Tracks in the Smoke

by Tom Savage

It’s the first of December and it’s been a while since private eye Nick Dante has had a case worth investigating. When a sound engineer asks Dante to prove his company didn’t leak the new album by pop mega-star Maya Prada, Dante is reluctant to get involved. Dante doesn’t like the case or his client Andrew Grey. Even though, to be fair, as a self-proclaimed aspiring curmudgeon, he isn’t fond of most people. Dante’s main priority in life is to find a quiet spot to finish his pint. However, his priorities change when he meets the beautiful and irreverent Ronnie an employee of Grey’s. While trying to keep his eye on the case and off of Ronnie, Dante stumbles around London drawn into a world of multinational record labels, shady ex-military contractors, angry producers and several people from his past who don’t want to wish him a Merry Christmas.

281 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 22, 2014

Reviews

[Kory Shrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good mystery story and this detective novel fits the bill! The story features detective Nick Dante. He is a private-eye who is not exactly a people person, yet charming nonetheless. He “enjoys reading, doing the crossword, and sitting in a pub having a drink--or six”. His ex-military background makes him well-equipped to do his job--as inconsistent and unstable as his job might be.

Enter Felix, a sassy 22-year-old woman who looks like she should be the lead singer of a rock band. When she signs up to be his assistant, we get a great look at all her own potential to be a PI someday and her knack for keeping Dante in line. Though not a romance (thank god), I love the Nick-Felix dynamic and found their scenes to be my favorite. :)

So if you like British detective novels, irascible PIs with a dark past, and sassy sidekicks, this one is a quick, fun read for you! J

[Frances Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced, modern day private detective mystery that surprised me with its ability to draw me into the ruthless dog-eat-dog world of today's music industry. Our main character Nick Dante is very likeable thanks to his love of pubs, decent ale and the company of attractive women, all of which don't get in his way (too much!) as he tries to do what's right by uncovering the truth...even when he doesn't have to. As well as perfectly capturing a grey and wintry London as a moody backdrop to the story - albeit occasionally sparkling with Christmas lights - Savage has packed the book full of witty and sharp one-liners that show us there's much more to Mr Dante. I finished this book in just two sittings and already I've started to wonder what is coming next for Nick Dante and co.?

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book very much. Had good characters that held this readers attention. The London backdrop was interesting, showing a different side to the usual tourists perception; Buckingham Palace etc.
Savage resisted the temptation to reveal early on in the plot the reason for the main characters apathy to his choice of career and life, nicely done. I would suspect that Savage could expand on his characters more in future novels, that is not a criticism, just an observation of this readers wish to read more of his work.
Nick Dante is a Private Investigator worthy of another case. Its time for Tom Savage to dig really deep and give Nick Dante a case nobody else will touch.

[Herman Morgan III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great First Book

Here's yet another Excellent Writer that I've discovered thanks to my Amazon Unlimited ! I will now go follow Tom Savage on Twitter !