Smoke and Mirrors [Hardcover]

Barbara Michaels (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1989

Joining the campaign of a charismatic congresswoman, young Erin Hartsock arrives in Washinton, D.C., filled with idealism and ambition. But her enthusiasm dissolves into terror when the campaign takes a malevolent turn. Someone...something...has begun threatening Erin and her colleagues. First come the strange fires, then a seemingly accidental death. As the election nears, Erin fears that she just may be a murderer's next candidate.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Michaels delivers another sure-fire winner in this romantic adventure set in the smoky, deceptive arena of American politics. Young, uncertain Erin Hartsock moves to Washington, D.C., after her father's death, and takes a job on the campaign staff of Rosemary White Marshall, an old friend of her parents who is running for the Senate from Virginia. Both exhilarated and intimidated by the nonstop pace of campaign life, Erin is similarly drawn to and put off by the enforced intimacy of Rosemary's inner circle. A series of accidents centering around fires besieges the campaign, and Erin discovers to her horror that she is suspected of harboring a family secret that may destroy Rosemary's chances. Although she and Nick, another member of Rosemary's staff, clear her name, the threat to Rosemary remains and the two young people face mortal danger when they uncover an old plotits victims ready to wreak vengeance, its perpetrators ready to kill again. Michaels eschews her usual suggestion of otherworldly participation in her latest (after Search the Shadows ) eminently satisfying tale, whose realistic setting, plot and vibrant characters should swell her legion of fans. Literary Guild alternate; Doubleday Book Club featured alternate.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Elizabeth Peters (writing as Barbara Michaels) was born and brought up in Illinois and earned her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago's famed Oriental Institute. Peters was named Grandmaster at the inaugural Anthony Awards in 1986, Grandmaster by the Mystery Writers of America at the Edgar® Awards in 1998, and given The Lifetime Achievement Award at Malice Domestic in 2003. She lives in an historic farmhouse in western Maryland.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 348 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1ST edition (January 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671670379
• ISBN-13: 978-0671670375
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,538,560 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Isn't Politics Scary Enough?, December 27, 2002

By 

S. K. Leggate "Sunni" (Fernley, NV United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Smoke and Mirrors (Mass Market Paperback)

I thought the subject of politics was scary enough, but then I read Mrs. Michael's book. Politics took a whole new meaning for me. I am not usually naive, but if Smoke and Mirrors is anything like true politics than I have been oblivious. Mrs. Michael's weaves a thrilling tale that kept me on the edge of my seat through the use of very believable characters, and an enticing plot. The story makes you think, and get involved, and it is obvious that Mrs. Michaels is a born story-teller.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ain't archaeology, but still great!, July 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Smoke and Mirrors (Paperback)

This book was great. I loved Michaels' technique of slowly unveiling and manipulating each character's dark secrets of the past. She managed to ignite the actual thrill and intrigue of the political game, and this heightened my enjoyment while reading this novel. During the story, Erin becomes so caught up with Rosemary's political problems with Buzz Bennett, that she is simply oblivious to the sickly dangers that lie around her during every day, every moment of her stay. Erin manages to solve the mystery behind the mysterious Richmond fire that killed a number of tiny children and in the process, she discovers the ugly side of the political arena. I enjoyed every page to the fullest degree. In the story, politics is presented to the reader as an exhilarating game; an adventurous game; a dangerous game. This book is certainly a perfect curl-up-at-homer for a rainy afternoon.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, November 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Smoke and Mirrors (Paperback)

Its one of Michaels typical good books. You know, there are those typical good books that you expect out of a favorite author, and then there are those books that disappoint you, but that you read them anyway because you are just so used to the style of the author and are loyal to them. Well, this book had all the basic elements needed for a good Michaels or Peters' book. It had romance, suspense, humor, intrigue, and and insight into a particular type of world. In this case that was the world of politics. In many of her other books it is the world of Egyptology or archaelogy. She gives a lot of information about a certain type of lifestyle or industry and entertains by encompassing it with the romance and adventures of her funny characters. Again, typically good Micheals book.