Retro Books
In Smokescreen, bestselling thriller writer Iris Johansen takes readers into the dangerous heart of an African nation torn apart by civil war, political intrigue and ruthless ambition. Combining forensic investigation, international espionage and high-stakes action, Johansen delivers another gripping adventure featuring forensic sculptor Eve Duncan, whose determination to uncover the truth once again places her in mortal danger.
The story begins when journalist Jill Cassidy arrives at Eve's home in Atlanta with a disturbing account of a massacre in the fictional African nation of Maldara. Guerrilla soldiers have attacked a village school, killing 27 children. Their bodies have been burned beyond recognition, leaving grieving families without the opportunity to identify and properly bury their loved ones.
Jill appeals to Eve's professional skills in forensic sculpture, asking her to reconstruct the children's faces from their skulls. Moved by the tragedy and the prospect of bringing some measure of closure to the families, Eve agrees to travel to the remote village.
However, the humanitarian mission soon takes a sinister turn. Eve discovers that Jill has concealed the real reason for bringing her to Maldara. Beyond reconstructing the children's faces, she is expected to examine another skull, supposedly belonging to Nils Varak, a notorious mercenary believed to have masterminded the massacre.
Jill and CIA operative Jed Novak suspect that the government has staged Varak's death and is concealing his continued existence. They need Eve's expertise to establish whether the remains are genuine. What initially appears to be a straightforward forensic assignment becomes an increasingly dangerous investigation involving deception, political manipulation and an elaborate conspiracy.
At the centre of Maldara's power struggle is Zahra Kiyani, the country's ambitious new president. Having succeeded her assassinated father, Zahra is determined to consolidate her authority and is prepared to use every available weapon, including manipulation and intimidation. Her obsession with power, coupled with her complicated personal ambitions, makes her a formidable adversary.
Johansen gradually reveals a web of conflicting interests involving political leaders, intelligence operatives and mercenaries. As Eve attempts to establish the truth, she finds herself caught between people whose motives are difficult to decipher. The question is no longer simply whether Varak is alive, but who stands to benefit from keeping his fate concealed.
The novel offers readers an unusual setting. Rather than relying on familiar American crime-scene investigations, Johansen transports the action into an unstable African country where political authority is fragile and violence can erupt without warning. The fictional setting allows her to explore the darker consequences of civil conflict, corruption and the struggle for control.
Eve Duncan remains an engaging protagonist. Her professional expertise, sharp instincts and stubborn determination distinguish her from the conventional thriller heroine. She is not simply a forensic specialist carrying out a technical assignment; she is someone who recognises the human tragedy behind every unidentified victim. Her desire to restore identities to the dead gives the story an emotional dimension that balances its action and political intrigue.
The supporting characters also contribute to the suspense. Jill's determination to expose wrongdoing, Jed's intelligence background and Zahra's ruthless political calculations create a shifting landscape of alliances and betrayals. Even when the reader thinks the pieces are falling into place, Johansen introduces fresh complications.
The pace is brisk, with plenty of confrontations, revelations and unexpected developments. At times, the numerous subplots and larger-than-life characters make the narrative somewhat crowded, while some of the villains' motivations are more elaborate than necessary. Nevertheless, Johansen keeps the central mystery moving towards a satisfying and action-packed conclusion.
Smokescreen is a solid addition to the Eve Duncan series and can also be enjoyed by readers unfamiliar with the earlier books. It offers a compelling mixture of forensic mystery, political suspense and adventure, with a heroine whose compassion is as important as her courage.
For fans of Iris Johansen, this is another entertaining page-turner. For newcomers, it is an invitation to discover an author who knows how to keep readers guessing until the final pages. An absolutely engaging read.