IQ’s former partner Juanell Dodson is keeping himself out of trouble when he agrees to give an internship at an advertising agency a try. His wife Cherise is the impetus for this latest turn in his life and she enlists her mother’s help getting him ready for the business world. Juanell’s street smarts prove to be invaluable as he discovers his hustling skills translate into unexpected creativity.
Although he knows ending their relationship as the right thing to do, Isaiah misses his now ex-girlfriend Grace. However, they rethink their decision and just as she is heading out to pay him a visit, things take a dangerous turn for IQ. He continues to battle his PTSD and severe anxiety as Billy and Ava bring unsettling news. Their efforts to convince Sheriff Cannon to take their news seriously fall on deaf ears. With the situation becoming increasingly dangerous, IQ will need to be able to think clearly and make quick decisions in order to protect himself, Billy and Ava. Will Isaiah, Billy and Ava protect those they care about from the threats around them?
Smoke is an engrossing mystery with multiple story arcs that are quite interesting. IQ’s struggles with PTSD are realistic and his frustrations are believable. The various storylines are interesting and provide greater insight into the regular cast of characters. With plenty of nail-biting tension, Joe Ide brings this thrilling mystery to an action-packed conclusion. With the case wrapped up, the a cliffhanger conclusion on a personal note will leave old and new fans impatiently awaiting the next installment in the IQ series.
The fifth installment in the IQ series, Smoke by Joe Ide is a suspenseful yet busy mystery.
Isaiah “IQ” Quintabe has a target on his back so he hits the road in hopes of escaping just about everything in his life. He is an unlicensed private investigator who has been involved in more than his fair share of violence in recent years. He is suffering from PTSD and Isaiah is looking for peace and quiet. But Isaiah discovers that even in a quiet small town where he does not know anyone, he still manages to get mixed up in a dangerous situation. He has also managed to irritate Sheriff Cannon which makes him less credible when he tries to warn the sheriff trouble has arrived in town. Will IQ be able to prevent himself from helping Billy Sorensen, who has recently escaped from a psychiatric facility? And can they convince Billy’s friend Ava Bouchard to back off when they end up in a dangerous situation?
Meanwhile, back home, his friends are dealing with unexpected situations. Food truck owner Deronda is dealing with someone from her past who wants something from her that she holds dear. With Grace’s help, they brainstorm ideas to try to get this person out of her life once and for all. IQ’s former partner Juanell Dodson is keeping himself out of trouble when he agrees to give an internship at an advertising agency a try. His wife Cherise is the impetus for this latest turn in his life and she enlists her mother’s help getting him ready for the business world. Juanell’s street smarts prove to be invaluable as he discovers his hustling skills translate into unexpected creativity.
Although he knows ending their relationship as the right thing to do, Isaiah misses his now ex-girlfriend Grace. However, they rethink their decision and just as she is heading out to pay him a visit, things take a dangerous turn for IQ. He continues to battle his PTSD and severe anxiety as Billy and Ava bring unsettling news. Their efforts to convince Sheriff Cannon to take their news seriously fall on deaf ears. With the situation becoming increasingly dangerous, IQ will need to be able to think clearly and make quick decisions in order to protect himself, Billy and Ava. Will Isaiah, Billy and Ava protect those they care about from the threats around them?
Smoke is an engrossing mystery with multiple story arcs that are quite interesting. IQ’s struggles with PTSD are realistic and his frustrations are believable. The various storylines are interesting and provide greater insight into the regular cast of characters. With plenty of nail-biting tension, Joe Ide brings this thrilling mystery to an action-packed conclusion. With the case wrapped up, the a cliffhanger conclusion on a personal note will leave old and new fans impatiently awaiting the next installment in the IQ series.
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
5.0
IQ is on the run - he has just about every gang faction in LA after him and he needs to lie low. He heads into Northern California and won't tell any of his friends where he is. However trouble just seems to find him and this time he runs into two serial killers. Meanwhile in LA Dodson is pushed into taking a white-collar internship, he proves to be a genius at advertising but the 'Hood still calls. Deronda is facing the loss of her reputation when her purported 'baby daddy' tries to blackmail her.
There are so many strands to the IQ novels that a new reader must start at the beginning to see how the lives of the protagonists link and intertwine. Each narrative in this book is different and yet they all work so well together. There is humour, violence and pathos on every page, enough heart-pounding action to keep the thriller fan happy but also enough intelligent plotting to satisfy high literature. Joe Ide is a great writer!
