Smoke Screen

This is an older book that I read on vacation and enjoyed tremendously. The novel introduces us to Trevor Barnett who has become the lead spokesman for the tobacco industry. He's a slacker and only works for the Terra tobacco company because he's heir to whatever fortune will be left once the courts are finished with them. Trevor is instantly tossed into a televised debate against Angus Scalia, the head legal counsel and spokesperson for the anti-tobacco lobby. He barely survives the debate and Terra decides to shut down its business rather than deal with a $250 billion dollar lawsuit. America's tobacco companies close their plants and recall their products from retailers' shelves. Trevor is charged with the task of going on national show more television and announcing no more cigarettes will be manufactured or sold until the industry is given ironclad protection from the courts.

Mills does a great job of describing all the complications from the loss of millions of dollars in tax money, to jobs lost in the tobacco factories as well as the farms. I won't even mention the anger of millions of smokers who are suddenly deprived of their cigarettes. The results of these actions and how Trevor deals with them will have you examining the rights and wrongs of the tobacco industry and the right of Americans to make their own choices.

I liked this book and thought the concept was witty and satirical. The characters were very engaging. It's an amusing look at both the politics and the economics side of the tobacco industry. This is not a typical Kyle Mills espionage or action novel but I think no matter what side you are in the tobacco conversation, you'll really enjoy it. show less

I really really want to like Kyle Mills because he took over the Mitch Rapp series, but I’m having a tough time enjoying his writing even on a stand-alone book. This wasn’t a memorable read.