There are so many strands to the IQ novels that a new reader must start at the beginning to see how the lives of the protagonists link and intertwine. Each narrative in this book is different and yet they all work so well together. There is humour, violence and pathos on every page, enough heart-pounding action to keep the thriller fan happy but also enough intelligent plotting to satisfy high literature. Joe Ide is a great writer!
jdglasgow's review against another edition
4.0
I’m disappointed that I’m through with the IQ series (for now—it’s clear that a sixth one is in the works), but feel good about SMOKE, the fifth offering. It doesn’t so much pay off the “redemption” arc I saw building from HI FIVE, but there are plenty of tense action moments which are a lot of fun and that’s kind of enough, I guess?
One thing I noticed in this book, though it maybe was present in earlier installments, was how much of the book wasn’t centered on Isaiah. Between his chapters there were multiple dedicated to Dodson’s exploits in advertising, Grace encountering Skip Hanson, Deronda’s legal issues, and TK’s new relationship with Gloria. It’s really become an ensemble.
There’s still a lot that’s kind of silly, but for the most part it all works together toward the end, unlike the loose threads of HI FIVE, and I was bothered by dialogue that feels too *written* at times, but these criticisms aside I was hooked. I particularly liked Dodson’s repeated successes in his advertising internship even though I’m beginning to wonder how many times he’s going to realize his own worth.
I guess another thing that bothers me is that Sheriff Cannon, introduced being blatantly racist, is seemingly redeemed by the end despite never making any changes to his character; in fact, at one point Isaiah/Ide excuses his use of excessive force as understandable heightened emotions. But for the most part Cannon is an obstacle, and Isaiah’s attempts to work with and around him—while Cannon erroneously thinks Isaiah is a criminal—are thrilling. Isaiah’s planned meeting with Cannon in a parking lot, followed by a foot chase through the woods, is a high point.
I faulted the early books in the series for having forgettable villains. Things are pared down here, with a pair of serial killers as the primary antagonist and driver of the plot. They’re certainly memorable and the climactic campsite battle is another very powerful and tense moment.
The last thing I want to highlight is that I am loving the way these books are taking Isaiah’s PTSD seriously. Too often in pieces of entertainment like this the gravity of what the characters have experienced is not developed. Seeing somebody killed in front of you is scarring. It makes sense that all of what he has experienced would haunt him. The idea that the book lands on in the end—that Isaiah *needs* danger to keep the PTSD at bay, like a junkie who *needs* a fix to function (e.g. Bobby James’ sister)—is an interesting take, and feels like it provides a lot of opportunities for Isaiah’s slide to go deeper. How reckless will he become to get his high?
I’m eager to find out. Book 6 can’t come soon enough.
One thing I noticed in this book, though it maybe was present in earlier installments, was how much of the book wasn’t centered on Isaiah. Between his chapters there were multiple dedicated to Dodson’s exploits in advertising, Grace encountering Skip Hanson, Deronda’s legal issues, and TK’s new relationship with Gloria. It’s really become an ensemble.
There’s still a lot that’s kind of silly, but for the most part it all works together toward the end, unlike the loose threads of HI FIVE, and I was bothered by dialogue that feels too *written* at times, but these criticisms aside I was hooked. I particularly liked Dodson’s repeated successes in his advertising internship even though I’m beginning to wonder how many times he’s going to realize his own worth.
I guess another thing that bothers me is that Sheriff Cannon, introduced being blatantly racist, is seemingly redeemed by the end despite never making any changes to his character; in fact, at one point Isaiah/Ide excuses his use of excessive force as understandable heightened emotions. But for the most part Cannon is an obstacle, and Isaiah’s attempts to work with and around him—while Cannon erroneously thinks Isaiah is a criminal—are thrilling. Isaiah’s planned meeting with Cannon in a parking lot, followed by a foot chase through the woods, is a high point.
I faulted the early books in the series for having forgettable villains. Things are pared down here, with a pair of serial killers as the primary antagonist and driver of the plot. They’re certainly memorable and the climactic campsite battle is another very powerful and tense moment.
The last thing I want to highlight is that I am loving the way these books are taking Isaiah’s PTSD seriously. Too often in pieces of entertainment like this the gravity of what the characters have experienced is not developed. Seeing somebody killed in front of you is scarring. It makes sense that all of what he has experienced would haunt him. The idea that the book lands on in the end—that Isaiah *needs* danger to keep the PTSD at bay, like a junkie who *needs* a fix to function (e.g. Bobby James’ sister)—is an interesting take, and feels like it provides a lot of opportunities for Isaiah’s slide to go deeper. How reckless will he become to get his high?
I’m eager to find out. Book 6 can’t come soon enough.